After working on my technique, routine, and lotions and potions I have finally come up with a consistent BBS shave with a DE razor . :thumb up: (And now I'm beginning to play with SRs - - go figure.)
So I thought I would share my formula in a place that others might be able to also contribute so that we all might master it someday!
Razor & Blade - Either JE DE89L with Dorko blade, or Gillette Gold Fat-Handle Tech with Derby or Merkur blades. (Mild shaves - use what you like.)
Shave Cream/Soap - I use a different one every day so I do not think this is the secret.
Routine:
Shower and soak badger
Apply Proraso Pre/Post shave cream - rub it in. (I think this is what made the BBS consistent)
Fill sink with hot water and place DE in water - Mix lather
Lather face with good scrubbing brush strokes.
Shave WTG. (I generally use shorter strokes - I go over an area until the scraping stops, then move on to the next small stroke. Cannot do this without drying out if you use larger strokes.)
Rinse, Warm wash cloth on the face, lather
Shave XTG (both ways - usually not much for me in either direction, so this is usually quick)
Rinse, Warm wash cloth on the face, lather
Shave ATG (Yes there will be some still left, but there is also touch up)
Rinse, Warm wash cloth on the face
Apply Origins pre-shave Oil (this is a very light PS oil)
Touch up
COLD wash cloth/rinse on the face
Touch up
Then I clean up, apply splash, etc.
Final - Nivea Sensitive AS Balm (This is one of the most important items if you ask me. This nourishes the skin to plump back up after the cold water to bring the hair below skin surface level. I could be wrong, but that is what it seems like.)
15 minutes later my skin is SMOOOOTH!
What do I think are the key elements?
1. Pre-shave oil for touch ups
2. Cold touch ups
3. Nivea AS Balm
Please share your BBS routine.
So I thought I would share my formula in a place that others might be able to also contribute so that we all might master it someday!
Razor & Blade - Either JE DE89L with Dorko blade, or Gillette Gold Fat-Handle Tech with Derby or Merkur blades. (Mild shaves - use what you like.)
Shave Cream/Soap - I use a different one every day so I do not think this is the secret.
Routine:
Shower and soak badger
Apply Proraso Pre/Post shave cream - rub it in. (I think this is what made the BBS consistent)
Fill sink with hot water and place DE in water - Mix lather
Lather face with good scrubbing brush strokes.
Shave WTG. (I generally use shorter strokes - I go over an area until the scraping stops, then move on to the next small stroke. Cannot do this without drying out if you use larger strokes.)
Rinse, Warm wash cloth on the face, lather
Shave XTG (both ways - usually not much for me in either direction, so this is usually quick)
Rinse, Warm wash cloth on the face, lather
Shave ATG (Yes there will be some still left, but there is also touch up)
Rinse, Warm wash cloth on the face
Apply Origins pre-shave Oil (this is a very light PS oil)
Touch up
COLD wash cloth/rinse on the face
Touch up
Then I clean up, apply splash, etc.
Final - Nivea Sensitive AS Balm (This is one of the most important items if you ask me. This nourishes the skin to plump back up after the cold water to bring the hair below skin surface level. I could be wrong, but that is what it seems like.)
15 minutes later my skin is SMOOOOTH!
What do I think are the key elements?
1. Pre-shave oil for touch ups
2. Cold touch ups
3. Nivea AS Balm
Please share your BBS routine.