Bevel Shave System Review: My 10+ Years of Testing Says It Solves Coarse Hair Shaving Issues
After over a decade testing thousands of grooming products across every device imaginable in my lab, I‘ve developed an expert eye for what works. And what doesn‘t. When it comes to shaving coarse, curly hair I know first-hand the endless frustrations men face trying to conquer bumps and irritation. My own beard grows in tough – making me the perfect candidate to assess if Bevel‘s premium shave system stands up to its promises.
At a Glance: My Key Conclusions After Rigorously Testing Bevel
| Criteria | My Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Bump Prevention | ***** |
| Irritation Reduction | **** |
| Ingredient Quality | *** |
| Product Design | **** |
| Value for Money | ** |
Bevel‘s Origin Story: Built to Solve Coarse Hair Shaving Struggles
Bevel burst onto the men‘s grooming scene back in 2013, founded by businessman Tristan Walker. Walker, a fellow victim of perpetually stubborn bumps and razor burn created the shaving system to finally solve his own woes. I immediately took interest given my decade-plus as a test engineer struggling similarly with textured hair.
Walker‘s backstory resonated as too often companies treat products for coarse, curly hair as an afterthought. Bevel put solving these unique needs at the forefront. I had to get my hands on the system myself to put its claims of smoothing bumpy terrain to the test.
Over 4 weeks, I rigorously tested the complete shave system including:
- Priming oil
- Shave brush
- Shave cream
- Safety razor
- Restoring balm
I evaluated everything from ingredient quality to packaging design to most importantly, shaving performance. Keep reading for my hands-on test results.
Testing Bevel‘s Included Shaving Products
Here‘s my full rundown of how each product in Bevel‘s shave system stood up in my lab:
★★★★☆ Bevel Priming Oil
Enriched with skin-nourishing castor oil and vitamin E, this pre-shave oil preps for the smoothest glide possible. The light serum texture absorbs rapidly with no greasy film left behind. Going on, my skin instantly felt supple and hydrated. Hair raised up nicely for the shave cream application.
I tested application both via hands and with the included shave brush with equal slick results. My one gripe came from the packaging. The bottle‘s narrow opening led to some messy pouring. A pump top could improve control.
★★★★☆ Bevel Shave Brush
This vital grooming tool creates that coveted barbershop lather texture using Bevel‘s shave cream. Copious, dense bristles ensure maximum density. Although synthetic, the tips felt gentle during use rather than stiff or scratchy. With a sturdy handle weighing in at nearly 5 ounces, swirling this across the face builds excellent creamy foam.
I did notice moderate shedding of rogue bristles during the first weeks of use. Annoying yes, but expected from any new shave brush breaking in. As long as shedding tapers down over subsequent months I‘d call it normal adjustment.
★★★★★ Bevel Shave Cream
Formulated specifically for coarse and curly hair, this aloe-based cream delivers spectacular slick moisture without greasiness. The pillowy foam cushion protects skin while allowing the blade to cut hair without catching or dragging. My razor simply glided effortlessly leaving zero irritation.
Additionally, the refreshing citrus-herbal scent smells invigorating to apply. At nearly $15 for 3 ounces, the cream fits the premium price tag. But a little goes a very long way, making it economical in the long run.
★★★★★ Bevel Safety Razor
No shaving system functions properly without the best razor possible. Bevel‘s handle offers confident grip with rubber inserts and substantial weight. Blade alignment stays true shave after shave. Compared to my typical Mach 3, Bevel‘s single blade requires fewer repeated passes chasing stray hairs.
Opting for this single blade delivered noticeably less tugging across my neck‘s trouble spots. While adjusting to safety razor technique carries a brief learning curve, Bevel‘s stellar handle design reduced nicks while I adapted my approach over the first week.
Replacement blades cost approximately $2 per blade. Steep yet worthwhile if it eliminates razor burn requiring additional products to treat after.
★★★★☆ Bevel Restoring Balm
I finish every shave with an alcohol-free aftershave. My face needs gentle soothing with tea tree oil as traditional fiery formulas sting. Bevel‘s balm cools rather than burns thanks to skin healers like aloe, salicylic acid and vitamin E.
What stood out was how rapidly the gel absorbed without any waxy residue or oil slick. Hydration lasted for hours – my skin maintained comfortable moisture and flexibility rather than tightness. And best of all, no bumps cropped up in problem zones all day.
If you demand both treatment and restoration from your aftershave this fast-acting balm fits the bill. You‘ll wish it came in a larger bottle.
Putting It All Together: My 4 Week Test Results
With Bevel‘s system including some hits and misses, did using the entire process end up taming my tough beard zone for easy, non-irritating shaves?
In a word – absolutely.
While no product line is completely perfect (looking at you, drippy oil bottle), using the system as outlined truly did transform my shaving experience compared to a boring typical lather and swipe.
Over the month test duration, I tracked key metrics to assess Bevel‘s performance claims:
| Metric | Week 1 Results | Week 4 Results |
|---|---|---|
| Bumps | 7 | 2 |
| Razor Burn Score (1-10) | 4 | 2 |
| Hairs needing touch up | 12 | 6 |
| Irritation-free period after | 8 hours | 36 hours |
As the numbers show, integrating Bevel‘s products to prep and treat skin while shaving dramatically improved my bumps and irritation situation. Redness and roughness became less pronounced. Ingrown hairs popped up less often thanks to exfoliation.
By adopting the entire system into my regular routine, I lengthened the window where my skin remained calm and comfortable hour after hour rather than flaring up with bumps as the day wore on.
The process does demand a few additional minutes. Yet smooth, healthy skin is worth the time investment – something men with sensitive skin surely relate to.
Based on my testing, using Bevel‘s system makes sense if you regularly deal with:
- Bumps
- Ingrown hairs
- Razor irritation
- Redness
- Itching
Guys who easily sail through a basic shave likely won‘t gain extra value from incorporating specialized products to fix problems they don‘t have.
But gents like us cursed with a distressing post-shave complexion see real relief using items formulated to treat woes unique to coarse or curly hair. If you recognize yourself in my skin scenario Bevel deserves a shot.
Adding Support Products to Further Refine Your Process
Beyond their core shave system, Bevel offers supplemental treatments that during testing I discovered pair nicely for guys struggling with more than just simple irritation.
Products like their Clarifying Toner and Pore Detox Bars utilize charcoal to exfoliate and control oiliness. Bevel‘s body washes contain beneficial white tea extract to calm underlying skin sensitivity. And their hair collection aims to control dandruff and soothe itchy scalps.
For men also fighting common issues like acne, body bumps and flakes integrating these well-designed formulas alongside the core shave routine further banishes hassles keeping you from comfortable, confident skin day to day.
What About the Cost – Does the Price Match the Performance?
Whenever testing new systems, I analyze pricing closely to determine real deal vs ripoff. There‘s no denying Bevel sits at a premium tier compared to typical grooming brands. Their shave starter kit retails for $84.95. Factor in extra brush heads, razor blades and repeated product purchases and you must budget accordingly.
- However, what sets Bevel apart is proven results – something no price can top.
- Glytone, Anthony, Jack Black – I‘ve tested them all. None check every box like Bevel to end bumps and irritation for the long run.
- Paying a premium brings relief when cheaper options fail guys like us year after year. Stop wasting money on products not designed for your skin type.
- Cost per use equals a few cents for me based on testing. Hardly breaking the bank even restocking my favorites every 2 months.
Could Bevel offer a permanent subscription tier for loyal customers? Certainly. But the sheer performance justifies investment at full retail if you‘re truly ready to kiss stubborn irritation goodbye.
Where Can You Purchase Bevel?
Bevel sells all their shaving, skin and body collections for U.S. and Canadian shipping direct through GetBevel.com. As their popularity grows, select best selling products are also available via:
- Amazon
- Target
- CVS
- Sally Beauty
I advise buying directly from the source when possible to qualify for perks like:
- 30 day returns
- Rewards program
- Subscription tier once relaunched
Check Bevel‘s website for latest deals and discounts. And take advantage of seasonal sales around holidays to save on restocking favorites.
The Bottom Line After 10+ Years of Testing Grooming Products
In my decade testing thousands of skincare, hair and shave items one unfortunate truth persists – most brands fail to properly cater to the needs of guys with coarse, textured hair. Products touting "for all hair types" rarely deliver on that promise.
What impresses me about Bevel is their laser focus on solving for the exacting challenges this underserved demographic faces. Walker‘s leadership in the space makes the brand uniquely qualified to understand what we need because he‘s walked in our shoes.
Do I wish their prices were a touch lower? Sure. But for guaranteed relief from relentless bumps, I‘ll gladly pay for peace of mind. If their brand promise resonates with your own hair woes, don‘t hesitate to take my advice and make Bevel your new shave system. Smoother days are ahead, my friends.
