Thread: 3rd Shave was the worst

I would think that I would be getting better. Maybe, because this was the first work day. I'm going to start shaving at night. Do you think this is a good idea?

I always shave at night... it's a nice relaxing way to wind down the day.

Originally Posted by bbshriver

I always shave at night... it's a nice relaxing way to wind down the day.

Agreed. I can take my time to relax, put on some music, wrap a steam towel around my face....no hurry.

+1 on shaving at night. nice and calming, and frees up time in the morning.

my shaves also got worse early on, but are now steadily improving. I think my confidence from a relatively successful first couple of shaves outstripped my ability. the result was rawness and redness and a temptation to blame the tools instead of my own impatience. silly man. Anyway, I went back to basics, practiced on the area under my sideburns, and then worked to the cheeks, chin and neck over the next few weeks. It keeps getting better. I'm still not particularly good at getting the area below my nose, but it's getting there (in fairness, I hadn't shaved my moustache in 15 yrs b/c I had a van dyke beard, so I'm no good at shaving that area with a DE or M3 either). Don't despair. you'll get it!

Bill

Originally Posted by piervinc

+1 on shaving at night. nice and calming, and frees up time in the morning.

my shaves also got worse early on, but are now steadily improving. I think my confidence from a relatively successful first couple of shaves outstripped my ability. the result was rawness and redness and a temptation to blame the tools instead of my own impatience. silly man. Anyway, I went back to basics, practiced on the area under my sideburns, and then worked to the cheeks, chin and neck over the next few weeks. It keeps getting better. I'm still not particularly good at getting the area below my nose, but it's getting there (in fairness, I hadn't shaved my moustache in 15 yrs b/c I had a van dyke beard, so I'm no good at shaving that area with a DE or M3 either). Don't despair. you'll get it!

Bill

+1

I agree. As you get better, sometimes your expectations get out of wack and you shoot for too close a shave all at once. Sometimes I feel like I'm going 5 steps forward, one step back. But hey, that's still a net of 4 steps! Keep at it and remind yourself to go back to basics.

Jordan

at only your 3rd straight shave I wouldn't recommend trying to do your whole face yet...
work on the easy spots like your cheeks and sideburns until you can get them BBS, and then start adding more turf to your routine.

Indeed, as a newbie myself, I know what you mean. I have a total of probably 6 or 7 total straight shaves under my belt... the funny part is the first time was the best for me. My second to last shave I got gutsy and went against the grain. Now I remember why I didn't do that with my DE... worst shave (comfort wise) I've ever had... razor bumps so bad I looked like a 15 year old with bad acne. Last night, however, I shaved with my new Filly and got a wonderful, nick/blood free shave. My face looks much better and I feel like I am getting the hang of stretching my skin better and how to shave certain parts of my face.

Keep at it and you'll discover better technique and your own idiosyncrasies. Also, +1 on nighttime shaving!!!

In addition to the suggestion above,
I would recommend to all newbies to skip a day and let your face recover. It takes sometime for your face get used to the blade.

As a newbie my tendency was to apply some pressure in the more difficult areas like the neck, chin and upper lip. This is a recipe for razor burn and bumps. T

With A sharp straight there should be absolutely NO pressure, or else you are asking for trouble..

I burnt my neck really good today. I have been putting corn huskers lotion on it. I'm not going to shave my neck with the straight for a few weeks. Ill master my cheeks first. Some people recommended that I just go all the way with the straight and NOT do anything with the DE (not even touch ups).

For now, Ill shave at night and the cheeks only with the straight. I guess that Ill have to wait until tomorrow night for my next shave. Probably would not be a good idea to start my night rotation tonight.

Well it can only get better from here right?

I shave at night as well.. and then in the morning too sometimes. I can't help it, I want to shave and shave and shave...