Shaving tips for preventing ingrown hairs?

lizzyman

uncle_sam_ie wrote: »

Lol,
Show us some photos when you get it. You too lizzyman, I want to see the Bevel.

You'll have to wait a few days uncle sam but I'll try to do a quick review post when I get back. I'm currently on holidays and having a scandalous affair with a Braun mobile shaver M90

Gran Hermano

lizzyman wrote: »

. I'm currently on holidays and having a scandalous affair with a Braun mobile shaver M90

Durrrtty...

:-)

lizzyman

Gran Hermano wrote: »

Durrrtty...

:-)

I know. At least I can shower afterwards to wash off the shame

In my defense though, I do have a vintage Schick injector waiting for me when I get back.

hitemfrank

Good man. Not enough people seem to know about injector razors. They are pretty nifty.

lizzyman

hitemfrank wrote: »

Good man. Not enough people seem to know about injector razors. They are pretty nifty.

Cheers. What is the handiest way of getting blades for them?

hitemfrank

connaughtshaving in the UK. They have fairly cheap shipping to for the blades.

FrankGrimes

Wanted to give an update on this. I'm 4 or 5 shaves in and it's definitely an experience. The Feather razor is simply stunning, a real joy to behold. Probably no reason to spend that much on it, but it is a really beautiful piece of kit.

I jumped in at the deep end and did my first shave with only cursory glance at videos. Didn't go too bad and highlighted what I needed to learn. Biggest mistake was too much water in the lather. Still finding I'm not getting quite as good a lather as in the videos, but had progress last night with Mitchells Wool fat soap mixed in a bowl with only adding a couple of drops of water at a time. Getting the real fluffy lather was a pleasure to use, really felt the difference.

Technique will take time to perfect but I haven't done too bad, only one nick last night and noticed that the alum block led to less stinging last night, which I believe is an indication that the shave went well. I've done a couple of shaves using right hand (writing hand) only and a couple where I do the right side of my face using the left hand. I'm fairly good with coordination on the left hand, so I may go with that in future, seems easier to lock out the wrist.

I'm generally finding the face fine and I do one pass down, one from the side, one pass up. The bottom of the chin and the neckline is where I find it tricky. On the neck, I do one pass down, one from the side, and maybe leave it at that, or a really light pass upwards. My neck hairs seem to grow in various directions so it's not clear what approach I should take.

I used Astra Platinum blade the first 2 times, a Feather Hi-Stainless next, and then a Polisilver Iridium last night. Had very bad irritation from the Feather blade, Polisilver last night didn't give much irritation but didn't feel like it was cutting very smoothly. I think the Astra was the best I've used so far so will stick with that for a while and try perfect my technique with it, and only reconsider blade selection after I have the technique down.

I'm shaving at night before bed and that works well as I don't rush it and have time for any cuts (got several small bleeders a couple of times, only one last night) and irritation to die down before work. I really enjoy the experience of prepping and doing the shave, and it's generally very smooth afterwards, though there is a different sensation on the face afterwards. My skin has been drinking moisturiser, have had to apply it 3 or 4 times, and I notice my upper lip feels dry and more exposed. There's a bit of tingling from the skin, but it's fine in the morning, need to perfect the technique before I'd be confident to shave right before heading out for a night out or right before work, largely to avoid that pimpled/speckled look on the lower neck. I also notice that missing any small patch is very noticeable when you put your hand on the face, likewise I'm more aware of the start of the regrowth. I wonder is that because the face is now being shaved so tight/smooth that you notice the start of the next growth with your hand more easily?

I've ordered some Proraso pre-shave balm as reviews indicate that reduces irritation and I'll keep trying post-shave balms until I get one that works. Find most too watery and just get soaked in and don't do a whole lot. A nice creamy one that doesn't have too strong a scent would be ideal (I want to keep my Tom Ford Grey Vetvier as the main noticeable scent). Reviews indicate that Proraso pre-shave balm may also work post-shave so I'll try that out.

Definitely feels like I'll be on a journey for a while trying out different creams/soaps, balms, blades, bowls and mugs etc. But so far it's been enjoyable and it feels like it'll be worth the investment of time and money and in the long-term once I settle on my preferred gear, it'll then become lower ongoing running cost than the alternative of cartridge razors. Thanks all for showing me the way!