Thread: To Each His Own- I Suppose

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to All.

Need some quick insights to my Post Shave Procedure.

After the last pass of the straight razor, I'll apply a warm to hot towel on the face and let it sit for a few moments. The towel is rinsed and reapplied to my face again with warm to hot water; some light massaging takes place. Removing the towel, I will take some of the soap and pre-shave that remain in the hidden crevices of my face. Now I immediately apply an icy cold towel - easy massage around the face and neck, repeat and pat dry. Finally, it is an after shave balm followed by some after shave lotion and I'm done. I think alum is in my future, but not yet.

Any comments especially to the contrasting post shave towels prior application of the balm and after shave. I am told contrasting towels will speed healing as it tends to bring the blood closer to the surface. For me, the towels awaken my face.

I look forward to your thoughts.

Andy

Andy,

Although I don't use towels, I like your routine. Remember to use the cold water after shaving. You may even consider giving your face a cold water splash, along with the cold towel. It closes your pores after shaving.

My post-shave routine is, as follows:

Rinse face with warm water to remove remaining soap residue.

Splash cold water on face to close pores. Apply witch hazel.

Apply aftershave balm or G. F. Trumper's Skin Food to moisturize.

Apply aftershave or cologne for fragrance.

Sounds unusual. I think it's more important what you think of it. I'm guessing that you are the one most effected. Personally, I don't understand the idea of applying a warm towel after a shave, only because it's uncommon.

If I had to apply Alum to my face everyday, I'd give up shaving.

Shaving the face creates irritation, no matter how minimal that might be. Applying heat to irritated skin isn't helpful.

Andy,

If it works for you, do it. Doesn't matter what we think, but you may find some converts......

Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah to you as well.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

If I had to apply Alum to my face everyday, I'd give up shaving.

Actually I just started applying alum this week. Ever since, my skin has actually improved. I guess this is definitely one of those areas where YMMV.

I'm far too lazy to go through all that work...that's just 2 more towels that need to be washed!
I do a modified version of your routine though sans towels.
After I'm done shaving, I do:
warm water rinse
alum block rub
let the alum sit for a few minutes while I clean up
cold water rinse
after shave splash

it works well for me.

I usually do the following.
*Warm water rinse.
*Squeeze the unused lather out of the brush and apply it to your face. I let it sit for a minute.
*Apply alum without rinsing.
*Cold water rinse.
*OPTIONAL: Apply Splash (If I do so, I may not use alum).
*Apply balm.

Can you come round my place each morning and do that? It sounds wonderful!

After the shave I use the rest of the lather in the bowl and lather up again; my thoughts are it's gotta be more beneficial to my skin than the drains. I strop the razor (just 10/10) and clean up the bowl and brush, then I wash off the lather with a warm hand towel, then splash cold water on my face. After that it's whatever I feel like; sometimes just AS, or Proraso Liquid After Shave Cream, or witch hazel, or Bay Rum, etc.

I've got REALLY oily skin, so I don't use the Liquid Cream After Shave a lot, I don't need it...

I'm going to buy an alum block soon, but I was a bit taken aback by the price of one the other day; 25 bucks! I think I need it as I'm getting more 'adventurous' and 'aggressive' with my shaving lately, trying for three passes a lot of the time...

I'm with Carl, your process sounds relaxing and enjoyable. On Saturday's and Sundays, when time permits, I will use the odd towel in my post shave.

Most of my weekly routine looks like this:

Shave
Sip coffee
Rinse with hot water
Sip coffee
Pat dry
Sip coffee
Moisturize
Sip coffee
Aftershave/Cologne
Sip coffee
Admire face while sipping coffee

Works for me.