When the era of beauty YouTube began, I was instantly drawn. I spent most of my free time during college watching all these beauty gurus share their favorite products, do their makeup routine on camera, and even talk about real personal stuff like love lives, moving cross-country, and how they shaved different parts of their bodies. Once I became a journalist, I wanted to be like them, so I learned everything I could about the beauty and skincare industry. Looking for an affordable moisturizer that's actually really good? I got you. Want to try a new curly hair routine and don't know where to start? I can help you.
So, when subscription-based beauty started to grow in the industry, I was hooked. Back in 2018, I was obsessed with Billie, the razor subscription, which was not only super affordable but fit my aesthetic with its cute pink and purple handles. The razor was almost weightless, and although affordable, it didn't leave me with bleeding gashes on my legs like the ones my mom would buy from the dollar store. Two years later, I decided to try out a new razor subscription: Athena Club.
Very similar to Billie, Athena Club will send you cartridges whenever you need them – whether that's every month or every three months. Not only that, but both brands offer different body products to include in your self-care routine.
But, which one is better? How can you decide between two brands that provide customers with the same type of service? That's what I'm here for.
If You Want a Sturdy Razor: Athena Club
Having tried multiple subscription razors, I have to admit Athena Club one is my favorite when it comes to the actual razor. Athena's is definitely heavier in your hand without it being clumsy. On the other side of the spectrum, Billie's razor is far more lightweight, which can come off as cheap. This is not to say Billie's razor is bad, but I tend to associate the weight of the product with its quality and its durability.
When it comes to the aesthetic side of things, both brands are in a similar spot. Both offer six different colors for customers to choose from. Billie's color choice comes off as quirky, bright, and young, while Athena's is more elegant.
Depending on what you prefer, you might like either razor. But for me, Athena Club wins this one.
If You're Looking for Cost-Effectiveness: Athena Club
When you sign up for Athena Club or Billie, you will first get a kit that includes the razor, two five-blade cartridges, and a magnetic hook for your shower. Depending on the plan you chose, you will also get more cartridges sent to you within a time range of your choosing.
The initial kit from Athena Club is $9, while Billie's is $10. A one-dollar difference isn't much, but the savings come from the actual plan you choose. Athena Club lets you pick between getting four, eight, or 12 blades in one shipment– but how often you actually get it is up to you. You can mix and match by getting four blades delivered every month, every two months, or every three months. Just know that the bigger the shipments, the bigger the savings. On the other hand, Billie only lets you get four cartridges at a time – not eight and not 12, just four. The options are more limited compared to Athena Club's.
If You Want to Try Other Products: Athena Club
Athena Club is your one-stop shop for sustainable, self-care products.
Besides razors, both Athena Club and Billie offer additional body care and shower products.
Starting with Athena Club, you can also purchase shaving cream, body lotion, body wash, face wipes for when you're on the go, a plant-based deodorant, as well as a wide range of period products, a multi-vitamin, and adorable accessories like an eye mask, and silk scrunchies. Some of these products are even available with a subscription.
Billie also expanded its initial razor subscription to include similar products. From their website, you can purchase body balm, shaving cream, makeup removing wipes, dry shampoo, body lotion, and body wash, as well as a travel case for your razor. It also has a set where you can get the razor, multiple body balms, wipes, and travel case. By comparison, Athena Club offers a wider variety of products.
If You're Looking for Sustainability and Clean Products: It's a Tie
Sustainability is very important for me. I'm someone who is always looking to use the cleanest, most sustainable products, while also avoiding animal testing. Both Athena Club and Billie pride themselves in this. Both brands have pages dedicated to explaining how they've strayed away from dangerous chemicals and boasted about being cruelty-free. Neither brand uses sulfates, parabens, formaldehydes, or GMOs. They are also vegan and gluten-free. Athena Club, however, has made its ingredient list accessible to customers on its website by detailing every single one they use for their products.
Billie and Athena Club also pride themselves on giving back to the community. Billie champions women and has donated 1% of their revenue to support them and important causes around the world. Athena Club has also partnered with organizations locally and globally to help those in need and has donated over one million products.
Who Wins?
Well, Athena Club wins in my book despite my Billie razor being a friendly companion for the last three years. The quality of the razor itself feels superior to Billie, as well as the price and the wide range of others products they offer. Both brands prioritize sustainability, which is a plus in my book. In the end, it was more of an aesthetic and quality choice for me.
Want to learn more? Check out our Athena Club and Billie brand pages to get all the details and read reviews!
