I have a pathological dislike of pain. Which is why my legs get shaved rather than waxed. And which is why they are usually sporting horrid-looking nicks, cuts and super-dry skin that no amount of Lush Sleepy Body Lotion or Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Body Cream (my two favorites!) is able to transform into skirt-skimmingly glowy gorgeousness!
Then I ran into a college friend who now lives in Russia and has legs like butter… no exaggeration. And being a great buddy, she bestowed upon me this Russian shaving oil recipe that’s been around for a few hundred years and apparently gives ultra-sexy skin every single time!
Plus, it’s super-simple: Pour 3 tablespoons of almond oil in a bowl. Add half a tablespoon each of wheat germ oil, canola oil and sesame oil then stir till everything is all mixed up. Slather onto legs and shave.
Simple, right? And this has a long shelf life so you can make a larger batch and store in a pretty bottle (the pretty bottle won’t make it more efficient – it’s just my personal commandment).
The oils help soften the hair and lubricate the razor for a closer, knick-free shave. While leaving skin supple and well moisturised. No razor burn. No dryness. At all. Which is more than I can say for most shaving creams.
As for the razor – dunk it into a shot glass of vodka (this is Russian, remember?) for a couple of hours and it shall come out all clean and fresh, sans any oily traces!
I have tried this thrice and my legs are definitely looking much better. This week, I might even bare them in a thigh-skimming, floaty, chiffon-silk dress. Which, after being safely cocooned in denims all of these past few months, may be a massive shock for them. Send help!
Anubha Charan is a powerhouse in the luxury beauty industry, with over 15 years of expertise shaping the global beauty narrative. As the former Beauty Director at Marie Claire, she worked with the magazine's French headquarters to craft cutting-edge beauty content for international audiences.
Anubha's bylines grace some of the world’s most prestigious publications, including Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Travel + Leisure, WebMD, and Architectural Digest. She is also the co-author of Paris Bath & Beauty, a Simon & Schuster book on French beauty rituals.
Anubha combines insider knowledge with a talent for breaking down complex beauty concepts, delivering bold, actionable advice that empowers individuals to elevate their beauty routines and embrace their best selves.
Maha says
Is there an alternative product that we can use for cleansing the razor other than vodka?
mamta balani says
Really impressive post.