Some products show up everywhere: subway ads, Instagram, celeb endorsements. With this series, we're testing such products to conclude one thing: Does it live up to the hype?
What's Everyone Talking About?
Body care brand Oui the People is upgrading everyone's shaving routine with its Insta-worthy The Single Sensitive Skin Razor — the only razor that you'll ever need to buy. This German-made razor makes fans want to ditch the disposables by using just one blade that glides and shaves smoothly, without leaving any bumps or burns behind.
What's the Buzz About?
Chances are, you probably have a razor tucked somewhere in your bathroom — and Oui the People is here to upgrade it. Even with just one blade, The Single Sensitive Skin Razor is effective enough to get through the thickest of hairs (believe me, I've tried it) without causing any harm to delicate skin.
Where's All the Hype Coming From?
- Rave reviews from Allure, Byrdie, and POPSUGAR
- A major shout-out from Beyoncé
- Their budding and aesthetically pleasing Instagram page
So Does It Live Up to the Hype?
How'd We Come to This Conclusion?
Let it be known that I have the most unruly body hair to ever exist. Pre-pandemic, I would have to shave at least four times a week to maintain a dolphin-like smoothness to my legs and pits, and each shaving session takes a good hour out of my day. But since we're still cooped up in quarantine, I've become a bit more relaxed on my shaving routine — OK, maybe very relaxed. Now, because my body hair is so thick, I need a hefty, well-made razor that can cut through my wooly hairs and give me that smooth, soft feel again.
Once I heard every beauty editor praising Oui the People's The Single Sensitive Skin Razor, I knew I had to test it out for myself. This razor isn't your run-of-the-mill drugstore buy: It's a more sustainable option that uses a single, swappable blade to create an effortless glide that chops every strand, without pulling, tugging, or cutting your skin.
This Black-owned brand set out to create something that had yet to reach the market: a non-disposable razor for women that doesn't cause painful, itchy bumps and burns. But founder Karen Young wasn't going to stop there, so she set her sights on building a brand that makes you feel beautiful, no matter what your body hair looks or feels like. She wanted to cut down the unrealistic ideas of “perfection” and “flawlessness” within the beauty industry — so, she took a razor to them. And from this birthed the extremely chic The Single Sensitive Skin Razor that catapulted Oui the People (formerly known as Oui Shave) to success.
The minute I laid eyes on this razor, I was immediately in awe and in fear of its vintage look. This hefty safety razor is made out of stainless steel, which the brand notes is one of the most recycled materials on Earth. What does that mean? Instead of filling up a trash can with nonrecyclable plastic razor heads and handles, you can put your used blades into a secure blade bank container, and then safely recycle them in as you would with other scrap metal. So yes, you are paying $75 for a razor, but think about how much money that's saving you on overpriced, wasteful disposables in the long run.
But this is not only better for the Earth, but it's also better for your skin. The brand chose a single blade because it causes less trauma to your skin compared to using a razor with five dull blades. Less trauma = fewer bumps, burns, and ingrown hairs. Better for your skin and the planet? Yes, please.
So, sounds good on paper (err, smartphone screen?), but does it actually perform? Short answer: absolutely! At first, it takes a bit of adjusting to switch from lightweight multiblade razors to this heavier and single-bladed option, but thankfully Oui the People knew that, and they created a full how-to section that I was able to reference. The trick is to hold the razor at a 45-degree angle so it glides smoothly without creating nicks, which is pretty easy to get the hang of. So, don't let the intense look of this safety razor fool you, because it's surprisingly gentle.
I screwed in the blade, did one gentle stroke across my calves, and was fully in shock at the amount of hair that came off of my person. Shaving my body took a total of 30 minutes (half the time as it usually takes!), and I transformed instantly from a baby Ewok to a smooth and supple goddess, sans any cuts. Seriously, this blade is no joke, and it topples any drugstore razor I've ever used in my 25 years of life.
What's the Bottom Line?
If you're on the hunt for a sustainable shaving option that'll leave your body as smooth as ever (without any cuts, might I add), then this razor is exactly what you need. Also, it's gorgeous, which is more than enough for my aesthetically charged taste.
