Thread: Pre-Shave Oil

I use Enjoy brand hair and skin oil it doesn't affect my lather and I think it helps I will also use it as an ASB. I like that it absorbs well into my skin and I just rub my hands in my hair to get the residue off.

I used T&H pre-shave oil a few times and didn't see much difference. Then, I tried Stephan's Conditioning Shaving Creme (not a lathering creme) and washed that off before my regular lather and it worked wonders ...Smooth sailing with this creme. You can even leave it on and lather on top for a smoother shave. The blade just glides over. I tell you T&H is ~$45 for 4oz and Stephan's was ~$3.40 for a 15oz tub...a no brainer. Downside: Stephan's smells too tropical for me

-Robert

I've been using Truefitt and Hill and it works very nicely and I like the scent. However, after I finish the T and H (a bit expensive), I'll make my own pre-shave.

I have the Bigelow oil. It helps reduce cuts, but is a little "oily".

One of the issues with preshave oils (to me) is that they tend to vary in 'slipperiness', if you will. Good shaving soaps and creams generally have a glycerine or other base to fcilitate the movement of the edge across the skin more easily.

I like to use "Cremo Creme" - a shave cream formulated just for straight shaving - as my PRE-shave cream (instead of oils, althugh I still use those sometimes, too) - applied by hand and rubbed into the hair.

Then I just use the brush to apply the shaving soap right over the top of it, and let me tell you - the things glides easily!

The cream pre-shave sets-up the hairs well, and then the soap causes them to swell and soften even more, making short work with even a moderately sharp blade!

The three biggest issues, I believe, are:

1) Beard prep, and more beard prep
2) Sharp blade, used with halfway decent technique (skin stretching, etc)
3) Practice, practice, practice. (Face 'mapping')

Each of us learns a different art - the one that works for us!

Best -

I use a shave oil most of the time. Especially on my neck and chin. I have used the Anthony logistics, Aesop, Nancy Boy and Musgo Real oils. All good.
It can gunk up a brush over time. That is your reason to clean your brush or buy another one to rotate out. It does make your hands slippery so you have wipe them down prior to grabbing anything sharp. Experiment and see what works best for you.
Have a nice day
MIke

I use shave oil once in a while, I have one thats menthol and I like the scent. It does do a nice job of softening the wiskers but it kinda kills the lather on my face and that I dont like. But if I didnt have it I dont think I'd miss it