Thread: upper lip - just under the nose

Originally Posted by jnich67

+1. X? We know you love to perform!

No video cam, sorry.

X

Well, this morning I tried a combination of the Coup de Maitre and a try at against-the-grain on the upper lip as pointed out above...using the free hand as support on the blade.

The Coup de Maitre was surprisingly easy and effective at getting the lip cleaner than I have been getting my old way. However, the counter-grain pass was very slow going and often had a lot of pulling. Part of this was time, I didn't work up a super-thick lather today. I stopped after one side since I was getting a very red lip which thankfully subsided quickly.

I can feel the difference - the one side is close to BBS, but the other has some stubble, although much less than normal for me. I caught some videos on youtube regarding wet shaving and I picked up yet more tips to get better lather. I'll put up the links if anyone's interested.

Thanks for the help here, guys.

I used to do the coup de maitre but have found a way that suits my own top lip area better.

First, I do a XTG pass from lateral to medial (face to midpoint under nose). I usually stretch the skin by my cheeks horizontally backwards (towards the ear). It's surprisingly effective.

Next I go ATG. I stretch by putting one finger at the corner of my mouth, just where the moustache growth stops naturally, and pull up towards my eye. Interestingly, this really makes the hair protrude even further and at an angle that points SE (on the left) and SW (on the right), so to go ATG I go upwards diagonally.

To avoid burn or red dots I find you need a very sharp blade (scary sharp) and minimal pressure. For sharp blades more pressure is needed and it tends to give me low-level burn.

I do own a cam and could video, but the facial contortions and stretching would give you guys ammo to rip the piss for months!

Originally Posted by majurey

To avoid burn or red dots I find you need a very sharp blade (scary sharp) and minimal pressure. For sharp blades more pressure is needed and it tends to give me low-level burn.

Exactly X's experience. (that's a triple X statement )

X

I shave in a straight line from the nose to the mouth, straight down. I put the razor up against my nose with the blade at the top of the lip area and the spine on the nose, so the blade is basically at 90 degrees. Then I lightly start shaving down, lowering the spine on my nose until I reach the 'proper' angle near the end of the stroke. Works for me, YMMV.