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The title is pretty self explanatory. Who out there has invested in a towel steamer and who just soaks one in hot water?
Do you notice a significant difference in comfort? I've never had a professional shave, so I don't know what I'm missing if anything.
The barber who shaved me poured hot water over the towel in the sink and wrung it out. No need to tell you that it was hot and comfy :)
Take a warm shower,go to sink,turn on hot faucet,wet brush,make lather,than shave,works for me:)
I used to run water on a towel under the tap. Wring out the excess and place the towel in the microwave. Mine will do it in 45 seconds but you have to try it because all microwaves are not created equal. Find the setting that works and be careful not to burn yourself before you do. I don't do this because it is more trouble than it is worth and I've been cold water shaving for a few years now, but give it a shot, you might like it.
I tried a month of daily hot-hot water soaked towels and concluded I had more neck irritation than without. 80-shaves down the road I prefer a lukewarm- or cool water rinse (or a shower) before slicing and dicing. No irritation and the same good shave. I went back and revisted a hot towel treatment a few days ago just to make sure - didn't hurt, didn't help. YMMV
I do the same but skip the shower. I tried hot towels but never saw a difference. I'll spend time on preparation that makes a difference, but the hot towel didn't. I have other things I have to do.Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
When I get the urge to indulge myself, I use a rice cooker/steamer to steam my towels. Works like a charm!
It depends how hot your tap is. I find mine to be quite sufficient. Another gadget around the house I don't need.
Cousin Festus likes to store his towels in the compost heap under the cow flop. He says they get nice and warm that way.
Hot water from tap as I soak in the tub.
Works for me and my tastes.
No room for more stuff.
I use hot towels, from tap water. To be fair, however, I raised the temp in my hot water heater to make it hotter than than it originally was.
I used to use hot towels. Now I just splash on water, and apply lather. Then using my fingertips, I message the lather into my beard. While that is soaking into my whiskers, I strop. Works for me.
Ditto for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne1963
When I indulge in the hot towel it is wrung out and microwaved.
I think it depends on how tough the beard is (or somethin' like that). For me, my water heater is turned up high, probably too high, but it really makes a big difference. Can't say if a steamer or a towel warmer is any different. In my opinion, and my wife's, my beard is really tough and coarse and thick. Plus, it keeps the multi whisker whiskers from becoming ingrown. Bla, bla, bla, I've been wondering too.
I've never used towels, one is wash face with warm water, put some hot water on the soap and wet the brush with hot water. Then I would apply the hot water to my face with the brush. Now I usually skip the brush step and just apply the hot soap from the brush and face lather.
For yesterday's shave, I decided to skip preparation altogether just to see what the result or difference might be. I did no prep at all of any kind, wetted my brush quickly, dropped a few drops of Dawn Dishwashing Liquid (Blue) on the brush, lathered and shaved. The resulting shave was fine, just like they always are.
I use hot towel also. But tbh i never tried to do it any other way so cant really compare.
I like to use a hot towel on the weekends when I'm really indulging myself. I shower, pre-shave oil/poraso, fill the sink with hot water and soak a hand towel, wring it out...rinse, repeat about 3x. I find it just helps soften up everything and the soothing warmth adds to the relaxation of a nice shave. As far as helping with the shave itself, I don't see a huge difference if any.
Chris