Thread: A bit confused

I got The Art Of Shaving full size kit about two months ago in which I am enjoying up to this point. One thing I am skeptical about is the pre-shaving oil in which to be honest I imagine for the product to be more watery texture than some type of sticky gel goo. I do get a slick feel but I am not sure if the texture should be how I describe it. How long should you let the oil sit on your skin before lathering up with the shaving foam???? To be honest the brush smells pretty bad at the beginning.

Wet your face first and then spread the oil/cream. It adds some slick under the soap. I went to the soap right after I applied the oil.

I don't know about oil but when I use pres have balm I let it sit a couple minutes to soak into my stubble.

Aztec,

Dry your face after the shower and massage a nickel-size amount of the shave oil onto your skin — you don't want to swim in that oil, but it should be just enough to give you cushion and glided. Make sure to wash your hands with soap to avoid holding a razor with slick hands. Let the oil sit for about a minute or two before you lather your face.

If you bought the starter kit, it will last you about a week or so with daily shaving. Remember, the little brush that came with the kit is a throw-away brush, and you need to get a better brush. If you bought the travel size kit, that should last you about two or three weeks of daily shaving. The brush (pure badger) in that kit is better, but eventually you need to get a better brush. By the way, any brush will have an animal smell when new, but that will wear off with use.

I asked the person at AOS when I bought some of their preshave oil and they said to leave it on for 5 minutes and then lather.
When I use it, I usually put it on after I shower, wash my hands, strop, make my lather, lather up, and shave. I figure that is long enough to let it soften the hair.

A little bit of that stuff goes a long way and it is definitely gooey and slick.

Chris, don't strop BEFORE shaving only after. When you strop then shave you don't give the metal time to recover so you probably aren't getting the optimal shave you should.

edit: I meant to say AFTER but I really shouldn't have said anything since it a personal thing. Chalk it up to me suffering from CRID and OMIF both of which can be terminal in the wrong application.

Originally Posted by guitstik

Chris, don't strop BEFORE shaving only after. When you strop then shave you don't give the metal time to recover so you probably aren't getting the optimal shave you should.

I strop before every shave, as well as a few laps on the strop after to dry off the edge. I have always stropped before and found no ill effect.

Geek

Many ways to soften the stubble and increase glide. I've tried everything from plain old olive oil to store bought stuff. Oh well, nothing worked. Then, chance reading in the posts revealed what is a daily habit for me now. Creamo or Kiss My Face, small amount finger rubbed into stubble and wet face before lathering has increased glide, lowered irritation and is about as cheap as you can get.

Originally Posted by aztec87

I got The Art Of Shaving full size kit about two months ago in which I am enjoying up to this point. One thing I am skeptical about is the pre-shaving oil in which to be honest I imagine for the product to be more watery texture than some type of sticky gel goo. I do get a slick feel but I am not sure if the texture should be how I describe it. How long should you let the oil sit on your skin before lathering up with the shaving foam???? To be honest the brush smells pretty bad at the beginning.

It's important to work the pre shave oil in so the skin absorbs it. Applying it and letting it sit there isn't very helpful in my experience. Is your brush new and made out of boar or badger hair? I don't think the oil causes the bad smell. Most likely it's the remaining animal scent.

what Obie and Tucoramirez said( by the way isn't that the guy in the good the bad and the ugly tuco?)your brush smells a little when new you can give it a few showers with shampoo or just use it , it will be fine,, I don't use pre shave oils I,m like razorfeld , I use a cheap shave cream to wash my face , works well,, and I like most strop right before my shave and have had no ill effects, and I believe most of the pro honers are in agreement on this just saying ymmv tc