Magic Shaving Powder: Opening, Mixing, Safety & More

Everything you need to know about Magic Shaving Powder products for smooth, glowing skin

Co-authored by Dan Hickey

Last Updated: February 13, 2023 References

Opening & Closing the Can

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Mixing & Applying the Powder

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Safety Considerations

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Tips

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Warnings

You bought the Magic Shaving Powder that’s all the rage on TikTok, but darn! That lid sure is tough to open with just your fingers. Magic Shaving Powder is a popular, cheap hair removal product that turns into a depilatory (hair removal) cream when mixed with water. Thankfully, there’s an easy trick to popping the lid off that works like a charm and spares your nails. In this article, we’ll show you how to open a can of Magic Shaving Powder, plus walk you through how to mix and use it safely for the best, smoothest results. All you need is the powder, a spoon, and a mixing bowl!

Things You Should Know

Wedge a spoon or butter knife underneath the lip of the lid and pry it upward at several spots around the rim of the can to pop the top off.
Mix a 1:1 ratio of powder and water to form a paste and apply it to your beard, leg, or body hair. Let it sit for 5-7 minutes, then wipe it away and rinse your skin.
Test the powder on a small patch of skin before applying to your whole face or legs. Wait 48 hours between uses and use alcohol-free aftershave products.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Opening & Closing the Can

1
Grab a spoon, butter knife, or screwdriver to pry the lid off of the can. Use pretty much any object with a thin, hard edge you can wedge between the lip of the lid and the can. Most people use a spoon since they’ll need one to measure and mix the powder anyway.^{[1]
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- Don’t try to use your fingernails. The lid is secured very tightly and it’ll probably hurt to try and pry it off by hand!
2
Hold the can steady in one hand and wedge the spoon under the lid. Place the can on a flat surface and then scooch the tip of a spoon or edge of a butter knife between the metal lip of the lid and the outer metal ring of the can (not between the outer metal ring and the wall of the can).^{[2]
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- The Magic Shaving Powder can lid is designed like a paint can lid to make an airtight seal.
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3
Push down on the handle of the spoon to pry the lid off. Imagine you’re using a can opening knob, pushing inward and upward to lift up the lid. Rotate the can after each prying motion to add upward pressure all the way around until the lid pops off.^{[3]
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- If the lid was particularly stuck, it might go flying once you finally pop it off.
4
Press the lid back on with your palm once you dispense your powder. Place the lid over the opening and give it a firm push with your palm to lock it into place. Do this before you mix and apply the powder to avoid spilling it or getting water in the can accidentally.^{[4]
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- Keep the can tightly capped when you’re not using it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Mixing & Applying the Powder

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Combine 2 tsp (9.58 g) of powder with an equal amount of water.^{[5]
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Research source} Portion out your powder into a small mixing bowl or plastic container, then slowly add in the water. Stir while you pour until the mixture turns into a paste with a toothpaste-like consistency.^{[6]
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- Aim for a consistency that’s easy to spread over your skin, but not so soupy that it will drip off.
- 2 tsp (9.58 g) of powder is recommended for facial hair.
  - For other areas like legs, keep adding equal amounts of powder and water until you have enough mixture to cover the desired area.
2
Spread an even layer of the mixture over your facial, leg, or other hair. Apply the mixture to your skin with your mixing spoon or with your hands (wear rubber gloves). If you run out of paste, quickly mix more powder and water so you cover every hairy area that you want to treat.^{[7]
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- You do not need to wash or exfoliate your face or skin beforehand. This might lead to extra dryness.^{[8]
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- The powder is designed for your face, but can be used on legs or underarms too. Never apply Magic Shaving Powder to your genitals.^{[9]
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- If you’re treating your scalp, use the Magic Shave Cream for Bald Head Maintenance. Its formula is gentle on the thin, sensitive skin on your scalp.
3
Leave the paste on for 5-7 minutes. Relax with a book or scroll through Instagram while the cream does its work. If the mixture starts to feel extra dry or looks cracked, sprinkle a few drops of water over it and lightly rub the water in with your hands or a spoon to re-moisten it.^{[10]
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4
Wipe the mixture away with a damp cloth. Once time is up, moisten a clean cloth and gently rub your skin to remove the paste and loose hairs. Alternatively, use a skincare spatula, your mixing spoon, or even a credit card to scrape the paste off.^{[11]
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- Wipe gently to avoid irritating your skin. A little redness or dryness is normal after use, but severe irritation means your skin is too sensitive for the product.
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Rinse your skin clean with cool water. Jump in the shower or grab a new damp cloth to remove the last bits of dried paste and hair. Rinse thoroughly so you don’t miss any spots—any lingering product could irritate your skin. Use plain water with no soap to avoid drying out your skin.^{[12]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Safety Considerations

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Choose the best Magic Shaving Powder for your hair and skin needs. Softsheen-Carson sells several varieties of the Magic Shaving Powder, all designed to remove hair gently and prevent razor bumps. The formulas were created specifically for men of African descent since they’re more prone to razor bumps and burns from traditional shaving. The line of products includes:^{[13]
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- Magic Shaving Powder Regular Strength for everyday hair removal (also available as a cream)
- Magic Shaving Powder Extra Strength for very thick or coarse hair (also available as a cream)
- Magic Fragrant Shaving Powder that’s lightly scented and smells similar to baby powder
- Magic Skin Conditioning Shaving Powder Platinum with aloe and Vitamin E for sensitive skin
- Magic Cream Shave for Bald Head Maintenance formulated for the thin, sensitive skin on your scalp
2
Test the powder on a small patch of skin before applying to your face. Mix just a half of a teaspoon (4.9 g) of powder with water and apply it to a 1 in (2.5 cm) patch of skin. Choose somewhere discreet, like the upper thigh or a patch of beard under your jaw line. Rinse it off after 5 minutes and monitor the area for irritation for 24 hours.^{[14]
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- If there’s no significant redness, dryness, or irritation, then the product is safe to use in larger amounts.
3
Wait about 48 hours between uses. Let your skin and natural oils recover from the Magic Shaving Powder before slathering on another treatment. Magic Shaving Powder keeps your skin smooth for as long as 4 days since it breaks down hair beneath the skin, so there’s no need to apply more frequently than every 2 days or so.^{[15]
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- Applying too frequently can lead to more pronounced redness, drying, or irritation.
4
Use alcohol-free aftershaves or moisturizers after using the powder. Since the powder may dry out your skin a little bit, steer clear of aftershave products with alcohol (they’ll sting or irritate your skin). Instead, choose moisturizing products that will soothe and restore moisture to your skin.^{[16]
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Ask a dermatologist about Magic Shaving Powder on damaged skin. If your skin is inflamed, irritated, or has abrasions, sores, or pustules on it, consult a dermatologist before using any depilatory product. Depilatory creams can irritate or burn sensitive or damaged skin and cause your condition to worsen.^{[17]
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- Avoid using the powder after you’ve been sweating a lot or after prolonged sun exposure, since these conditions can amplify the drying effects of the cream.

Warnings

Do not apply Magic Shaving Powder to your genitals. The skin down there is extra sensitive and thin, and the powder (or any other depilatory product not designed for pubic hair) will burn.^{[19]
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