Shaving cream moisturizing for a better shave

**catherix** · 06-24-2012, 10:21 PM

I've been having some issues with minor irritation and after much deliberation I chalked it up to a moisture issue. My technique has greatly improved and I've bought a little sharper blades so that's helped but I was still feeling a bit raw. So I lurked a bit and found a little trick(sorry for the lack of credit, I can't remember where I read it). I just wanted to share with my fellow newbies just in case it's just what they need:

Before your first pass put hot water on your face and lather up. Spend a moment or two massaging lather into the face. Let the lather sit for a minute or two then wash it all off with hot water. Lather up again and go for your first pass.

Simple enough and only took a couple extra minutes. I don't mind the extra time. I've been shaving at night because I enjoy taking the time to go through 3 passes(and I can't convince myself to wake up any earlier). Went through my shave with no irritation on my first two passes and just a little irritation during the ATG pass and clean up(chalk that one up to technique most likely).

Tonight I used:
Merkur 38c with a Walgreens branded Personna
AoS sandalwood cream
AoS fine badger brush
AoS sandalwood AS balm mixed with a little Every Man Jack Mint lotion (just for the heck of it)

BBS with just a little irritation and no bleedin. Try it during your next shave and let me know what you think. Anybody have any other tricks to avoid irritation??

**Whilliam** · 06-25-2012, 01:41 AM

Same ritual, but with Noxzema (that menthol/eucalyptus is a real eye-opener in the morning). It's one of the few useful shaving tips I picked up from my father.

Welcome. Learn. Enjoy!

**Go West Young Man** · 06-25-2012, 06:45 AM

I do that as well, but I don't even bother rinsing and relathering. Just lather up, let it sit 3-4 minutes and start shaving.
That helps you gauge your lather, too. A good shaving lather won't break down in that time, a lousy one will need reworking after 2 or 3 minutes.

**catherix** · 06-25-2012, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by Go West Young Man

I do that as well, but I don't even bother rinsing and relathering. Just lather up, let it sit 3-4 minutes and start shaving.
That helps you gauge your lather, too. A good shaving lather won't break down in that time, a lousy one will need reworking after 2 or 3 minutes.

Yah my lather lasts maybe 5. It could still use some work. I bought a 3 dollar bowl at an antique store while trying to find a slim. It has a wider bottom and holds heat pretty well. Definitely makes awesome lather but it still seems to get a little weaker in the second and third pass.

**Just+Ice** · 06-25-2012, 10:53 PM

I start with shave oil as a pre-shave. It's my greatest improvement against irritation. I also use ProRaso Sensitive pre-shave as a post shave before I use my alum block and finish with Every Man Jack moisturizer and Lucky Tiger Aspen AS

With the exception of my hockey helmet chinstrap bothering me during a game I am aggravation free.

Don't know if this helps. Any tips for my helmet strap dilemna? Lol.

**freykr** · 06-25-2012, 11:24 PM

good stuff!

**senatorxmg** · 06-26-2012, 05:42 AM

Originally Posted by Just+Ice

I start with shave oil as a pre-shave. It's my greatest improvement against irritation. I also use ProRaso Sensitive pre-shave as a post shave before I use my alum block and finish with Every Man Jack moisturizer and Lucky Tiger Aspen AS

With the exception of my hockey helmet chinstrap bothering me during a game I am aggravation free.

Don't know if this helps. Any tips for my helmet strap dilemna? Lol.

I wear a visor/cage when I play (top half visor/bottom half cage). Just loosen the strap so that it doesn't touch under my neck/jaw area. Used to just wear a visor until a puck from the point deflected up into my chin. Took six stitches and have worn full prtection since.

Back on topic: I've been using the proraso pre-shave. I'm not too sure how I feel about it as I didn't use it for the last two shaves..and they were actually better experiences! Then again, I'm a noob so that may just be chalked up to getting better!

I have seen Mantic59's video where he mentioned lathering up and covering with a hot towel for a period of time to really soften the whiskers...rinsing and then lathering up for the shave.

**rbaloha** · 06-26-2012, 08:33 AM

Try a preshave. May suggestion is:

http://www.kohlerathome.com/kws818958.html

**catherix** · 06-26-2012, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by senatorxmg

I wear a visor/cage when I play (top half visor/bottom half cage). Just loosen the strap so that it doesn't touch under my neck/jaw area. Used to just wear a visor until a puck from the point deflected up into my chin. Took six stitches and have worn full prtection since.

Back on topic: I've been using the proraso pre-shave. I'm not too sure how I feel about it as I didn't use it for the last two shaves..and they were actually better experiences! Then again, I'm a noob so that may just be chalked up to getting better!

I have seen Mantic59's video where he mentioned lathering up and covering with a hot towel for a period of time to really soften the whiskers...rinsing and then lathering up for the shave.

Yah I've gone to no preshave oil. I feel like I get a better shave without it because it's just getting in the way of more water. Been at it for a couple weeks with a lot less irritation. Might try it again in a month or two and see if I'm getting different results.