Shaver in crisis!

[Rossmeister]

Arrrgh, the pain!

Ok, so I have been shaving for a while, and I finally got some more products other than the Proraso basic stuff.

The problems started with the new stuff, of course, which is this:

Feather blades in my Parker
Mühle sea buckthorn shaving SOAP
Mühle alum block

The first time I used this soap, my face was on FIRE! I never experienced anything like it with the proraso cream. Today was as bad, if not worse(!) as the first time with this stuff.

This is what I did:

Entire face in warm water
Lather some soap on and let warm towel sit for three minutes
Mix soap unto face
Lather on face

(I've tried lathering in a bowl as well, but that was no different..)

The first pass WTG is fine, during the second I can start to feel burning on my neck and the third is just pain, pain, pain with no glide.

Is my lather drying out too fast? What am I doing wrong? This never happened with the proraso cream!

My face is meat farce right now, although I didn't cut myself which has happened with the same stuff the past two times..!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...P1010931-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...P1010932-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...P1010933-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...r/P1010934.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...r/P1010935.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...r/P1010936.jpg

So what am I doing wrong, guys? Why can't I make this soap work? It's a shame, because it smells like heaven.

[Loric]

It sounds like your having an allergic reaction. If your technique was not creating problems before you made the switch to this soap, then I'm guessing that being the new variable would be the problem.

[BladeRunner001]

Hmmmm...I don't know anything about that soap, but as Loric said, it could be the culprit.

Also, feather blades are known to be super sharp and not for teh faint of heart. This is what I would do:

1. Shave with the feather and your Proraso (get rid of Muhle soap)
2. Shave with the Muhle soap + some other blade (that you know gave you a good, irritation free shave)

Between these two, you should be able to tell if it's soap or blade...I doubt it is the alum...although that is also possible

[Rossmeister]

Hmmm, interesting..

Because as you can see in the pictures, I have loads of stubble left, even after three passes. So I can't imagine I'm "scraping" my skin off either.

But I also use the aftershave lotion in the same product range, and it doesn't seem to become worse after that (I didn't use it this time because I don't want to waste an exclusive product on a rubbish shave). Should I react to that as well?

What about the brush? It's a fine badger hair brush and before that I used the proraso one. The badger brush doesn't feel soft at all to me, but it gives quite a "sting," in fact. Maybe I'm allergic to badger? I will try using the soap again with the Proraso boar brush and see what happens.

EDIT
Blade, I don't think it's the alum, since I'm already super red and sore before I apply it. It burns like a motherf.. when I do apply it, though.

[Loric]

I doubt it is the alum as well as that usually goes on after the shave, and your problems started by the second pass. When you use it just make sure to rinse very thoroughly because it will dry your skin out badly and cause irritation if left on. A couple times I did not rice all of it off and did get quite a bit of irritation after 15 minuets or so, again well after the point where you are finding problems.

Proraso is a great soft soap that lathers almost by itself. If you are moving on to a hard soap, it might be well worth a look at the face lather article on the WIKI as it might hold some tips for your new soap.

[BladeRunner001]

Hmmm, interesting..

Because as you can see in the pictures, I have loads of stubble left, even after three passes. So I can't imagine I'm "scraping" my skin off either.

But I also use the aftershave lotion in the same product range, and it doesn't seem to become worse after that (I didn't use it this time because I don't want to waste an exclusive product on a rubbish shave). Should I react to that as well?

What about the brush? It's a fine badger hair brush and before that I used the proraso one. The badger brush doesn't feel soft at all to me, but it gives quite a "sting," in fact. Maybe I'm allergic to badger? I will try using the soap again with the Proraso boar brush and see what happens.

EDIT
Blade, I don't think it's the alum, since I'm already super red and sore before I apply it. It burns like a motherf.. when I do apply it, though.

I thought your problems started when you introduced the new products into your routine. Brush was not part of it...so, I assume that before these, you didn't have a problem with the brush. Am I right? If so, I think your brush is OK although maybe a softer brush will be nicer in your collection and you may enjoy it.

I still think 1) blade, and 2) soap...Unless you changed some other variable in the equation.

Alum burns like hell...try not using it for a few days...instead rinse with warm water (thoroughly) followed by cold water. The latter reduces inflammation and helps tighten the pores.

[Rossmeister]

To clarify, the badger brush is also new. I've only used it together with this stuff, so it's kinda hard to tell. I'll use it with proraso and do some comparisons.

But as I said, to me the badger brush doesn't feel very soft at all. The bristles seem to sting a bit.

But I get you guys, I need need to isolate the variables and find the problem.

[Luc]

To clarify, the badger brush is also new. I've only used it together with this stuff, so it's kinda hard to tell. I'll use it with proraso and do some comparisons.

But as I said, to me the badger brush doesn't feel very soft at all. The bristles seem to sting a bit.

But I get you guys, I need need to isolate the variables and find the problem.

A new badger brush can feel a stingy at first. It will get softer with time. This thread should help you: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=139297

[Judge Kemp]

One thing is that the "acidic" nature of the soap, when left on under the towel helps "soften" the hairs. Before putting on that shave layer of lather, though, you should wash/rinse the face of that first lather dose.

Apparently, keeping that first layer on will irritate your skin. I learned that from the pro barber in Mantic's Las Vegas YouTube video. Even making this change, though, it seems as though the soap maybe just isn't for you.

[luvmysuper]

You said in your post that the problem with burning on your face begins during step 2 which is "Lather some soap on and let warm towel sit for three minutes".

This indicates a problem with a reaction to some ingredient in the soap.

The AS Balm, even by the same manufacturer does not contain the same ingredients as the soap.

I would guess there is some essential oil or fragrance in the soap that you are reacting to.

I'd stop using that soap, keep everything else the same, and use the proraso instead.

If you don't have an issue, then you know for certain it is an alergic reaction to something in the soap.

Good luck.

[herman_gill]

Sea buckthorn oil is known to be an occasional irritant if it doesn't have enough carrier oil, so maybe it's the soap... also must I say, you have the most badass ginger beard I've seen in a really long time

[Rossmeister]

Sea buckthorn oil is known to be an occasional irritant if it doesn't have enough carrier oil, so maybe it's the soap... also must I say, you have the most badass ginger beard I've seen in a really long time

SWEET RECOGNITION, AT LAST Sir, I am much pleased to make your acquaintaince!

luvmysuper, the irritation starts during the second PASS, not step. So when I've started my ATG pass on my cheeks, I can feel my neck start to burn slightly; and it gets worse from there.

[Drubbing]

Possibly the soap, but could also be in combo with poor lather from it, and poor razor technique.

If you've still got that much stubble left after 2 passes, I'd be looking at your blade angle and razor pressure.

Nothing wrong with Proraso. Basic, but works well.

[chris456]

Just for another thing to keep in mind.

I actually have a slight allergy or something towards badger hair. If a brush/knot is too prickly or has too much backbone I get some pretty bad irritation that lasts for a few hours. It also hurts like hell. I can use boar bristle brushes with impunity.

[kingfisher]

One thing is that the "acidic" nature of the soap, when left on under the towel helps "soften" the hairs. Before putting on that shave layer of lather, though, you should wash/rinse the face of that first lather dose.

Apparently, keeping that first layer on will irritate your skin. I learned that from the pro barber in Mantic's Las Vegas YouTube video. Even making this change, though, it seems as though the soap maybe just isn't for you.

I don't disagree with anything you said in this post except for the "acidic nature" of soap; soap is actually very alkaline, which is the exact opposite of acidic. Just so you know.

[Crowort]

This is a lesson I learnt myself lately, always only changed 1 product at a time. I know it is exciting to try new things, but surely you want to know if you like them? You just can't tell which product you don't like / have problems with if you change more than 1 item.

I'd try not to shave for a day or 3, then shave with your old setup. Then change 1 item for a few days.

It sounds to me like your skin doesn't like the soap, but it really could be anything since you changed basically everything.

[BCatl]

All I had to see was the color of your hair and skin.

I'm blonde and have sensitive skin.

You'll be able to use some products and you won't be able to use others.

You can try some Grisi Sulfur Soap (some Walgreen's at .99) at night to calm your skin. Follow the directions on the box. I wouldn't use it every day because it will dry your skin out. It doesn't smell good though even after you rinse it off. This works for me, YMMV.

If you use an AS, you might also try waiting a while post shaving before you apply it. Again, YMMV.

[AnB_Daddy]

I picked up EJ Sea Buckthorn (same as Muhle) and can not create a slick and/or cushiny lather for the life of me with it. I have tried 4 times now and every time i get a decent first pass, but horrible passes afterwards. I have made lather with more water and less water, more whipping and less whipping, I just can't get a good lather with it.

[Rossmeister]

So I shaved with my proraso stuff again, with the feather blades and badger brush.

Best BBS so far, with only a few nicks on my neck due to j-hooking and brushing a tough spot.

No/almost no irritation.

It looks like the soap might be the culprit...

SHAME, since it smells divine. I'm going to try to use it as a hand soap for the smell alone.

[Judge Kemp]

I don't disagree with anything you said in this post except for the "acidic nature" of soap; soap is actually very alkaline, which is the exact opposite of acidic. Just so you know.

Thank you for the correction!