Shaving stuff [SOLVED]

Lardalish

Ok, so I left my electric razor at my house and I wont be able to retrieve it untill winter break and I dont plan on just letting it grow since Im already lookin shabby. I've never used a real razor before, my parents just got me an electric when I started to get "peach fuzz".

So if Im going to be using a razor for a few weeks (probly like three) should I bother getting a nice one? Or will a 12 pack of those disposable ones be better? How often will I need to replace the blades on it if I get a reuseable one? Ive noticed that my electric doesnt get as smooth as I think I would like, but I haven't really cared so far, will the razor get closer? How succeptable to cutting myself will I be? I dont exactly want to walk around with a butchered face this weekend. Excuse the redundant or idiotic questions, I claim ignorance on the subject.

Thanks in advance for the help!

ege02

I'm too tired to give specific advice, but here is a great series of videos on effective, clean ways of shaving. I've been trying what are being suggested in them and it's fucking amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjhIy9rgWQU

You can find part 2 and part 3 on the side link menu thingie.

Hope this helps man.

Lardalish

ege02 wrote:

I'm too tired to give specific advice, but here is a great series of videos on effective, clean ways of shaving. I've been trying what are being suggested in them and it's fucking amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjhIy9rgWQU

You can find part 2 and part 3 on the side link menu thingie.

Hope this helps man.

Hmmm... I might give that a try, thanks!


EDIT: Ok, looking around it sounds like getting a good start would set me back a bit ($40 or so for a brush, and about $30 for the safety razor). Is the difference great enough that I shouldn't start out with the $6 brush and the $5 multipack of disposable razors? Especially since I havent tried this yet, Im leanin towards the cheapo method and then upgrading if I like it.

Also, am I to assume that even with the cheapo stuff, that this wet method is still better than shaving with an electric?

Szechuanosaurus

You should replace a disposable blade (whether it's a disposable razor or just a replaceable blade on a handle) after every third or fourth shave, depending on how harsh your stubble is. After that it can get too blunt and start cutting you.

Depending on what type of cream you use, you don't need a brush. There are shaving gels on the market now that are probably better than a traditional brush and cream. The crucial factor is that whatever you use should involve some sort of massaging or brushing as this lifts the hair follicles on end so they receive the blade better. A foam is the absolute worst choice because as it pre-foams straight out of the can, you don't need to lather it on your face. A gel means you need to lather it onto your face with hot water which prepares your beard much better for shaving. You can also get shaving balms which are basically pure lubricants. They don't lather at all but you have to work them onto your face quite vigorously to get an even application and as they don't foam up, it makes it easier to see where and what you are shaving.

In terms of blades, getting a handle like Gillette Mach 3 or a Wilkinson Sword shouldn't cost nearly as much as $30 and depending on how often you need to shave and how coarse your stubble is, you shouldn't need too many replacement heads. Start with the three that come with them and see how you get on.

Personally, I don't feel aftershaves are necessary. I use cold water to rinse my face after a shave and then apply a good quality face moisturiser. The cold water closes open pores and the moisturiser restores moisture which you will loose during a shave. Experiment with different moisturisers. A lot of them leave my face feeling really greasy. I use the Clinique range of toiletries for men - shaving gel, moisturiser, soap and facial scruff - but they are expensive. See if some of the off-the-shelf cheaper ones do the job for you or not first. King of Shaves used to be good for shaving products, a bit more serious business than a lot of the other vanity brands.


I wouldn't recommend going down the road that that video suggests quite yet. It's really overkill unless you want to make shaving a genuine hobby. A good disposable razor, a good shaving gel, some hot water, shaving in the right direction, a splash of cold water and then some recovery moisturiser are the only essentials you need. In general, the advice in the video is excellent though. The principles are the same whether you're using a cheap disposable razor or an expensive safety razor. Use a middle of the road disposable razor and you'll do just fine.

Seattle Thread

I soak my face in hot water, lather with soap, and use a cheapo disposable razor. My beard is on the thicker end of the spectrum, and I always get a good shave, and it's worked great for me for about thirteen years now. The products one can buy (shaving gel, super-ultra fuck-it-we're-doing-five-blades razors, aftershaves & oils) have given me a shave that's not that much different in quality or looks, although it does tend to be a bit more scented. In my experience, they're worth less than the tin used to make the canisters, but to each their own.

I'll definetly have to check out the wetshaving thing, though. Doing something the same way for over ten years tends to get a little boring.

EDIT: Holy shit, there's a whole series of these videos. I think I have my project for this week.

a penguin

Szechuanosaurus wrote:

a bunch of good stuff.

What he said. Also, I find shaving in the shower much less of a pita than using hte sink. Pick up an el cheapo mirror with a suction cup on the back and go to town.

And watch out for the bottom of your nose. That shit hurts.

Lardalish

a penguin wrote:

Szechuanosaurus wrote:

a bunch of good stuff.

What he said. Also, I find shaving in the shower much less of a pita than using hte sink. Pick up an el cheapo mirror with a suction cup on the back and go to town.

And watch out for the bottom of your nose. That shit hurts.

Well, Im pretty damned blind, as in, my hand is fuzzy 6 inches from my face. So unless I either wear my glasses in the shower or just get close as hell to the mirror, the shower isnt gonna work. Ill just shave after my shower with my glasses.


Thanks for all your help guys! I think Im going to head to the store and grab a semi decent razor and some gel and a moisturiser. This can be locked now, thanks again.

Seattle Thread

Also, don't forget to use plenty of hot water, as hot as you can stand.

EggyToast

Yeah, if this is going to be a short term thing, just get some Gillette foam and an older Mach 3 w/ 2 blades included. That'll do ya fine for well more than 3 weeks, in my experience.

Szechuanosaurus

EggyToast wrote:

Yeah, if this is going to be a short term thing, just get some Gillette foam and an older Mach 3 w/ 2 blades included. That'll do ya fine for well more than 3 weeks, in my experience.

*slap*

Gel, not foam!

Lardalish

One last update and this can be truely locked.

I dont think my electric has ever gotten this close, I think Im sold on the razor. Plus Im not bleeding profusely from my face so thats a plus. Thanks for the advice guys!

Szechuanosaurus

You should find wet shaving to be much better for your skin as well.