Okay, what about a pre-shave?

[italianotigre]

Okay, after reading a lot of these I see the importance of the aftershave and KNOW from not using it one time. OUCH!!! But what about a pre-shave? Someone told me that it not only prepares the beard and face for a closer shave but it also helps with razor burn. Is this the really case and what importance should you put on a pre-shave?

[Mottern Man]

i use a few drops of olive oil and it softens my beard a bit and helps the razor glide better

thats just my opinion and im sticking with it

[TraderJoe]

pre shave "preparation" is more important, IMO than any particular product....though you may get good results with glycerin or Proraso PreShave Cream.

Here's a tip though: lately, I've been getting good results by using my Omega Boar brush to wash my face. I wash my face in the shower every morning with a face wash (which is Avalon organics lavender cleanser). I now lather a pump of this stuff in my hand with the brush, then wash my entire face with this.

This really helps to clean the skin and lift the whiskers.

Then, when you go to apply your soap/cream lather, your whiskers are getting even more "wetted"

[murchmb]

I have used cheap hair conditioner, Proraso Pre/Pro, and a variety of pre-shave oils. In all honesty, I think the hair conditioner in the shower does the best at softening my beard. The oils add a bit of lubrication and insurance, but I haven't felt they made a whole lot of difference. I may have to give them another whirl as it's been a year or so since I've tried them.

Castle Forbes pre shave has gotten good reviews, but you may have to consider a second mortgage on your house to fund it. Check out the reviews section.

[Mottern Man]

also i got the idea from mantic to rest hair conditioner on my face while i shower

soft real soft skin for the pre shave

[Edcculus]

Lately I havent been doing any pre-shave other than a shower. Sometimes I use the Proraso pre/post or glycerine.

[ratcheer]

I also use hair conditioner most often. I use it just like any other pre-shave, after washing my face and just before lathering. I usually use Pantene Pro V.

About once or twice a week, I love to use Proraso pre-shave.

Tim

[adildhanani]

To get my whiskers completely wet and softened, I hold my face directly in the path of the water for a few seconds right before I get out of the shower.

So far I'm seeing an improvement in the closeness of my shave.

Its pretty simple yet effective, so you might want to give it a shot!

Adil.

[6jokers]

Avid skin glider. This stuff is as slick as it gets. It can make a sub par cream good, & a good cream truly great. It only comes in a 2 oz. bottle, but you'd be surprised how long it lasts.

[TimmyBoston]

Here's a tip though: lately, I've been getting good results by using my Omega Boar brush to wash my face. I wash my face in the shower every morning with a face wash (which is Avalon organics lavender cleanser). I now lather a pump of this stuff in my hand with the brush, then wash my entire face with this.

What a great idea Joe, Where'd you get that idea?

[TimmyBoston]

I use Proraso Pre/Post Cream before most of shaves and I use Trumpers Coral Skin Food before every pass. That is really some great stuff. I personally don't care for it much as aftershave, but as pre-pass prep it's nothing short of brilliant.

I've also read that pure glycerine works just as well. I really need to pick up some of that myself.

[Scotto]

My opinion is that all these pre-shaves are snake-oil, and good prep with lather and brush is more than sufficient if you are an experienced shaver. That being said, if you are not experienced, you may find some of these products help you out while learning, or at the very least provide some placebo effect. Of course, YMMV.

[moses]

Yeah, Scotto, that's what I always figured. Actually, my theory was that a pre-shave should be avoided as a newbie, because it is just another variable to mix things up, and it is best to stick to the basics, since the basics should give a very good shave. And then mess around with other stuff like pre-shaves. I still think that is a sound theory. So very experienced folks, like Richard (Coche Richard, that is) swear by PSO. But it seems best to have ones technique fairly down before getting into figuring out whether you get anything out of something like that.

-Mo

[rikrdo]

Save your $ for other _AD's
Use some hair conditioner on your beard while you shower and leave your face wet as you exit.
Softens things up and makes the shave very enjoyable.

Of course...IMHO YMMV JM2CW.

[TraderJoe]

What a great idea Joe, Where'd you get that idea?

that would be YOU!

[MJB]

I have used pre-shave oil. FORM EM, It helps compensate for an otherwise poor prep--but is unnecssary and perhaps even counterproductive with a good soap/water mixture. Too much pre-shave expecially with a lotion-ee product is almost too slippery and I loose the feel of the shave. Its like a good sports sedan--you want comfort but you want to feel the road--when I shave I want comfort but want to have some responsiveness as well.

[NorLite]

Have never had occasion to use in 30 plus years of DE shaving. Lots of hot water and making the lather on the face has provided smooth, irritation free shaves.

[italianotigre]

So, fundamentally, its seems as if a pre-shave is not REALLY needed espically for a newbie. I just used Proraso Pre-shave cream and didnt really notice too too much of a difference than what I was getting before.

[italianotigre]

Thanks for all of the suggetions guys. I just used the hair conditioner one all of you who suggested it and I noticed an immedate difference. I'll try the other ones as well...........the olive oil suggestion has me intrested.

[TimmyBoston]

I've never thought a pre-shave oil did much good, but using some Trumpers Skin Food or 100% glycerine makes an excellent pre-pass lubricant.
I apply a couple of drops of Skin Food before every pass and I am very satisfied with the results.