Thanks to Crowdtap and especially Schick® for allowing me to sample their new Schick® Hydro 5 razor!
So, you may be wondering - what's a Schick® Hydro 5?! Well, it's a few simple things.
Amazing, right? So - how does this razor perform compared to other razors? This razor replaced my Gillete Fusion Pro-Glide razor, which I had been using for nearly a year. There's a few differences between the razors, as will be explained below. Although I really enjoyed my Gillete razor, I can see the Schick® Hydro 5 razor becoming my new favorite.
The two major differences between a Gillete razor and a Schick® razor are...
What was your favorite part about shaving with the Schick Hydro 5 Disposable?
The Schick Hydro 5 Razor System can be found at many locations such as Walgreens, Walmart, Target, and Publix to name a few, and the cost typically runs around $10 to $12 dollars for the razor and two blade refills. Refills can be easily purchased for about $12 as well, for four blade packages. I would suspect that each blade package would last between a month and four months, depending on how often you use it. View all locations where you can purchase the Hydro 5 here.
The Schick® Hydro 5 also comes as an electric "power" razor, for those looking for that type. You can view the entire Hydro line at the Schick website here!
The Wall Street Journal recently did an article about the Schick razor line, mentioning the Hydro 5 razor. You can view their article here or simply continue scrolling down to see what they said.
More Blades Equal a Better Shave
Water Temperature Matters
Shave in the Shower
A Pre-Shave Routine Is a Waste
It's Worth Reading the Label
A Brush Is Best
Moisturize Before Shaving
Toss Blades Every Week
Most shaving experts say to rely on how the blade feels rather than the calendar. If a razor seems to be tugging at hairs, swap out the blade.
Go With the Grain
There's a Cure for Nicks
There isn't, unfortunately. Affixing a small wad of tissue, as many men have discovered, isn't much help. And it looks silly. Instead, apply pressure to the nick with a finger for three to five minutes. If it won't stop bleeding, try an ice cube. Clinique's Post-Shave Healer for men is intended to soothe the skin as well as any nicks. Some men use products called alum blocks or styptic pencils, which contain aluminum sulfates, natural astringents that help stop bleeding from small cuts.
Ingrown Hairs Are Inevitable
So, you may be wondering - what's a Schick® Hydro 5?! Well, it's a few simple things.
- A razor
- From Schick®
- With 5 blades
The two major differences between a Gillete razor and a Schick® razor are...
- With the Schick® Hydro 5 razor, there are 5 blades instead of the more common 4. The Gillete razor that was replaced by the Hyrdo 5 only had 4 blades.
- Very different build - the Hydro 5 disposable razor actually feels like, well, a disposable razor. While the Gillete razor I previously owned did not - this may be difficult to get used to if you decide to make the switch. The Hydro 5 has a very plastic feel, which allows for more movement but at the cost of a great deal of sturdiness. I have not had any issues with the Hydro 5 razor, but it simply feels a bit cheap.
From the Crowdtap Review Questions:
What was your favorite part about shaving with the Schick Hydro 5 Disposable?
My favorite part about shaving with the Schick Hydro 5 razor
was the closeness of the shave. Featuring five blades, the closeness of the
shave was rather surprising and a stark difference from the previous razor
used, which only had four.
Would you buy this product in the future? Why or why not?
I would certainly buy the refill packs in the future. If I
found that the product was not meeting my expectations when it comes to
durability, I would buy the non-disposable version and hope it would be a
better fit. If the non-disposable versions were much more durable, then I would
buy the Hydro 5 product without a doubt.
Did you use the flip trimmer feature on the razor? Did you find it helpful, why or why not?
I did use it, and found it to be VERY handy. I will
certainly advise people of this feature if they are trying to decide between
razors. I found it to be very useful because of how easy it is to
"switch" between the modes.
What was the general consensus from your friends? Did they enjoy the razor and would they be willing to buy it in the future?
The general consensus from friends was that it was a good
razor with a close shave, but rather flimsy feeling. They stated that they
would buy it, but most likely only if they had coupons or if they felt that
they could get over the plastic feel of the razor.
Finish the sentence: "My shave with the Schick Hydro 5 Disposable razor was..."
…like shaving with the harp of an angel if the harp of an
angel was an awesome disposable razor.
The Schick Hydro 5 Razor System can be found at many locations such as Walgreens, Walmart, Target, and Publix to name a few, and the cost typically runs around $10 to $12 dollars for the razor and two blade refills. Refills can be easily purchased for about $12 as well, for four blade packages. I would suspect that each blade package would last between a month and four months, depending on how often you use it. View all locations where you can purchase the Hydro 5 here.
The Schick® Hydro 5 also comes as an electric "power" razor, for those looking for that type. You can view the entire Hydro line at the Schick website here!
The Wall Street Journal recently did an article about the Schick razor line, mentioning the Hydro 5 razor. You can view their article here or simply continue scrolling down to see what they said.
"It is a rare man who is pleased with his
shave, or shaves happily. And whether they learned how to shave from
their fathers or a YouTube video, their technique tends to be far from
perfect, executives at shaving-products companies and dermatologists
say.
Gillette observes about 80 men
shaving every weekday morning at its shave-technology center in Reading,
England, and has concluded that men's top complaint is "not getting a
close enough shave," says Kristina Vanoosthuyze, senior scientist at the
Procter & Gamble Co. shaving brand.
This despite the fact that shaving
products, including razors and creams, have gotten increasingly
sophisticated to help men get sleeker cheeks and avoid irritants like
nicks and razor bumps. Schick's new Hydro 5 Power Select razor, for
example, includes a flip-top trimmer the brand says is designed to get
at tricky areas such as under the nose and sideburns. Gillette launched a
clear shaving gel earlier this year, Fusion ProGlide Clear Shave Gel,
so men can "see where to shave and edge accurately," its packaging
boasts.
Sales of men's razors and blades
world-wide are expected to hit nearly $13 billion this year, up from
$12.8 billion in 2011, according to market-research firm Euromonitor
International. Consumers are expected to spend $2.77 billion on
pre-shave products and about $1.23 billion on after-shave products this
year.
Some of the discomfort and
frustration from shaving is inherent in the act itself: You are taking a
sharp object to your face after all. It is time, a range of experts
say, for men to rethink their morning routine. Here, they separate the
finer points of shaving from the myths.
In
general, yes, say shaving experts. Five blades is the current gold
standard among razor makers, engaged in a blade arms race.
But blade design may be as important as blade count. Bic's Hybrid 4 razor has four blades which are "flexible," and designed to reduce nicks and tugging. "You think of a car, each wheel can absorb the shock of a bump in the road independent of every wheel," says Ed Dougherty, category president of global stationery and shaver for BIC Group. The design is intended to reduce nicks and tugging, he says. Gillette's battery-operated Fusion ProGlide five-blade razor features thinner, finer blades the brand says glide through hair with less tug and pull, plus a micro comb that guides stubble to the blades and a trimming blade with anti-clogging rinse slots.
But blade design may be as important as blade count. Bic's Hybrid 4 razor has four blades which are "flexible," and designed to reduce nicks and tugging. "You think of a car, each wheel can absorb the shock of a bump in the road independent of every wheel," says Ed Dougherty, category president of global stationery and shaver for BIC Group. The design is intended to reduce nicks and tugging, he says. Gillette's battery-operated Fusion ProGlide five-blade razor features thinner, finer blades the brand says glide through hair with less tug and pull, plus a micro comb that guides stubble to the blades and a trimming blade with anti-clogging rinse slots.
The battery-powered Hydro 5
Power Select razor from Schick, which is owned by Energizer Holdings
Inc., features variable speed vibrations and five blades that have "skin
guards" over each blade. "The skin guards prevent skin from getting
jammed in between those blades," says Patrick Kane, senior brand manager
of Schick Hydro.
Water Temperature Matters
It
does. splash hot water over the face or, if there is time, wrap a towel
soaked with hot water around the face. Hot water softens the keratin, a
protein, within the hair shaft "so your razor will cut the hair more
effortlessly," says Christopher Harmon, a dermatologist in Birmingham,
Ala.
Yes. The
hot water and the steam help soften the beard. For men who like to
shave in the shower, Nivea For Men has a series of 3-in-1 products which
contain a shower gel, moisturizing shampoo and a foaming shaving gel.
Introduced this year, its Relax product contains more moisturizing
ingredients than earlier versions. "Get more done in the shower," a
tagline for Nivea's 3-in-1 series says.
A Pre-Shave Routine Is a Waste
An
elaborate pre-shave routine may not be necessary for every skin type.
But dermatologists say a surprising number of men don't even wash their
face, which removes dirt and oil and results in a better shave, before
putting on shaving cream. Kiehl's, an upscale cosmetics brand, launched a
combination shave gel and face cleanser this summer called Facial Fuel
Sky Flyin' Foaming Multi-Gel after hearing from men who didn't want to
do multiple steps, says Kiehl's president, Chris Salgardo. The gel also
contains a form of ginseng, to minimize redness and irritation after
shaving, he says.
Yes.
Creams and gels with aloe may be effective at soothing sensitive skin
if they contain enough of it, says Susan Taylor, a Philadelphia-based
dermatologist. Edge's Sensitive Skin with aloe is its top-selling shave
gel. Men should avoid shaving creams with alcohol, which can dry skin.
And, "there is no evidence that topical vitamins are effective, except
perhaps some forms of vitamin A," Dr. Taylor says.
A Brush Is Best
It
depends upon whom you ask. Israel Leon, a master barber with Gillette's
Art of Shaving, which operates salons and has a line of products,
recommends applying shave cream with a lather brush, as the brush's
bristles can coax out the facial hairs more effectively than hands,
leading to a closer shave.
Some
dermatologists and barbers recommend moisturizing the face before
shaving, to soften hair and avoid irritating the skin. Most men "don't
take time to prepare their skin," says Karen Grant, global industry
analyst for beauty at market researcher NPD Group. "They're not aware
they're causing irritation." Only 25% of 8,794 men NPD Group surveyed
last year used skin-care products.
Toss Blades Every Week
Most shaving experts say to rely on how the blade feels rather than the calendar. If a razor seems to be tugging at hairs, swap out the blade.
Go With the Grain
Yes,
but then go against the grain for a closer shave, say many shaving
experts. John E. Wolf Jr., chairman of the department of dermatology at
Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, says while a man may get a closer
shave shaving against the grain, the trade-off is "you're more likely
to get ingrown hairs or irritation," since this is more likely to tug at
the skin, leading to ingrown hairs. Many men have the best luck shaving
with the grain for some areas of the face, and against it for others.
There's a Cure for Nicks
There isn't, unfortunately. Affixing a small wad of tissue, as many men have discovered, isn't much help. And it looks silly. Instead, apply pressure to the nick with a finger for three to five minutes. If it won't stop bleeding, try an ice cube. Clinique's Post-Shave Healer for men is intended to soothe the skin as well as any nicks. Some men use products called alum blocks or styptic pencils, which contain aluminum sulfates, natural astringents that help stop bleeding from small cuts.
Ingrown Hairs Are Inevitable
Not
so. New products and strategies can help avoid and treat these inflamed
areas, usually more of a problem for men of color and men with curly
facial hair. To prevent them, shave with
the grain, use a face cleanser and shaving gels that contain
moisturizer and don't pull the skin taut while shaving, says Andrew
Alexis, director of the Skin of Color Center at St. Luke's-Roosevelt
Hospital in New York. He recommends a topical vitamin A cream (a
retinoid) at night to exfoliate, making it less likely hairs will get
embedded in the skin.
Rather than
tweezing ingrown hairs, Dr. Alexis recommends using a wash cloth before
shaving in "a circular motion to gently dislodge the superficially
embedded hairs."
The Razors' Edges
Different
types of razors can give a different quality of shave. It mostly comes
down to personal preference, say dermatologists.
•Straight Razors
Often used in barbershops or male grooming salons, these razors are generally considered the sharpest. While they tend to offer a superior shave, they also demand more time and money.
Often used in barbershops or male grooming salons, these razors are generally considered the sharpest. While they tend to offer a superior shave, they also demand more time and money.
•Double-Edge Safety Razors
This style has a metal handle and permanent head that holds double-edge razor blades, meaning both edges of the blade are sharp. Close shaving can generally be achieved with fewer strokes.
This style has a metal handle and permanent head that holds double-edge razor blades, meaning both edges of the blade are sharp. Close shaving can generally be achieved with fewer strokes.
•Multi-blade Cartridge Razors
These are among the most popular of razors, with a replaceable plastic cartridge usually holding three to five blades. The shave generally won't be as close as with a double-edge safety razor but better than one with a disposable razor.
These are among the most popular of razors, with a replaceable plastic cartridge usually holding three to five blades. The shave generally won't be as close as with a double-edge safety razor but better than one with a disposable razor.
•Disposable Razors
Made of plastic with non-removable razor blades that tend to dull fast, these are designed for convenience. The blades tend to not be as sharp as non-disposables, so the shave may not be as close."
Made of plastic with non-removable razor blades that tend to dull fast, these are designed for convenience. The blades tend to not be as sharp as non-disposables, so the shave may not be as close."
