Setting up the wife for failure...

Yesterday morning my wife decided to give it a go on her legs with my Shavette (I am currently saving for RAD/HAD). Here is the scenario:
45 minutes to get out the door to head to church, she jumps into the shower. I just put a brand new Astra blade in (which I had yet to use that brand). She has not been browsing the forums but listened to my advice and decided to start off ATG anyway. While she showered I set up a huge bowl of lather and kept it warm with a candle. She did pretty well even though she was in a hurry, had a brand new blade, and disregarded hair REDUCTION and went with a single ATG pass. Only one major cut that a few minutes with a Band-Aid cleared up and a few minor nicks at the ankles. Even she knew she was going too fast when she cut herself. I thought about trying to get some appropriate, classy photos of her in action but decided against it. Maybe I can get her hooked on straight shaving too, or at least using a DE!

Wow. She is much more brave than I am. I'm still new at this too (only 1 month.) I'm a firm believer that "slow and steady wins the race." I take my time. So far I do the larger areas like parts of the thighs and calves with a straight and the rest with a cartridge. I figure as I gain more skill and confidence I'll increase the amount I shave with a straight and decrease the use of cartridges. When I shave I try to allow myself plenty of time when I'm not in a hurry and I warn people not to distract me. I've not tried it when I'm on a schedule because I don't want to have to explain any cuts. I always try to shave the night before. I still don't do ATG that much at least not on the curvy bits. It depends on how brave I'm feeling. Sounds like your wife is off to a better start than I am. LOL

Congrats to both of you and I hope that she'll decide to join us. Don't hesitate to ask for help. :)

Very nice coach, sounds like you may have some competition for your razors :) Great job at introducing your wife to the benefits of wet shaving. Let us know if we can help in any way.

Alas my wife won't even come near a DE let alone a C-T. Yes, I know. I'm really lucky I won't have to up-keep two razors at a time instead of one :D.


Mick

I know how you feel, Mick. My husband is terrified of straight razors and begs me not to use them. He is totally convinced that I'm going to nick myself and bleed to death. I have a feeling that only time is going to reassure him that it isn't so.

Lori

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CarrieM

Very nice coach, sounds like you may have some competition for your razors :) Great job at introducing your wife to the benefits of wet shaving. Let us know if we can help in any way.

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I asked her opinion last night (36 hours since the shave) if she is still interested. Her reply was, "We'll see, if I stay smoother longer I might keep it up. But if I don't see a big enough difference I don't see why I would take the extra time to shave with the straight." However, there seemed to be no irritation! Well, if straight shaving isn't for her, she is willing to try the DE!
Thanks all,

There's more to it than just smoothness though. Like I get hairs growing under the skin. My skin is fair but the hair is dark so it's still visible right through the skin which is kind of embarrassing. It looks like I haven't shaved when really I have. Straights are supposed to help with that too. The way it was explained to me straights cut off the hair right at the surface of the skin. Cartridges and disposables pull the hair up and then cut it off so that the hair winds up under the skin. When it grows again it doesn't necessarily continue growing out of the follicle so it might make an ingrown hair instead. I'm sort of the same mind as your wife though, "So far so good." I'm just a few shaves in but so far I'm happy with the results.

Lori

hot water good soap and lite pressure with the razor and all should be good

Well after three shaves I think I have her convinced. The shaves last much longer but of course it takes longer too. Bikini line developed razor burn (which happens with a cartridge too), but that area was done as an afterthought. The prep in that area was lacking: she took a shower, shaved her legs which took 45 minutes, and then lathered up the bikini area and let it sit for a couple of minutes before shaving. Luckily she did just go for "reduction of hair" rather than smooth. I will have her try better prep and to keep the skin wet!

Yep, bikini area is always sensitive. Good job on the legs though. I'm so glad she's enjoying her "new" legs. :)

Lori

in sensitive area's its best to use a shaving soap with glycerin in it

Hmmm, the bikini area has (usually) slightly curly hairs. If you shave too close, you get ingrown hairs. Concerning that area, I believe there is a special shaving cream for it, supposedly it is great for sensitive skin and ingrown hair.

Yeah, she went for reduction rather than smooth so hopefully to avoid the bumps. But her prep was off so we will need to start there.