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I wondering how many use a pre shave, weather it's an oil, Noxzema, or something else. I've only been wet shaving for a few months and done it both ways. Does the pre shave affect the soap or cream? Does anyone apply the pre shave and remove it before applying the soap or cream?
Also do you wet your face again after you lather in a bowl before applying the lather to your face. I'm trying to get down a routine that works. I seem to get a DFS to BBS no matter what I do. Thanks for your input.
You have asked the million dollar question and will get a wide variety of answers. Basically some do use some sort of pre shave and others do not. It is all a matter of what works best for you arrived at by experimentation. Personally, after decades of wet shaving I tried various pre shave routines and found that for me they made little to no difference in my shave quality so I do not do any. Others have good results from having some sort of pre shave routine. Just keep trying various combination to see what works for you.
Bob
I don't use a "preshave" but since I normally shower before I shave, I sometimes use hair conditioner on my face and beard. As long as you do not use a conditioner that is designed to strengthen damaged hair, it will soften your beard and leave behind a slick layer on your skin that acts as a preshave. If I have more than one day's growth, I will use the conditioner to make it easier to to shave my tough beard.
I have used a lot of preshave products. I do not like oils. Proraso and Castle Forbes is good but the Castle Forbes is expensive and does not do anything for me that I can’t get from Noxema. Also I live in a remote area and getting stuff is always a hassle. Noxema works as well as anything I have tried, it is super affordable and readily available.
the ritual
water
Noxema
rinse
Pre-lather
rinse
lather
shave
rinse
witch hazel
AS
works for me YMMV
Following a hot shower, I have started using Grooming Dept.'s preshave. It is amazing stuff. It makes a good soap/cream great and a great soap/cream fantastic!!
Hot shower.
Noxima left on for a few minutes
Rinse most off with hot water. Its more of a rub of hot water.
Then lather.
I find it makes the gray whiskers conditioned and easier to cut.
Warm or cold water splash depending on weather
Lather on a wet face dip bristles as needed
Shave
Splash some more water
Wipe off with a towel
Shower
I rarely use a pre-shave. However, I have a few soaps that I enjoy for their scent or after-shave moisturizing properties that aren't slick enough for my straights. When I use one, I will use Castle Forbes pre-shave, which is water soluble and works very well.
Everyone is different. You'll just need to figure out what works for you! Sounds like you got it down already.Quote:
Originally Posted by barryflash2727
Not every time but sometimes I use Proraso green preshave cream and then apply hot towel on it. It feels really good.
No.
Over the years I found that it is not worth the effort, as long as you take the time to moisten your face and let the facial skin absorb the moisture.
All I use in the morning is wet sponge, or hotel washcloth when I am travelling.
B
About as close as I come to a preshave, is I might put some hair conditioner on my face, after I wash my hair in the shower, and rinse off just before I get out.
Years ago I tried various preparations and routines for pre-shave and found they made little or no difference.
These days it's just clean my face apply soap and shave.
I'm with the "no" guys. I tried a few, including olive oil after a post on here somewhere long ago, but I've found that most pre-shave concoctions I've tried mess with my lather, even after I've rinsed well. More often then not, I just wet my face some (not a lot) and then build the lather on my face, adding water to the tips of a mostly dry brush as I go. It takes some work, but I get the slickest lather that way, and enough usually lingers on the brush to get a 2d pass, which s usually the most I do (since I don't work anywhere outside of home anymore).
If my shave is good enough for my wife to not to complain, that's good enough.
I found that after a hot shower, pre-shave is not necessary (but I'm using it anyway - just because I like it:p). Otherwise for me, glycerin-rich GFT skin food improves the shave feeling quite a lot. Just give it a couple of minutes to absorb - for example while you are soaking your brush (or blooming your hard triple-milled soap).
I use MWF for pre-shave face wash and post-alum face wash, whatever soap I use for lather (which is sometimes MWF as well).
Yes. I have tendencies towards red rashes on my skin (not matter which way I shave, so it isn't a SR problem). I put Trumper's Skin Food and, sometimes, Nivea Shave Balm and also a pre-shave oil on. I also mix Trumper's shaving cream with other ingredients to make it a very mild lather.
I use proraso white before each shave. I don't use it to add to the lather, I use it to open my pores and soften my whiskers. I just find I tend to get a closer shave when I use it. In my mind its because my pores are opened up and more of the hair is exposed. I could be completely wrong though.
I love the routine of the Sunday shave when I step out of the hot shower, lather up and put a hot towel over the lather. Then I rinse with hot water and lather up again and let it soak in before shaving. Then a cold water rinse and witch hazel followed by organic shea butter.
I don’t know if the pre-shave routine improves the shave, but I get 45 minutes alone in the bathroom taking care of me once a week and my wife doesn’t mind.