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I've been trying various pre-shave oils (even made my own from Grapeseed, JoJoba, and Olive oil) and have not found them very useful when using a straight razor. I do think pre-shave oils helps a Safety razor glide more smoothly, but I've stopped using pre-shave oils with my straights.
I'm interested to know how many of you find pre-shave oils useful. Please vote for the answer that best reflects your practice!
I use regular old Noxzema in the blue tub for pre-shave. Has worked well for me so far.
Sorry, I was slow in getting the poll up. Please vote! I swear Proraso seems just like Noxzema....
I have used D.R. Harris, but I now use some AoS preshave oil That I find really useful adds a nice smoothness to the shave. I feel that with preshave oil I rarely get razor burn at all in in my trouble spots. But as stated in a previous thread sometimes i may be using too much.
I find that the oils leave a film on the sink whitch needs to be washed,I also find that leave in hair conditioner works just as well if not better.
I use the Paul Mitchell,JMHO
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by Nix
I started doing more prep; i.e. hot towel, repeat, Proraso, hot towel over that, then brush, and finally shave. The various pre-shave oils I've tried over the years have all, IMHO, been lacking.
I'm more of a 'No; never; but I do know what it is I just don't like it personally.' I've tried it a few types but it just doesn't float my boat and never gets used anymore. Like Grizzley I always found it just stuck the whiskers to the sink in a film making it harder to rinse away. I didn't vote as there doesn't seem to be the right option for me!
I like to use it but don't see much of a difference between using and not, now that I have some mile on my tires. When I want to really take my time and treat my self I use it but on a day to day basis I don't really use it to frequently.
i use the hair conditioner when im in the shower and soon as i get out i use procaso pre-shave cream. I tried oils and didnt like them.
You forgot one important choice, those who have used it and don't like it.
That's where I am. I tried several years ago and didn't like them. They did nothing for me.
Perhaps I should have used different punctuation: No/never/don't know what it is/don't need to buy anything else. The first option is really just meant to be a "Never use it" option.
I have tried various oils and pre-shaves. To eliminate any variables, I would use the same soap/razor setup. ALL the equipment and prep was the same. Tried Olive oil, AOS pre-shave, hair conditioner, and proraso pre-post creme. The proraso is my hands down favorite and I use it without fail for every shave. Theseus gave me a thought, I would like to try the Noxema. But for now, I would suggest using whatever you find works the best for you!
I always put 2 drops of musgo real oil over the top of my proraso pre/post. I like it.
This thread has got me thinking!! I used to use oil a year or two ago but didn't see any great benefits. I am now wondering.......there are other practices that I have abandoned but later on gave another go at and found to work better than I had thought at the time! So maybe it is time to have another crack at the preshave oil.
I will let you know tomorrow.
I put down "most of the time" category. I'm so new, I can't tell if it makes it better or not! I still cut myself no matter what I do, ahhh, such is life - a learning opprtunity for those who take it.
I have tried only 1 pre shave oil
Found it seemed to kill the lather a bit
Asked questions on the forum
Found my chosen brand was not too highly thought of for its performance
Now I am using a hair conditioner for pre shave treatment
It seems to do a good job for me
A couple of times I have tried the oil again
Sad to say same result happened
So I am not a fan of it at this time
I didn't use it before, the last two weeks I've been using it, and it seems to help me. Less iritation and the shave is a tad smoother. Maybe it's also because I started to use different (nivea bar) soap for washing my face twce a day and more regular use of moisturising creams, to which I add a drop of the pre-shave oil (St. James of London, good stuff). It works for me, but really only one drop out of the dispenser and plenty of water on my face, otherwise it starts messing with my lather.
there are so many options in pre shave prep that it is burdensome trying to use them all, but I do find oil to be beneficial for me. It seems to make the blade glide more smoothly over my skin and results in a closer shave for me. It is a bit messy though so I don't use it as much as I might otherwise.
Well, I use each of the pre-shave options on a daily basis, but unfortunately have never had enough time to get to the shave - on a daily basis, but I fervently hope to be able to get to it soon as this alternatley greasy, oily, or soap encrusted 3 foot beard is about to become a tripping hazard.
I voted most of the time when using a straight, but actually I use a cream, rather than an oil...
Seems in the spirit of the idea.Quote:
Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider
Anyone surprised by the results? I thought there would be more frequent use of pre-shave oils/creams.
NOPE, I find that the hair conditoner works much better,and it seems that a few others use it also,try it you'll be suprised.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nix
Proraso pre-shave is hard to beat.
That's exactly what I would have voted for too.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
I use Truefett & Hill pre shave oil , Love the stuff . Like one wise senior member told me "be sure to wash it of your hands before you pick up your razor"
I use Proraso preshave cream; I have never used oils and honestly I see no need for it; matter of fact I stay away from them since it could interfere with the soaps I use and create slippery fingers (not good when handling a straight razor)HOG
When I first started straight shaving 9 months ago, I loved the stuff. However, the further along I get, the less and less noticeable the use of the oil becomes. I find that a more thorough pre-shave prep and increased skill in shaving technique have a far greater impact that the use of a single product such as an oil. When I do use it, baby oil is the cheapest way to go!
Big C
I use a pre-shave prep whenever my beard is getting a little too course for my tastes. I do find that a good Virgin Olive Oil rub right after the shower allows me enough extra time to take care of all the other little chores needing to be done before the actual 'shave' begins. I don't use it daily, but I do when I don't trust the razor I am about to shave with, just as a precaution. If the razor pulls or tugs, I find that an oil or cream pre-shave helps with the inevitable razor burn. As time has gone one, and my technique has improved, two things have changed:
1. I don't even mess with a tugging razor anymore, keep two at hand for all shaves, if I don't like one, grab another and keep going.
2. The only benefit seems to be with a longer whisker than simple stubble. The longer the whiskers to be cut the more I seem to benefit from a pre-shave oil.
Otherwise, like many here have stated, a good conditioner in the shower works just as good. However, if I can't shower before my shave, then a good rub helps, even if it is just psychological.
Good thread, interesting... Makes you think some.. :)
M
I use a combination of Noxzema 2oz jar, and 8 to 10 drops of: 1. Glycerine 2. Tea Tree Oil 3. Grapeseed Oil 4. Almond Oil . It's a very nice mix that I use daily as a preshave.
Prior to shaving with a straight razor I used it religiously with a DE. I still shave my head with a DE and cannot imagine shaving my without it.