Thread: Shave oil - extra virgin

so after looking at some shave oils at the drugstore, I noticed that most of them (can't remember brands - sorry) seemed to have the same consistency as olive oil... so I've been using that as a pre-shave oil...

it works really well compared to not using it at all. I take my finger and put it on the cap and turn the bottle over to get one side, then again for the other, then again for the chin area. then I work the lather up in the mug, apply, shave and get on with my day.

I also threw a little bit of orange oil in there to mask the smell of the olive oil.

I also use olive oil as a pre shave.I added some ylang ylang as a perfume.

Originally Posted by 96firephoenix

so after looking at some shave oils at the drugstore, I noticed that most of them (can't remember brands - sorry) seemed to have the same consistency as olive oil... so I've been using that as a pre-shave oil...

it works really well compared to not using it at all. I take my finger and put it on the cap and turn the bottle over to get one side, then again for the other, then again for the chin area. then I work the lather up in the mug, apply, shave and get on with my day.

I also threw a little bit of orange oil in there to mask the smell of the olive oil.

2.5 Parts Castor Oil to 1 part olive oil makes a very slippery pre shave oil. After you mix that up a drop of 2 of your favorite essential oil.

Never could figure out what the pre-shave oil is for. Does one slather it on before lathering and then lather on top of it, a slather then lather? Or does one slather then shave, a slather and no lather?

There's so much blather on whether to slather then lather or lather then slather, but I'd rather slather, then gather my lather, and lather.

but in all seriousness... I apply the oil, then let it soak in as I make the lather, then put the lather on my face and shave.

I found the oil much more useful for DE razors where the head glides on your face than a straight razor. But if it works keep doing it.

Originally Posted by Bruce

Never could figure out what the pre-shave oil is for. Does one slather it on before lathering and then lather on top of it, a slather then lather? Or does one slather then shave, a slather and no lather?

A lot depends on your shave-den habits and your whiskers.

In general my whiskers soften best with water.

If you get out of the shower your whiskers may be soft and
ready to go. This could be a good time to apply a pre-shave oil
If your whiskers are not soft and ready to go a pre-shave
oil might limit the ability of water to soften your whiskers.

If you need less softening than I do the pre-shave
oil might be applied at anytime to lubricate the skin
and help your shave. For some folk the skin softens
and gets fragile as the whiskers soak so an oil can
help the skin.

If you are a face lathering person then the oil might
simply wash off the pre-shave oil. If you build a lather
in a mug and paint it on top of the oil it may feel differently. If
you apply it after shaving the same oil is a post-shave oil.

Normal skin oils tent to add drag and gummyness. Oils can
soften these gummy skin compounds and much improve
the skin razor interaction. I use common vegetable oil
to remove stickers from things.

The truth is in YOUR shave test.

Try all the obvious permutations and retest as the seasons change.

Slather away and have fun.

I've found that a solid pre-shave gives me alot less irritation during the shave, generally resulting in a better, smoother shave result. I don't always use a pre-shave, though. Generally depends on how much time I have.

Does using olive oil or any oil for that matter have any negative effect on your badger-haired brush? If I am applying lather directly on my beard after I apply oil then the brush will come into direct contact with the oil. I thought I have read somewhere that this is not advisable for a quality brush.

Thanks.

Sorry, I'd like to try it but at my age and with a wife, three kids and two grandchildren, my body rejects anything titled "virgin".