Evening gentlemen,

Ok, I just finished my second shave with a straight. After I finished showering, I didn't dry my face, and before I lathered up, I actually re-wet my face with hot water. I lathered up real good and shaved, lathered up again and made another pass in the opposite direction. I rinsed with cold water and applied some Nivea after shave balm. I have no complaints about the shave-it's very close. But my skin feels very tight, irritated, and, according to my wife, red. Any idea what I can do to alleviate the irritation?

In the interest of thoroughness, I used a Hoffritz 5/8 round tip, stropped before use, of course, that was purchased through this forum and came shave ready. I'm also using bay rum sweet orange shave soap from the Gentleman's Quarter, and a Tweezerman badger hair brush.

I have an alum block, Proraso shave cream with wheat germ (the red tube designed for sensitive skin), Proraso pre-shave cream, and some Clubman's original after shave from ClassicShaving.com on their way to me in the mail.

Your guidance is much appreciate.

Chad.