Thread: Upper lip shaving

Hi guys, David from Glasgow, Scotland here! I finally got into straight razor shaving six months ago and am very confident, apart from the upper lip area. I know you leave this to last and make sure it is well lathered and lubricated. Any tips on this as I find the idea of this eye-watering (perhaps it's just psychological!) Any advice would be great.

Don't try ATG for a start!
Don't be scared of it. It's not hard. I tackle it last, but there is an argument for doing it first. The razor is at it's sharpest at the start of the shave.

Thanks Ben, should it be a straight 30 degree downward stroke, also what about the area just below the nostril area?

I save my chin for last to make sure the whiskers are nice and soft, the upper lip I do sometime mid shave. When I first started shaving, the upper lip was the one that made me the most nervous. After some practice it has become one of the most comfortable and easier part of my shave.

I'm betting it is mostly psychological issue for you and my only advice is don't try ATG and relax.

Great advice gentlemen, much obliged to you all.

Hello, David:

That move is called Coups de Maitre (Master Stroke). It takes practice. The important thing is to keep the razor pressure light. Start at the bottom of the nostril and scoop downward. Here, your razor angle is quite high, flatting as it gets closer to the upper lip. Take your time with it, and make sure the area is well lubricated.

Regards,
Obie

Hi,
I usually leave this area until last but it is not necessary.
First purse your lips (curl your upper lip over your teeth) to tighten the skin and then do a 30 degree angle straight down in short strokes.(use the centre of the cutting part of your blade.)
Do this on both sides of your upper lip including the little bit under your nose.
If all the hair is not gone you can do a second pass XTG as follows:-
After lathering pull the skin on your upper lip sideways with your left hand until it is tight (place your fingers about an inch from the side of your upper lip to do this.)Draw the razor across the lip from left to right in short strokes with the blade at about 20 degrees very carefully using the nose of your razor.Go straight across in short strokes from one side to the other keeping the skin as taut as possible.
This works for me.Hope this helps.
Welcome to SRP,
Regards
Noggs

Just go real slow til you get more comfortable. It will become routine after a while. I do the mustache and chin first, but then I condition my beard well before I start with a hot soapy shower with extra shampoo on my face.

I like my razor at it's sharpest because my growth is thickest in that area.

Marc

Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, David:

That move is called Coups de Maitre (Master Stroke). It takes practice. The important thing is to keep the razor pressure light. Start at the bottom of the nostril and scoop downward. Here, your razor angle is quite high, flatting as it gets closer to the upper lip. Take your time with it, and make sure the area is well lubricated.

Regards,
Obie

As Obie states, it is a scooping motion. I make this in three separate passes. I do the middle first, then left side, then right side.

Place the blade flat against the bottom of your nostril (or center). Then, as youmave the blade down, slowly start to raise the spine of the razor. When you watch the whole motion, it looks like you are scooping.

You must go slow to start until you have the motion down. Once you do this will become second nature.

I agree with everyones ATG statements. I can do them quite well, and the shave is incredible. But there is no way I can shave the next day. For me they just take off a little to many skin cells. So I do my ATG with a DE.

Good luck and keep posting.

David

I do the Coups De Maitre on the first place and then on the second place use a very low angle and shave from the corner of my mouth to my nose. Very light pressure here!
It's all practice, you'll see in about 3 months.