Thread: shaving BEFORE showering?

I know this goes against conventional wisdom, but what person who uses a straight razor is really conventional anyway?!

The other night I needed a shave, but didn't necessarily need a shower, so I just splashed my face with plenty of hot water, and got to shaving... with great results. I am thinking there may be something to the fact (for my face at least) that stiffer whiskers cut more cleanly than saturated ones. I'm going to experiment with shaving before I shower in the morning. This way, any nicks or minor irritation from shaving should be soothed by the shower, and washing my face after the shave. Get out of the shower and apply some balm/moisturizer... this could work.

Andrew

*hrm ... glad it's him and not me*
I look forward to hearing the gory details!

X

I often do this as well, not sure about the value though. I think if you use a shave oil that would help, both before (just because) and after because your replacing the oil that you lost in the shower. I also have a small hot water heater, so it's either a shower and a shave with cool water or a shave with hot water. I still think after the shower is a little better though. From my experiments. Good thing about your approach is you have time to assess missing a spot and your face is hydrated after you get out. Lots of guys shave at night as well, which makes sense too.

I think it all depends on the kind of beard you have. I've found that for me it doesn't matter if I shave before or after showering but since I usually use a hot towel that probably is the equal of the heat in the shower. The only thing is, as I understand if you incurr any irritation in shaving the cold water and aftershave- witchhazel routine will help but if you first go in a hot shower it might make it worse. if you nick yourself the hot water in the shower will not help the bleeding.

I think it does depend upon your beard. I shave after I shower and I think it works better for me.

Well, the shave went just fine (no nicks or irritation) but it wasn't as close as after showering. I think there is definitely some truth when people say it helps to give your face/beard a little time to "wake up" before shaving. I think this is why my shave last week, when I shaved at night without showering before-hand worked so well. Waking up first thing in the morning, and not doing proper beard prep is just too much to ask. I do notice, though, that I don't have quite as much irritation this morning, as I sometimes have otherwise. Being in the shower after shaving provides all that extra moisture that just can't be captured by splashing your face with water after shaving. The other potential unknown in this equation is I was using a razor that I had just honed and was testing. There's a chance the razor itself isn't sharp enough yet, though I think it probably is. I'll have to shave with it again after showering to really see where it's at. On weekdays, I will continue to shower first, then shave. But on Saturdays, I may just shave at night.

One other thing. I wake up at 5:30 a.m. and was still pretty groggy when raising the blade to my face. Showering first certainly wakes me up and allows me to be more alert... which is a good thing. Yeah, I don't think I will be repeating this experiment.

Andrew