Thread: Success by changing nearly everything

So, for the last few months, I've felt a general drop off in my shave experience. I've been fairly aware that the problem is that I've been rushing through the process, as I tend to shave every morning before work, leaving me only about an hour from out-of-bed to in-the-car. Well, I decided this weekend would be the time to make a change, and do all of the things that have worked so well for everyone else, to get a better, more comfortable, and most importantly, CLOSER shave in the evenings that way I don't HAVE to shave in the mornings (I have fast and thick growth, and am an Army officer... no-shave=no-go)

My usual routine looks like this: Wash my hair in the sink to get rid of bed-head (take shower after working out in the morning in the Gym), rinse brush in hot water for about 30 seconds. Bowl lather shaving cream or mug lather soap depending on which I'm using. Splash face with warm water, and maybe some baby oil sometimes, then hack away. The results are what I alluded to above. Crappy shaves with stubble left in the neck area and irritation on the chin.

So, this morning was meant to be an experiment of the grandest sort, by trying EVERYTHING differently and going with the most time consuming shave I could. Here was the setup:

Pre Shave: 1) Long, hot shower. Minutes of hot water running directly onto beard area. Soaked Shavemac H41021 silvertip brush in hot water for the length of the shower. After the shower, face lathered Musgo Real shaving cream for about 2 minutes, then applied a steaming hot towel over it for 1 minute. Wiped off the excess, and applied baby oil and relathered with Musgo Real.

Brush: Covered above, but the Shavemace H41020 Silvertip in Buffalo Horn handle (super proud of that thing)
Cream: Musgo Real original scent in tube
Razor: (already featured on SOTD, hence why I'm not putting this there) Dovo Bergischer Löwe

After the first pass, which was all WTG, I wiped my face with a warm wet towel, and relathered with the Musgo Real. The second pass was all ATG, very comfortable, no issues.

The result:

Just as expected, this was hands down the best, closest, most comfortable shave I've had in a long time. There was some slight stinging with the aftershave, but no real redness or irritation, so I'll blame that on the pores still being open from all of the steam. The hot towel over lather treatment was absolutely luxurious. I wish I had tried this months ago rather than just writing it off as superfluous. Sometimes, frills are a good thing, and this is definitely one of those times.

once you have nailed how to shave properly you can definitely have a quick shave. i get up at 7.30 to leave at 8.20. But stick with what you're doing now because obviously its working

also hold a cold towel over your face after your shave but before applying aftershave to close the pores. i do a cold towel twice

Good job finding what works the best, grats

I get up at 6:25 and leave at 6:55
Just enough time for a shower, a shave, getting dressed and be on my way.

and you can forget about breakfast.

breakfast is for wimps anyway

Originally Posted by bombay

and you can forget about breakfast.

breakfast is for wimps anyway

I guess I am a wimp then.

haha its a Del Boy quote

I am in the shower by 6:30 am and out the door by 7:15. That includes a full straight razor shave. The only thing I do different than you describe is the initial application if lather.. I've found no need to do that..

Actual shave time has whittled down to about 15 minutes. That said, I can still stretch it out to 30 or 40 minutes on the weekends..

I usually shave pretty quickly. But it is nice to slow down on the weekend and enjoy the shave. I find that I like the lather and hot towel treatment very much. Happy shaving.

Baby oil??
Does that work? Anyone.
Isn't that mineral oil?

Yes it's just mineral oil. I use just a VERY small amount and rub it into my beard thoroughly before applying the lather. I was using AoS pre shave oil, and had been blaming it on harshing my shaves, but it's possible it was my sloppy technique in those early days, so I may go back and get another bottle. It sure smelled good.