Thread: Confidence

I'm a noob, but I just had the best shave of my life and it's only my 5th (?) shave with a straight.

In addition to trying a face lather with Bald Frog instead of my mug (which seemed to work MUCH better BTW) I started shaving tonight with a positive understanding that I am a pro at this (even though this is not really the case).

FWIW I did not follow the advice to start out slow, I shaved my whole face and neck (minus the goat) in my first (and every) shave. I'm not suggesting that this common advice is bad...I simply could not wait to dive in and get started (I'm stubborn like that and got some cuts to prove it).

So anyway, tonight I found myself not second guessing anything and confidently shaving without hesitation or jitter (sometimes toward the end, I get little nervous shakes). I think this deliberate confident movement is a critical key to good shaves.

No cuts, no nicks, no burn. Fantastic!

I'll stop bragging now, but wanted to share my story. Sometimes ignorant confidence is not a bad thing

If you are having trouble as a beginner, perhaps a bit of positive mental attitude is all you need? Give it a shot guys!

Congrats, Unit. Steady hands, steady face, way to go!

Congrats, man! Newbie here, too. But had a similar experience! Been w/out mine now for about 5 days and don't know if I'll be quite as confident as I was when it comes back from being rehoned!

Congratulations! Somehow I think your shaves will get even better.

Nicely done, Unit.

"I simply could not wait to dive in and get started (I'm stubborn like that and got some cuts to prove it). " That's how I got the name pinklather.

It won't be a surprise, but the shaves keep getting better. Enjoy!

The barber who taught me to shave with a straight told me that you will get your best shaves when you find the perfect balance between confidence and trepidation. If you're over confident, you will cut yourself. If you are too fearful, you'll cut yourself. Great advice that I still follow to this day.

Being the happy owner of a goatee who has tried a 'full' shave long after I was comfortable with my straight. I can affirm that the goatee makes life much simpler as you miss out on the top lip & chin.
Congratulations on beginning your journey.
Enjoy and keep a firm but light grip on that razor

Positive thinking is a great asset when learning this great way to shave. It also helps when you hit some rough shaves (like eveyone does in the beginning) and rminds you to learn from them and move on. Congrats on the progress so far.

Thanks, all.

I enjoy the learning.

It is true each shave seems to get better, though I am sure there will be steps backward every now and then. I just wanted to share what seemed to unlock a door for me. It might be hard to have instant confidence, but a little positive thinking cannot hurt.

Have a great weekend.

Well done! It's great when it all comes together. I normally wear a moustache, soul patch and goatee, i.e all separate 'islands', but a little while ago I shaved off my goatee (I left the moustache and soul patch) just so I knew what it was like shaving my chin. I left it like that for a few weeks. I've never shaved my top lip with a straight, though...