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Ah, shaving, the great equalizer. Most of us deal with it on the daily, but there is a way to make this chore more pleasant, and that directly involves upgrading your shaving experience. Upgrading is not only the secret to smoother shave, but also an elevated lux experience (and yep, I see all you dry-shavers out there, keep reading too).
We asked Emily Doyle, co-founder of Ursa Major, to tell us the ins and outs of quality shaving creams (And she’d know: The brand spent years developing the perfect one, Stellar Shave Cream).

Happy Legs

There are a lot of artificial scents and gunk in traditional cheap creams, that’s not great to be around. “It’s hard to find a $5 product that is healthy (aka, no funky chemicals or fake fragrance) and is also a real pleasure to use. Plus, most traditional shave creams use foaming agents and soap, which make your skin feel tight and dry. Using a quality natural shave cream that actually nourishes and heals the skin will leave you smooth, hydrated, and happy.”

Time Saving

Not only will a quality shave cream make shaving quicker and more efficient (and won’t clog up your razor as easily), you’ll be saving time without nicking yourself, and maybe won’t even have to moisturize afterwards. “The scent alone on Stellar Shave Cream is enough for me, but I also love the rich creamy texture—you don’t even need to moisturize afterwards—it’s that good!”

Treat Yo’Self Justified

All you alternative shavers (aka: dry shaving/hair conditioner as cream) out there, listen up! “I have used hair conditioner in a pinch before, it’s NOT fun. Shaving is already a bit of a chore, so using a beautiful, luxurious product definitely helps in that department. We thought, whether you’re a guy or a girl, you probably shave and you probably don’t love it—so let’s create something that makes you crave your next shave (or at least enjoy it). It might seem like a real indulgence to spend a bit more on shave cream, but it’s totally worth it for any product you are regularly slathering over your face or body.”

Now that you’re inspired to upgrade, a selection of ed picks beyond Ursa’s Stellar that run the gauntlet from snags to steals to luxe.

Jason Shave Lotion Anti-Razor Burn, $5

Unkind razors don’t stand a chance with this $5 snag: razor bumps, burn, and ingrown hairs be gone! Aloe protects for a close, comfortable shave, and salicylic and glycolic acid help fight all the bad stuff (razor bumps and ingrown hairs).

 

Kiss my Face Fragrance Free Shaving Cream, $8

For those with sensitive skin, this is your steal of an item. It’ll moisturize, aloe will soothe, and the botanical blend will provide you a closer than close shave.

Beekman 1802 Shave Butter, $18

No harmful chemicals in this moisturizing cream, just goat milk, aloe, shea butter, and coconut oil.

 

Omorovicza Soothing Shave, $30

Yes, this moisturizing and soothing shave cream leaves skin soft and smooth, but it’s also cooling and anti-inflammatory for any razor burn, and fruit extracts help prevent ingrown hairs. And fans of this cream say the shave is so close they can go a day or two longer without shaving again.

 

Aesop Moroccan Neroli Shaving Serum, $37

As the name tells, a bold scented neroli cream blended with hydrating botanicals for a razor-close shave that’s also calming and nourishing.

Buly 1803 Creme Pogonotomienne, $44

Guys, this packaging! If that alone is not enough to convenience you, then let what’s inside the packaging win you over—moisturizing sweet almond oil soften hair and skin, while burnt Hinoki wood offers a bold scent and is also naturally antibacterial.

This story was originally published July 20, 2017. It was updated October 1, 2017.

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