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DarrenEff
01-05-2010, 06:28 PM
Hi all,

Apologies as this may be quite long-winded. You can skip the history, it mostly reads "I have ingrown hairs and experience razor burn".

I read the first 3-4 pages worth of threads here. I've read numerous reviews online. I've watched all of mantic's youtube videos, etc.

History
I had never had any issue with shaving (in-grown hairs, razor bump, etc) from ages 15-22 or so (I'm now 25). Then out of nowhere, I started having problems. Very painful ingrown hairs and the like.

I had googled the topic to death and read the numerous things online (unfortunately I never came across B&B). I had tried everything possible (shaving in the shower, dry shaving, rinsing my face with cold water, hot water, etc, etc, etc).

I finally went to Walmart and spent $6 on a cheap brush, and $3 on a little container of shaving soap. I began taking hotter than normal showers, and instead of washing my face last, I began to wash it first (giving the pores more time to open). After I showered, I lathered up the brush and applied to my face. I shaved top-down in all areas, no more than 3-4 inches per stroke, no more than one stroke per rinse. My neck began to clear up a little.

However, the biggest change came from TendSkin (my lady got electrolysis done and mentioned my problem to the one who does it, she gave her several samples of this stuff). I applied it after every shave. It stung like hell, but it worked. My ingrown hairs and razor bump had mostly disappeared.. I ended up buying a bottle and have since gone through it all.

Somewhere in there, I purchased a beginner Vulfix brush, proraso pre-post shave, and proraso soap. I use an exfoliant two or three times a week, I still only shave after a hot shower. I get a sub-par lather with my current brush and soap. And I'm still using a mach 3 (yikes!). My shave's arent *that* bad but I still end up with razor burn and ingrown hairs most of the time.

Current
I shave every morning after a shower, and I spend about 9-10 minutes. I plan to start shaving at night so I can give myself adequate time.

I think it's about time I invest in a DE and along with it, shaving cream and a new brush.

I'm looking at the following:
Brush: Semogue 730 Silvertip (http://www.fendrihan.com/semogue-silvertip-shaving-brush-p-821.html)
DE: Merkur Progress (http://www.fendrihan.com/merkur-progress-adjustable-safety-razor-p-70.html)
Cream: Proraso shaving cream (http://www.fendrihan.com/proraso-shaving-cream-eucalyptus-menthol-p-365.html)
Razors: Sampler pack (http://www.fendrihan.com/razor-blades-sampler-feather-astra-merkur-derby-p-230.html)

I am open to any feedback/suggestions, as that's going to cost me a little over $200CAD (shipping+taxes) and I want to make sure I'm not making any huge mistakes.

**EDIT** Posted below but in case it gets overlooked:
Is there any product that anyone can suggest that I can apply to my neck post shave that actually helps with not only razor burn/bump, but ingrown hairs? It is suggested that whatever it is, it's NOT alcohol based, correct?

kp217
01-05-2010, 06:35 PM
that's looking pretty good.

good luck man.

Luc
01-05-2010, 06:43 PM
Welcome to B&B!

Looks good!

Wilpar76
01-05-2010, 06:46 PM
Good luck and Welcome to B & B!

texbilly
01-05-2010, 06:52 PM
Welcome! I think your setup and your plan are well thought out and clearly you're making progress. Well done and best of luck as you continue to improve, learn, experiment and enjoy this crazy "hobby"! :001_smile

lvsc10
01-05-2010, 06:55 PM
Welcome aboard. Glad to have you here.

DunEdinRanger
01-05-2010, 06:57 PM
Nice set up. You're going to want to get more razors - everyone does, maybe you should start with a Merkur HD or Barber Pole HD?

Also if you're buying the semogue from one of the vendors who frequents B&B, you should also snag some Fraser's shave cream.

Crawford Montizano
01-05-2010, 07:16 PM
Hey even if you are still using a Mach 3, you probably noticed already you are getting a better shave. Welcome to B&B! Happy Shaving.

bulldog
01-05-2010, 07:30 PM
Welcome - it's only going to get better.

Nate.

winkydink
01-05-2010, 08:04 PM
Keep us posted. Welcome to B&B!

thunderball
01-05-2010, 08:09 PM
Welcome aboard sir! :thumbup1: The items you are looking at are all good in my opinion.

DarrenEff
01-07-2010, 03:03 PM
wow, thanks for the quick feedback all. I am going to go ahead and place my order very soon. Is there any product that anyone can suggest that I can apply to my neck post shave that actually helps with not only razor burn/bump, but ingrown hairs? It is suggested that whatever it is, it's NOT alcohol based, correct?

rm71
01-07-2010, 03:20 PM
Welcome to B&B!

Gruder
01-07-2010, 04:26 PM
A warm welcome to B&B! Personally, I'd go with the Jagger best and stand combo over the semogue if price is an issue, same with an HD over the progress. Either way, you'll be in great shape -- keep us posted!

klm099
01-07-2010, 04:53 PM
I like alcohol based aftershave, both for the ability to convey the intended smell and for the cleaning or sanitizing impact of the alcohol itself to keep irritation away.

If you really want a non alcohol face lotion, I keep Earthscience (from vitacost.com) men's all natural after shave lotion.
Another great choice, also from Vitacost is Thayers witch hazel with lemon, it is 10% alcohol, which I think is quite a low concentration. This is a very old line astringent.

But I predict once you get you new Merkur working you won't have an ingrown hair problem. For an ingrown hair to develop it must grow long enough to enter another pore or do a 180 and re-enter its pore, Merkur won't let that happen if you shave daily

good luck,
ken

unmodern
01-07-2010, 06:59 PM
Welcome to B&B. The aftershave you are looking for is witch hazel. Try Thayer's odorless with aloe. No smell, all the protection. Fends off bumps/ingrowns/whatever. This is the original stuff.

Some purchasing suggestions: (1) Just personally, I don't think a Progress is worth the extra money for a newbie. Vary the aggressiveness of the razor by using different blades. (2) Again, just IMO, I wouldn't go for a silvertip. In terms of the many things that brushes do, it's not the most versatile choice, and you don't know what sorts of attributes you prefer in a brush at this point. For instance, for me, the more I learn about brushes on B&B the less I ever want to buy a silvertip. A silvertip is softer on the face, holds more water, but is bested by lower grades and by boar brushes in the lathering department. My pure badger brush, ca. $40 from Em's place, is plenty soft but whips a mean lather. (I should add, I personally like a bit of a scratch as the brush exfoliates.) If I were to do it all over I might consider the Omega #49 boar brush, which at $10 has to be one of the alltime best deals in shaving (after you deodorize it!). Again, welcome!

DarrenEff
01-08-2010, 12:54 PM
maybe you should start with a Merkur HD or Barber Pole HD?

I've looked around Fendrihan (simply because they're Canadian and I get free shipping after $100) and see several Merkur variations. So which razor from this page (http://www.fendrihan.com/merkur-razors-c-8.html) would you recommend?


Personally, I'd go with the Jagger best and stand combo over the semogue if price is an issue, same with an HD over the progress.

Re: Razor - see above quote
Re: Brush - if I currently have a pure badger vulfix... would I even notice a difference (and is it worth it) if I went with this (http://www.fendrihan.com/edwin-jagger-best-badger-shaving-brush-medium-ebony-pr-239.html)?


The aftershave you are looking for is witch hazel. Try Thayer's odorless with aloe. No smell, all the protection. Fends off bumps/ingrowns/whatever.

If I were to do it all over I might consider the Omega #49 boar brush, which at $10 has to be one of the alltime best deals in shaving (after you deodorize it!). Again, welcome!

Re: Aftershave - thanks for the suggestion
Re: Brush - I love the thought of a brush at that price, that does what it is intended to do. Is this (http://www.fendrihan.com/omega-boar-bristle-shaving-brush-wood-handle-p-370.html) it, or close enough?

JPM
01-08-2010, 02:15 PM
Welcome to B&B!

Dustinl
01-08-2010, 02:28 PM
DarrenEff,

Welcome to Badger & Blade!!!

Looks like you have made good choices on your shaving gear. You will be in for quite a suprise with that Proraso!



DL

Gruder
01-08-2010, 04:17 PM
Re: Razor - see above quote
Re: Brush - if I currently have a pure badger vulfix... would I even notice a difference (and is it worth it) if I went with this (http://www.fendrihan.com/edwin-jagger-best-badger-shaving-brush-medium-ebony-pr-239.html)?

The 34C on page 2.

I believe you'd notice a difference, but honestly, if you've already got the Vulfix, I'd save for something another step or two up.

DarrenEff
01-08-2010, 04:28 PM
The 34C on page 2.

I believe you'd notice a difference, but honestly, if you've already got the Vulfix, I'd save for something another step or two up.

Perfect, I'll go with this razor then. But, what exactly would constitute being a step or two up from what I have? Any recommendations?

Gruder
01-08-2010, 04:35 PM
Perfect, I'll go with this razor then. But, what exactly would constitute being a step or two up from what I have? Any recommendations?

Easy -- B&B Limited Edition! :001_smile If you're not feeling like pulling the trigger today, then we're talking high-end Simpson's/Shavemac/Rooney.

Jim
01-08-2010, 04:49 PM
Welcome to B&B! Seriously you are member # 25629 :thumbup1:

skklog
01-08-2010, 04:51 PM
Welcome to B&B

DarrenEff
01-08-2010, 04:52 PM
Easy -- B&B Limited Edition! :001_smile If you're not feeling like pulling the trigger today, then we're talking high-end Simpson's/Shavemac/Rooney.

Really? The next great step after a $40 brush is like $150+? damn...