How to get a close and clean shave

[saymyname]

Okay, so I'm almost 23 and up until recently facial hair upkeep has not been a challenge for me. Other than growing a bit of a beard once in a while, I like to mostly keep my face smooth. But lately it's become more difficult. My hair is black so when the facial hair grows in, it's really visible.

Here is my normal shaving routine, which isn't working as nice as I'd like:

- Hot shower
- Shaving cream (I let it set for a minute or a couple of minutes)
- Razor
- Moisturizer

this works just okay, and makes me smooth for the day, but there's 2 problems: I can only do this kind of shave once every couple of days. It's hard on my skin. I couldn't shave my neck, jaw and above the lip like that every day... the hair grows just enough that it's only appropriate for that kind of shave ever 2-3 days. Which means that usually I have some stubble. The other problem is that in order to get really close, I have to go over the areas more than once on the neck, which results in some razor burn.

For above the lip, on the days when I don't do a razor shave, I just use an electric razor every morning. This is becoming increasingly pointless, as it just stubs the hair and makes it look like I have a 5 oclock shadow all the time. I find that electric razors don't even really shave, they just buzz off the hair, but it's still there, and if you have black hair it's still visible.

The only time in the last few months when I ever got a REALLY perfect clean shave was when I stopped shaving for a month (I grew a beard and a stache) and then finally shaved... it was soooo smooth. But I'm not sure why.

So, does anyone have some advice? Should I switch razors more often, like once a week? Shave against the grain more? What do you do when there's not enough hair to warrant a razor shave but enough to use electric, even though electric might not make it look the best?

 

[saymyname]

Wow, 200 views and no replies? Don't any of you guys care about the art of a good shave?

 

[gr82talk2]

Look for info on the net. I would and do use fusion razors and shave gel.don't like electric razors don't really do much for me. I shave everyother day , andi shave wit and against the grain.

 

[Corny]

Wow, 200 views and no replies? Don't any of you guys care about the art of a good shave?

actually: nope

 

[Nomenclature]

Mach 3 razors are really good, but straight razors are the best shave you can get if you want to bother with those.

Wash your face with hot water (not TOO hot) and soap, then while your face is still wet, apply the shaving cream. You want to do this in an upward motion, so it gets between all the hairs rather than just sitting on top. Allow this to sit in your beard for 3-5 minutes in order to soften the hair. Run your razor under hot, steaming water. Apply one or two drops of shaving oil to the blades, and shave WITH the grain, rinsing after every pass. Then, lather up again and do it AGAINST the grain.

Wash any residual shaving cream off, pay try and moisturize. I'd recommend Gillette aftershave lotion.

It might sound "girly", but you can also exfoliate your face a couple of times a week (not every day); this will give you a MUCH closer, smoother shave and will help prevent breakouts. Use either a mild exfoliant with salicylic acid in it, or simply add a little bit of baking soda to your regular face soap and scrub.

Keep your face properly moisturized, especially after you exfoliate. You don't have to overdo it and you certainly don't have to use girly Juniper Raspberry stuff. Companies like Gillette are actually beginning to manufacture moisturizers and shave kits designed specifically for guys.

 

[Hello-Good-Bi]

I'm obsessed with getting a good shave! Here's another thread about shaving you might want to take a look at.

 

[saymyname]

I'm obsessed with getting a good shave! Here's another thread about shaving you might want to take a look at.

That thread was great! Thanks a lot. Very interesting... someone suggested using real shaving cream (the old fashioned way) and not the stuff from a can - maybe I'll try that.

Nomenclature - I didn't realize you could do one round with the grain and one round against... I thought that you should never go over the same patch of skin twice and that that is what causes razor burn. Or is it never go over the same patch twice in the same direction?

 

[bostonboy20]

I gotta say...I've been using Kiehl's Brushless Shave Cream...get's a really close, smooth shave, I use a Gillette Fusion razor as well.

 

[justsimon]

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/

 

[weaponx]

being a wheelchair guy like I am, I find it extremely hard to shave well. So I'd hope there are guys out there that would see fit to shave and prepare someone like me.

 

[borg69unimatrix]

I shave my head, face, neck, and balls... daily.

I do it while taking a shower, and without any shaving cream or soap... they irritate my skin and make me break out where I shave. Running water works well enough for me as a shaving lube, and it's good to rinse your razor out OFTEN while you're shaving - otherwise you're just pushing the cut hairs back into your pores.

I too, go with the grain to get the bulk of the hair off, then against the grain.

When you get out of the shower, use a good moisturizer. (Most of them make me break out, so I use a thin layer of Vaseline).

I use cheap double bladed Bic Razors.

I think the key is, you HAVE to do it daily in order to condition your skin to get used to the 'abuse'. If I have a lazy weekend and don't shave, by the time I do, it's painful hell.

Also, for me personally, I HATE starting a new razor... I prefer them on the 'old' side. New razors make me break out in razor burn, and I knick myself more the first few days of a new razor.

 

[Paul19]

If there is a store by the name of "The Art of Shaving" go there for help. They have great stuff, shave sets, good razors. Pricey,but worth the money I use a brush and shave soap on my wet warm face, a good razor thats new and sharp, should last you a week to 10 days, then get a new sharp razor.. I shave against the grain to start then with to finish. I rinse after, then moisturize. A sharp razor will cut your beard very close, so use a good brand, and throw away the blades just as they are getting dull.. Dont go over the face more than twice or the blades will cut the skin off ur face and give u razor burn.

 

[guyfromNY]

I have never been able to get a good shave on my neck. The rest of my face is totally fine with no irritation, but for some reason, my neck always has those little red irritation marks. I considered trying a straight razor but it just scares the hell out of me. That is one of the reasons everyone had beards before the safety razor was invented... It's just too damn scary.

 

[AlmondMilk]

It might sound "girly", but you can also exfoliate your face a couple of times a week (not every day); this will give you a MUCH closer, smoother shave and will help prevent breakouts. Use either a mild exfoliant with salicylic acid in it, or simply add a little bit of baking soda to your regular face soap and scrub..

I've read to exfoliate before shaving...Well, since I also shave every 2 to 3 days, I'd be taking your advice anyway.

 

[looseliam]

For a night-out, I will use a straight razor. But the way I use it works well with a normal razor. I prefer the mach3 turbo when not using a cutthroat.

I make sure I soften the bristle with a hot shower or a towel with hot tap water - the hottest I can tolerate.

Get a good lather going with the shaving cream of your choice.

Let the blade do the work - don't press too hard, let it glide.

First pass is with the grain, parallel to the face. Reapply lather.

The second pass is at a 30-45 degree angle. Again, letting the razor do the work.

The third pass will be against the grain, parallel to the face. The key to this last step is keeping the skin taught in the area you're shaving. Work in small areas.

Splash a bit of water and work with the lather on your face to feel for any spots you may have missed.

And don't forget to trim those nose hairs!