We’re launching our new First Review Series, where we’re reviewing the products that actually get used in our home. We’re starting in the upstairs bathroom or what we refer to as the men’s restroom and working through the products that our family buys, uses, and repurchases. This series will cover razors, body wash, shampoo, skincare, and other everyday essentials that fit real-life routines instead of perfect social media routines.
This is not a full review article. It’s a series introduction page that links to the individual reviews.
I wanted to share the start of this new series and the First Review Series for when your teen son asks you to buy his grooming products. As a mom, I would have thought Charlie asking me for grooming products would be something he would handle himself or ask his dad for help with, but instead he asked me, and honestly that made me feel good.
David and I headed to Walmart, and I asked Charlie if he needed anything while I was there. I expected the usual answer of “No, I’m good,” because that seems to be the standard response from teenagers these days. Instead, he surprised me.
“Yeah, Mom. I need razors.”
Now I’m a mom. I don’t spend a lot of time looking at men’s razors, and I certainly don’t stand around comparing blade systems for fun. I asked Charlie what kind of razor he wanted, and his answer wasn’t very helpful. He just wanted one where he could replace cartridges because he didn’t want an electric razor.
That sent me wandering down the shaving aisle trying to figure out what a nineteen-year-old young man would actually use. After looking at several options, I settled on BIC Flex 5 Men’s Disposable 5-Blade Razors,, with a Pivoting Head and Precision Edging Blade, 4-Pack.
When I got home, Charlie tried the razor out and immediately liked it. In fact, he liked it enough to say this is probably what he’ll buy from now on. For someone who shaves as often as he does, that says something, because he absolutely hates facial hair. If he sees stubble, it’s coming off.
Having replacement cartridges means he can keep shaving without constantly buying a whole new system, which makes things simple and affordable.
While we were talking, I asked Charlie if he needed deodorant. He said no, but then added that he needed body wash, with one condition — no three-in-one products. Because Charlie says those are bad for you. Don’t ask me where he got that opinion, because I honestly have no idea.
Since Walmart’s men’s section wasn’t nearly as large as I expected, I ended up choosing Dove Men+Care Moisturizing Body Wash for Men Bourbon Vanilla + Hazelnut Plant-Based Cleanser, 26 fl oz bottle. Because I’ve always used Dove and trust it’s products.
The scent surprised me. To me it smells almost like caramel — warm and sweet without being overpowering. I asked Charlie what he thought after using it, and he liked it immediately. David liked the scent too, which is always a bonus because the men in my house rarely agree on anything when it comes to personal care products.
The last thing on the list was shampoo. Charlie told me Suave was fine with him, so I picked up Ocean Breeze Shampoo and Ocean Breeze Conditioner. Which is a nice blue Charlie and David would like with a nice calming scent perfect for men or women. What made me laugh was finding out Charlie had been using my body wash because he had run out of his own.
Thankfully, I happened to have a coconut scent in the shower that David likes, so it worked out. Had it been one of my floral shampoos, Charlie probably would have used it anyway. Charlie says as long as he is clean, he doesn’t care what he smells like.
The funniest part of the whole shopping trip happened when I mentioned that I thought it was sweet he still wanted me to pick these things out for him. Charlie’s response surprised me. He told me women know what smells good and what they like, and men don’t always think about those things the same way.
For a young man just starting adulthood, I thought that was a pretty smart observation. As a mom, I am beyond proud of the young man Charlie is becoming and how he is learning his own routines and habits, which is also bringing him and David closer together.
What started as a quick Walmart trip ended up becoming one of those little moments that reminds me my son is growing up. He’s old enough to know what he likes, old enough to build his own routine, and still young enough to let Mom help sometimes. And honestly, that’s what I’ll remember most from this shopping trip.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
