Personal practice proving proper preparation
Ok, so I don't have a decent enough straight to be shaving with yet, but I've been having issues with severe irritation, especially in the middle neck area. I had been reading the amazing advice in this sub-forum and decided I was going to give myself a proper lather and preparation.
So, I took a hot shower, making sure to run nice hot water over my face for a good long while. While I was in the shower, I had my metal soap bowl with soap puck in it with about a half teaspoon of hot water soaking on top of the puck soaking in a sink full of hot water beside my brush. When I got out of the shower (keeping face wet), I pulled the soap bowl out and squeezed my brush somewhat dry and whipped my brush around for about 20-30 seconds on the soap and worked up a really thick lather on my face, working it in all over really well for a minute or so, let it soak for a few minutes, re-lathered a bit, smoothed out the lather (it was dripping off my chin, lol) and shaved one pass WTG, re-lathered and went once ATG. With a good rinse, splash of cold water, and splash of AS, it was the smoothest shave I've ever had.. AND with no irritation!
Here's the HUGE kicker.. I used the same dull, crappy cartridge that I've been using for the past 6 months! I was truly amazed what a little extra time and some thick lather can do for a good shave!
Thank you all for your awesome advice, I'm proof that it works!
~Malel Draconis
