Saying hi and asking some advice
Hey everyone, my name is Jon and I am a 24 year old United States Marine currently stationed in North Carolina. I am a new member and this is my first post. I just thought I would introduce myself and share some of my experiences.
I have been interested in SR shaving for a little over a year now, but I've never had the extra cash to go out and buy all of the equipment. Then about a week ago my incredibly amazing girlfriend, having remembered some remarks I had made a few months ago, ordered me this set http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/4065811/3874996.htm from classic shaving. It came to the door and she didn't realize what it was so she told me to open it, and I was surprised with what I consider the best gift I have gotten in recent memory.
I had already read a lot of information on SR shaving from this site and others, and watched Lynn's DVD. Almost everyone suggests taking it slow and working on the easier parts of your face first, but not being one to shy away from a challenge I threw caution to the wind and started shaving my whole beard the first time out. Undoubtedly there is a steep learning curve, the chin and upper lip in particular take some getting used to, but I have been able to pick it up pretty quickly. There is still a lot of practice to be had for sure, but I am already getting the best shaves I have ever gotten in my life. A lot of that has to do with the great advice and information contributed by the members of this site, and for that I want to thank all of you.
Needless to say I am hooked. I absolutely love using the SR. There is just something about the nostalgia combined with the methodical routine of it. It is so relaxing it is almost like a form of meditation. It gives me a chance to relax and leaves me feeling refreshed. I find myself enjoying my morning shave and actually looking forward to it as opposed to viewing it as a chore I have to do every day.
Well my ramblings aside, I am looking for some advice. My face tends to dry out and get a little bit of irritation from time to time after I shave, so I am looking for suggestions concerning aftershaves and balms. I like sandalwood in particular and was wondering what some of the people here recommend/use. I am not really sure what exactly I want yet and there is so much out there so any advice concerning preshaves, aftershaves, balms, or soaps, ect. would be much appreciated.
Again I would like to say thank you to all of you, this seems like an amazing community and I look forward to being part of it for a long time to come.