Thread: I think I have the worst beard/skin combo...

Update: I just had the best shave I think I have ever had. I decided to go out on a limb and try a technique I have seen but been to skeptical to try considering the issues I have with ATG shaving. I went against the grain on the first pass, and I had pretty dang good results, especially on the neck. I had about 2.5 days growth, and used my normal prep as discussed earlier. The hair was nice and soft, probably because of the longer growth, and the razor did not stick like it normally does. I am not sure if this is something that is repeatable throughout the week since my shaves seem to deteriorate due to irritation and really tough/short stubble later in the week, but that gets me thinking. Maybe ATG first pass on the neck works better since the skin is fresh, and un-irritated from the WTG and XTG passes? I will have to see what happens tomorrow I suppose. The results were not as good on the cheek and chin areas however. It still worked like a charm, and got me BBS results, but with more irritation on the chin and cheeks. The jaw line continues to be an issue as well, as I have a very defined jaw line that is hard to maneuver the razor through. I might just have to stick with a WTG on the chin and jaw line and finish those areas with the DE until my skills improve.

Always like to hear progress. Just checking, are you doing a cold water lather and a cold water shave? What I have found recently is at no other time than at the start of a shave is the edge at it's sharpest. Decided to start with the toughest area first (toughest to get a good shave and toughest hair), my neck. I go AGT and then WTG before I tackle the rest of my face. Dang, but I've been getting very, very good results. Alum block reveals only the slightest of irritation, if any, and the last cold water rinse is close to Nirvana.