Thread: Pre-shave Rountine

Recently tried a cold water shave, what can I say about it? It was cold and I didn't feel any difference in shave quality, so I went back to hot water. I use a pre shave oil now only because I have it and it cost a lot. It won't be replaced. As far as keeping the hot towel on I staple it to the back of my head until it goes cold and do once more with staples then make a paste of ground alum to cover the back of my head. Seriously...hold it to your face as they go cool pretty quickly you won't be spending a lot of time doing this. Then it's lather and go, face lather, scuttle, cream, puck...it's fun picking the soap of the day. If I am not face lathering I make the lather before I start the hot towels so it rests, this seems to make a better lather for me.

Originally Posted by laranginha

I'm a newbie also, and was wondering what the technique is for the hot towels? I've seen one or two videos on youtube of a barber who does this folding thing where it seems to stay on pretty tight, but how do you guys get them to stay on?

I have a rather quick pre shave routine that works for me, ymmv I guess L:
If I'm using my safety razor (a Merkur open comb) , I just rub a puck of Kent Shaving soap on my face and then use my brush to build a lather, exactly as you'd use a shaving stick.
When I'm using a straight razor, I wash my face with hot water, then work the shaving cream lather (taylor of old bond street sandalwood at the moment) with the brush. and then drop a few drops of Trumper's Skinfood into the lather, then mix it some more, then really use the brush to work it in. And that's how I prep for a shave... Its not very elaborate, but, like I said, works for me.

I just make sure my face is clean then just wet it and apply the lather and shave. I do the hot towel thing with lather on my face after the shave. If you have a proper sharp razor and you are skilled in it's use you don't need much pre shave prep. Much of it is just feel good stuff anyway (IMHO).

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