Teenage Angst: Shaving Fail

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The other day I was shaving my legs in the shower when my mind wandered to the very first time I shaved my legs. Some people sing in the shower, I have random stuff pop into my head.

I was about 13 years old, had noticed that other girls my age shaved their legs, and asked my mom to show me how. I’ll bet she wasn’t ready for her first baby to be so grown up; she put me off, saying that I didn’t want to start shaving so young because once I did the hair would grow back black and prickly and I’d have to keep doing it over and over and over again.

Young? Mom, I’m THIRTEEN – a TEENAGER – practically a grown-up already. Sheesh!

Not long afterwards my best friend Pam and I were at her house getting ready to go swimming. I was sitting on the bathroom counter waiting for my turn in the shower and casually i.e. “practiced in my head a gazillion times first” asked if I could borrow a razor to shave my legs while I waited.

She told me to use the electric razor in the bottom drawer, which turned out to be one of those three-headed things and did absolutely nothing for my legs or my self confidence at the lake.

I was crushed by the failure of my first stab at womanhood, but learned a very important lesson: Use a razor designed for women’s legs. Like the Venus Embrace!

When I started shaving there weren’t nearly as many types of razors available as there are now. The Venus Embrace recently caught my eye because it has FIVE blades. When I saw it I thought, “That’s either a huge waste or the best thing since sliced bread,” and had to try it.

I’m not usually one to rave over something as simple as a razor, but the Venus Embrace really is the best thing since sliced bread. In addition to the five blades there’s a moisture strip, but the thing I I like best is an amazing feat of razor engineering that caused the blades to float on my legs – light as a feather!

Not only did the Venus Embrace deliver the most comfortable shave I’ve ever had seriously, I’m not exaggerating! but my legs felt smoother than ever before, too.

The electric razor fiasco wasn’t the end of my shaving woes…

Not too many weeks after, I realized I’d forgotten to shave after leaving the bathroom. My brother Jay had already claimed his turn, and since my two brothers and I constantly battled over bathroom rights I knew there was no way he’d let me back in. I also knew that if he knew I wanted to get back in he’d take twice as long.

I had a razor in my bedroom so I thought I’d shave quick and be on my way. Since there wasn’t any water I decided to dry shave. Being a novice shaver I didn’t know you could use lotion for shaving.

Big mistake!

Dry shaving was ineffective, painful, and left me with nicks, red bumps, razor burn, and ingrown hairs that developed over the next few days.

Shaving lesson number two: Don’t shave dry skin.

Since that morning I’ve shaved with soap, body wash, conditioner, men’s shaving cream shhh, don’t tell Teacher that’s where all of his shaving cream went, shaving gel, and lotion. I like shaving gel best because it gives me the smoothest shave and it’s fun watch the gel turn to foam, but I’m not thrilled with the overpowering fake scents.

I recently tried Passionista Fruit Satin Care gel, and like it better than any other gel I’ve used. It’s advertised as having a “sparkly fruity scent” but it’s not the typical fake “tooty fruity” smell that I can’t stand – it’s sweet, fresh, and smells like real fruit. The gel is rich and indulgent so I feel like I’m spoiling myself every time I shave, but the thing I like best is how satiny soft and smooth my legs feel after I use it.

So there you have it – a little insight into my teen years, and the weird stream-of-consciousness thinking that goes on in my mind while I’m showering.

Since we’re talking shaving, what are your early shaving memories?
- Guys – Did you ever use your Mom’s hair removal cream on your upper lip like someone that I may or may not be married to did?
- Gals – Were you ever mortified to find a patch of unshaven hair on your knee while you were on a date like someone who may or may not be myself was?
- What do you wish you’d known when you first started shaving?

C’mon, fess up – I bared my soul, now it’s your turn!

Leave a comment with your shaving confession to be entered for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card, courtesy of BlogHer and Venus.

Rules:
No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 5/21 – 6/30.

Be sure to visit the Venus Brand feature page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!† If you have a first-time shaver in your home, you should check out some of these great tips from Venus Embrace!

Amy Sue

These are computer generated so go ahead and laugh out loud if something weird pops up. I'll be laughing along with you!

61 Responses to “Teenage Angst: Shaving Fail”

On May 21st, 2012 at 11:42 am
Rosa said:

I remember the first time when my daughter asked me to show her how to shave her legs. I was hesitant, but I know I was very supportive, and I showed her to do it right.
On May 21st, 2012 at 11:44 am
Rosa said:

Tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/rosorior/status/204613278549282817

roso1946@gmail.com
On May 21st, 2012 at 11:55 am
Mami2jcn said:

My daughter is too young still (she’s 2) but I remember my mom reading “Where do I come from?” with me to teach me about the facts of life.
On May 21st, 2012 at 11:57 am
Mami2jcn said:

tweet–https://twitter.com/#!/mami2jcn/status/204616608814075904
On May 21st, 2012 at 1:44 pm
Stephanie said:

my daughter is only 4 mos old but when gets older im going to teach her to be honest and to be happy !
On May 21st, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Stephanie said:

https://twitter.com/#!/akronugurl/status/204643783525138432
On May 21st, 2012 at 7:19 pm
anna pry said:

just be straight-forward, honest, and keep a sense of humor when talking with your kids
thepryfamily@gmail.com
On May 21st, 2012 at 7:20 pm
anna pry said:

https://twitter.com/#!/thepryfamily2/status/204728150498877440
thepryfamily@gmail.com
On May 21st, 2012 at 7:43 pm
Kelly D said:

I started shaving at around 10 yrs old and I am always finding patches of hair on my knees because it is light and I can’t easily see it, both a blessing and curse.
On May 21st, 2012 at 7:44 pm
Kelly D said:

tweeted
https://twitter.com/kellydsaver/status/204734232390664193
On May 22nd, 2012 at 4:24 am
vicky said:

I like using the Venus blades as well. But I am cheap and have found that using hair conditioner works just as well to give you a nice close shave but costs a lot less than the traditional shave cream that you can buy.
On May 24th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
Kelly Massman said:

I don’t have any teenage girls–just a boy, but I think it is good to be interested in their lives and be willing to make time for them… Thanks for a chance to win and have a great day!
kmassmanATgmailDOTcom
On May 25th, 2012 at 3:57 am
Amy Tong said:

My early shaving memories wasn’t pretty at all…cuts on my legs…patches of unshaven hair here and there…I wish I know to use a better razor and be more generous on the shaving cream.
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy Tong recently posted..Orange Marmalade with Meyer Lemon
On May 25th, 2012 at 3:58 am
Amy Tong said:

tweeted: https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/205945754378973184

Amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy Tong recently posted..Orange Marmalade with Meyer Lemon
On May 25th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
Brandy said:

I totally use bar soap and sometimes don’t change my razor out for months. Eek.
On May 26th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Tiffany Winner said:

I think if you have a good relationship with your kids as they’re growing up, all important conversations will come much more naturally.
thismomwins@gmail.com
On May 26th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Tiffany Winner said:

I tweeted: https://twitter.com/thismomwins2/status/206470132313227265
thismomwins@gmail.com
On May 27th, 2012 at 11:19 pm
Jessie C. said:

I used my dad’s razor for the first try before my mom gave us the conversation. It was just a prank that me and my sisters did, I must say.
On May 27th, 2012 at 11:19 pm
Jessie C. said:

https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/206962241281601538
On May 27th, 2012 at 11:22 pm
Elena said:

I love using Venus razors. I always seem to be in a hurry and sometimes forget to use soap or cream and just shave dry skin which is not good. I would like to try this new Venus razor.
On May 27th, 2012 at 11:23 pm
Elena said:

https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/206963883913646080
On May 31st, 2012 at 7:34 am
anash said:

Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/anashct3/status/208174353429434368
Thanks for the chance to win!
email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com
On May 31st, 2012 at 7:34 am
anash said:

i was horrified at the thought that i had to shave my toes because my friend did and thought i had to as well
On June 2nd, 2012 at 11:27 am
Amanda Sakovitz said:

the first time i shaved i used an electric shaver and i thought it was going to be painful so i made my mom use it first lol
On June 2nd, 2012 at 11:28 am
Amanda Sakovitz said:

https://twitter.com/aes529/status/208957781728952320
On June 5th, 2012 at 10:54 am
Tina M said:

My daughter is too young. I’m going to teach her just be herself and honest
On June 5th, 2012 at 10:54 am
Tina M said:

https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/210036830027001858
On June 10th, 2012 at 8:52 am
Deb Anderson said:

tweet
http://twitter.com/tnshadylady/status/211818042412367872
On June 10th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
steph said:

my confession is i only go up past my knee if I know it will show!
On June 10th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
steph said:

https://twitter.com/DesMoinesDealin/status/211879595845230594
On June 10th, 2012 at 3:54 pm
Calli said:

I still miss some hair on my knees from time to time! It’s the most difficult spot!
On June 12th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
Sarah S said:

I learned to shave my legs on my own so I made sure I showed my daughter how to properly do it so she wouldn’t cut up her legs. I got her a new pink shaver and her own shaving cream.
On June 12th, 2012 at 7:35 pm
Erika said:

My daughter is only (almost) two, so we haven’t had those big conversations yet, but when we do, I hope to be honest and listen well.

chambanachik@gmail.com
On June 15th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
cw said:

I remember shaving my legs for the first time with my friends…we snuck everything from my mom’s bathroom as we were too embarrased to ask her.
On June 16th, 2012 at 3:23 am
Christina Tong said:

When I was a kid, I used my Dad’s razor for my first try and got my leg cut, when he knew about it, he showed me how to use it although he said it was too early for me to shave!

ctong2[at]gmail[dot]com
On June 16th, 2012 at 3:25 am
Christina Tong said:

I tweeted about this promotion: https://twitter.com/ctong2/status/213909956536180736

ctong2[at]gmail[dot]com
On June 17th, 2012 at 3:35 am
sy said:

I immigrated to canada from china where no one used to shave, I was in high school wearing short sleeves and never shaved, I’m still not fond of shaving, gillette is my choice razor, works fast and effective. Thanks for the review and giveaway.
songyueyu at gmail
On June 17th, 2012 at 3:36 am
sy said:

tweet: https://twitter.com/syytta/status/214275165478068224
songyueyu at gmail
On June 17th, 2012 at 8:17 pm
Debbie B said:

things like shaving are simply a fact of life – just be open and honest – sharing a mother -daughter day helps too!

debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com
On June 18th, 2012 at 9:33 pm
Debbie B said:

tweeted here:

https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/214908507345006594
On June 19th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
Karina Lee said:

my daughter is still a baby so I haven’t had to have any “talks” with her yet

karinaroselee at gmail dot com
On June 19th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
Karina Lee said:

https://twitter.com/karinaroselee/status/215195326645149698
On June 21st, 2012 at 4:23 pm
LAMusing said:

I’m lucky to have very fine pale hair on my legs so I can sneak by with less frequent shaving
On June 21st, 2012 at 4:27 pm
LAMusing said:

https://twitter.com/LAMusing/status/215918076280049665
On June 21st, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Norma said:

First time I used Dad’s razor and sliced my legs up
On June 25th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Gina M Maddox said:

I think being open with your kids is my best advice. Thanks for the chance to win!
gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com
On June 25th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Gina M Maddox said:

tweet-https://twitter.com/CrazyItalian0/status/217308916198023168
On June 27th, 2012 at 11:39 pm
Betty C said:

I’ve been known to dry shave occasionally and it’s never a pretty sight. My worst confession though is about underarm shaving. I hate it. I often end up with nasty bumps so sometimes I just skip it. Of course, that means I can’t wear tank tops or sleeveless blouses but that’s okay as long as I use enough deodorant and don’t stink.
On June 28th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
maria cantu said:

When I first started shaving I got a big cut on the side of my leg. I still have the scar.
On June 28th, 2012 at 6:45 pm
Kerry said:

I wish I had known that you didn’t have to push so darn hard on that razor against my skin the first time I shaved! Yes, ouch!
On June 28th, 2012 at 10:21 pm
Cori Westphal said:

I wish my mom would’ve stressed how important it is to be careful while shaving around your ankle bone. I shaved that sucker off like 5 times before I got the hang of it!

coriwestphal at msn dot com
Cori Westphal recently posted..Filippo Berio Olive Oil #review #imabzzagent
On June 28th, 2012 at 10:29 pm
Cori Westphal said:

Tweet: http://twitter.com/coriwestphal/statuses/218546758651875329

coriwestphal at msn dot com
Cori Westphal recently posted..Filippo Berio Olive Oil #review #imabzzagent
On June 29th, 2012 at 10:16 am
Betty C said:

Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/218724567022174208
On June 29th, 2012 at 10:28 am
Tabathia B said:

The first time was around my late teen years and I was doing my legs and I shaved against the hair instead going down first and it wasn’t pleasant
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
On June 29th, 2012 at 10:29 am
Tabathia B said:

tweet
https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/218727133596487680
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
On June 29th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Jammie said:

Just remember to be open, we are very open with our daughter so these conversations are not bad. sweepmorey at gmail dot com
On June 29th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Jammie said:

tweeted https://twitter.com/mommysdizzy/status/218832515903922176
On June 29th, 2012 at 8:15 pm
Debra F said:

My best tip is to approach the conversation and answer only the questions your child has at the time – don’t overwhelm them with information they may not be ready to deal with.
On June 30th, 2012 at 8:36 am
angie lilly said:

A shaving confession eh? Well I don’t have kids, so it will be about myself. In the winter, I may got all winter and not shave at all. By spring, I look like a man! LOL In the spring/summer, I only shave up to my knees! Au natural for me! LOL
angie lilly recently posted..Tagetes patula by FotoMacro
On June 30th, 2012 at 8:37 am
angie lilly said:

I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/219061620444368897
angie lilly recently posted..Tagetes patula by FotoMacro
On June 30th, 2012 at 10:24 am
Julie said:

I first learned to shave with my cousin -needless to say it
was interesting but fun

Teenage Angst: Shaving Fail

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61 Responses to “Teenage Angst: Shaving Fail”

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