Cold Water Prep

[Wayne1963]

Ok, you cold water preppers....just what is a cold water prep? Is is just a splash of water on your cheeks, is it laying cold cloths on your face? I never get an answer on this one. Please chime in.

[razorguy]

As I am a cold water shaver, a method I believe to give better results than warm water shave, I will write here what I do and the method I use. Of course, I am open to listen to all the criticism in the world about this, as well as listening to other gentlemen using this method.
I start by washing my face and neck with cold water and a good soap. Not just a splash, but a real washing and cleaning of the skin. This is very important, no matter you use cold or warm water: your skin, pores and whiskers must be clean. It is important because you need to remove sebum and fat from your skin, as well as sweat, especially in summertime.
After that, I wipe my face with a towel, after that, I spread cold water all over the area to be shaved - this could be a splash or using the brush - neck included. At this point, I start lathering my face and shave. That's it!

[Laurens]

I do like a cold water prep myself, but I have not noticed much of a difference between washing and just splashing. I splash my face with cold water until the sink is filled, leave my face wet while whipping up lather, splash again, lather up, strop my razor, lather again and start shaving. All in all, I think I use enough time (>5 minutes) for the water to soak and soften my whiskers.

[BobH]

I cold water shave only and do nothing that is normally considered a prep. Just load the brush with soap put the, at this point, thick soap on my dry face and rub it in with my fingers. Dip the tips in water and build lather on my face and shave. I don't rub the soap in on each succeeding pass just the first one. I guess you could consider the act of rubbing the soap in a prep in a way.

Bob

[bill3152]

I use cold water from the fridge. Soak the brush soap or creme from the fridge also. Cold water from tap washing of the face. I shave, then I have even used ice cube face rub after final rinse. Feels great but its not for everybody. Ice cube I used more when I used to get irritation. Not needed as I dont use alum either anymore.

[razorguy]

Oh yes! Ice cubes, too! It is a great post-shave treatment which I sometimes do.

[Phrank]

I cold water shave only and do nothing that is normally considered a prep. Just load the brush with soap put the, at this point, thick soap on my dry face and rub it in with my fingers. Dip the tips in water and build lather on my face and shave. I don't rub the soap in on each succeeding pass just the first one. I guess you could consider the act of rubbing the soap in a prep in a way.

Bob

I'm pretty much the same as this only I wet my face first.

Key to me was in the old shaving booklet posted, I use my fingers to thoroughly work the lather into my face, then apply another layer working the brush - then shave.

IMO, best shave you can get!!