Cant shave without butchering my face

[003]

Hi guys I really need some help here. If I don't shave regularly, my facial hair gets nasty looking. However I can't shave without butchering my face. Well, actually I can shave, but only at intervals of around a week and half.

If I shave at sooner intervals, the razor just butchers my face no matter how carefully I do it. This applies to my manual razor (gillette fuzion) with and without cream, and my electric razor, a philips norelco.

I need to be able to shave more frequently without butchering my face! Prefferably every other day or even every day! What can I do about this?

[cfriend]

First, you can clarify what you mean by "butchering your face." What specifically are you experiencing? Razor burn? Splotchy and red? Nicks and cuts? Ingrown hairs? Etc. The more detailed, the better.

Then, you can explain your standard shave routine. Before or after a shower? Any specific beard/skin prep? Again, the more detailed, the better.

Lastly, you can read these stickies in the newbie section and/or this Frequently Asked Questions article and gain some knowledge while you wait for helpful responses to fill up the thread.

Welcome to B&B!

[GoldenMonkey]

Yeah, read the stickies, and figure out what you're doing wrong (aside from Fusion and yeeeek! "with and without cream" ). Likely suspects are inadequate prep, and improper technique for starters. Also, be sure to provide as much info as you can, and we'll be better able to provide advice and assistance...ie: as Christian said, what exactly are you experiencing? How long have you been shaving? What is your usual prep like? What/how do you shave (number of passes, etc.). As much detail as possible will help us help you. For starters, you've made a great choice in joining here and seeking advice! Welcome to B&B!

[003]

First, you can clarify what you mean by "butchering your face." What specifically are you experiencing? Razor burn? Splotchy and red? Nicks and cuts? Ingrown hairs? Etc. The more detailed, the better.

Then, you can explain your standard shave routine. Before or after a shower? Any specific beard/skin prep? Again, the more detailed, the better.

Lastly, you can read these stickies in the newbie section and/or this Frequently Asked Questions article and gain some knowledge while you wait for helpful responses to fill up the thread.

Welcome to B&B!

I experience razor burn and splotchy/redness. I typically shave before my shower, but first I rub my face with warm to hot water. Then I apply a layer of shaving cream (Barbasol Ultra Premium) and let it sit for 20-30 seconds before I begin shaving.

When I do shave, I try to get it done with as few passes as possible, never more than three. Is there another razor I should be using?

[Jsteele]

Check the blade you are using. It might be dull,which would irritate your skin. And i also suggest trying to shave after you shower.

[Follicle Genocide]

And i also suggest trying to shave after you shower.

If you do nothing else different, this is what you should do. The heat will prepare your beard for shaving. Don't neglect this step.


Second, get a proper shaving cream and brush. The brush will also prepare your beard for shaving. It doesn't need to be expensive until you acquire the sickness everyone else here has. Go to walgreens and look around the shaving section for their $8.00 brush. It's not bad for a beginner. Look for the green box.

For the shaving cream, go to Bath and Body Works. Go. GO NOW!!! Bypass the frufru lotions and whatnot and seek out the men's section in the back of the store. Pick up a tube of the C.O. Biglow shaving cream, purchase, and run out.

I'll let others suggest the razors.

[Smiley]

This worked for me:
Walmart- Van Der Hagen green box shaving brush set $9.00 (brush,bowl and a puck of Deluxe Shave soap)

Walmart- Persona DE blades $1.89 for 10

Track down an old 1 to 9 Gillette ADJUSTABLE DE razor.Sanitize before using, start with a low number like 2 or 3 on the adjuster dial.
Put the puck in the bowl and fill it 3/4 full with hot tap water.
Rinse the brush in hot water and place it in the bowl to soak.
While the brush and soap are soaking take a long hot shower and try not to dry your face when you get out.As soon as you get out of the shower take the brush and give it a couple of light shakes in the sink to remove the excess water and pour out the water from the bowl.Swirl the brush in the bowl to make lather.A quick pass over your beard with a hot wash cloth just before you apply the lather.
Start with a single pass going with the grain and reapply lather to any areas that need a touchup.
Rinse the razor often to keep it clean and wet.Wipe any excess soap off when done with a cool damp cloth.
Skip every other day if you have any irritation.Wait a few shaves before doing multiple passes or going across/against the grain of your beard.
After you get used to it you can turn the dial up one number at a time (loosen the silo doors before adjusting the dial) until you find what work best for you.
I started at #3 doing only 1 or 2 passes with the grain ,after a while #4 (closer but still comfortable) but when I tried #5 I could feel it burning after I was done so I went back to #4.

I have used 3 or 4 kinds of foam and gel in a can but they are weak compared to warm lather made and applied with a brush.
The canned foams/gels also left a cloudy residue on my razor but the VDH soap rinsed off easily leaving it nice and shiny.

[TheScalpel]

once I switched from the HD to the long handle Merkur, and really slowed down my technique.. if you are having razor burn or irritation, put some cream on your face under the lather for any aggressive passes, that definitely works for me!

[003]

Thanks for the suggestions! Basically I am a freshman in college and I live in a dorm. Everybody else seems to be able to shave without using a brush... what does the brush even do? If it will work I am willing to try it though.

I will get some of that C.O. Biglow shaving cream but regarding the razor... I am very willing to switch it out but I really would like something that is in production and rather easy to obtain.... any suggestions on that?

[kingfisher]

Thanks for the suggestions! Basically I am a freshman in college and I live in a dorm. Everybody else seems to be able to shave without using a brush... what does the brush even do? If it will work I am willing to try it though.

The brush aids in producing a shaving lather. Your friends use gels or canned foam. Shaving lather is superior to either, but it is a bit of work to learn how to make it properly. The brush also lifts the hairs and provides some mild exfoliation, which is at least theoretically good for your face.

I will get some of that C.O. Biglow shaving cream but regarding the razor... I am very willing to switch it out but I really would like something that is in production and rather easy to obtain.... any suggestions on that?

If you want to try a razor that is readily available, easy to use, and produces less irritation than your current razor, I would recommend a Sensor Excel. These can be found most anywhere and the cartridges are less expensive than the fusion cartridges, as well.

[mkevenson]

Getting a good Gillette razor made in the 60s or earlier is easier than going to the store. I would suggest a Gillette Tech. Really any color or handle style. It will cost you about $15-$20. Go to the BST forums and look around. Buying from a member here is generally safe and reliable. These razors if they are in working order will stay that way for maybe another 100 yrs. You think I gest? I use a Gillette made in 1904, 1921, 1951, etc. They are all good, as long as they are working when you get them.
Wet Shaving especially with a vintatge razor and brush is meant to be a relaxing venture. Just because you don't know anyone else that does it, does not mean that no one else does it. There are thousands of men and women who are redisscovering the art of shaving. Hey you came here!

[kingfisher]

My other suggestion would be to use a much lighter touch when you shave (even with a cartridge razor); just make it glide lightly across your skin. And make sure the first pass is with the grain of your beard. In order to do this, you need to know which way your hairs grow on all parts of your face, chin, and neck. It can be a pretty crazy pattern on some people. Once you learn this, make sure the first pass is with the direction of hair growth.

Then, put more lather or foam on your face and shave a second time, again with a very gentle touch, this time ACROSS the grain of your beard. Rinse and apply a soothing aftershave.

If you did nothing more than these steps and reducing from a 5-bladed cartridge to a 2-bladed cartridge I think you would see a vast improvement.

Good luck and keep us updated on your progress/problems, etc.

[congochris]

Another note: make a face map, or at least feel your beard to figure it out. You may think you're shaving with the grain for less irritation, when you're actually shaving against it. This is bad, and leads to irritation. Personally, I discovered the hair on my neck grows sideways, towards the center. So all the time I thought I was shaving with the grain, I was shaving across the grain.

[Bobtrumpet]

+1 on the C. O. Bigelow shaving cream. You can use it brushless just fine. It doesn't whip up a lot of lather when you just rub it in your hands, but it does a good job nonetheless.

You can also try the Maca Root shaving cream at The Body Works.

You're bound to find either The Body Shop or Bath and Body Works (or both) at most any mall.

Oh, and make you sure you lather before each pass. I'd also recommend a warm water splash between passes before re-lathering.

+1 on the prep. Either shave after you shower, or use Kyle's Prep. Kyle's takes a little longer, but it's worth it, in my opinion. I get a much better shave when I use Kyle's Prep and shave before I shower. To each his own . . .

I'd also recommend down-sizing the number of blades you use. Use a Bump-Fighter razor handle with Trac II blades, or buy a pack of BIC Metal disposables. You can try the DE route later after you've worked the blade technique and started making better lather with better product(s).

Watch Mantic59's videos over at YouTube. Read the stickies. Have fun!

[BBrad]

Smiley's post (above) is about the best advice for you! Take the time to make a good and proper lather - hot water, brush, shave soap or cream. Not only does it feel good, but it does wonders for the face and softening the beard prior to the shave.

One of the secrets to an irritation-free shave is NO PRESSURE! It doesn't matter if you are using a Mach 3 cartridge or a vintage Double Edge - letting the razor do the work without pressing into the skin is paramount!

The only other advice that I would give you (different than Smiley) would be the choice of razor. To start out, I would suggest a Gillette Tech. In theory, Smiley's recommendation of a Slim Adjustable on a low setting is as gentle as a Tech, the Slim is not nearly as forgiving if you make a mistake. Techs are as mistake-proof as a razor can get! Once you master your technique, a Slim is a wonderful choice.

Welcome to the world of classic wet shaving . . . I hope you find as many good shaves as the rest of us have!!

[Go West Young Man]

Take the time to read the stickies and watch the tutorials suggested above, they'll answer 99% of your questions

[TheScalpel]

is essential, if only that you may quickly re-apply shaving cream for any spot touch up, etc.. with gels its a lot more work to re-apply, compared to just reaching down to the counter for a quick touch up... and quality shaving cream smells so much better than any gel... especially with a scuttle or such!

[Shamus99]

My recommendation on MUCH better tools than you're using would be

Kiss My Face shaving cream. It's available at most groceries and Whole Foods, it's very forgiving, very slick, and very easy to lather with or without a brush.

I'd grab an inexpensive brush at Wally World or Walgreens also to start with, as it makes for a better lather and pulls the whiskers away from your face, while surrounding them with lather which holds them in place better.

As important as these two things though, I would get an early seventies Gillette Super Speed (with the black handle) off of GST or even Ebay, taking care that it's in good shape. These are perhaps the most mild starter razors around.

The best local blades I have found are Wally World Personna's shown in the post above.

As for the technique, there are lots of ideas around and they all work for some. I'd take a shower and wash face with a good pre-shave soap like Jack Black daily face wash, get out and leave face wet and shave with the stuff above, following with a good after shave balm.

Good luck!

[Mr. O]

Honestly I think he you read the stickies, purchase the VDH kit, some witch hazel and a possibly Nivea alcohol and perfume free aftershave balm you should start seeing an improvement. I understand being a broke dorm rat. You might take a stroll through any local antique shops just to see what they have for razors. You might get lucky and find a really nice clean one for cheap. Also hang out in the PIF forum. Oftentimes there are PIF's to newbies. Good luck!

[Mink]

I'll jump in with a comment about irritation and razor burn. I read your comment about really aggressively going after the trouble spots....and this would be trouble.

You are going through several passes to reduce the level of exposed whisker. Once you get through 2 passes, you have greatly reduced all of the whiskers and all of the old/dead skin. If you aggressively go after the whiskers at this point, you will really irritate and burn the exposed new skin. If you go after a specific trouble spot, by passing the razor repeatedly over the same spot, you're going to irritate your skin because the lather can't protect it.

So, you will hear from most members that this takes a light touch. Keep in mind, that your "touch" needs to get lighter with each pass or you'll get razor burn. Live with less than perfect results that don't burn you and progress from there. There are many razor techniques that will help. You will also read/hear that your skin will take time to adjust to the new routine - and this can take a few months.