Thread: Shaved off moustache, have issues with upper lip.

Originally Posted by BobW

I was wondering if these discussions could cause buying sprees on items discussed. This little Dovo may become scarce. I have spent so many $ the last couple of months on shaving gear that another hundred would probably get the wife going about budget, etc. I would bet that issue alone could get a whole new thread going.

Does seem the upper lip is a common concern. I can see a need, if the smaller wedges really do work on the upper lip, to use two razors for a shave. A smaller wedge for the lip and the 6/8 hollow or whatever larger size a guy likes on the rest of the face.

Would that be going too far with the shave???

Meh, I don't think you need more stuff. Just practice a bit more and if you can't do it in a few months, then maybe you can consider getting something. I really think you'll figure that area out soon enough.

Yes, my upper lip and chin are tough areas to tackle, too. In my case, I think it has more to do with the density of the beard, not the thickness of the individual hairs.

My solution, if I have the time and motivation, is to do a "two and a half pass" shave. This is a three-pass shave (WTG, XTG, ATG) on my upper lip and chin, and a two-pass shave (WTG, ATG) on the rest of my face. When I do the ATG pass on my upper lip, I hold the razor blade with one hand and the tang/handle with the other. This gives me enough control to get the blade very close to my nose without concern.

I too had problems with the stach at first, but with short strokes, puffing out the lip, and taking my time with the razor, I've gotten bbs shaves every time so far. The only place I'm having problems right now is crease in the neck, and occasional razor burn. Otherwise, short strokes will help everytime. Also, like baseball, I've found if you choke up on the razor you will get more control as well.

Originally Posted by BobW

I shaved my moustache off a few of days ago (had it for years) and I have had a harder time shaving the upper lip than I thought I would. It seems that the whiskers are thicker on the upper lip than the rest of my face. I do the usual passes of with, across and against (very gently) the grain but the razor seems to pull and drag at the whiskers where the stache was (especially across and against the grain) instead of reducing them smoothly the way it does on the rest of the beard.
I have been shaving with the straight for about 6 weeks now (still a noob) but no problems on the rest of the face, even the neck. The razor is a Dovo Best purchased from SRD and alternated every other day with the Progress DE. Maybe about 20 shaves so far.
Could the razor be getting dull already or do I need to change how I shave the upper lip? I do a thorough pre-shave prep. I strop without pressure, with both the woven fabric side (X25) of SRD's strop and the leather side (X50). I do not use paste on the strop. I am a little stumped. Just more practice or what? Thoughts or suggestions?

I'll make an educated guess that after a long time of not shaving that upper lip is tender and has to adapt to a daily shave.

I have extra coarse wiskers on my upper lip, and chin areas.

For my upper lip, I use an ATG (S-N) stroke - BUT the razor has to be super sharp. ALSO, I have to make a XTG stroke first. After the XTG stroke, the lip feels 90% as smooth - but still looks a bit stubbly (maybe it's big pores / thick wiskers ???)

Also, it took me 3-4 months of daily shaves before I had the skill to to ATG on the lip without the razor just getting "stuck" &/or causing rash-like irritation &/or weepers at the corners of the mouth.

So for now, I'd recommend sticking with WTG until it looks as good as an electric shave (ie: all short stubble, with no wiskers twice as long as other stubble). Then spend another month perfecting the XTG technique.

Here's the best video of the XTG technique on the upper lip I've found:
YouTube - Chimensch's Shaving Video