Shaving Epiphany!

[defoeb]

So I'm new at this, and have been getting progressively more discouraged. I've been shaving with a straight for about two weeks. In that time, I managed a ton of nicks and one relatively impressive slice. That last one laughed at the styptic I tried to use to stop the bleeding, but I figure that's ok, because I've heard that chicks dig scars. . .

I sent off some razors to be honed (thanks, Lynn!) and they came back scary sharp. Still, though, I couldn't get a decent shave. I worked on my technique, trying to get just the right angle of attack, just the right pressure, etc. I worked on my lather, trying to make uberlather like is shown in the videos. Ultimately, I would end each session thinking I should touch up a few areas with my gillette fission and its 5 uniformly dull blades.

Until this morning.

This morning I spent a bit more time thinking about beard prep. I shave in the morning, just after showering. This morning, I washed the face twice in the shower. Without drying off, I immediately threw a hot towel on my face. Then I lathered my face, and stropped the razor I planned to use. After stropping a bit, I refreshed my hot towel and again applied it to my face, relathered, and presto - a great shave. This morning there was no skin irritation, no pulling of the hairs, it just clicked.

I'm hooked. Thanks to all at SRP for helping make this happen.

Brian

[Joed]

Congrats. See, all that talk here on how important beard prep is had some meaning. Hope the other newbies read this post and follow your lead.

Thanks for posting this thread and helping the others.

Good luck on future shaves. It takes a while but as you have noticed, the rewards are great.

[ben.mid]

It's easy to underestimate the importance of prep when you're getting started. Glad you've understood it before giving up!
Hair conditioner works wonders too. Apply it for a few minutes & let it work while you make a lather or whatever. Rinse it off, then lather up! Give it a try & see how you like it.

[StraightRazorDave]

I've ALWAYS gotten a better shave when I shower and take the time to prep my face for the shave. At times when I feel lazy and just wash my face in the sink and shave I never get as good of a shave. Beard prep is one of the most important elements in shaving. Glad you discovered that early in the game.

[mparker762]

Sounds like a lot of work.

[fritz]

Sounds like a lot of work.

Surely, you're joking, Dr. Feynman!
Well, it is a lot of work, and if you're lucky to have a pretty soft beard anyway, don't bother. But if you have a really tough beard, it's worth every one of those extra 5-7 minutes to get a good and smooth but comfortable shave.

[VeeDubb65]

Sounds like a lot of work.

Well, as pointed out by multiple posters lately (myself included) there is a lot that we do, that amounts to a lot of extra work, sometimes to the point of being foppish or silly, but that's not always a bad thing.

I can't speak for everyone, but I don't mind if some part of my shave is silly or foppish or a lot more work than a Mach3.

Now, if you want a really great beard prep that is WAY less work, you could try my method. ("Mine" as in the method I use, not as in a method I created. I'm not that clever)

What I do, is build up some quick nice hot lather before I even get my razor out. Then I leave it sitting on my face while I strop, and then reapply the lather. (actually I just get some more hot water on my brush and refresh what's already on my face, since I face-lather, but that's a separate discussion)

You get just as much moisture as a hot towel, less heat, but still plenty if you have a way to make really hot lather like a very hot scuttle, and I find that the soap also softens the beard if it has a little time to sit.

I've heard of barbers putting the hot towel on over a good layer of lather, and I can imagine that you'd get even better results that way, but my way works very well for me, and is a lot easier.

[warpigs421]

It's easy to underestimate the importance of prep when you're getting started. Glad you've understood it before giving up!
Hair conditioner works wonders too. Apply it for a few minutes & let it work while you make a lather or whatever. Rinse it off, then lather up! Give it a try & see how you like it.

Amen on the hair conditioner. I tried that for the first time last night (my 3rd shave ever) along with a little olive oil as a pre-shave. Wow, what a difference...

I couldn't believe that an XTG pass with a straight razor would deliver better closeness than a disposable multi-blade, but it did. And it was a heck of a lot more comfortable too.

Beard prep is the key...

[jleeg]

Read your post thinking "there went I." Many of us had tough starts...then came the epiphany. Great, huh? Glad it came together for you. Bet you can't wait to get up and shave tomorrow!

Best...
J

[Jfala]

Congrats on your epiphany! It only gets better from here.