I've been using a fairly-standard Mach 3 & Edge Sensitive (w/ aloe) Gel combo for a while now, and it basically leaves a lot to be desired. I've gone through pretty much the entire Edge line of gels looking for something that doesn't make me break out in a rash or cause acne. It's not gone very well. I tried Gilette gel once years ago, which also made me break out. Got an electric razor too, but the lack of closeness isn't cool.
So... anybody have any gel/cream suggestions or general tips to get me up to snuff? I'm keeping it "upstairs", unlike Rob Corddry.
You should look for the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy website. One of those guys is obsessed with shaving. He tells every guy that he's doing it wrong.
It's funny but I can't think of what product they recommend, and they shill it in most eps. Guess it's just not sinking in.
Willful ignorance of science is not commendable. Refusing to learn the difference between a credible source and a shill is criminally stupid.
I use Nivea After-shave balm for sensitive skin which works for me :)
Warrior Quote: "Presuming initial consensualness, where exactly do we draw the lines of our judgment pinning down the responsibility and accountability inextricably attached to each human life? "
I've always had this problem with my neck. My electric razor just can't get those hairs. And everytime I shave my neck with a handheld, it gets irritated, I've been all over the web, but nothing. I thought my skin would just toughen up over time, but oh well(only 18 )
You Samoans are all the same. You have no faith in the essential decency of the white man's culture.
Yup, Kyan does know his stuff. I used to get razor burn pretty badly. Then I changed a few things:
* Shave after showering, not before. * Shave with the grain, not against.
Worked SO much better. Oh, and the gel's Nivea... look for the kind that advertises less razor burn. Haven't dipped into aftershave, but do NOT use Neutrogena face lotion after shaving. EVER. Unless you feel like having Lilian Garcia's reaction to having coffee dumped on her.
Odd, I was actually told to shave before showering. (I do splash hot water all over my face beforehand, though)
I use Gillette foam and a Shick X-Treme 3, the same ones hocked by Andre Agassi. Haven't changed since. Foam gives a softer feel to the skin post-shave and is less itchy than gel.
Originally posted by Ubermonkeys I've been using a fairly-standard Mach 3 & Edge Sensitive (w/ aloe) Gel combo for a while now, and it basically leaves a lot to be desired. I've gone through pretty much the entire Edge line of gels looking for something that doesn't make me break out in a rash or cause acne. It's not gone very well. I tried Gilette gel once years ago, which also made me break out. Got an electric razor too, but the lack of closeness isn't cool.
I so feel your pain.
In my experience any "mainstream" (i.e. Edge, Gilette, etc.) shaving cream causes me huge grief. The nearest I can figure is that it's the lanolin (the oil from sheep's wool) they use as a lubricant.
There are lanolin-free alternatives: the Nivea "sensitive" line is pretty good; when I use it, I only get the nasties on my neck instead of everywhere. I'd suggest trying this one first.
If that doesn't work, prepare to start spending real money on your face. The recently introduced Neutrogena is like no other shaving cream I've ever used. The downside is the CDN$12/can price tag. Then again, I only have to shave 2-3 times a week, so I guess it works out.
I'm sure Guru's advice about the Queer Eye website holds a lot of water, but I also suspect you're getting into an even more extreme price bracket. I'm a sad monkey who already spends way too much on his hair (bumble & bumble--it's like crack for your follicles) so I try to keep the rest of the toiletry supplies reasonable.
/tarnish...
It is what it is. You are what you it. There are no mistakes. --Tom Robbins
If you are having problems with acne after shaving, see a dermatologist. I use a special shaving cream (Benzashave) and a special moisturizer (Klaron) and I don't get ingrown hairs/acne at all anymore :).
excuse me. EXCUSE ME . . . Intercontinental Champion here . . .
Definately shave after showering. The hot water softens the face greatly, thus preparing for the shave.
Another suggestion - use hair conditioner on your face. Seriously. Even if you don't use it on your hair, put it on your beard / moustache in the beginning of your shower. Keep it on there while you're washing yourself, and only rinse it off at the very end. You'll find that it'll soften the hair of your beard the same way it would the hair on your head.
When you towel off, don't totally dry your beard, so it doesn't start drying the softness away. Then shave.
edit: Another option is to (as someone suggested) to give your face a break to heal. Ex - if you work Monday - Friday, only shave on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays.
(edited by gargs on 14.11.03 1141) Yeah...there's the finger, man. Everything's gonna be alright...
I cannot recommend enough using a bristle brush and shaving soap. You can get them in travel stores, drug stores and department stores. You don't have to spend $30 for a kit; I got mine for about $15 (mug, soap and brush). The soap lasts long enough to make the cost worth it.
Scrubbing with the brush really make the hairs stand up so that any razor gets you a smooth shave, even disposables. Also the brush soap has a conditioner in it; it doesn't dry out the skin. Scented soaps also make colognes unneccesary. The scent is faint but distinct, no more obtrusive than a deodorant.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
I've found that the triple-blades give me razor burn, so I use the Gilette Atra II. The strip on the top seems to help a lot. I also, as others have said, shave after a shower. though I only shave on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I shave AGAINST the grain and don't have problems with acne or burn, and I use cheap-o Colgate (foam) shaving cream.
Also, Mrs. JJD says I shave really fast compared to some of the other guys she's seen shave (I assume she means her Dad and/or brothers and/or platonic guy friends she's just happened to see shave, er...carry on) who did long slow, strokes. I can be showered, shaved, teeeth-brushed, dressed (casually) and out the door in 15 minutes without rushing, with the shaving taking only a couple of minutes.
“To get ass, you’ve got to bring ass." -- Roy Jones Jr.
"Your input has been noted. I hope you don't take it personally if I disregard it." -- Guru Zim
I always had problems hacking myself up whenever I used any cream to shave. For years I've just used hot water and those cheap disposable Bic razors and it works fine.
I know I'm the wrong guy to ask about this - before shower, cold water on face, Edge Gel (any color), old double blade Gillette Sensor and fast. I also never shave on the weekends.
5 Time 5 Time 5 Time 5 Time 5 Time Wiener of the Day Runner-up
Have you considered growing a beard? I did that for a couple years.
I usually just end up with one from the fear of shaving. It takes about a week for me to turn into a hobo. I've had a goatee now for a while, but I'm starting to venture into Jericho territory and I'm ready to just hack the damn thing off. Also, for some reason, my beard hair turns red from the sun, which looks a little too alternative for my tastes.
Thanks for all of the tips and suggestions, everybody. I think I'll give the Nivea stuff a try.
I use hot water and a bowie knife to shave....actually I use electric, and I used to have the same prob with irritation, but I found by shaving every other day alleviates the problem pretty well.
Mr. Burns: You are of course familiar with our state usury laws? Homer:U-sur-y? Mr. Burns: Oh silly me, I must have just used a word that doesn't exist.
I shave my head every day, and I shave my face about every other day. The thing that works for me is lotion. Use some nice aloe lotion, actually the cheap stuff works as well. Slather it on nice and thick (about 1/8 an inch works for me) and shave with the grain. There is enough lubrication after you shave to allow you to go back against the grain with small strokes, working your way back to the top of the beard/face. When doing my head, instead of holding the razor in the traditional way, I put my thumb on the back of the razor's head, and when I am making the small strokes, back and forth, working up, it makes sure you get a nice, even shave and gets ALL the stubble. Best part about doing it this way, is the hair sticks in the lotion, and rinses out of the blade VERY EASILY, and you only really have to rinse your razor off about 3 times total.
OR, the other preferred method, which is a bit messier, but works just as well, is to get whatever kind of foam you prefer, spray it into a small circle in your palm, and then squirt a little baby oil into the middle, mix until not as "foamy" and then apply. Shave same way as mentioned above. Works great, and leave the skin soft as a baby's bottom.