I was about to say that I can’t believe I’m sitting down to review a beauty product men’s grooming tool, but I was actually looking forward to this. 🙂
When Karen asked me to test some new men’s products a few days ago, the first thing I thought was, “oh, please, no.” I love my girl, but god help me I thought she was going to make me moisturize my cuticles or cut my toenails. And then I saw the package for the Gillette Fusion ProGlide POWER Razor ($12.99 with one cartridge; replacement cartridges cost $33.99 for a package of eight).
WOW! Um, Gillette must have gotten help from someone who knows male psychology when they designed this razor because it has shiny chrome parts (ooh…), black plastic ridges (ahh…) and a big power button on the back — all good things! But I’ve tried other fancy razors before (the Gillette Mach 3 comes to mind), and I’ve always stopped using them after a while because I couldn’t justify the cost. That’s the thing with these super disposables with three or four blades (this one has FIVE!). Yes, I think they really do work way better than those cheap yellow or blue razors that come 12 in a bag for $3, but they cost 10 times as much.
That’s what was going through my mind before I gave the ProGlide Power and Fusion Pure & Sensitive HydraGel shave gel ($4.29 for a 7-oz. can) a try — that and the fact that it has FIVE blades (what’s next? 20 blades?)! I expected it to work well but end up being too expensive to buy on a regular basis.
I skipped a day of shaving to give the ProGlide something extra to work with. If I was going to test this thing, I wanted to do it right!
Following my regular routine, I rinsed my face with warm water. I think the warmth softens my skin, maybe opens the pores or something and makes blade shaving a little easier. Then I shot a small glob of HydraGel into my palm. Interesting… it’s almost clear and looks a little heavier than most shave gels. Was that a good sign?
As soon as I started to work it into a lather, I caught a whiff of something wonderful and weird — no kidding, but it smells just like lemon meringue pie (which I love!), despite the fact that it claims to be fragrance free. The product lathers up quickly and gets much foamier than most shave gels.
Then I took the blade, clicked the power button (the whole razor gently vibrates), and started my shave. I could tell it was working well right off the bat. No tugging at my skin at all, incredibly close after one pass, and handles the contours of my skin better than ANY blade I’ve ever used before.
Cheap disposable razors catch on every little mole, pimple or bump if I’m not careful, but the ProGlide didn’t leave a single mark on me. The whole shave, including my neck, took less than half the time it usually takes me to shave!
Best. Shave. Of. My. Life.
But about the powered part of the razor, I’m not sure it makes any difference at all. I’ve used the razor a few more times since that first shave and tried it both with/without the power on. I couldn’t tell any difference in the quality of the shave with it off, so that’s something to keep in mind since I think Gillette also sells a less expensive version that isn’t battery powered.
As for the cost, it’s still a big deal with this razor, but this is the first time I’ve ever said, “Who cares?” That’s how good it works, and for what it’s worth, I always keep track of how many times I can use a blade razor before it’s too dull. After four shaves so far, the ProGlide still feels brand new! That’s compared to cheap dual-blade BICs that feel duller after the first shave (more nicks and not as close).
I think the Gillette Fusion ProGlide/Pure & Sensitive HydraGel combination puts every other razor/gel combo I’ve used to shame. It gives a great, fast shave, but it’s not cheap. In this case, though, I think you really get what you pay for. Should you buy this for your man? Heck, yeah. A+
What an awesome review! And I’m totally sold! Poor SO gets the most horrible bloody post-shave face and this combo sounds amazing! (To be fair he does let it grow out horribly and then gets some pretty epic acne underneath the shag, but he would totally shave more often if it were easier!)
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Hi Catherine,
Facial hair might as well be a curse! But I really do think this razor helps calm my skin. It shaves so well that it doesn’t give me any ingrown hairs, which look and feel like painful pimples. $12.99 is expensive, but I saw that Amazon has the manual version without the battery power for $8.73. It could be worth a try.
I can’t believe I’ve read a whole review on a razor for men… I guess it’s just a great one. I hope there are more to come…
i bought these for my bf and he loves it. He also said the vibrating doesn’t do much. I’ve switched him from those cheapo disposables finally lol
Love this review! I chuckled at the thought of you moisturizing your cuticles. It’s okay, no one ever does. 🙂
I’m buying this for my BF, stat!
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My boyfriend doesn’t have shaving issues because he prefers to have a beard. If I bought him this he wouldn’t use it! He could do with a new trimmer… does El Hub have any suggestions on that?
I love the Dresden Files! 😀
Hi kirsty,
No, sorry. I don’t use a beard trimmer because I only let my beard grow out once and didn’t keep it for long. Does your BF want an electric trimmer? If he does, then maybe there’s a way to change the blade without having to buy the whole trimmer. What I keep doing with my electric razor, and always regretting, is I never change the blade, so it gets to where it hardly works at all, but when I have changed it every year or so (should be changed WAY more often than that), it worked like new. If he gets a major brand trimmer, drugstores might sell replacement blades for it. Just an idea.
This time my fiancé is happy that I made him read your blog, and that only happened one more time when he read Tabs comics (he loves them) 😀 He doesn’t shave that much but still liked the post. And he was reaally loving iPhone games too. Let’s just say I’m glad he doesn’t have an iPhone anymore 😀
I loved this post. You make me want to go out and purchase one for my LEGS! However, I shave twice a day ( I hate hair). So I don’t think that’s an economically smart choice. However, I’m thoroughly impressed and am happy you are no longer stubbly and unattractive. LOL.
m.
Love this post! It makes me wanna buy it for my bf, it sounds amazing!
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Hey El Hub-
Great post/review! Like you I hesitated to pay an arm and a leg for a freakin’ razor. The review was great man. Was it enough to push me over the edge and spend the moolah?…maybe. I get about 3 shaves from mine before it starts to get dull. I’ve used the “power” razor before and I did notice a difference. Looking forward to more reviews. Great job!
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That’s so cool that El Hub wrote a post for you 🙂
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Perhaps I’m odd but I’m female and have this razor. Maybe I’m crazy but it feels like the razors marketed to women dull quite a bit faster than their male counterparts.
Anyhow, I LOVE this. I used to have a problem with getting razor burn but since I started using this razor I haven’t had even the slightest hint of razor burn.
Thumbs up from a lady too, hah!
not crazy – I was just about to comment the same thing. I have the last generation of this razor for that very reason.
Nice review El Hub (and Tabs)! AND, you’ve gotten a male reader to post a comment. Congrats!!! 🙂
I’m thinking of scooping that gel….lemon meringue pie, seriously? YUM.
My husband and brother in law got these as freebies in the mail recently. My husband didn’t care for the power button but my brother in law really likes it.
I might have to borrow my husband’s so I can give it a whirl myself!
Thanks for the review El Hubs! 🙂
agree with Paula — the razors made for women aren’t nearly as good as mens razors. Whenever I “steal” my husband’s razor — I get a much better shave LOL Maybe I’ll have to get this for my hubs!
I know I’m not a dude, but this review makes me want to buy the razor for myself! Good job, el hub. It’s nice for Karen to mix things up a bit on this blog!
Ha ha, I was actually thinking of bogarting this for myself!!
Thank you for contributing, babe! <3
Thanks for a great review!
My guy doesn’t want to spend too much money on his razors. So he ends up using his razors way too many times which defeats the purpose of using an expensive razor! (As well as when I ‘borrow’ it, I have to deal with a dull blade)
I am going to buy this one for him and hopefully the blades will last him a it longer.
Great review, El Hub. I showed this to the Hubs and he said its good to read stuff for men on here as well. I think he wants to check this shaver out when we hit Target this weekend.
If he doesnt get it, ill buy it for him myself. 🙂
My husband bought the same froufrou pink razor as I have so we can just buy one kind of refill, but I can always tell when he’s accidentally used mine because it is PACKED full of man hair. Perhaps I should ‘lose’ his razor and replace it with this one… 😉
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LOL. KAREN. IS EL HUB UR NW20?!?!?!
HAHA! Awesome comment! I’ve always wondered where the NW20 comes from!
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Great review, El Hub!
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I’m gonna buy this for ma-self! Maybe if Hubby is good I’ll let him use it…..
Oh and tell El Hub that he has good taste with the Dresden Files, I’ve reread them a bunch of times and waiting anxiously to see how they resolve the MONDO cliff hanger at the end of the last book
Oh man, El Hub, you are crazy hilarious. Thanks for the review. If I had a boyfriend/husband, I’d tell him to get this based on your review.
And I liked what you said about the power thing. They have that in women’s razors too and I always thought that seemed like a gimmick.
.-= Trisha’s last blog post… Giveaway- Avon Advance Technique Lotus Shield =-.
My brother has this and he loves it! He has very curse hair along with sensitive skin. He has tried everything out there and he said that so far this has worked for him.
Off-topic; but I call my husband El Hub or El Hubby hahaha
I’m not a bloke but I thoroughly enjoyed reading that review. Well done El Hub! Hope we see some more soon.
Hi El Hubs!
So great of you to do a product review! =) I think you did a great job!
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Love the fact that you have a review of a mens product on you blog! There are so many mens products on the market with more and more each day! Keep the mens reviews coming..please!
hes a GREAT writer.. i have a boyfriend who loves to groom himself ill DEFINITELY send him this. more posts by el hub please!! especially for holidays…good gift ideas.
Nice job, El Hub… and not to take anything away from your reviewing skills, but I think Tabs would have *really* put this razor to the test. I want to see a cat-hawk. 🙂
i’m sold! i was actually at target yesterday with my “el hubs” lol.. and we saw this! wasn’t sure if it was worth picking up because havent seen reviews on it… but i’m surely gonna have to pick it up for him… although he only shaves like twice a week… still debating if i want to spend the $$… but GREAT review 🙂 ur giving karen a run for her money! but never tabs lol
xxxo, Vanessa
Great review, el hub! I actually want the shaving cream for myself if it smells like lemon pie! 🙂
Have any of the ladies used this on your legs? I’m not getting a satisfactory summer shave from anything else.
Mr. El Hubs, I have to tell you about this video I watched a couple of weeks ago about how to sharpen razors at home. I’ve tried it a couple of times myself, and it really seemed to work for me! You just run the razor backwards over a pair of jeans – simple, right?! The video is here: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-extend-the-life-of-your-Razor-Blade-keeping/
And drat, it looks like I’m going to join the expensive-razor-club.
Great review. I usually buy the guy’s version of razors because they tend to be cheaper and I figure if they are made for sensitive facial skin, they’ll be fine on my legs. I bet mine at Bed Bath & Beyond because they are constantly sending 20% off coupons.
yay for el hub! i LOVED the review! more please thank you ;D
El Hub, you’ve been reading Karen’s reviews a lot, haven’t you? This read a lot like one of hers. Well done! 🙂
My man swears by a straight razor — and I can definitely tell the difference. His face feels smother when he shaves, he stays stubble-free for a couple extra hours, and his skin gets less irritated. The actual razor costs a fair bit, but the blades cost only pennies. Apparently, it works well for women’s legs, too, but it apparently takes a few attempts to get the hang of it. Huge klutz + blades + “learning curve” = I’m scared that I’d end up recreating the shower scene from Psycho…
Excellent review El Hub! Karen you are my superest favourite blogger ever, especially for reviewing mens stuff too. Yay for inclusivity! I’d love to see some reviews of unisex products too!
Me and my bloke both use this razor – we have TWO each! A normal one and and “England” branded one which we bought before our humiliating defeat in the world cup!
Every now and then we just have to bite the bullet and go out and spend £50 (!!!) on replacement blades, but they last us for a while and there’s never any nicks in our bathroom!
Anyway, an excellent pick me up from MBB as usual this morning, keep up the good work!
I have the non-battery version and use it for my legs. It’s absolutely fantastic.
I have the manual version of the ProGlide actually. I bought it soon after it came out, and at the Target near me(I live in southeast Virginia) they were about 9 bucks(for the regular AND the power- I bought the manual).
Of course when my boyfriend found out I’d gotten one and how much I love it(best.razor.EVAR), he was jealous and went out and bought the power one(he’s mostly upset I got it first).
Trust me ladies, this razor’s AMAZING. I have trouble with the back of my thighs, they always get razor bumps…not with this one. No nicks either! I need to try that shave gel though.
Great review, El Hub! 🙂
What a great review. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this review from a man’s perspective. How cool of your husband do this for you. That makes me happy. =) I will indeed check this out for my husband now. Thank you so much.
BF and I both used the Fusion razor and were pumped when we saw the commercials for the Pro-Glide. While in Costco, in unison, we steered the cart to the display and gleefuly plunked down the money. Nothing beats quality. I bought him the Kiehls unscented shaving cream, spendy, but he loves it.
Just found this great review, my boyfriend uses Fusion razor and is very pleased with the results. We are in the UK and have found a site which offers the replacement blades with discounts – http://www.razorblades2u.com/shop/gillette/
I am going to buy this one for him and hopefully the blades will last him a it longer.I can definitely tell the difference. His face feels smother when he shaves, he stays stubble-free for a couple extra hours, and his skin gets less irritated.
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