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How do you shave (your face)??

Abstract said:
, and what does an "ingrown hair" look like?
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It is a hair that has grown under the surface of the skin but not though it. If you check out your calves you'll probably find a feww. Usually you have to carefully pull them out with tweezers by gently scraping away some of the skin that is over top of them. Just don't do it right before a date :p
 
yellow said:
I rather surprised no one has weighed in with the obligatory "I'm so tough, I shave with a piece of broken glass over a puddle in an alley" post yet..
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Real men don't need a puddle. :)
 
Just to add another dimension to the conversation: shaving with a razor when you have chronic eczema is interesting. Can't use gel/foam so I use a thick layer of the waxy emollient I normally use to moisturise my face and shave that off (against the grain ;) ) Can get very interesting when it becomes inflamed...
 
Having black hair, I've tried various methods and products and finally have found something that works for me and remains okay through most of the day.

Initially, I use a Braun foil-equipped shaver. Philips/Norelco triple head shavers don't work for me at all. I tend to get the upper lip and chin much more easily without cutting myself (usually) this way.

After that, I wash with Psioderm, then apply shaving gel and use a Mach3, pointing it in whatever direction works. I'm not saying the Mach3 is all that great but I used to use Shick Protector and that's dead now.
 
paulwhannel said:
I wish there was a way to test out electric razors before you decide on one...
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Ugh, as if people didn't do that already :rolleyes: nothing worse than picking up a display model and having someone elses wiskers come out. (It happened to me once at Brookstones with a nose-hair trimmer :mad: )

My friend did a parody of shaving a while back: Shaving for men It still makes me laugh
 
I tried a safety razor, but kept cutting myself. Ouch and bleed. :(

I use a triple head Norelco, works about the best of any that I've tried. Still not completely happy, difficulty with my neck on the right side.
 
How to shave like a barber.

I watched my italian barber shave a customer and it seems to be the best way.

For shaving cream and aftershave cream I use Proraso (Italy's Number 1 shaving product :p). It is a eucalyptus based product and seems to soften the beard, stop bleeding, and reduce redness.

After showering, I start by turning the tap on very hot (as hot as i can stand it) and using face cloths to apply hot compresses to my face. I do this for maybe 2 minutes. Then I put the shaving cream on, and allow it to stand for a few minutes. Then I leave the tap on hot, rinse the razor, and shave. I keep rinsing the razor so it stays wet and hot.

If i'm not in a rush i'll let the shaving cream stand, apply hot compresses OVER the shaving cream, then rinse my face and apply more shaving cream, then shave. The barber does this, and it does really give you a good shave, but it takes a bit longer.

The main idea is letting the shaving cream stand.

I also only use gilette sensor excel blades. Mach 3 doesn't seem to work for me, but i know that many people like it.
 
My Shaving "technique"

I didn't have a male figure to tech me how to shave so I had to learn on my own.

What seems to work for me is this: I usually use a Mach3 in the shower. I go with the grain on my right side of the face and against the grain on my left. Why? Well if I do the reverse, nothing seems to get cut. Don't know why but this works for me. As for my necj I actually do it twice. Once up toward the jaw line then again from the jaw line. If I don't do it this way I don't get all the hair. I do once in a while get in ingrwon hair, mostly around my chin. I usually can just pull it out.

I have used electric (have one two) and it works fine if you use it everyday. I don't like to shave everyday so I usually end up with some sort of growth when I shave (My facial hair grows very slowly and kind of spotty).

The best razor I have found as of yet is the Mach3. The worst, the new old spice razor. By the time I had finished shaving I had at least a half dozen cuts and a pretty bad shave (couldn't get all the hair off). I do not recommend it in the least.

I would say experiment with what works for your face. You need to find what feels the most comfortable, gives you the best shave, and allows you to do it when you want/can. Or maybe you could just let it grow.
 
I shaved with an electric razor for years until it died... then I switched to a regular razor. I go with the grain, mainly because I don't have enough time, and I like keeping a little stubble. If I really want a close shave, I go with the grain and then against the grain. That gets everything.

What I'd REALLY like to learn someday is how to shave with a straight razor... now THERE'S a dying art.
 
yellow said:
I rather surprised no one has weighed in with the obligatory "I'm so tough, I shave with a piece of broken glass over a puddle in an alley" post yet..
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Machete with the water scooped from a lake.




What?

I actually shave with a Mach 3 after a warm shower, leave the shave gel on for a few seconds before shaving, and then shave with the grain. Shaving against the grain is like rubbing a cat backwards for me, but my beard gets rather thick quickly.
 
Abstract said:
Hey,

I just read somewhere that American (I'm assuming all of North America) men generally don't know how to shave their face properly. Read something about it being a lost art.

Anyway, I taught myself how to shave, since I didn't really talk to my dad after I was 12 or so. I started shaving at 12, didn't know why I kept cutting myself, learned, and kept on going from there. How do you shave? Most people just learn it on their own, but I wanna hear how you do it.

Do you all shave against the grain (ie: up) like I do? I can't really seem to shave close enough to the skin unless I shave up on the neck, my chin, and even the bit under my nose. I always do it like this, but it doesn't sound "proper." It works well, but I hear its not right.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?
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queer eye for the straight guy, on bravo and nbc, is always adressing this issue

first and foremost, go slowly

downstrokes on all areas except neck, where upstrokes are the preferred technique

i often use this technique with a razor, but when i am in a hurry, i use my remington electric shaver...the blade is closer but appearance-wise, it all looks the same when i leave the house
 
I have a huge dilemna!!!! For years, I've been shaving using Menthol shaving cream. My preferred brand is Noxzema Protective Shave, Menthol which comes in a blue can. It has that awesome "cool mentholated" feeling on your face after you shave. If I can't find that, I use Barbasol. Barbasol is allright, but it's not as "cool" and mentholly as Noxzema.

My problem is this: Now I can't find Noxzema Menthol, and I understand it's been discontinued. Grrrrrrr!!!! Does anyone know where I can get menthol shaving cream that has such an effect? I need my skin to have that awesomely cool blast of menthol feel after I shave, and it seems there's nothing out there to use. HELP!!!!!!!
 
oldschool said:
After showering, I start by turning the tap on very hot (as hot as i can stand it) and using face cloths to apply hot compresses to my face. I do this for maybe 2 minutes. Then I put the shaving cream on, and allow it to stand for a few minutes. Then I leave the tap on hot, rinse the razor, and shave. I keep rinsing the razor so it stays wet and hot.

If i'm not in a rush i'll let the shaving cream stand, apply hot compresses OVER the shaving cream, then rinse my face and apply more shaving cream, then shave. The barber does this, and it does really give you a good shave, but it takes a bit longer.
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Just to clarify, no I do not shave my face! :eek:

But that is probably the best method, and if you've got less time/patience, then in the shower is the next best. The key is to have heat because heat opens up your pores allowing better access to your hairs.
 
oldschool said:
I watched my italian barber shave a customer and it seems to be the best way.

For shaving cream and aftershave cream I use Proraso (Italy's Number 1 shaving product :p). It is a eucalyptus based product and seems to soften the beard, stop bleeding, and reduce redness.

After showering, I start by turning the tap on very hot (as hot as i can stand it) and using face cloths to apply hot compresses to my face. I do this for maybe 2 minutes. Then I put the shaving cream on, and allow it to stand for a few minutes. Then I leave the tap on hot, rinse the razor, and shave. I keep rinsing the razor so it stays wet and hot.

The main idea is letting the shaving cream stand.
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This is definitely the way to a quality (maybe a little more time-consuming) shave. I also use Proraso usually when I'm traveling because they come in convenient, small tubes. I use genuine English shave cream that comes in a tub at home with a badger shave brush (only about $30). Yes, it is very much becoming a lost art. There is a small group dedicated to a quality shaving experience. I'm still relatively new compared to a lot of the people who preach the importance of a "wet shave," but I can say that I genuinely enjoy and look forward to my shave in the mornings (usually take about 10 min).

Start with this article and the following forum, you will learn a lot.

Wet Shave Article

Wet Shave Group

Also, I forgot to mention, a little hair conditioner on the toughest parts of your beard while your in the shower does wonders for shaving comfort. This and getting a cheap badger brush were to two best things I have done.
 
I shave going down on the face, up on the neck, except to the right of my adam's apple, where a little patch of hair grows the other way and won't get cut unless I use downstrokes. The problem is that it gives me razor burn, so I only shave on Mon and Thurs (I currently work on Mon, Thurs and Fri with school on Mon-Wed) so it isn't too bad. Besides, my wife likes a bit of scruff.

I use a Mach 3, like almost everyone else. I don't use electric razors because they destroy my pretty face and the Schick razors are pretty crappy. I was wondering if anybody has used the new vibrating Mach 3 - is it any good?
 
nbs2 said:
I was wondering if anybody has used the new vibrating Mach 3 - is it any good?
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I have used this for the last 6 months or so, and I've got to say that I like it. Before, I used to get bad razor burn and couldn't go against the grain, but now I shave upwards every 2 days, and it works fine. I have dark hair, so I need a really close shave otherwise it looks as if I haven't shaved even if my face feels smooth.
 
i shave in some back alley at 3 am in the morning only with a piece of broken glass and a puddle of water to comfort me.. :cool: :p
 
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