J
Jayblah
Hello all,
I completed my first wetshave approximately 30 minutes ago. Presumably, my wetshave experience was fairly good. I never truly shaved to begin with, so I can't accurately compare wetshaving to the newfangled Mach-10XT1000 shaving techniques so pervasive in the world.
Since I am new to this, I started with simple supplies and inexpensive materials that weren't too difficult to attain. My techniques derived mostly from reading this forum and watching Mantic's YouTube videos.
My gear:
Brush: Crabtree & Evelyn Best Badger
Razor: Merkur Heavy Duty
Blade: I used a Derby blade from my WCS sampler pack for my inaugural wetshave
Cream: Kiss My Face Moisture Shave Cool Mint
First aid: Styptic pencil
Note the absence of an aftershave; more on that later.
My face:
Unfortunately, I have acne prone skin at the ripe old age of 28. I follow a skincare regimen using two topical medications (Duac in the morning, Differin at night). Because of these medications, my skin in general feels very dry after washing. To combat this I put non-comedogenic lotion on my face in the morning after the Duac. I opted not to use any pre-shave or aftershave lotions because I would prefer to put as few chemicals on my face as possible due to my sensitivity. Further, I haven't seen any non-comedogenic aftershaves so I decided I would continue to use my lotion instead as a post-shave lubricant.
I have very faint, wispy, light hair on the majority of my "beard area." I can not grow a full mustache, and the sides of my cheeks/jaw have longer yet still wispy, thin hairs. Thankfully, it also takes its time growing, so after a shave, I'm good for a few days before the first new wisps emerge. The only place where my beard grows "thick and coarse" is on my chin and the underside of my jaw. Truthfully, my beard isn't much of a beard at all, even on the chin. Its actually pretty pathetic.
My feeble attempt:
Pre-shave:
A long, hot shower. Scalding hot water inside my bowl with the brush resting in the water bristles down.
Lathering:
After finishing the shower, I began mixing a lather for a couple of minutes, beginning with an almond sized dollop of the shaving lotion. Unfortunately, the lather was excessively moist. It was bubbly and runny when applied to my face and did not form a thick cream. I had thought I was lathering well (the brush had firm peaks), but somehow I must've put too much water into the mix. I found this odd because effectively, the only moisture that was in that bowl when I placed the cream inside was from the brush. Any advice here? To remedy the runny lather, I added more shave cream until the consistency seemed right. I lathered my face for about a minute or so then grabbed my blade.
Shaving:
The first thing I noticed is the DE blade does not extend past the Merkur HD's bottom metal "brace." I imagine this is the reason you use a 30-degree angle. I was skeptical about how well the blade would cut with it being recessed in the razor's grip. I made about two passes on my jaw and my mustache with very little pressure using the two fingered grasp on the handle bottom. With the mustache area, I had to do some touch-up passes for the wisps of thin, light hair that I missed. I was too intimidated to make passes on my chin (which as I mentioned is the only place where my beard grows relatively dark and thick) and so I left that area unshaved for this first attempt. Thankfully, I ended the shave with nary a scratch and so my styptic pencil went unused.
Post-shave:
Unfortunately, my post shave calls for the topical application of Duac acne medication followed by an application of face lotion with an alpha-hydroxy acid. I was not able to heed the wetshaving method of ending the routine with aftershave. I rinsed out my brush, and flicked the moisture off it with two shakes in the shower. I placed it upright in the bowl and am allowing it to air dry.
Overall:
Previously, when I took a Mach 3 to my face with an aerosol shavecream, it was only to my mustache. I've never truly shaved beyond that so its difficult for me to critique the overall experience. The wetshave was not uncomfortable and I do not seem to have irritated skin after the shave, so all in all, this was a pleasant experience.
Questions:
1. How often must I change the blade?
2. Is there a better technique for the mustache? I found that using no pressure (which I rigidly adhered to out of fear of slashing up my face) and two passes was inadequate for removing the light wispy hair present on my upper lip area.
3. There seem to be about 10 or so bristles that are bent and splayed out to the side on my brush. Is this normal or did I apply to much force to the brush during the lathering process?
Thanks for reading this far and for any help!
I completed my first wetshave approximately 30 minutes ago. Presumably, my wetshave experience was fairly good. I never truly shaved to begin with, so I can't accurately compare wetshaving to the newfangled Mach-10XT1000 shaving techniques so pervasive in the world.
Since I am new to this, I started with simple supplies and inexpensive materials that weren't too difficult to attain. My techniques derived mostly from reading this forum and watching Mantic's YouTube videos.
My gear:
Brush: Crabtree & Evelyn Best Badger
Razor: Merkur Heavy Duty
Blade: I used a Derby blade from my WCS sampler pack for my inaugural wetshave
Cream: Kiss My Face Moisture Shave Cool Mint
First aid: Styptic pencil
Note the absence of an aftershave; more on that later.
My face:
Unfortunately, I have acne prone skin at the ripe old age of 28. I follow a skincare regimen using two topical medications (Duac in the morning, Differin at night). Because of these medications, my skin in general feels very dry after washing. To combat this I put non-comedogenic lotion on my face in the morning after the Duac. I opted not to use any pre-shave or aftershave lotions because I would prefer to put as few chemicals on my face as possible due to my sensitivity. Further, I haven't seen any non-comedogenic aftershaves so I decided I would continue to use my lotion instead as a post-shave lubricant.
I have very faint, wispy, light hair on the majority of my "beard area." I can not grow a full mustache, and the sides of my cheeks/jaw have longer yet still wispy, thin hairs. Thankfully, it also takes its time growing, so after a shave, I'm good for a few days before the first new wisps emerge. The only place where my beard grows "thick and coarse" is on my chin and the underside of my jaw. Truthfully, my beard isn't much of a beard at all, even on the chin. Its actually pretty pathetic.
My feeble attempt:
Pre-shave:
A long, hot shower. Scalding hot water inside my bowl with the brush resting in the water bristles down.
Lathering:
After finishing the shower, I began mixing a lather for a couple of minutes, beginning with an almond sized dollop of the shaving lotion. Unfortunately, the lather was excessively moist. It was bubbly and runny when applied to my face and did not form a thick cream. I had thought I was lathering well (the brush had firm peaks), but somehow I must've put too much water into the mix. I found this odd because effectively, the only moisture that was in that bowl when I placed the cream inside was from the brush. Any advice here? To remedy the runny lather, I added more shave cream until the consistency seemed right. I lathered my face for about a minute or so then grabbed my blade.
Shaving:
The first thing I noticed is the DE blade does not extend past the Merkur HD's bottom metal "brace." I imagine this is the reason you use a 30-degree angle. I was skeptical about how well the blade would cut with it being recessed in the razor's grip. I made about two passes on my jaw and my mustache with very little pressure using the two fingered grasp on the handle bottom. With the mustache area, I had to do some touch-up passes for the wisps of thin, light hair that I missed. I was too intimidated to make passes on my chin (which as I mentioned is the only place where my beard grows relatively dark and thick) and so I left that area unshaved for this first attempt. Thankfully, I ended the shave with nary a scratch and so my styptic pencil went unused.
Post-shave:
Unfortunately, my post shave calls for the topical application of Duac acne medication followed by an application of face lotion with an alpha-hydroxy acid. I was not able to heed the wetshaving method of ending the routine with aftershave. I rinsed out my brush, and flicked the moisture off it with two shakes in the shower. I placed it upright in the bowl and am allowing it to air dry.
Overall:
Previously, when I took a Mach 3 to my face with an aerosol shavecream, it was only to my mustache. I've never truly shaved beyond that so its difficult for me to critique the overall experience. The wetshave was not uncomfortable and I do not seem to have irritated skin after the shave, so all in all, this was a pleasant experience.
Questions:
1. How often must I change the blade?
2. Is there a better technique for the mustache? I found that using no pressure (which I rigidly adhered to out of fear of slashing up my face) and two passes was inadequate for removing the light wispy hair present on my upper lip area.
3. There seem to be about 10 or so bristles that are bent and splayed out to the side on my brush. Is this normal or did I apply to much force to the brush during the lathering process?
Thanks for reading this far and for any help!