Not razor burn... brush burn

**DigJazz** · 07-03-2012, 01:23 AM

I came to an interesting realization not too long ago...

I'm a relative newbie to DE shaving, and I've been having moderate issues with post-shave burn, especially when I apply my aftershave balm (stings!). I was reading Luc's post on proper face lathering and decided to try it for myself.

I had previously been simply applying the cream directly to the brush, then applying the brush-cream combo to my face. Needless to say, Luc's method proved much better (thanx, Luc!) and I proceeded to lather, rinse, lather, rinse, lather, rinse (I had already shaved that day and didn't want to scorch my face, so I didn't actually shave, I was just experimenting). When I finished, I noticed that my face had the same nasty burning sensation that it does when I finish shaving, and I realized that the burning was caused by the friction of the brush bristles against my skin! (Forgive me if this is common knowledge, I'm still learning the ropes).

The brush I'm using is a Simpson Commodore X2 Best Badger. The reviews of the brush I have read have given it very high marks, and while it is not a top-of-the-line model, it supposedly is pretty good bang for your buck.

So what are some good brushes (silvertip, I would imagine) that would alleviate the irritation the Best Badger grade hair is causing me? I have read good things about the Kent BLK8 and the Edwin Jagger Luxury Silver Tip.

Thanx for the input!

**Vickers** · 07-03-2012, 01:30 AM

Which cream are you using?

**DigJazz** · 07-03-2012, 01:33 AM

That particular time it was Art of Shaving sandalwood, I have also used various Truefitt and Hill creams.

**barneykiller** · 07-03-2012, 01:36 AM

Also consider that you might be allergic to an ingredient in the cream that you're using. That sounds like a cheaper place to start experimenting. Another idea is to build your lather in a bowl then paintbrush the lather onto your face Eliminating the exfoliating motion of face lathering. Good
luck!

**Vickers** · 07-03-2012, 01:38 AM

I've read on here about some folks that are sensitive to sandalwood.

Also, maybe you're allergic to badger? Try rubbing just the AoS cream on with your hands and see if that makes a difference (just trying to eliminate things here).

**DigJazz** · 07-03-2012, 01:40 AM

Yes that is definitely a possibility. I'll try using the cream without the brush and post an update once I've done so. Thanks for the ideas!

**Doctor** · 07-03-2012, 01:46 AM

Originally Posted by DigJazz

Yes that is definitely a possibility. I'll try using the cream without the brush and post an update once I've done so. Thanks for the ideas!

I had the same problem when i was using my Pure badger brush...brush burn all day every day! Then I switched to SilverTip. Problem solved. Also, I have used AoS unscented shaving cream, and It gave me irritation and burn right after the shave. And It also dried my skin.

**Mike'sWorld** · 07-03-2012, 04:59 AM

Wow, Simpson's best hair is not the softest out there but nobody would call it harsh or abrasive.

**itsmedave** · 07-03-2012, 05:18 AM

I think I'd try another cream as well. Art of Shaving products tear my face up. To test this theory, just take a bit of the AOS Cream and make lather in your hands and put it on your face. Leave it on for about the amount of time you'd take to shave and see if you get the redness.

**jsj_297** · 07-03-2012, 05:51 AM

Brush burn.

**ridnovir** · 07-03-2012, 06:49 AM

For softest hair consider Thater 2 band or Shavemac d1 silvertip

**Gam** · 07-03-2012, 07:02 AM

It could be brush burn,I was getting a lil redness when I was breaking in a custom Shavemac 2 band,d01.But I was prepared for that,I knew when I ordered the brush that 2 band d01 can be scritchy.Now that it's broken in I dont get the redness.

**ackvil** · 07-03-2012, 07:11 AM

I like my T&H Silvertip Badger brush which I believe is made by Rooney.

**Go West Young Man** · 07-03-2012, 07:39 AM

If you had said it was a Pure brush, I'd agree with you. Best Badger should be plenty soft, unless you have really sensitive skin.

**Slash McCoy** · 07-03-2012, 07:45 AM

A new soap or cream is the first thing to try. Grab a puck of VDH and a tube of KMF and try them. If that isn't the problem, you are only out a few bucks, and you will eventually use them up, anyway. A proper Best Badger brush should not irritate in the slightest. Sure, a Silvertip is going to be even gentler on the face, but a premium brand silvertip is quite an investment to make, before you even know if it will fix your problem or not.

You might also consider getting a cheaper silvertip to start with. One of Larry's, or a Chinese brush like the Lijun or a FS, maybe. You can always use your el cheapo for a travel brush or a backup should you then decide that yes, you simply must have that Kent or EJ silvertip.

**German** · 07-03-2012, 09:20 AM

Thaeter 3 band brushes... There is no softer brush ...

**taco8slo** · 07-03-2012, 09:45 AM

I'm sure it was brush burn but it isn't fair to put the blame on the brush. I gave myself brush burn once (not on purpose). I had already shaved for the day (like yourself) and then later on I wanted to face lather several different brushes with creams and soaps. Since my face was already shaven I believe it was more prone to the brush burn that occurred. I don't blame the brushes but rather the circumstances. I'm thinking your previous examples of post-shave burn were caused by other things: bad prep, too much pressure, or atg passes (if you have been doing them). This article by Kyle should be helpful, especially the part about holding the handle.

**CHSeifert** · 07-03-2012, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by DigJazz

I came to an interesting realization not too long ago...

I'm a relative newbie to DE shaving, and I've been having moderate issues with post-shave burn, especially when I apply my aftershave balm (stings!). I was reading Luc's post on proper face lathering and decided to try it for myself.

I had previously been simply applying the cream directly to the brush, then applying the brush-cream combo to my face. Needless to say, Luc's method proved much better (thanx, Luc!) and I proceeded to lather, rinse, lather, rinse, lather, rinse (I had already shaved that day and didn't want to scorch my face, so I didn't actually shave, I was just experimenting). When I finished, I noticed that my face had the same nasty burning sensation that it does when I finish shaving, and I realized that the burning was caused by the friction of the brush bristles against my skin! (Forgive me if this is common knowledge, I'm still learning the ropes).

The brush I'm using is a Simpson Commodore X2 Best Badger. The reviews of the brush I have read have given it very high marks, and while it is not a top-of-the-line model, it supposedly is pretty good bang for your buck.

So what are some good brushes (silvertip, I would imagine) that would alleviate the irritation the Best Badger grade hair is causing me? I have read good things about the Kent BLK8 and the Edwin Jagger Luxury Silver Tip.

Thanx for the input!

The softest brush I've ever tried (and mind you I have NOT had the luck of trying nor owning a Thater3-Band Silvertip badger brush) is my Mühle Sophist 23mm Silvertip 3-Band badger brush. It's a brush probably better for bowl lathering, but even though some would call it floppy, I would have to disagree after I have broken the brush in it gives me some of my best and softest ever feeling face latherings - silky smooth velvet soft like feel.
I can only recommend you to try this brush is you want some of the softest Silvertip badger hairs available in a brush - it makes the Simpsons 3-Band Super hair feel quite harsh in comparison to be honest

My other very soft brush, that I also can recommend highly is my Kent BLK8 26 mm Silvertip 3-Band badger brush. This brush has also been named floppy by some hard core face lathers on this forum, and I agree - compared to say a Simpsons Commodore X2 Best Badger, YES! this Kent is floppy - but NO! IMHO it's not too floppy for face lathering of softer creams. It provide you with a sensational soft silky smooth feel, that is very close to my Mühle Sophist Silvertip 3-Band Badger in feel. IN fact these 2 brushes are the definition of soft, silky smooth velvet like feel in a brush - you just can't put too much pressure on them, neither in the bowl or when face lathering or they will feel floppy - let the brush hairs do the job, trust me they will do the job without you putting high pressure on the bristles.

I will also recommend Shavemacs Silvertip D01 3-Band Badger as being very high quality super soft in feel, but not quite as soft as the 2 I mention first here.

So get either a Mühle Sophist 23 mm Silvertip 3-Band Bandger or a Kent BLK8 26 mm Silvertip 3-Band Badger and you're set to go !
The Kent BLK4 Silvertip 3-Band Badger is IMHO too floppy, so stick with the Kent BLK8.

Just my 2 cents of personal honest opinion

**DigJazz** · 07-03-2012, 06:35 PM

Ok newb question here, when you say 2- or 3- band, is that another type of silvertip variety? It looks to me like all silvertips have three bands of color automatically. Thanx!

**DigJazz** · 07-03-2012, 09:06 PM

Thanks for the advice chaps! Here is what I have tried so far. I got an inexpensive VDH shave set, tried the soap and the boar brush (which I could not even scrape across my face it was so harsh and abrasive, I might as well have been using steel wool!) When I applied the VDH soap to my face, it stung quite a bit, probably as a result of the brush eating my skin. I also tried applications of other soaps (AoS and T&H) to my face with my hands only, to rule out the possibility that I am allergic to badger or boar. Still pain.

The issue may also be my razor, I have been using the Gillette yellows, they give me a BBS and don't cut or leave bumps. In fact this irritation is quite unobservable to the naked eye, in fact my skin looks great, it just burns and stings. I have been doing 3 passes, one WTG, one XTG, one ATG, in order to get the BBS. It could be too aggressive for my face, but it's the only way for me to get super close. Then when I go to put on after shave, yeeouch! Tried AoS sandalwood, T and H lime, ultimate comfort, almond, rose, etc. Same feeling with the shave creams themselves. Ugh.