I don’t know about you, but I have been shaving my legs and armpits since the 5th grade. It felt so “grown up” to shave… I mean, if I’m being honest, it was a pretty exciting time. Especially when Gillette launched its line of Venus razors around the time I turned 14! I couldn’t wait to upgrade from my crappy disposable razors to one that offered a pivoting head with moisture strips surrounding the blades! That sounded so luxurious (and meant no more cuts on my ankles / knees)!!!
Over my many years (two decades!) of shaving, the activity quickly lost its allure and has become one of the most annoying chores in my beauty routine. This maintenance had also become super expensive! I mean, a pack of four 5-blade Venus Extra Smooth razor heads costs me $20 + tax at Target so I wasn’t surprised to see companies looking to disrupt the industry and buck the “pink tax“. When I started this experiment I couldn’t imagine any company being able to offer (a) better razor blades, (b) a better shaving experience, but for the overall cost savings I felt that other options were worth exploring.
The two brands that I felt might be able to stand up to my beloved Venus razor were Flamingo and Billie. I love the general business model of both of these brands — who wouldn’t be interested in stylish and affordable subscription shaving?! I ordered a starter kit from each company (a full razor: handle + blade, as well as an extra razor head) and gave each of them one week’s worth of testing. I’m embarrassed to admit that the results actually surprised me.
I evaluated each razor on the same qualifications:
1.) Handling Comfort
2.) Shave Efficacy
3.) Overall Shaving Experience
4.) Accessibility / Availability,
5.) Price, and
6.) Travel Size / Cover?
Additionally, I used my usual shower gel (Nécessaire Body Wash) for the shave with each brand, so I can’t speak to each of their specific shaving creams; this is a review of the razors only.
— VENUS —
Handling Comfort
I love the metal handle with rubber grip on the underside; the weight is great and makes my shave feel… sturdier(?). The almost straight handle design is what I’m used to, but I wouldn’t say that it’s the best style for hard-to-reach areas.
Shave Efficacy
I feel like the razor blades are effective enough, but they seem to dull really quickly (like after 3 shaves) so I end up needing to swap out razor heads frequently ($$$!). I will say that my number of razor bumps has not been affected by the use of this razor.
Overall Shaving Experience
The Venus handle model that I have has a flexible head on it, but I still [infrequently] manage to cut myself on the backs of my knees somehow? I also noticed that the moisture strip on the Venus Extra Smooth heads dry up rapidly after the first shave so they’re less comfortable and, well, smooth.
Accessibility / Availability
One of the great things about Gillette razors is that (a) all of their razor heads can be used on any of their handles, so you can plug-and-play with whichever kind works best for you, and (b) their razors are available almost EVERYWHERE (big box stores like Wal-Mart / Target, pharmacies, even some deluxe gas stations) and are now offered in online mailing subscription form as well (obviously to compete with the new brands).
Price
I never enjoyed having to pay $20+ for a pack of 4 razors (especially with how quickly I would have to replace them!), but I did it because I thought what I was using was the best available option.
Travel
I love having a little clamshell case and mini razor handle to take with me for travel. I know that putting my daily razor in a Ziplock bag isn’t the end of the world, but the moisture strip sticks and dries to the inside of the bag, the razor isn’t protected, etc. so I really value the travel size (that also works with any Venus razor head!).
…
PROS
Available everywhere (read: most grocery and drug stores) as well as subscriptions now?, quality razor blades, comfortable shave experience, travel handle / case available
CONS
Expense, razors dull quickly, and moisture strips dry out rapidly
— FLAMINGO —
Handling Comfort
Not quite as heavy as the Venus metal handle, but love the medium weight of this razor for handling as well as the matte rubber wrapped all the way around the handle for a good grip. The straight razor handle design poses the same access challenges as the Venus. That being said, I think that the styling design is very elegant and I think that the flamingo logo is super clever.
Shave Efficacy
I feel like the razor blades are effective enough, but they seemed to dull after only a few shaves (like 4 or 5?) and the moisture strips dried up equally as fast. I will say that my number of razor bumps has not been affected by the use of this razor.
Overall Shaving Experience
I didn’t like that the moisture strip was only above the blades instead of fully surrounding them. I also noticed that when the head flexes, the prongs that keep the head from folding under itself would stick out and often scrape along my skin (no harm was caused, it’s just an unpleasant sensation).
Accessibility / Availability
These razors are available online by purchasing a la carte or signing up for a mailing subscription; I’ve noticed that Target has also started carrying razors and blade refills online and in-store, but they are often sold out in-store so the convenience of same-day is lost here for most customers.
Price
I definitely think that you’re getting your money’s worth here. A pack of 4 razors is only $9 so while you may have to replace your razor heads fairly often due to dulling blades and dried-out moisture strips, it’s half the price of the comparable Venus razors so it’s a more affordable solution.
Travel
No travel option available currently.
…
PROS
Affordable, subscription-based, stylish design: weighted handle, average shaving performance, Target carries them (but are often sold out)
CONS
Razor head design plastic “prongs” would occasionally scrape while fully flexed, no travel handle/case available, razor dulls fairly quickly and moisture strips dry out kind of fast
— BILLIE —
Handling Comfort
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this razor because I certainly prefer a heavier handle and this one is very light. The handle shape is triangular and the underside is coated by a matte rubber to help with grip. The overall design is more arched so I was able to access the hard-to-reach spots much easier, but it definitely looks pretty similar to crappy disposable razors so I initially doubted its capabilities.
Shave Efficacy
I was surprised by how effective these razor blades were — my skin stayed stubble-less for much longer (even after getting goosebumps — it’s magic!!!). I will say that my number of razor bumps has not been affected by the use of this razor.
Overall Shaving Experience
I am crazy about whatever they use in the moisture strip (it’s been effective for more than 2 weeks of shaving now!) and that it fully surrounds the blades. It’s such a smooth shaving experience!
Accessibility / Availability
Only available online through a mailing subscription, but it’s seriously only $10 per shipment, so I don’t see that as being a kind of deterrent. Kind of a bummer that they’re not available in-store (at least right now).
Price
Talk about getting the most bang for your buck! Such an affordable set of 4 razors. I was assuming that I would have to swap them out more frequently, but I haven’t experienced that moisture strip drying out or any razor dullness yet and it’s been two weeks… I’m not actively trying to make the razors stretch, but they’re naturally (ahem, most likely by-design) long lasting.
Travel
I would love a compact, travel-sized version of this razor, Billie! Please consider this in your next product rollout!
…
PROS
affordable, subscription-based, quality razor blades, excellent shave experience: moisture strip (and slower hair regrowth?!).
CONS
design looks cheap (but I guess you get what you pay for?), no travel handle/case available.
Overall, I think that all three razors got the job done, but I personally thought that the Billie provided the best results. I wasn’t expecting much from it because in photos it looked like a cheap, flimsy razor like the disposable ones I had used as a kid and hated! I was pleasantly surprised to find that the shave was superb; I loved the gel surrounding the razor head because it made the shave incredibly smooth and didn’t tug at my arm or leg hairs. Shaving has once again become “exciting” in my life because the results are so enjoyable. I’ll admit that I love the convenience of my little Venus travel razor and will continue to use that until Billie creates their own version; I guess I’ll still be paying the “pink tax” on Venus razors every once in a while, but hopefully not for long!
**UPDATE**
Billie just released a travel case for their full-size razor! While it’s not as compact as the Venus travel razor, it’s still a great option! I just took mine with me on a recent trip and it worked well! The case is magnetic (like the razor’s shower wall mount) so it’s easy to place inside the case and easy to snap close / open. Highly recommend!
I hate when I get goosebumps immediately after I get out of the shower and my legs don’t even feel like I shaved them. LOL! What challenges do you encounter with shaving?
xx, Natalie
*disclaimer: this post was not sponsored; all opinions are my own.
Omg. I have been debating trying the Billie razor but was very wary about ordering them. Now I HAVE to try them!!!
Billie and Venus are actually owned by the same company Proctor and Gamble and use the same blades I know this bc I work there
Hi, Rory! Thanks for your comment! While I don’t doubt that most razor companies are buying their blades from the same vendor, I find that it’s the actual construction of the razor that makes all the difference! The way that the blades are angled and the “stacking” distance (lol – very technical terms 😂), the area surrounding the blades on the head with the charcoal shave soap, and the overall design are what I think sets the Billie apart. Additionally, I don’t believe that P&G has acquired Billie yet? I know that they had been talking about it earlier this year, but a public announcement hasn’t been made as of this moment.
Thanks for taking the time to post your comment, and wishing you all the best!
-Natalie
Hi Natalie! I’m just curious as to what type of body hair you have. I’ve been looking into getting the Billie razor, but I’ve tried probably 20 different razors and I still have some issues. I have extremely dense, thick black body hair, similar to the density of a mans beard. It’s terrible, lol! I use the dollar shave club for my private areas and the Gillette Venus Extra Smooth for my legs. I find that the Gillette works best for my legs because it doesn’t “fill up” with hair as quick and it’s the smoothest I’ve gotten (although you can still see the black pores right after shaving, and some harsh stubble within 8 hours or so). So I was just curious to see what type of density of hair/speed of hair growth you have so I can get an idea if this may work for me. Thank you so much for this amazing review page, I’ve done so much research and yours was by far the most helpful 🙂
Hey, Taylor! First of all, thanks so much for reading my post, for your sweet words, and for your question! I would say that my leg hair is medium / thick? I know exactly what you mean about the dark pores on your legs (I have them too!) and unfortunately I think that unless you want to wax your legs, that won’t change even with an excellent razor. (side note: The way that I minimize the darkness of my pores is by using a body scrub to slough off any extra dead skin / lift the hairs up to prepare for shaving, plus I like to self tan and I’ve noticed that if my skin is a bit darker, the dark pores aren’t nearly as noticeable!). It’s tough to gauge hair growth speed… that varies so much person to person, depending on your diet and so many other things. I can definitely say that I haven’t personally ever experienced my billie razor filling up with hair, but I also try to shave every other day so my hairs are never really long enough to clog the blades. Honestly, (not to put any pressure on you), but it’s a pretty affordable thing to test out and you can always cancel your subscription right away if you’re concerned that you won’t like it. I hope that I answered your questions sufficiently! Feel free to reach back out if you need any clarification or have more questions. Stay well!
xx, Natalie
I love the self tan idea! I’m going to have to try that. I’m definitely going to order a Billie today! Thank you so much again ❤️
You are more than welcome! Glad to hear my review helped — let me know how it works for you! I bet other followers with similar shaving grievances would want to know if it would work for them too! 💗
Billie is now available at Walmart so I just bought it to try out. My only concern is I milk my Venus razors, only changing to a new blade every couple of months since they’re so expensive. (I shave my legs twice a week max.) I saw the Billie package recommended changing their blades every 7 shaves or so, and if I really have to do that, it won’t end up being any savings. But the only way to find out is to use it for a while and see. So time will tell! 😉
Hi, Katherine!
Oooh good to know that they’re available at Wal-Mart now!
I totally understand milking the Venus razor blades because I used to do the same thing. I will make the argument that the Billie razor rotation recommendation is universal across all razor blades… (I’m sure that Gillette recommends the same swap timeframe for their Venus razors for the closest shave). You can definitely milk the Billie razors as well, but you will just be getting a duller blade shave that won’t give you optimal results that a newer, sharper blade will.
I hope that your Billie razor works out for you! I still really love mine.
Warmly,
Natalie