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Shaving kits streamline the buying process, making setting up a new shaving regimen a one-click situation.
Grooming experts agree that whichever kit you choose, it's the shaving process and kit maintenance that ensures a smooth shave.
Our picks for the best men's shaving kits offer both safety razor and multi-blade razor options from brands like Harry's, The Art of Shaving, and Bevel.
Whether you have to do it for your job, or simply love the smooth look, shaving is an everyday necessity for many around the world. A good shaving is a ritual both refreshing and restorative. But shaving also suffers from an overabundance of products and accessories — and that overabundance can be very overwhelming. This can lead to purchasing products that don't work for you, leading to more product purchases that might not work, and on and on.
To prevent that vicious cycle before it starts, we asked celebrity groomer and co-founder of Support Creatives, Michael Dueñas, and Nichole Taylor, stylist at The Byrd's Nest barbershop in Newport Beach, CA, for their tips on selecting a shaving kit, how to properly use it, and how to maintain the kit to ensure you get an exceptional shave every time, all which we've listed out below. Our guide features a mix of both safety razors and multi-blade razors, which Dueñas and Taylor also differentiate at the end of our list. But first, our top picks.
This kit from Supply features The Single Edge 2.0 razor, which takes injector blades rather than the typical double-sided razor blades — and the brand has you covered with a three month's supply already in the box. The kit also comes with Supply's Ultra-Lather Shaving Cream for a smooth glide, alcohol-free Healing Post Shave, and Silvertip Synthetic Shave Brush for all-over cream application. Beyond the kit's utility, it also boasts a contemporary, minimalist appearance, making it the most counter-worthy of the kits on this list.
Bevel Starter Shave Kit
Amazon
If razor burn is an evil that visits you daily, try the beloved Bevel Starter Shave Kit for a future free from post-shave irritation.
Bevel built its brand with one goal in mind: to reduce or eliminate razor burn, bumps, and irritation. This kit delivers on that goal, starting with the re-engineered safety razor. It's designed to cut the hair above your skin, as opposed to under it — which can happen with some multi-blade razors. Hair cut beneath the skin can lead to all the unwanted symptoms of razor burn. Prevent that further with kit's Priming Oil and Shave Cream for a moisturized and knick-free shave. Follow it up with the brand's alcohol-free Restoring Balm to seal in moisturize as the final step.
With its stainless steel handle safety razor and matching steel razor stand — which also holds a genuine badger hair shave brush — the Luxury Safety Razor Kit from Viking Revolution offers the total package. The complementary stainless steel shave bowl is the perfect place to whip the brand's included shave soap into a rich lather. The brand's Sandalwood Pre-Shave Oil guarantees your blade will glide smoothly over your skin, while the Aftershave Balm provides the finishing touch to this extensive men's shaving kit.
Unlike many other shaving kits, the Gentleman Jon Complete Wet Shave Kit comes with an alum block — a natural antiseptic and post-shave skin pleaser made from mineral salts. Alum blocks stop knicks and cuts from bleeding by constricting blood vessels and tightening pores. So, if you've nicked yourself or are worried about future razor burn post-shave, simply wet the bar and rub it gently all over for a refreshing and cool sensation. This kit also contains your standards like a badger hair shave brush, sandalwood shave soap, a stainless steel shave bowl, and five additional razors for many smooth shaves to come.
The Art of Shaving Heated Razor with Sandalwood Shaving Kit
The Art of Shaving
You won't need a hot towel before your shave when you use the star of this Art of shaving kit, the much-talked about Heated Razor from Gillette Labs.
Do yourself a favor and make your next shave a great one with this kit from Art of Shaving — featuring the Heated Razor by GilletteLabs with its two heat levels and wireless charging. Eight replacement five-blade cartridges provide months of future beardlessness. Completing this spa day for your face are the Art of Shaving's Sandalwood Pre-Shave Oil, Shaving Cream, and After-Shave Balm.
Harry's Holiday Winston Set
Harry's
Harry's follows through on its direct-to-consumer success with this kit featuring its famed German-engineered multi-blade.
While this shaving kit doesn't contain many extras, it does offer Harry's beloved flex-hinge five-blade razor. Only this time, the razor gets a handle with a handsome gray grip on polished metal. You also get your choice Harry's foaming shave gel or shave cream for a luxurious lather and snag-free glide. As a bonus, three-blade cartridges come with this kit, so you'll be set for the next several months.
Public Goods Shaving Set
Public Goods
This Public Good's Shaving Set is for anyone who has high standards for a close shave at a reasonable cost.
Sticking to the brand's goal of offering affordable sustainability to everyone, the Public Good Shaving Set contains a sustainable bamboo handle, four razor cartridges, and the brand's paraben-free, ultra-moisturizing coconut and aloe vera Shaving Cream. The best part of this kit, however, isn't actually a part of the kit at all. It's the fact that a four-pack of replacement blades costs a single dollar, so a refill won't set you back.
Dollar Shave Club The Shave Gift Set
Dollar Shave Club
You don't have to be a member of Dollar Shave Club to get your hands on The Shave Gift Set, offering everything you need for a great shave under $40.
Of all the men's shaving kit options out there, this is the only one we found to provide a pre-shave exfoliant scrub. Dollar Shave's Prep Scrub preps your face for an extremely close, irritation-free shave.It does this by buffing away the dead skin on your face that can clog your razor and cause drag on the skin, leading to knicks, cuts, and irritation. After the scrub, apply the brand's rich Shave Butter and go to town. The kit provides a six-blade razor set on a sturdy, heavy metal handle with no-slip rubber grips. Spritz with the refreshing Post-Shave Dew made from aloe, oat, and prickly-pear extract for the ultimate aftershave soothing.
What to look for in a men’s shaving kit
To start, both Dueñas and Taylor recommend your kit include the basics: a shave oil or tonic, a cream, a good razor, and a post-shave moisturizer. Following that, of course, comes a good shaving cream, which should be rich and moisturizing.
As for the old-school shaving brush? Not necessary, according to Dueñas: "There are many good creams dispensed from a can with no need to whip with a brush." So you can skip the badger brush altogether — though we've included kits with several options in case it's an absolute must-have. After shaving, it's important to treat your skin with a follow-up of a cold rinse and a hydrating facial cream to replenish any lost moisture.
Dueñas and Taylor both suggest getting yourself a kit with a safety razor. "It is less wasteful, and very simple to change the blade; you know exactly when it's dull because you may start to feel irritation from needing too many passes," Dueñas says. With a safety razor, you're simply replacing a single blade rather than multiple blades on a chunk of plastic, making for a more environmentally-friendly option.
How to maintain men’s shaving kits
"For home use, you typically can get 4-6 shaves out of a blade, depending on how often you are using it," Taylor says. She suggests using water-based products instead of oils, which can coat your razor. Let your razor dry completely and store in a drawer or dry spot to not trap water.
Dueñas is even more particular about this razor. "Do not leave razors out in the open in a bathroom, as that can be a breeding ground for bacteria," he says. "Clean your blade with a rag after use and store in a dry place."