Thread: First Shave

Similiar prep, as described in third shave prep. Got good lather, and placed it only on the areas where I need to shave about 30-60 seconds before. I made sure that I wiped my face off regularly with a hot towel, then put the hot towel back over my face for a few moments after I rinsed it clean.

The shave went over all well, the only nicks were from old ones that I went over again with the razor, basically just re-opening the old ones on the chin and neck. No need for the styptic, they all stopped bleeding well before the end of the shave.

The downwards and cross stokes on the cheeks went well, no real problems to speak of.

The upwards stokes on the neck caused some irritation that lingered for about an hour afterwards.

The upper lip went well, used only the toe of the razor for most of the strokes, used both downwards and sideways strokes. Missed most of the hairs that were closest to the nose, and discretion being the better part of valor, chose to leave those alone for now.

The chin was difficult and took a long time, but I got most of it.

Tried the downwards stroke on the right side of the neck again, with similiar results.

Overall good shave, although the drying out associated with the witch hazel got worse last night. The overall effect of irritation added to the drying out of the skin was a . It drying out of my skin only amplified the subsequent irritation. It lasted for about two hours last night. Although all the irritation is gone this morning, there is still some dryness, which cause me to order some GFT skin food yesterday. I cannot abide by the dryness anymore, it is killing me. Even though I know it will take at least a week for the skin food to get here, I am going to skip a day of shaving, wait for the stubble to grow out, and work on my stropping technique tonight instead.

I am earnestly hoping that my face gets used to this method. I am no quitter, and certainly not thinking of doing something almost heretical to most of the members of SRP, but I really wish the irritation starts to dissipate after a few more shaves, as my face gets used to the method.

BTW, does anyone know why the cheeks take it so well, whereas the rest of my face doesn't seem to cooperate?

As always comments or suggestions are welcome.

Originally Posted by Kentriv

I can deffinitely relate. For me I can get most of my face nice and smooth with one pass WTG. But the way my hair grows right under my chin along the jaw line, it is really hard to get as close. If I run my hands from my chin down towards my adam's apple, it feels smooth. But if I go ATG, then it feels like haven't even shaved there yet. I will have to master the second pass, at least for this area. This will have to come with time I guess.

My skin seems to be getting used to the razor now, as I only have minor irritation and it is gone by morning. I have been using an alchohal based aftershave though. I am afraid this was a very bad idea. I will have to get something more sensitive. Maybe I will get some witch hazel as well.

The witch hazel still dries out the skin somewhat, but probably won't sting as bad...

Went very well. Prep the same as in the fourth shave. Did a little extra stropping last night.

This seemed to be the point where my face finally started to forgive for scraping a hunk of sharp metal across it.

Did down and cross strokes on both cheeks no problems.

Did upwards strokes on neck, no problems.

Took my sweet time doing the upper and lower lip area, missed a few hairs. Took several different angles, working the chin as best I could, seemed to actually get everything.

Finished off with ATG strokes downwards on the neck. Surprisingly, it went really well.

Got only two new nicks, re-opened several small old ones. No big deal, just used the styptic powder on the two new nicks.

Overall excellent shave, probably the best shave I have had yet this week. Some irritation lingered last night, but it was again mostly just irritation from dryness, after using the witch hazel.

Comments or suggestions are always welcome.

Went very well, same prep as on five.

Neck, cheeks and jawline were no problem. Worked on changing grip on razor and doing sidestrokes on jawline, going in towards the chin. Worked very well.

Both WTG and ATG on cheeks, easy does it.

Both WTG and ATG on neck no problems.

Still some difficulty doing the chin, having a lot of issues with getting the angles right, and working through various positions and different types of strokes with both hands. Still having a heck of time, stretching helps a little bit, but my chin just doesn't want to give up the goods. Damn chin!

Upper lip went well, used some careful down strokes and side strokes. Also practiced with coming in at a diagonal angle from the cheek into the upper lip. Got most everything, had some hangers right next to the nose.

Excellent shave this round. The next round might belong to the chin, who knows...

Very minor lingering irritation gone before I went to bed. Did not use the witch hazel, wanted to give my face a break from that stuff.

I got some proraso aftershave the other day. It has witch hazel in it, but it didn't seem to dry my face out at all. I don't know much on aftershaves, but this stuff did a good job of soothing. There was no irritation to my face after I used it, though there was very little before I used it to so who knows. Anyway it seems pretty good.

Matt

Originally Posted by Kentriv

... It has witch hazel in it, ...

You're still pretty young so you might want to read this before you go much further with that.

X

AAAHHHH, get the lavender away from me.....

If it's only temporary, it might be worth a little experiment. If you've always wondered...?
Mark

Haha, wow. Witch-Hazel wasn't mentioned but I will watch out for those lavender oils haha. Hmmm would it work on women as a breast enhancer?

Originally Posted by Kentriv

Hmmm would it work on women as a breast enhancer?

Now that's a man using his head.

X