My sixth DE shave aka The gang that couldn't shoot straight?...

My sixth shave found me trying a sample of an all natural/organic head shave and facial soap from a company that requested not to be named. Since I was doing the head shaving. I decided to start in the shower with my head first and exit to do my face and return to do a full body cold rinse in the shower. Simple, nope!

I often ask myself this simple quest "what did you learn from your shave today?" It allows me to place my experiences and knowledge in perspective at the place that I am. It also allows me to decide if I'm in need of help i.e. asking forum members. But, the take a way from my sixth shave was simply this. One must have a clear knowledge of how to prep their software! The all natural/organic product was in two separate small plastic jars and had a profile of an old timey gentleman with a beard, but once I opened the product had the consistency of yogurt. I thought ok, I've seen this before it's brushless shave cream, not soap. That part I got right. It even smelled of citrus and all of the other fruity all natural/organic products-like rainbows and unicorns in the gumdrop forest. But, since none of us have ever seen a unicorn, the question such a siting brings up is "what do you do once you see them?" So, I dipped my finger into the larger jar that was specifically labelled head shave and rubbed it into my bald scalp, but I couldn't feel any lather building. I was so frustrated after some time I exited the shower and checked my scalp in a fogged up mirror (not a good sign).

I'd say the cream was no different than it was in the jar, so I applied a little more, and it was no better. This is where I continue as a newbie to have severe issues and that is how to prep/apply or use software as it's intended...so I can get to the shaving part. You screw that up and you've set yourself back 50% of the way and a good satisfying shave is damn near impossible. I re-entered the shower and proceeded to make three passes with a multi-blade razor. Please don't hiss and boo. I just realized that my skill level at six shave was not capable of handling a shower head shave. So while I needed my head shaved I should endeavor to set myself up for success and confidence building, so I concluded this was the best route until I had shave more and with more razors. left my head clean, but made me wonder if had just been lucky. Another issue as a newb was looking for the lather, but I've come to find that shave gels, creams and butters don't provide the traditional lather that I was expecting. Thus, the dilemma of how to use (prep/apply) each appropriately. While ok, there was something missing since the consistency of the lather was foamy milk and didn't cling to my scalp like I thought it would. I also didn't smell the floral and fruity bouquet after I finished the shave.

Upon finishing my head, I exited and grabbed the smaller jar of what appeared to be the same product. I dipped my finger and started to hand lather my face and was less impressed with the foam. The foam was thin and had small empty patches in the inner circles of where I tried to apply it on my face. I took extra care since there was less product on my face. Again, the shave was so so, even with the cold water. I had recently been gifted a new razor (Parker 22R) with my Personna blades. The Parker 22R which is gun metal grey and surprisingly heavy (both top and handle) was more aggressive than I expected. This was after researching the razor thoroughly by reading online reviews and watching multiple videos with experienced guys using it for the first time. The conclusion from all my research stated it was a great beginner's razor-which is why it was a gift. But, it had a couple of serious design flaws the weighty handle keep me preoccupied mentally as I couldn't shake it's possible effect on overall balance, the handle became very slick in a wet hand (I was clear the entire razor needed to be rinsed off ever two strokes). I wanted to like the Parker, but don't think it liked me. I left with a couple of nicks around the area between the corner of my lips and my chin (the goatee line) and very valid experience points. I was able to utilize my styptic and address those, also the full body cold shower didn't hurt.

Yeah, I regressed a little, but I was also moving up in weigh class i.e. trying different software and hardware without much experience. I am clearly realizing that all razors are built the same, all soap doesn't lather like you'd expect (which is why I know that guys have their favorites, but why they still try new and different soaps), also again, patience and practice.