Buying a razor has always been one of my least favorite tasks.
Sure, it sounds simple: Go to the store, pick out a razor, throw in a pack of extra blades, and you’re done. But the process is time-consuming and expensive – and for women, even more so thanks to the so-called “pink tax.”
That’s why when I heard about a new startup called Billie that delivers razors to your door for $9, I knew immediately I wanted to try it.
While the concept is nothing new – Dollar Shave Club and Harry’s already do this – Billie’s products are aimed specifically at women.
Here’s what they’re like in person:
The process to get set up with Billie is simple, and it starts with picking out your razor.
You're given four colors to choose from: coral, periwinkle pop, cool blue, and Billie blush. Your handle, which will arrive with a matching holder, will stay the same, and every order from then on will just contain the replacement razor blades.
You can add shaving cream, body wash, or lotion to your order, but I stuck with the basics. My first order cost $9 plus tax, and from now on, I'll get four replacement cartridges every two months for the same price.
That's cheaper than what I normally pay at a store like Target - refills usually cost me about $12, plus a trip on the subway.
I ordered blush, but Billie messed up a bit — I received coral instead.
My package did arrive promptly, though. I placed my order on November 14 and received it in less than a week. And I don't mind coral, so I didn't send it back.
The razor itself is made out of plastic, but it has a solid, premium feel to it. The holder is magnetic, so you can stick it to the side of your shower and the razor will snap on to it.
For $9, the cost savings isn't huge, but I appreciate that Billie now gives me one less thing to think about every few months.
Sure, a service like Dollar Shave Club might end up being a few dollars cheaper, but those products are heavily marketed toward men, and look like men's products. I like having a razor that's the right size for my hand, in a color I like, and designed with me in mind, not a guy.
So while Billie isn't anything groundbreaking, I'm happy with the results. If you're curious how the razor works, it's fine. It works just like any other razor on the market. I don't believe many subscription services are worth the money, but I'm going to stick with Billie.