Hi phunni. Was thinking about your thread this morning with my shave. My reddest area is at the bottom of my neck where I have found that I am getting some irritation from shirt collars that I have never had before shaving with the shavette. The odd thing is that this is below where I actually shave so it can't be the razor. I'm noticing that the irritation starts with the lathering process so this morning, I worked up my lather on my cheeks (where it doesn't irritate as much) and then put the lather on my neck with a side to side stroke rather than a round and round stroke. It was much more comfortable. My brush is the synthetic Body Shop one and as you mention finances are an issue I'm guessing you are using budget brush as well. I think tomorrow, I will work the brush up to a lather in my hand or in a bowl and use side to side on my cheeks as well. They are the only slightly sore bits this morning.

I also used cold water this morning and will do that again - very nice! Thanks to those that suggested this.

I'm also going to get chance to fit my strop hook today so shaving with my new proper straight can start in earnest tomorrow. Yay!