Thread: Shaving help for newbie

I'm about a month into straight razor shaving, and just beginning against the grain passes. I noticed that when I do that I don't get 5 o'clock shadow until about 36 hours after the shave. Never have I gotten a shave that close, or that lasts that long.

Originally Posted by markevens

I'm about a month into straight razor shaving, and just beginning against the grain passes. I noticed that when I do that I don't get 5 o'clock shadow until about 36 hours after the shave. Never have I gotten a shave that close, or that lasts that long.

Hello, markevens:

You are on your way, my good man. Well done. One note of cautions, however: please make sure you don't overdue shaving against the grain. It could lead to skin rash, ingrown hair, and a few other facial discomforts.

Regards,
Obie

Hello again, been a couple of weeks now. I wanted to try and get used to the new blades, try a few different creams and soaps before giving my results. And they are better, but still not satisfactory. I seem to just hit a wall where i can't get any closer yet i can quite clearly still see specks of black hair in the mirror, it's not one of those mirrors that magnify your face so you can see every line and blemish either...i honestly don't know what the problem is. Looks like i might as well just put up with it, it is a far better shave than the derby blades(both gillete and feather) and i prefer the cream to soap. I go with the grain one pass, against the grain and then with the grain again...sometimes i will go against the grain twice. It doesn't really irritate my face that much. Shame i need to wait until i look scruffy before i can get a close shave, but i will just need to persevere and hope for the best. And i must say those videos posted by Mantics59 are brilliant.

Cheers!

I remember when that happened to me except that it took me 48 hours

Originally Posted by Tezza11

Hello again, been a couple of weeks now. I wanted to try and get used to the new blades, try a few different creams and soaps before giving my results. And they are better, but still not satisfactory. I seem to just hit a wall where i can't get any closer yet i can quite clearly still see specks of black hair in the mirror, it's not one of those mirrors that magnify your face so you can see every line and blemish either...i honestly don't know what the problem is. Looks like i might as well just put up with it, it is a far better shave than the derby blades(both gillete and feather) and i prefer the cream to soap. I go with the grain one pass, against the grain and then with the grain again...sometimes i will go against the grain twice. It doesn't really irritate my face that much. Shame i need to wait until i look scruffy before i can get a close shave, but i will just need to persevere and hope for the best. And i must say those videos posted by Mantics59 are brilliant.

Cheers!

I know a couple people in your same situation. Very fair skin coupled with darker, thicker beard hair. I've never known them to be without a hint of the 5 o'clock shadow simply because of that combination.

Now, I don't mean to get you down, or discourage your efforts. Those people might not be shaving in the best way. At the same time, there may be the possibility that you will always be able to see that hint of shadow.

I understand that having very pale skin and dark hair is always going to be a nuisance in regards to shaving. But as i said in the first post, if i wait nearly a week until my facial hair is very thick i can get an extremely close shave that will be fine for over 24 hours maybe even pushing to the 36 hour mark. Yet when i shave every day or two days i don't get anywhere near the same results. It's a mystery that's for sure!

Cheers

Well i was very silly shaving tonight, put too much pressure trying to get closer and now my face is like a tomato with a few cuts and stinging like mad.