Razorblades and Aftershaves

Otis Driftwood

I was thinking it could be good to have a thread similar to the one in tLL to post about male grooming products - shaving gel,razors,deodorants,aftershaves,balms etc.Maybe the mods can sticky it.

Im looking for a very good shaving gel/foam myself.I have pretty sensitive skin and if I shave more than 3 times a week I always bleed and also sometimes get pimples on my throat area.Very annoying especially if you work in a job that requires you to be clean shaven every day.:mad:

OldGoat

I think for any shaving information the Facial Hair & Hats forum already has the answers posted. For products and skin care the Fashion & Apparence forum pretty much have this topic sewn up.

Fajitas!

Yep, pop over to the facial hair forum for all your shaving advice. Just remember to keep your credit card handy, and throw out those multi bladed cartridges

For what's happening to yourself, it's not just the gel that's causing the bad shave, I assume you're using a 3/4/5 bladed razor - You only need one, and a few gentle passes, but, for the moment, dump the gel.

Pop into your nearest homeware store, and grab yourself a wide, squat mug. They're usually about a euro, more if you want something fancy! Then head into your nearest Boots, and go to the mens shaving section, and get yourself a shaving cream (Not a gel) - Boots have their own range, or if you can find Proraso in there, you're in business - Boots own brand is about 2 Euro, the Proraso is around 8. Then have a look for the brushes, I think Boots stock one called 4Men or similar, it's not amazing, but it'll get you started.

You'll find videos on Youtube from a chap called Mantic59 (he's pretty well known for helping a lot of men with shaving, and even pops onto Boards now and then!!). Try making up some lather and shaving with it.

See, the problem with gels is they contain too many chemicals, chems to make it expand, chems to make it stick, chems to scent it, even more chems... it's basically expanding foam, and dosn't provide a good 'base' to shave off - The lather should act just like a lubricant that sticks to your face. You'll get a far better glide from the creams.

Don't apply too much pressure with the blade either, take it easy on yourself. You might want to move on to a DE razor eventually. They make shaving a pleasure

(Fwiw, I used to suffer similarly to yourself, except I'd get a really bad rash across my face. Haven't had it since I switched.)

tribulus

A huge +1 on the proraso shaving cream. I use the bowl form of it myself but the tube is supposed to be equally good. It has aloevera in so it soothes as you shave, really great stuff.

You might also consider using a glycerin based soap before hand to keep your skin nice and supple.

Fajitas!

I've the soap/bowl in Wilkinson, and find it grand, but a bit harder to lather up if you're not used to it. Also, I forgot to mention, before you shave, shower, and wash your face with plenty of warm water, as warm as you can handle. If you've got plenty of stubble there, rub some hair conditioner into it to soften it a bit, it'll make the hacking easier

r3nu4l

I'm in the same boat, I get very rashy if I shave too often. However, I have found that being more gentle, going with the grain of the beard, exactly (my grain changes direction on different sides of my face) all helps. I've used foams, gels and oils but the best thing I find is going with the grain and leaving the product to soak in for a few minutes to soften the hair.

Must try this shaving cream method!

Fajitas!

If you'd be willing to invest around 40 quid into a double edged razor and a few blades, you'd save a fortune in the long run (The multi bladed yokes are a scam - charge a fortune for them, and they're worse for your skin).

That, along with the shaving cream and a brush, will make a huge difference to your shave and your skin. Your shaving brush will help with exfoliating, along with getting the hairs on your face to stand out, making it easier to shave. It also feels a hell of a lot better than the expanding foam you'll get from a can

As far as your grain goes, most people don't have grain straight down along their face, so tracking it out will help your shave a lot. Remember that you don't just have to go with and against the grain - My daily shave includes across the grain.

You can try all the gels and foams in the world, but at the end of the way, the older method works best imo (And the opinion of many others!)

I do believe I've found a few more converts for the FH&H forum :pac:

OldGoat

Fajitas! wrote: »

I do believe I've found a few more converts for the FH&H forum :pac:

You must be on commission at this stage. Now can you convince everyone to grow a moustache for Movember?

Fajitas!

We'll see

Amalgam

There's a lot more air in the foam and even the gels, once they bulk up on your face.

Lather has a totally different feel to it.

Apologies if this sounds like it should be in the conspiracy forum, do you think there's pressure on the tri-quad-blade market? I walked into Tesco a few days back and the entire rack had heavy discounts across all the pack sizes, whereas previously they would have screwed you for a lot, for as few blades as possible.

I don't know if that can be linked to a renewed interest in older methods\recession\or just joe public pulling his belt in.

Will

i can't wait for movember

on a side note, i've been shaving for about 8 years now, anytime i let my stubble grow i get very very rashy, it kills. any suggestions, should i just let it grow out and face the pain or what?

gonna go mooch and have a look for this lad on youtube now

Fajitas!

There's a chap on the FH*H forum that asked the same about the itch, it's normal, try putting on some moisturiser or aloe vera if it's really acting up.

+1 convert :pac:

Dr Galen

+1 one the shaving brush and lather method. I grow a pretty thick stubble that can be a bitch to shave off. I have adecent brush i got in the body shop along with their shaving cream in a tube, think it's about 11 euro.
i'd often have got a rash and spots from shaving and had tried everything. since moving to the brush and lather, hardly ever get sore or a rash. when I do, it's because I'm rushing and haven't taken enough time.

Will

gettin paid at midnight, think il try get myself a de razor tomorrow, any suggestions fanjitas? hopefully boots stock em

Dr Galen

Will wrote: »

gettin paid at midnight, think il try get myself a de razor tomorrow, any suggestions fanjitas? hopefully boots stock em

fanjitas

is that not something rude? :eek::D

Will

why yes, yes it is. he knows im only joking though. he threatened to send a certain cork person up after me in another thread >.<

i really hate shaving, and when i let my stubble grow get horrible rashes pain and more pain, no bueno

Fajitas!

Boots have their own brand plastic on, and a W-sword plastic one... About a tenner each... Or... If you wanted something a bit nicer, pop out to the shopping center in Dundrum, who I hear have some nice ones (I think you're out that way anyways?) or you could buy online?

The Merkur Progress is great for starting off, it's adjustable, so you can tame it by a twist. It's a wee bit small if you've got big hands, but they've just released a longer handled version for a few more quid.

www.shaving.ie posts quite a bit if you wanted to buy online but Irish!

@Mystik_Monkey Yes. Very very rude. Ban'em for personal abuse (It's just what he calls me - His way of showing his love...)

Will

yeah seen the website there, they don't accept laser though which sucks a bit.
will wander around town tomorrow i think and have a peak about in shops.
Really looking forward to movember this year, been counting down the days ashamedly

Keano

I have really tick and dark stubble. Should really shave 3 times a week but get away with 2. Without being shouted at I find the Gillette Fusion really good

Would it be worth giving the Merkur Progress a shot?

Will

seems so keano, check out the youtube guy fajitas mentions in one of his first posts, looks really effortless and more importantly painless

Fajitas!

Will wrote: »

yeah seen the website there, they don't accept laser though which sucks a bit.
will wander around town tomorrow i think and have a peak about in shops.
Really looking forward to movember this year, been counting down the days ashamedly

http://www.knights-barbers.com/

http://www.thegroomingrooms.com/

There's your two choices walking around town.

You'll need the razor itself, some blades, a brush, shaving cream and a mug to start you off. Buy a styptic pencil too if they have them, but I've never bought one, been grand.

Watch Mantic59's videos over and over again before you try it, take your time, and plenty of hot water.

Fajitas!

Keano A Legend wrote: »

I have really tick and dark stubble. Should really shave 3 times a week but get away with 2. Without being shouted at I find the Gillette Fusion really good

Would it be worth giving the Merkur Progress a shot?

If you find the Gillette works, then there's nothing wrong with it really - But there'd be nothing wrong with trying to change over either - I find it gives a better shave, and is far more enjoyable to shave.

It is a bit of an investment initially, but the blades are so cheap, it pays off soon enough. It can be a bit trickier to perfect making your lather and shaving, but again, it's worth it in my opinion

OldGoat

Will, set up a live webcam feed so we can all watch your progress as you get to grips with the DE. We'll all shout encouraging remarks and cheer loudly though I may faint if you draw blood. :rolleyes:

Fajitas!

OldGoat wrote: »

Will, set up a live webcam feed so we can all watch your progress as you get to grips with the DE. We'll all shout encouraging remarks and cheer loudly though I may faint if you draw blood. :rolleyes:

I'm trying desperately to find a clip of Homer Simpson at the baseball match shouting out "LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSER" at Ned Flanders.

Will

i think that would be pretty damn hilarious and well bloody >.<

Fajitas!

Don't forget to pop onto the thread in the FH&H forum. Pretty much everything you'll need to know is there or can be answered there - Some very knowledgable people (Including Mantic59!)

Will

was lookin at his videos, spent an hour lol
to town with me tomorrow, will do my best to video the occasion but only have my crappy webcam, won't be live though will lash it up on youtube and link to it here

Snowie

I haven't been clean shaven in a year its great

Gran Hermano

Snow-Monkey wrote: »

I haven't been clean shaven in a year its great

Just had my second shave with a straight razor, you don't know what you're missing.