Shaving Blows

lomic

I've become a big fan of wet shaving, and in this post I will impart all the wisdom I have gained into helping YOU get a shave that will not leave your face red and irritated. Be prepared to spend some $.

First, razors. As others have said, electrics are useless if you want a good shave, it's just not possible. For irritation problems, the #1 recommendations I see are Gillete Sensor Excel (2 blades), or if you feel like going hardcore, a DE Razor, which are the old time ones like this. The blades are very inexpesnive, and very sharp, but it takes several weeks of work to get use to using a DE. If you want exceptionally sharp and long lasting cartridge razors, this company cryogenically tempers the blades and sells them for only a few dollars more. This isn't a gimmic, they last much longer and are much sharper out of the box.

Second, creams. All the gels you can buy at the market are crap. You want a real shaving cream that requires a badger brush to lather. I have been using Taylor's of Old Bond Street, Truefitt & Hill is also generally recommended. There is a pretty new cream that a lot of people have been switching to, and I haven't heard a single negative review of it, especially for sensative skin, if you don't mind having a product from a company named "Nancy Boy" on your counter, here you go.

Third, aftershave. I use Nivea and it works fine for me, but if you have really sensative skin there's only one choice out there, Brave Solider Code Blue. It is hands down the #1 recommended aftershave I've seen, again especially for irritated skin.

Last for now, if you have somewhat dry skin make sure to use a men's facial scrub before you shave, otherwise the blade isn't just cutting off hair, it's cutting off dead skin which can both irritate your skin and clog the blade.

Most important in all of this and as has been mentioned, only shave after you shower. Because of the problems you're having I'd also recommend putting a hot towel on your face for a minute after you get out of the shower, before you shave. Hot water does wonders.

Here's some resources for you:

http://www.menessentials.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=12
http://groups.msn.com/thewetshaversgroup
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPytXSQBkvA

TroyD

As has been mentioned, either shave in the shower or wash your face with a wet, HOT washcloth. It softens the stubble and opens the pores.

Shaving cream makes a big difference. I prefer either Tom's of Maine or Clinique. Both are superior to anything else. AFTER, use Clinique post shave healer.

BDT

brettw22

Something to take into account.....using a razor that has 3, 4, 5, 6 or however many blades only increases the number of times your skin is coming into contact with a blade. Go simple..........single blade. Adding to that line of thought, get a razor that has a buffer to where it leaves a little bit of stubble, but still gets a pretty close shave. I've been using Bump Fighter for a few years and really like them. The only place I've ever bought them is Wal-Mart, and since I couldn't get a good image online, I took a pic of the blade to show ya what the 'bump guard' looks like.



The type of shaving lotion/gel you use will have a lot to do with it, and the best I've used is Jack Black Beard Lube. You don't need a lot of it, and it does last quite a while. It's basically a pre-shave oil, shave cream and skin conditioner in one so it's more gentle than the canned gel/foam offerings. I think you can buy it a few places, but I've always gotten it from Nordstroms (near men's colognes, which are typically near the cosmetics counters). You might go and get a sample from there and try it to see how ya like it. If you do, then what I did was to buy a BIG BOTTLE of the stuff and i've only gone through about 1/3 of it in about 14 months.

aaharvel

PhantomOG wrote:

.

Opera Ghost

HAR HAR HAR!

Strong Bad

I also shave AFTER I shower. I make sure I wash my face very thorough with Noxzema which gets rid of all the crap, opens the pours and smooths out the beard.

I use a gel with Gillette Sensor 3 razors (which ROCK!). Eff the aftershave lotion. That sh** stings!

Smooth as a baby's behind!

Great manly thread by the way! :cool:

noimposse

Ive missed a bit being at work, but Ill read up on all of this when I get up in the morning.

Thanks again everyone. And keep it going, this has actually been a pretty interesting read.

Ern Dog

My vote is to grow a beard and keep it trimmed and tight so it doesn't look messy.

Toxis

Yes! Finally another man who has found the love for Jack Black's Beard Lube. The stuff is awesome! Yeah, it costs more but it lasts f o r e v e r ! ! My brother gave me a bottle with maybe an inch worth of cream left in it and it has lasted me about 7 months... granted I only shave once a week but you still get the idea! I used to go through a can a year on average and now, this stuff just won't go away!

The other stuff I love but hate is The Art of Shaving. Great stuff but takes way to damn long for me! But I did pick up a tip that works if you use Nivea, Gillette or any other off the shelf brand cream. First lather up (after a shower/hot face wash of course) and shave with the grain only. Then relather and shave against or sideways from the grain. It does give you a very nice shave. With the Jack Black stuff though, I shave with then against instantly and it is lubed enough that I don't get any breakouts or irritation. Give it a shot! I know you can get a 6oz bottle off eBay for about $20 shipped. Phenominal stuff.

Shizelbs

Eff shaving. I hate it. The problem is, my damned genetics (read: thanks Dad) I can't grow a full beard. So, shave I must.

To add to the general consensus, electrics blow. Not really sure what they are good for.

noimposse

Alright, I thought I would just follow up on everything here...

I took the Nivea products into consideration. Got the aftershave balm and it has been FANTASTIC. I may have been allergic to those awful synthetic scents and colors, either way it has been very calming and there is no alcohol to make you hate shaving.

I also took the advice to get a brush. Target sells a Proraso(italian imported shaving products) brush for a decent price. They also had a small tub of Proraso shave soap so I picked that up too. The brush really does make the hair easier to cut, and the soap is once again, free of artificial scents and colors so I dont get as irritated.

Just these few things have cut down on alot of pain in just over a week. Ive also been reading alot and found that technique has alot to do with how irritated you get and quality of shave you get. So I started changing the blade cartridge more often and using very short strokes with little to no force pushed down onto my face. This has also helped. Another good bit of info is how to shave against the grain. Shave with the grain first, wash the soap off, lather up again then shave against. There is less hair and more lube so its not just ripping out hair and scraping skin. All good info.

Next for me is a DE razor. I was looking at the Merkur Futur at Menessentials so I might finally be able to get a close shave on my lower neck (still cant get all of that). Then get me a nice tub of real quality shave cream and maybe a skinfood/pre shave to help keep the irritation down.

But honestly...this is another good hobby. I hated shaving and now I have started enjoying it. Id recommend any of the steps Ive taken recently, you may notice a difference. I have less irratation, less breakouts, less rough skin and a closer shave. And it really just makes you feel better about yourself.

dorokusai

I NAIR my whole body...I'm a hairless, white redneck with a crazy walk.

I've used Norelco Shave Stick for years when using an electric, as I get razor bumps if not, simple and it works.

Willow

Tell me you kept the Rat-tail ?!;)

krabby5

I don't think shaving with an electric is "worthless". It may take longer, but I can get a good shave...not as soft as a baby's arse, but decent enough..

But if I take a shower first and then try to shave with an electric...forget it..my skin must be dry for the electric to get a decent shave

bobman1235

krabby5 wrote:

I don't think shaving with an electric is "worthless". It may take longer, but I can get a good shave...not as soft as a baby's arse, but decent enough..

But if I take a shower first and then try to shave with an electric...forget it..my skin must be dry for the electric to get a decent shave

Maybe YOU can, but they definitely don't work for everyone.

And if they take LONGER, what's really teh point, aside from portability?

krabby5

bobman1235 wrote:

Maybe YOU can, but they definitely don't work for everyone.

And if they take LONGER, what's really teh point, aside from portability?

because I've never shaved with a razor...

no dad around..

PhantomOG

krabby5 wrote:

I don't think shaving with an electric is "worthless". It may take longer, but I can get a good shave...not as soft as a baby's arse, but decent enough..

But if I take a shower first and then try to shave with an electric...forget it..my skin must be dry for the electric to get a decent shave

for me shaving with an electric is definitely faster. use the braun first thing in the morning, skin dry, and I'm done in 2-3 minutes tops. No time spent prepping my face, putting on the shaving cream etc etc.

on top of that it saves me considerable amount of money. I used to spend so much money on mach3 blades. so for me its a win win. I guess I'm just lucky to have a beard which works with the braun. before using it I thought all electrics were "worthless" as well.

schwarcw

I shave in the shower with one of those no fog mirrors from Bed, Bath and Beyond. It cost about $5. I find that you have to rinse it with the shower water to keep it mist free. Shaving in the shower is the best. The hot water opens your pores, softens the beard, clean up is easy and most of all it saves time!! I get the cleanest smoothest shave with one of the gel shaving creames and a Gillette Excel blade.

heiney9

Zero wrote:

Just be glad you don't need BOTH.

I use both. Mach 3 blades right when I get out of the shower and then a Braun right before I dress for work or whatever activity I'm doing. It works quite well as the manual gets all the rough/longer hair and the electric cleans up the rest. It's a **** when you get an in grown hair though. I can get buy with just the manual, but I never feel clean shaven afterwords, still a tiny bit of stubble. Lots of times on the weekend I'll skip the electric because I HATE SHAVING .

H9