If you’re a man of color, chances are you struggle with ingrown hair and razor bumps, because your facial hair isn’t just coarse and stiff, but also curly.
Those coiled hairs stick back inside the follicle, right under your skin, ergo, unsightly razor bumps. Modern-day multi-blade razors only aggravate the problem – more on that in a few.
Bevel’s subscription promises to solve this problem of yours by providing you with a shaving kit explicitly aimed at men of color.
How Does Bevel Work?
Because there’s more than one blade in most modern razors, it’s more than likely that one of them might hack the hair too deep, sometimes even underneath the skin.
That means not only razor bumps but skin irritation when three more blades revisit the same area—and the truth is, you don’t even have to be gent of color.
Anyone can struggle with these problems if their facial hair is curly enough. This is where Bevel’s safety razor and priming oil come in. They help you get a better, more satisfying and burn- and bump-free shave.
“That’s all fine, but what do I need a grooming subscription for?”, you ask. Good question.
How often do you find yourself running to the store in the morning to buy blades or shaving foam at the last minute because you ran out?
If you shave almost every day, the answer would be pretty often.
Now you could buy in bulk, but the problem remains unsolved. You’ll still run out. A subscription service will deliver your shaving gear to your door every month—and not just any equipment.
A kit specifically tailored for your skin problems and needs. It’s a win-win.
Unlike most subscription boxes, you get the option to review the items you’re ordering. You can also skip any goodies that you don’t fancy much.
If you still have stuff left from the previous box, you can choose to pause the next subscription box as well.
If you’re not satisfied with your purchase you can get a full refund within 30 days, which speaks volumes about the quality of the grooming products.
Types of Products Available
The starter kit box has a tasteful and aesthetic matte look. It’s relatively minimalistic too, with only the bevel logo and a twitter handle printed on it.
When you lift the lid of the box, you’ll be greeted with the safety razor snuggled in a cutout. You’ll also find an envelope with shaving instructions.
Handy if you’re a novice wet shaver.
Underneath these two, you’ll be met with your six-piece starter kit:
- A badger hair shaving brush
- Priming oil
- Shaving cream
- Restoring balm
- A set of 60 blades
All these products neatly organized in their slots – another nice touch.
The well-made safety razor is three-piece hardware. The design is a blend of old-school and modern aesthetic. It doesn’t just look great but feels solid in your hands too.
It’s much heavier than its disposable counterparts, which means it gives you a close shave with minimal pressure because the razor’s weight is doing most of the work.
The shaving brush is badger hair – better than boar hair, which is cheaper, and much superior to synthetic. Sometimes people choose synthetics over pure-hair brushes because they can have a coarse feel to them.
Lucky for us, that isn’t the case here. The hair is soft and comfortable, and it whips up a generous volume of creamy lather. So, Bevel nailed both, the comfort and functionality.
The priming oil has a fresh but faint lavender scent to it. It protects your skin against nicks thanks to the castor oil and olive oil ingredients. It softens your facial fur and moisturizes the skin, which is important because hacking away at your dry skin will irritate it.
The restoring balm has a citrus fragrance to it, and it works as an aftershave. It soothes and repairs your skin to ensure lesser razor bumps during future shaves.
Now to answer the question you probably have on your mind, “Does it work?” It does deliver on what it promises. It gives you an incredibly close shave without bumps, scrapes, or burns.
Pricing
Same as most grooming subscriptions, you get monthly, quarterly, and annual subscription offers.
The monthly subscription will cost you $29.95, but if you opt for their quarterly or yearly offers, you can save north of $120 and $160, respectively.
As you can tell, it’s pricey, but as with all top-of-the-line products, you’ll have to pay a pretty penny.
Besides, this curated grooming subscription is focused on the challenges African American men face, which is well worth the price.
Company History
Bevel was founded by Tristan Walker, who was frustrated with skin inflammations and bumps from shaving.
So, he took matters into his hands and developed Bevel – shaving gear meant for the tough skin and coarse, curly hair.
Fast forward to 2016, and the company had become one of the top shaving subscription services, with their high-end shaving products and razors, which help you get a superior, more satisfying shave.
Alternatives
As obvious as it may sound, Bevel is competing with other grooming subscription clubs trying to revive traditional old-school shaving. If the price is a deal-breaker for you or happen to be female, you can also look into:
- Billie – a shaving subscription box for women.
- Flamingo – the women’s version of Harry’s Shaving Club
- Brickell – a high-end shaving club with luxury items.
Pros
- The aesthetics are pleasing, so much so in fact, that you’d often find yourself wishing for a stand to showcase the gorgeous razor (which, unfortunately, they don’t ship with the box).
- Skincare and shaving products are high-end. The oil, shaving cream, balm all smell pleasant and get the job done.
- If you’re a shaving rookie, the #itsagoodlook envelope has you covered with its detailed and helpful instructions.
- The safety razor is well-made and well-balanced to give you a clean and close shave with minimal nicking and almost no bumps or burns.
Cons
- The pricing could be more reasonable.
- You may find the frequency and quantity isn’t enough. Even though your supply will be replenished every month, you’ll need to tread carefully if you don’t want to run out before the month ends.
