Multi-blade razors

[ecsrobin]

Yeah I've learnt that one. I was packing it in my wash bag. I'm thinking of investing in a travel DE razor and case to avoid this situation arising again.

[Martin_M]

LordGrover said:

How do you define 'sensitive skin'? I reckon it's hogwash made up by marketing types to sell 'special' products.
Rash is probably down to your choice of weapon and lubricant.
Switching to DE safety razor and proper soap/cream and brush will likely eliminate the issue.
Any half decent razor and good blade combo will shave you closer and cause less irritation when performed properly, check youtube for geofatboy and mantic59 for some excellent tutorials.
Mühle R89 razor is cheap, Personna red blades widely recommended, best/super badger brush and a nice shave cream. I'd add an alum block and styptic pencil to treat/staunch the nicks you'll inevitably make while re-learning how to shave.
It'll take a little longer when you start out, taking two or three passes but it really is worth it.
Razor rash/burn, ingrowing hairs, spots, etc. a thing of the past!
Once you've gotten the hang of it maybe switch up to a more aggressive head/razor for an even closer shave/experience.

So I bought the Muhle R89 razor and Personna blades today. I was really excited about using it and as I type this, I have a neck almost as smooth as a baby's bum. However, the experience wasn't exactly stress free. I like to keep facial stubble so was only focusing on my neck. I went with the grain, making small strokes and letting the razor do the work (at least I think I did). After one sweep I had a small cut but nothing major. When I felt my neck it was still pretty rough in places so I decided to give it the once over again. I reapplied my shave gel (£15.00 from Clarins - bought for me as a gift so probably not the most obvious choice on here) and this time went across the grain and against the grain which I think is what caused it to all go wrong. It felt fine at the time but when I washed my neck, I had around 5 or so nicks and red spots all over the place. A couple of hours on and it doesn't look too bad now and feels fine but I'm wondering how I can avoid this next time. I've watched videos of folk going against the grain so I'm not too sure where I have gone wrong. Any advice would be great.

[IanMorewood]

On your neck I would advise against anything other than with the grain until you have a perfect technique as its the most sensitive part of the face to razor burn.

To improve the shave, hot wet towel round the neck for a couple of minutes before. Shave, rinse, fingers for rough bits, recream, shave slower and smaller over these areas.

[Martin_M]

Thanks Ian...will give it another day or two for my neck to recover and will try again.

[Soov535]

As an update, chaps, having blown a shedload of cash on various HUGELY expensive creams, gels, balms, skin foods in the last three years I believe I have finally found the best combination (for me at least).

And after all that they are both DIRT CHEAP!!!!



I shave my head and face every day with DE razor, and have done so for three years.


1. ARKO shaving soap.

Turkish I believe - £1 a stick, lasts for about two months.



2. Banana Boat Aloe Vera Gel

No oil, just alcohol and water and Aloe Vera. £2 a 500ml bottle. Lasts two months. Cools and soothes and is light as a feather.




Seriously, this £3 combination is head and shoulders above any other combination I have ever tried.

You're welcome

[ecsrobin]

Banana boat make some good products. So will have to look out for that.

[Bonefish Blues]

Can't get on with that Arko stick - seems to lack lubricity in my hands leading to scudding rather than gliding, with the inevitable consequences.

Poraso Sensitive tub's going well though

[Soov535]

Bonefish Blues said:

Can't get on with that Arko stick - seems to lack lubricity in my hands leading to scudding rather than gliding, with the inevitable consequences.

Poraso Sensitive tub's going well though

I get the new stick and press it into a bowl - seems to work much better.

[DeuxCentCinq]

I've found Palmolive cream to be the best for me. About £1.79 in Wilkos.

[Magic919]

I'm not that mad on the Proraso tub soap. I prefer Prep. Proraso tube stuff seems better than their tub effort, IMO.

[zygalski]

I also much prefer Proraso tube over the tub.

[NDA]

Soov535 said:

I get the new stick and press it into a bowl - seems to work much better.

I've not tried this... just how 'pressable' is it? Does it neatly follow the contours of the bowl (assuming it's the right size) and make a neat puck you can use a brush with? Do you need to heat it to do this?

Sorry for seemingly pedantic questions - I remain on a quest to find the perfect travelling hard soap/bowl combination!

[Davey S2]

DeuxCentCinq said:

I've found Palmolive cream to be the best for me. About £1.79 in Wilkos.

+1 easily as good as the other expensive creams I've tried. I do like Proraso in the summer though for the cooling menthol.

[LordGrover]

NDA said:

I've not tried this... just how 'pressable' is it? Does it neatly follow the contours of the bowl (assuming it's the right size) and make a neat puck you can use a brush with? Do you need to heat it to do this?

Sorry for seemingly pedantic questions - I remain on a quest to find the perfect travelling hard soap/bowl combination!

I don't bother with a bowl, just rub the stick into your face; Youtube.
Works for me and the palmolive stick anyway.

[jinkster]

I need to buy some new shaving cream - I was thinking Trumper or Truefitt and Hill. Who do you recommend? Also looking at treating myself to a badger brush - where should I buy this from?

[A - W]

jinkster said:

I need to buy some new shaving cream - I was thinking Trumper or Truefitt and Hill. Who do you recommend? Also looking at treating myself to a badger brush - where should I buy this from?

http://newforestbrushes.blogspot.co.uk/

I good place to start and very reasonable for the quality with great service. No personal interests.

[zygalski]

jinkster said:

I need to buy some new shaving cream - I was thinking Trumper or Truefitt and Hill. Who do you recommend? Also looking at treating myself to a badger brush - where should I buy this from?

GFT coconut is really nice. A little goes a long way. The smell is very subtle though. T&H 1805 cream is a classic. I would get both of them. 2 of the very best shaving creams available imo.

[BorkFactor]

I am still very much enjoying the Crabtree and Evelyn West Indian Lime shaving soap, in fact I got another block of it for Christmas. Does a fantastic job.

I also got a tube of the shaving cream with the same scent. How does one go about using the cream? Brush and bowl, or just rub it on the face with fingers like (gasp!) the regular stuff that comes in the can?

[IanMorewood]

Fingers??

Minimum is a small spot on a hot wet brush straight to the wet face but you would be better mixing in a bowl to get the consistency right.

[BorkFactor]

IanMorewood said:

Fingers??

Minimum is a small spot on a hot wet brush straight to the wet face but you would be better mixing in a bowl to get the consistency right.

Yeah it says on the box you can use fingers, figured it might be useful for travelling to save me taking my brush!