For years my shaving routine went a little something like this: hop in the shower, begrudgingly run a cheap disposable razor over my legs, nick myself two or three times, rinse, and repeat. Because my hair is so thick and long, I’d have to shave frequently, and it always felt like a time suck.

Eventually I turned to waxing, but that was far from ideal too. It hurts, you have to go a whole week with hairy legs before your appointment, and it’s more expensive. But such was life for me until I recently moved apartments, and on top of having to find a convenient drugstore and new go-to delivery spot, I also realized it meant I needed to find a new waxer I could trust. (If you’ve ever gotten a wax, you know it’s as intimate—maybe even more so—as finding a therapist you jive with.)

Not sure where to even begin, I decided it’d just be easier to travel for a good wax. But then something caught my eye on the way to my appointment: A pink and purple sign that said, “Hi, Hello. We’re Billie.”

I’d heard a lot about Billie, the female-first subscription-based shave brand that made cute, affordable razors and body products, but I’d never thought of giving it a try until then. I made a split decision to cancel my appointment and ordered the $9 Billie Starter Kit instead. It included a Billie handle in millennial pink (although the brand offers six colors including lime green and navy blue), a magnetic holder, and two five-blade razor cartridges. I added in a bottle of its The Shave Cream for an additional $8.

The kit came in the mail, packaged in a highly Instagrammable box. Of course, as a millennial, I’m a sucker for great branding. But Billie goes beyond just looking aesthetically pleasing. Its cheery colors and pro-body hair messaging makes the thought of shaving feel like less of a chore. Like Glossier makes a nightly skin care routine something to look forward to, Billie sparks joy in the mundane task of shaving your legs (or whatever else you want gone).

Beside the color, the first thing I noticed about the razor was its matte-rubber core handle, which makes it easy to grip. I’m a clumsy person and it’s not unusual for me to leave the shower with nicks and bruises, so this was much-appreciated touch. (Apparently, industrial designers helped weigh in on the design. Who knew?) The blades are also incredible. They’re probably the sharpest blade I’ve ever encountered outside a men’s razor, but they go so smoothly over my skin. I think a lot of that also had to do with the shaving cream, made with aloe vera, sage, shea butter, and grapefruit. Not only does the scent smell like a fancy spa, it helps the razor glide softly over your skin, leaving no trace of razor burn or small cuts behind. Your basic body wash could never.

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