Thread: The Best Way to shave top lip

Hi All,
New to using str8's but i can shave both sides of my face & most of my jaw.
moving onto throat & under the jaw(feels like i've been slapped with a bear claw but i'll get there as my technique improves) but for the life of me i can't even start the razor on my top lip, is there a stroke which is easier than others & i won't even mention my chin i'll save that for the very last.
Thanks for your input.......

check out the videos section for coupe de maitre.. or is that right? i'm unsure.. i'll try to find it and link.

Yep,
found it,does he actually keep his razor at 90 deg while he's scooping????, my razor wouldn't budge at that angle,or i should say i wouldn't budge when i felt it tugging & my razor is well sharp.I'm sure its just my technique but a few more close up videos of lip & chin shaving would be appreciated from you seasoned vets(i don't mean anything to do with animals,i know some of you would).

Thanks....

Yup, You start with the razor flat up against the bottom of your nose and twist it to an increasing acute angle as you bring it down your upper lip. It's daunting at first, but it's definitely doable. There is a reason it translates to "blow to the head," or something like that.

Coup de maître isn't that hard, really.

As long as you're paying attention to what you are doing there won't be anything to worry about.

Fool's pass is a different story though.

Hi Morty,

I'm fairly new to this myself, and YMMV, but I like to do a really light pass coming in from my cheek/under my eye at first. That makes the Coupe de Maitre a little easier for me.

Good luck and take it easy!

Hey Morty1, you're not alone. The upper lip shave was, and still sometimes is the part of my shave that I must approach with much caution. Buffering Strokes works best for my face, until I shave under my nose. What has worked for me is a steady pressure, steady speed WTG pass. YMMV.
As I became more confident, I started to see an auto reflex of ever so slightly curling my lip up (like a sneer) towards the razor to accompany the downward stroke of the blade. Good Luck.

Now I know why I love having a mustasche!

Yes I have a full mustache too so I've never actually had to do it though I've practiced the stroke many times. It easier if you have a smaller razor. If I had to do it I'd be using that 2/8s I have.

It is probably the most challenging area to shave though and not for beginners. Like has been said you start with the razor up to your nose and flat and it's really kind of an arcing motion kind of like your pushing mashed potatoes out of a deep bowl.

mustasche! mustasche! mustasche! I let mine grow I don't need to try and cut my upper lip off. I've had a mustasche every since I can remember with the exception of 13 weeks of Marine Corps Boot Camp . and I understand that they are no longer allowed to grow them any more.