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How long do you guys leave pre-shave oil on your face before you apply the lather?
1: Does it work better the longer it sits? (I would assume it does, but it also might disappear if left too long)
2: Should I apply it after I wet my face, or should I not wet my face at all?
I guess I'm really just looking for the correct way to use the oil. I haven't noticed any difference after using the oil. Any tips will be greatly appreciated.
When I first started straight razor shaving, I used pre-shave oil, but as I got more experienced with SR shaving, I tried different creams and found some that provide me the lubrication I need to help my razor glide across my face and soften my whiskers to get a good close shave. I also make sure my skin is moist with warm water rinses between passes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Firefighter2
To answer your question with my humble opinions based on my own experiences when I used to use the oil, I did not let it sit for long before adding the lather because the oil would actually start drying on my skin and even with the lather, it made shaving difficult. But that may not be the case for you. My best advice to you would be to try different lengths of time to see how it works out for you. You have nothing to lose, but you could gain a lot!
Remember, oil is lighter than water, so my speculation is that if you apply the oil to wet face, it might only sit on top of the water/moisture. My best advice is for you to try out different scenarios to see what works and what doesn't. What works for one person may not work another person.
Just my couple cents for what they are worth.
Good luck and let us know how you make out.
There are certainly two different schools of thought on this, but here is my take on the issue of oil for shaving. If it works for you then use it and enjoy it.
I was taught to wash my face thoroughly to get all of the oil off so that each whisker would be able to stand up better and get softer with hydration. If you cover the hair with oil, they will not hydrate and they might not stand up as well. Ever seen the Williams Lectric Shave commercial where all the whiskers stand up? Same thing in my mind.
Soap cuts oil as well so then you lather up with soap and scrub the oil off anyway. I believe that good preperation is the key here to get a good shave. Nothing like a hot shower or a steaming towel and a good lather on a clean face to get a great shave.
So that is my two cents worth and I hope that helps you.
Will N.
Well said/written.Quote:
Originally Posted by WillN
It's one of those things some folks really believe in and some simply don't. I tried it and it did nothing for me. I don't think leaving it on any length of time will do anything because it just sits on the face to provide lube. It doesn't penetrate into the beard.
If you use it make sure you wash your brush out really good. Oil build up on the brush will not help it hold water.
I was told that the longer you use it, the better it works. So, it's best to use it on a daily basis. Over time, it's supposed to have a commulative effect. Since it's oil, I guess on some level it must soften whiskers. Seems logical. I normally place a hot towel on my face, let the pores open up, and soften my beard somewhat, then I apply the pre shave oil. I rub it in really well, just 4 or 5 drops. I'll let it sit on my face while I prepare my lather. I guess I'd have to stop using it, to see if I'm missing anything. I get great shaves. No complaints.
Now, Castle Forbes makes a non oil based pre shave which they say is better....?
I have that Castle Forbes pre shave balm and I quite like it. I'm also trying a pre shave gel from Taylor, which seems to work extremely well. I've tried a couple of oil concoctions and they just didn't do the trick for me. .Quote:
Originally Posted by zib
All other things being equal (razor, shaving cream, brush) my skin becomes noticeably more irritated whenever I do not use pre-shave oil. I put it on right after heating the facial skin (towel or shower), and leave it while I prep the brush and lather, sometimes also while stropping. I do not wash it off prior to lathering, and have the impression that it combines very well with the T&H cream. I generally also use T&H oil, but have occasionally substituted - don't be shocked - Johnson's baby oil when out of the good stuff. Still works better than without.
My pre-shave routine involves a good cleaning in the shower and just before I get out, I put my face right up to the shower head and crank the heat up as high as I can stand it for as long as I can stand it. I love that ultra warm sensation. After I set out, I immediately dry my face and apply the pre-shave. Then I make my lather. Just before applying the lather, I hit my face with hot water from the sink (or a warm towel if I'm so lucky). Sometimes I reapply a bit of pre-shave between one of the passes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Firefighter2
Try a pre-shave balm if you can. They work better for me anyway.
Thanks for all the advice, everyone. It's looking like I'll have to experiment with the oil a bit more. It seems to work for just as many people as it doesn't work for.
I always steer away from pre-shave oils, I look for a pre-shave which is glycering based, like Trumpers Skin food or Castle Forbes Pre-Shave
Sam.
Agreed about oils. Castle Forbes is thus far my favorite pre shave as well. I've tried a pre-shave gel from Taylor of Old Bond Street and it works pretty nicely too.Quote:
Originally Posted by ShaveShack
I shave every day with straight razor, and I'm always use preshave oil. This is a recipe of your own based from the Hungarian shaving forum. The recipe: ~1,7fl oz castor oil, ~0,7fl oz glycerin, ~1fl oz extra virgin olive oil, and essential oil(s) to taste...
This is the best to me every day... :beer1:
eflatminor: The oil I have been using is Taylor Of Old Bond Street, it's the only one I have bought.Quote:
Originally Posted by eflatminor
You bet. For one, it's your shave, and everyone's face, skin, beard, and shaving techniques are all different. Good luck on the experimentation and let the forum know what the outcome is.Quote:
Originally Posted by Firefighter2
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by pmburk
I agree with this!
I suspect (and this is just a gut feeling) that pre shave oils will work better with a DE or a Cartridge razor then they will work with a SR but I have no basis other then my (admittedly limited) experience to back that statement up.
When I first started wet shaving, I was using the AOS pre shave oil, I found that with my old cart razor it made a difference, when I went to a DE, it seemed to help a bit but not as good as other methods, with the SR I find it actually makes it WORSE (My skin feels way more "Peeled" when I use the oil then when I don't, which granted may just be my crappy technique and not the oil but I digress) I have only used AOS oil with the SR, I did try a Trufeitt and Hill sample for the oil but only had a DE with me since I was travelling and needed to look my best (Still can't get great shaves with SR yet...)
After some experimentation, I find that the following works the best FOR ME :)
1) Prep my razor/scuttle, decide which soap/cream etc
2) Get into shower, wash face first thing then rinse with HOT water
3) Apply hair conditioner to beard area and let it sit while I wash rest of me/hair
4) Rinse off conditioner with more hot water and let face sit in the stream of HOT water for as long as I can stand it
5) After showering, do NOT dry face off
Then before I lather I rinse face in hot water again, shave and make sure to rinse with hot water inbetween passes,
Again this is what works for ME YMMV
Any thought about re-applying preshave oil for the ATG pass? I'm still bothered by some razor burn and wondering if this would help.
My thought would be to try, it cannot hurt. Sometimes I re-apply oil between passes, sometimes I don't.Quote:
Originally Posted by kleintax
I gave it a shot this morning and for a nice BBS shave, but still had a bit of burn. It was only my first try with re-applying (AOS unsented BTW). We'll see how it goes after a few more shaves. I am a noob after all.
Thanx
Thanks for bringing this up, it sounds like a good idea. I'll have to try it.Quote:
Originally Posted by kleintax
Pre shave OILS can gunk up your shaving brush.
Any opinions on using a preshave oil before a shave stick to make lather?
With this as it goes with any shave product you must give it time. When I test anything I will use it for at least two weeks. Results are about what it does for you long term. How does your skin feel like how does your beard react. Everyone is different. Per-Shave oil works great for some and others not. If your skin runs dry or your hair is very coarse a per-shave oil can help. The one thing about per-shave oil there is a reason it comes in a small amount use it sparingly. For those that need, it works well but the quality of the oil makes a difference. This really goes for any shaving product. Even shaving creams or soaps use them for at least two weeks before you make a conclusion see what it does to your skin. Shaving products are a kin care product you can not judge in one day or shave. If you buy a high quality product give it time to see how your skin reacts. You will see if it really is worth the money and more importantly does it work for you.
I should have been more specific. I use pre shave oil regularly. Generally tho I maker my lather in a scuttle then apply it on top of the oil and get great results. I am now interested in face lathering using sticks but wanted to know if I would have trouble mixing the two . Wondering weather or not the stick would even take given that I would have the oil on .
Thanks in advance
-Ben
I found that preshave oil had no effect on my shaves with a DE. However, with a SR, I find it gives me just enough lubrication to avoid the tugging and skipping caused by my newbie technique.
The best advice I can give is to try shaving with and without, and figure out whether it helps you or not. LeisureGuy (at sharpologist.com) advocates trying with for 1 week and then without for 1 week.
Be careful not use too much, especially if you are using a fairly thick oil like AoS or TT&H. I usually apply, strop, wet face, and apply lather. I've found that I can apply lather fairly quickly after ps oil (10 seconds or so) without much difference.