puberty sucks.now i have to shave and i suck at that

**rockmehard** · 09-08-2006, 11:02 PM

hey! new here and in need of help,

i started shaving a few months back and i can never get a good nice comfterbole shave.
i dont have alot of hairs but enought that i need to shave.
idk what im doing wrong

im using a typical four bladed razor with edge shaving creamm.i shave after a shower and i shave neck chin and cheecks.i shave my neck both ways.first left then right (to get closses shave) the same kinda goes to my chin n under my nose.
but for some odd reason i get burnt face feels itchy on some spots i usually miss some hairs AND WHEN MY HAIR IS GROWING BACK ITS REALLY PRILY AND IT HURTS EVEN WHEN I GO TO SHAVE EM WHEN THEY ARE SHORT!

what can i do.
im 16 n in need of help
thanks

**rockmehard** · 09-08-2006, 11:09 PM

also what aftershave for?
i put the gillet gel on my face but wtf does it do?

**rockmehard** · 09-08-2006, 11:12 PM

subscribe

**MasonM** · 09-08-2006, 11:20 PM

Side to side is not the best way to do it. You should shave firstly in the same direction that the whiskers grow (with the grain). For most men that is top to bottom. For a close shave, follow that with a bottom to top (against the grain).

How are you preparing your face/beard for the shave?

Other than the four blade razor, what products are you using for your shave?

Those multiple blade razors cause a lot of irritation which is why I use a DE these days.

**Jack Bauer** · 09-08-2006, 11:26 PM

First throw out the edge shave crap and the quattro razor.

Second thing you should do is start reading everything you can on this message board.

There are plenty of products you can get a grocery stores or target for shave creams that are cheap such as: Kiss my face, and Proraso (in spa section).

Then you're going to need a shaving brush. You can also find a cheap one at target or better ones at Crabtree & Evelyn (at a lot of malls) or online at such places as qedusa.com or classicshaving.com. You will also need a DE razor which you can find at these same websites.

I would also recommend watching the video's made by mantic as they are great instructional videos. You can find those on here or go to Youtube.com and type in wetshaving.

Good luck.

Chris

**rockmehard** · 09-08-2006, 11:26 PM

i usually take a nice warm shower and if i know ima shave i put my face under warm water for a few then i get out.put a bowl of warm water put my razor in there while i put the shaving cream on my hand and lather it on my face.a good lather btw.then i go left right (for some odd reason my left side of the chin is with the grain when i go l to r but my right side is r t l) so thats why i go both ways.not nose to neck.maybe i should try that but thats not the growth of my chin hairs.

after im done torturing my self i will put cold water or if im in pain make a bowl of cold water sumerge my whole face and scream.then aply some gillete aftershave.

**rockmehard** · 09-08-2006, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by Jack Bauer

First throw out the edge shave crap and the quattro razor.

Second thing you should do is start reading everything you can on this message board.

There are plenty of products you can get a grocery stores or target for shave creams that are cheap such as: Kiss my face, and Proraso (in spa section).

Then you're going to need a shaving brush. You can also find a cheap one at target or better ones at Crabtree & Evelyn (at a lot of malls) or online at such places as qedusa.com or classicshaving.com. You will also need a DE razor which you can find at these same websites.

I would also recommend watching the video's made by mantic as they are great instructional videos. You can find those on here or go to Youtube.com and type in wetshaving.

Good luck.

Chris

im trying to read alot but its a bit complicated to get at first.whats d.e? i first want to know it all before i turn into a pro shaver.i dont have a full fledge bear or anything so im trying to see if i can find a loop hole for some of my probs until i get really hairy

**rtaylor61** · 09-08-2006, 11:36 PM

First, relax. We all had to learn, and we all survived. You will, too. Even at 16, your beard has a certain growth pattern. Take a couple of days off from shaving and let the beard grow. Then, spend a few minutes rubbing your face. Learn the pattern of growth. If you feel the need, draw a diagram of your face and chart the growth. While most of us here do not agree with the products your are using, it is what you have, so let's work with them for now. Continue your prep with the hot shower, re-wetting your face, and apply your lather. Now we need to make some changes. In the direction that would have you shaving "with the grain", begin removing the stubble. Don't press down hard, but with a cartridge razor, you will need to apply light pressure. Shaving with the grain may mean that you are shaving in several different directions. That's normal. Rinse your face and feel the results. Re-apply lather, and do exactly the same thing again. Rinse your face, and stop. Do this for a few days. Then, as you get comfortable with what you are doing, add an "across" the grain pass. One with, one across. Try this for a week. And finally, you are ready for the close shave..."against" the grain. At this point, you'll be applying lather three times and shaving one pass "with", one "across", and one "against" the grain. Now you'll be getting results without the burning and itching. This will take about 2 weeks. If at anytime you are getting burning, take a day off.

Best of luck.

Randy

**MasonM** · 09-08-2006, 11:37 PM

Sorry, DE is double edge. It's a single blade razor with two edges to it. Think old fashioned flat razor blade.

**Jack Bauer** · 09-08-2006, 11:40 PM

DE just means double edge. The blades run from $.15 - $.55 or so per blade. Another way to go would be to do all of the other things i.e. good preparation, shave cream, shave brush and just start with a razor like the gillette sensor (which should irratate your skin less).

Also you need to shave the 1st pass with the grain (the way your hair grows) 2nd is recommended across the grain and 3rd (which you might not need) against). Just look in a mirror and feel your beard to see how it is growing.

Chris

**ouch** · 09-09-2006, 12:41 AM

We have a budding e. e. cummings here.

Don't worry. It will take a few weeks for your face to adapt to any kind of shaving. Try not to press too hard- aim for no pressure at all.

And that puberty thing? Any downside is more than made up for by..........

**Folie** · 09-09-2006, 07:59 AM

Someone above mentioned checking out Mantic's videos on youtube. Sometimes it is easier to see what to do then to read about it. Since you said you will be sticking with the products that you have then Ill just post the link for part three that deals with the shaving part and skips the lathering and product overview.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wPLfCyGMm9o

**mpisarcik** · 09-09-2006, 09:03 AM

I’d say for the time being pick up a Gillette Sensor Excel from target and a bottle of after shave lotion.

I recommend these products from Gillette at first b/c they are the best thing that they make right now, in my opinion. The sensor is nowhere near as irritating on your skin, while the after shave lotion will help to repair and soothe your skin when shaving is done.

I’d say shave with the grain for at least a week and then try across the grain. This could be related as North to South = with the grain in most cases, and East to West or vice versa. After a month or two, maybe pick up some Proraso from the Spa/Cosmetic section at target. I’d recommend the tube, pre/post and after shave balm.

Everything in this picture:

1st- take a shower and get face really wet with warm/hot water throughout.
2nd - rewet your face when you dry off (don’t dry face too much) at the sink.
3rd - apply the pre/post stuff to a wet face. This should feel really cool and soothing.
4th- apply the tube shaving cream either with a brush like this or your hands at first. the brush will make a better lather, and exfoliate, or remove old skin from your face so your blade doesn't get caught on it. You can buy them at most malls for the same price.
5th- wait a minute for shaving cream to work its way in and then begin shaving WITH the grain.
6th- Rinse excess shaving cream off your face with warm water after the shave is over, and then finish with cold water.
7th - Re-Apply the pre/post stuff to your face. this should really feel good!
8th- after your face dries somewhat, apply the after-shave balm. this should be the last thing you do.

This is what i did for about 3 months before finding this forum and getting better/more shaving stuff and techniques. Obviously you could turn into quite the pro shaver, but the most important thing is that your face doesn’t hate to shave first. I used to have a fusion with 5 blades, and a Mac3 with 3 blades. Both irritated the heck out of my face and hurt. I switched to the Sensor Excel with 2 blades about 4 months ago and it helped a lot. I just ordered my own DE (Double Edge) razor for $30 offline:

With this razor, not only will I get cheaper blade costs (as listed above in another person's post) but also less irritation. However, I am only moving to this after a lot of practice and learning with the Sensor. I think if you start with either the Gillette stuff or move right to the Proraso you should get a better shave with less pain. And don't worry about your age- I’m only 21. By the time you’re my age you'll have this stuff down pat.

I’m guessing the most aggravating factor in your case is that you are basically dragging 4 razors over the same spot at a time. If you went back to go across or against the grain that’s like 8 total shaves! No wonder your face hurts!!!

**PalmettoB** · 09-09-2006, 09:16 AM

Wow. Only 16 and already found your way here. I wish I'd had this site when I was sixteen and learning to shave! But read all you can, as these folks know what they are talking about, go with the Sensor as Matt said, after a few weeks find a cheap brush (Burmashave at Wal-Mart) and cream (the Proraso is great) and then TAKE IT EASY. And when you feel like you are "getting it", definitely move to the double-edged razor! You'll never use a multi-blade hedgetrimmer again!

If you are learning all this now, imagine how great your shave will be when the beard gets courser and you already have learned a great technique!

**rockmehard** · 09-09-2006, 09:51 AM

ima going to read all this and take it in.but for the record i thought that de was that knife that barbers use.and that was something i was not going to try

but what does aftershave do? idk if anyone posted it but ill read thru all of this
THAnks

**rockmehard** · 09-09-2006, 10:03 AM

saw the vid.but question.

with the grain is shaving the direction the hair gros
against is shaving agaisnt its growth
but whats across? is that when lets say your beard grows from your left ear to right.you shave from you stomach to nose?

**mpisarcik** · 09-09-2006, 10:06 AM

From Wikipedia.com:

Aftershave is a lotion, gel, or liquid used - mainly by men - after they have finished shaving. It may contain an antiseptic agent such as alcohol to prevent infection from cuts as well as numb damaged skin, a perfume to enhance scent, and a moisturizer to soften the skin.

Basically, it calms down any irritarion/burns that could have occured during shaving as well as preventing infections. Plus it usually smells good!

**mpisarcik** · 09-09-2006, 10:08 AM

yeah- stomache to nose in that case.

**htownmmm** · 09-09-2006, 10:29 PM

Across would be from your ear to your nose( or versy vicey).

BTW, I am very envious of you right now-16yo and learning how to shave the proper way. Before long, your days of putting your whole face into water and screaming will be a thing of the past.

Plus, since you are starting younger, by the time you reach my age, not only will you have a shave den, it will be more like a shave suite!

Welcome to B&B- you will be assimilated!

Marty

**gc_30286** · 09-11-2006, 08:13 AM

welcome to B&B

I could never handle more than one with the grain pass with a cartridge razor (and even that caused problems somtimes). I would say do only one pass the less you assault your face with all those dull blades the better. forget about getting a perfectly smooth shave as at this point it will only cause problems. try to get comfortable shaves while your face gets used to shaving (according to gillete it takes 30 days for your face to get used to any new shaving method. every time you change it starts over)

also keep an open mind about shaving with a DE or a strait (the knife that barbers use) the DE razor has made shaving one of the most enjoyable experinces i have had, and i dream of shaving with a strait (waiting until I have time and money to invest in learning)

anyway listen to all the great advice you will get from members here I am sure we all envy you im just imagining all the great shaves i missed before i learned of this site.

best of luck

matthew