Hair conditioner shaving

**whiskey01** · 08-01-2011, 03:37 AM

I have been shaving with hair conditioner and it has ruined all other soaps and creams for me; the blade just glides like nothing else. Every once in a while I'll go back to a soap or cream from my stock but conditioner wins every time. I use Arbonne FC 5, my wife's get it from her Arbonne connection at karenatackett.com Unfortunately, I don't have anywhere near enough hair on my head to comment on its ability to "condition hair"

**YetiDave** · 08-01-2011, 06:22 AM

I frequently shave my head with hair conditioner, not sure it's smooth enough to use on my face though!

**scaevola** · 08-01-2011, 07:57 AM

I don't care if hair conditioner is the best thing on the planet, I'm not wasting my good hair conditioner. My hair would cry. Good for you though.

**Sledgehammer39** · 08-01-2011, 08:00 AM

Truth be told I sometimes add a drop of conditioner to my soap.

**KM-instructor** · 08-01-2011, 08:02 AM

I don't have hair on my noggin, so conditioner is for my GF and the dogs.

**grimas42** · 08-01-2011, 08:09 AM

I have used conditioner in the past and agree that it works great.

**Chevyguy** · 08-01-2011, 08:28 AM

I used to use conditioner back in my Mach-3 day's when I would run out of shave gel. It does work and it's better than liquid hand soap which I have also used when I was out of shave gel.

Clayton

**Saltchuck** · 08-01-2011, 08:32 AM

My wife uses conditioner for shaving her legs.

**BRRV** · 08-01-2011, 08:41 AM

I think you'd be better off just using mineral oil, which is actually a good shave oil. I'd read somewhere that hair conditioner has an ingredient that closes the hair shaft and doesn't allow moisture in - which is exactly the opposite of what we want to do when we prepare our beards for shaving - we want moisture IN, not out. I'd tried this for awhile when I got disgusted with the cost of canned goo - I think much of this advice would depend on your hair 'type' - mine being wiry and curly, I had issues with this (and using a very mild soap, such as Dove unscented or Cetaphil, works better anyway if I'm out of soap [not likely nowadays!]). In my case, as curly hair ages, it becomes gray, thinner and flatter, and even more in need of water to open the hair shaft. This didn't work for me. A very light coating of mineral oil after using a quality water-hydrated (infused) shaving cream or soap works best for me to get the closest shave possible, but it does create issues with ingrowns (the curse of curly hair), so I don't do it all the time.

**rajagra** · 08-01-2011, 10:04 AM

I imagine it would work very well provided you wash your face thoroughly and saturate the beard before you apply the conditioner.

**rbaloha** · 08-01-2011, 10:27 AM

IMO Noxzema is better as a preshave. Historical threads discussed how hair conditioner strengthens hair shafts thus making for a tougher shave.

Strongly suggest trying Noxzema which is available at Bed Bath & Beyond.

**Den** · 08-01-2011, 10:35 AM

I have used a thin layer of Conditioner as a Pre-Shave many many times to soften up my beard. Let it sit for 30 seconds to a minute. Works great. I would always just add lather on top and start shaving. If there are any doubters out there, give it a try and see for yourself how well it works.

**GregDR** · 08-01-2011, 10:48 AM

I usually shower before I shave. I'll put some conditioner on my beard, then wash up then rinse it off before I get out and it's worked real well on softening the beard before hand. I usually only do this when I have about a 2 days growth or more though. Don't think it would make a very good soap/cream replacement but to each his own...

**mike72** · 08-01-2011, 12:39 PM

I don't shave with but I do put some on my face in the shower to soften up my beard.

**David in Boston** · 08-01-2011, 03:12 PM

My barber (a woman) uses Paul Mitchell hair conditioner on me after my haircut.
One day she tells me I can shave with it. Gave it a try.

One word amazing!

It won't replace creams or soaps but it does get used on occasions.

**easyE** · 08-01-2011, 03:41 PM

Sorry but I couldn't care less I get amazing shaves already and I'm not about to give up my brush, creams or soaps and start slathering conditioner on my face. The lather is the best part imho..

**BrianK** · 08-01-2011, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by easyE

Sorry but I couldn't care less I get amazing shaves already and I'm not about to give up my brush, creams or soaps and start slathering conditioner on my face. The lather is the best part imho..

+1. I look forward to the brush and lather.

**TallyShave** · 08-01-2011, 04:22 PM

Oh great, I can't afford another AD...HCAD?

But honestly, I would never give up the ritual of brush and lather. Will definitely try it in the shower to see if it softens the whiskers though.

**Go West Young Man** · 08-01-2011, 08:25 PM

There are conditioners that 'strengthen' hair and ones that 'soften' it.
Shaving with the first type isn't going to work very well, but the second type should be a more pleasant experience.

**binowatch** · 08-01-2011, 09:32 PM

I use Paul Mitchell The Conditioner as my daily AS balm, after alum or alcohol based AS, I also use it as a leave in hair conditioner. When traveling I also use it to shave-one bottle, multiple uses-AS. Hair conditioner/cream, shave cream, lip balm, hand/body lotion. It works well for all of these.