Conditioner OK?

[FarNorthAK]

So I've been shaving with a straight since January, typical newbie mistakes, trying to take on the the entire art at the same time. I recently sent out some razors to be sharpened by another member because I wanted to eliminate that variable. Got the razors back and shaved - nice but a bit razor burnt at the end - not good.

While I was showering I accidentally grabbed my wifes conditioner and instead of rinsing it off I massaged it onto my beard, felt good and was kind of like a pre-shave oil I thought. I shaved with one of the recently honed razors and dang, it was smooth, so smooth I shaved again the next day because my face felt so good! Prior to this I had to wait a day between shaves

The conditioner really prepped my beard well. I've also recently found my rythm with the hones and honed up a smiling blade Torrey. Shaved with it this morning and WOW, first BBS shave!!!

I have a couple places that are bowl shaped on my neck and it was like the whiskers just fell off!!

So I shower and use a bowl that is big and kept warm for my lather as I shave, but the conditioner so far is the best prep I've found. Does anyone else do this? I almost feel like I'm cheating??

[12stones]

The last time I went to a real barber shop, they used an organic hair conditioner on my face that was fantastic and had a great cooling effect. I haven't thought of it in a beard prep kind of way, but that might just be a good idea.

[theworldover]

I do it! It works on the top of your head, why not on your beard too?

Check this out: YouTube - Preparing For A Shave

[TonyJ]

Yes, I'm using a conditioner and like it very much too.
No cheating at all. Only thing what matters is that you get your whiskers off comfortably and enjoy your day.

[Disburden]

I haven't had any success with conditioner on my face, unfortunately. What usually happens is it mats down my facial hair and makes it more elusive for the razor to grab well. Weird how it works for a lot of guys, but not for me. Maybe it's the brand I have in the shower at the moment.

What I find works the best is just rubbing in the lather on my face with my fingers (After the brushing) and then apply the hot towel. Using your fingers really cakes the lather in the hairs.

[gregs656]

I have done it once or twice, I didn't get any wow factor, but I will probably do it again when I remember.

[Rajagra]

Somebody gave a list of conditioner ingredients that make for a great pre-shave treatment. But what I'd really like is a list of brands that do the job well. I'm not organised well enough to print out the good ingredients and scan through the conditioners in a shop.

Edit> This may be the list I was thinking of.
Edit2> Aha! This is the real one.

[sebell]

I haven't tried conditioner before, but perhaps I'll give it a
go...

- Scott

[FarNorthAK]

After thinking about my pre-shave process and the results I have achieved before I used the conditioner ( It's an Aveda brand ) I think I see why it helps me.

My old process:

1. I take my hot shower, bathroom door closed. Good and steamy.
2. Massage face with hot water
New: 2a. Massage conditioner into beard.
3. Get out, build my lather
4. Lather up and start shaving.
5. First pass is usually pretty decent.

It's the second and/or third that my blade would skip and I know my face is in no condition to shave.

I know many who lather up and use a hot towel and then re-lather. For me, I don't want to take the time to let my face soak under a towel for 1-5 min. The conditioner seems to keep my face/whiskers soft enough to just lather and shave and then repeat without that sticky/skipping problem. I tried using pre-shave oil between passes, but it just ruined my lather.

I imagine if I had a better lather/hot towel/lather system like others I may have gotten better shaves sooner...but I like being able to skip some of the prep and get to the fun part...Sliding a blade across my face that could easily remove an ear or chunk of lip before I ever felt it!

For me, just adding the conditioner has made me a very happy guy! Cheers to finding whatever works eh?

[BHChieftain]

I haven't had any success with conditioner on my face, unfortunately. What usually happens is it mats down my facial hair and makes it more elusive for the razor to grab well. Weird how it works for a lot of guys, but not for me. Maybe it's the brand I have in the shower at the moment.

What I find works the best is just rubbing in the lather on my face with my fingers (After the brushing) and then apply the hot towel. Using your fingers really cakes the lather in the hairs.

Do you rinse the conditioner off or leave it on?