Odd (to me) stubble reaction

[farace]

Shaved this morning, used Olio d'oliva (just olive oil, but sounds better in Italian) as a pre-shave oil, Bigelow-branded Proraso cream, Fat Boy with IP (working my way through the sampler), three passes (plus some spot touch-ups), and did my normal lousy job on my neck (cheeks are great). Still learning. Anyway, followed it up with a cold-water rinse, and then Thayer's Lavender Witch Hazel. Was rubbing the Thayers on my face, and noticed that the whiskers I just can't seem to get very well on my neck were standing up better. I took the razor to it, dry except for the Thayers, and it came smoother than I've managed to get it yet. Now, why couldn't it be that easy with the shave cream? What could I be doing better?

[chop-chop]

Bob,

Maybe you could feel the grain of your beard better after applying the Thayers with your hands? So, the million dollar question is: "If that yielded the best results, so far, In which direction did you shave those hairs?"

One thing that could help is to pay attention to the direction in which you apply the lather with you brush. If you apply it ATG, it should elevate your beard, and provide a good cushion for your shave. Of course, keep in mind that gradual reduction will yield the best results... and, that relies very heavily upon understanding the grain of your beard.

Hope this helps!

Tchau,
chop-chop

[Leisureguy]

Interesting. Try a shave without a pre-shave oil (olive oil or anything else) and see whether you get a smoother shave that way.

[mozart]

I sometimes have the same experience, i.e. after everything is done, and I'm already far into my post-shave routine, I find spots with some stubble, and it's easy to remove them. I think it's because the skin is nicely lubricated by that time. I actually do my touch-ups at that stage sometimes. Regarding how to avoid this in the first place: in my case, I think, I am simply missing these spots during my normal shaving routine. Paying more attention would probably solve it for me. Hope that helps. Best - MM

[farace]

The grain in that area is difficult; it changes direction several times in a small spot. I'm fairly certain that I shaved in the same direction both before and after the Thayer's. After the Thayer's, though, it just seemed more, oh, upright.

I will indeed try not using the pre-shave oil and see if that changes anything. Maybe the oil is interfering with the whiskers getting properly hydrated?

[Leisureguy]

I was thinking that the oil might somehow mat down some of the stubble. Try it with just lather, and perhaps also try 100% glycerine as an every-pass pre-shave (applying a few drops to the wet beard just before lathering for the next pass). This does little for some guys, but some guys find it helps a lot.

[btisko]

Interesting. Try a shave without a pre-shave oil (olive oil or anything else) and see whether you get a smoother shave that way.


+1. I stopped using PSO and my results have greatly improved.

[farace]

This morning I didn't use any olive oil, but added another variable, in that I changed blades. I'm working through the sampler, so I took out the IP and installed a Derby. I also used the sample of Floris JK that Vintageblades sent me rather than the Bigelow/Proraso. So much for a consistent comparison.

I didn't do a very good job at that spot of my neck this morning. I probably should have just not shaved today to let it calm down, but could I? NOOooo. Initial passes were better, I think, but still after the Thayer's the shaving was more responsive. But I've got some nasty razor burn. I think I've overworked that spot on my neck.

Maybe I should just use a depilatory there . . . :rolleyes: