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How do you shave thick short stubble?

M

MegaMillions

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 1, 2009
243
0
I have a very thick beard, and normally I wait about a week between shaves, so that the stubble has reached a length that makes it "bendable" and much easier to shave painlessly. To get a close shave I like to go against the grain.

However, it's only been growing for 2 or 3 days right now, and I need to be clean shaven for tomorrow. I know that if I try to shave it as it is it'll be extremely irritable and painful. How do you shave when you've got extremely tough, extremely short, extremely thick stubble, and you want to be totally clean shaven?
 
Ahem.. FIRE DA LAZER!!! sorry couldn't resist but is suggest just manning up and shaving. You are only going to need to do this once for the job so man up and shave with some good cream w/ some aloe vera. the AV should help with the pain aspect of it.
 
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I have the same thing. I alway shave first with the grain to get the bulk off, then against the grain to get what's left.

It's not the most comfortable, but it does work better that way. And decent shaving creme is a must.
 
rdowns said:
Just shave after you shower. Beard will be nice and soft.
Click to expand...

A very hot steamy shower will open up the pores and soften your face. It will be easier then.

This may sound weird, but I also use a set of clippers, yeah like you would shave your head with. I use the lowest (closest) setting to take off all of the big stuff, going against the grain. Then I use my electric to finish off what's left. It's less wear and tear on the electric and makes it much easier. I hate to shave and I'm always looking for a faster better way.
 
+1 hot shower.

also dont always shave against the grain. it might be ok with short growth for a clean shave but you will get ingrown hair i.e. red bumps with longer growth. my facial hair grows upwards at the bottom of my neck and so if i dont shave it up i get red bumps.

try shaving the short stubble sideways maybe :confused:
 
rdowns said:
Just shave after you shower. Beard will be nice and soft.
Click to expand...

I always shave after I shower, AND assist the process with a steaming hot washcloth during shaving, to keep the face hot and soft. But when my stubble is as short as it is right now, it's still really tough to shave.

I can try the "with the grain then against the grain" method, but it seems like going first with the grain causes it to get too short to then cut the remainder against the grain. My whole problem is that it's not LONG enough to shave against the grain. If it grew for 2 or 3 more days, I just shave against the grain no problem.
 
I tend to have that problem, where I need at least a couple days in between blade shaves or else my neck turns into a red bump colony. I shave with an electric during the week. The key to an electric is you have to shave with it every day. If the hairs get too long, then the electric has a hard time pulling the hairs into the screen and you're making too many passes over the same spot.
 
Here's the solution:

Don't shave after your shower; shave in the shower. You might not think it, but it makes a HUGE difference. Your face stays much wetter and you get a much more comfortable shave.

Quit shaving only once a week and start shaving every day. Pick one day a week - mine is Saturday - to give your face a "day off," and don't shave that day.

I use gel, some use lather. Either way, you need a really wet face and a thin layer of gel/lather. You also need a relatively new blade; I get about two weeks out of a blade.

Use several short strokes going with the grain of the hair, rinse the blade, then several short strokes going against the grain to make it baby's-arse smooth.
 
assuming you have conventional mach-3 type razor and lower end shave cream or gel:

1. very hot shower. clean yourself normally, but when you condition your hair, also condition your stubble generously. let the conditioner sit for a few minutes before rinsing off.

2. while still in the shower, lather your face vigorously and really rub the cream/gel into your face. then shave with the grain, lightly. you will not remove all the hair.

3. then relather and shave again more carefully to touch up.

having said all that, the best way is to get a badger brush, some real shaving soap or luxury shave cream, and a new razor and do it old skool. pretty sure there is a thread on the forum about this somewhere.
 
I have the same problem. I usually have a beard, so its not a problem but when I do shave.....

Hot shower, use a good hair conditioner on your face to further soften up your stubble.

Do not dry your face when you get out of the shower. Quickly towel off the rest of your body and start lathering up.

Use a good shave cream. HINT: nothing that comes in a can qualifies as good. Try Proraso. A decent shave brush is also quite important.

Use a good, sharp blade. I'm talking a safety or straight edge here. I like a safety DE razor with a Feather blade. Know how to use it or you will get cut/ irritated.

Splash with cold water when you're done and use a good after shave like the one from Proraso.
 
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