Time to Start Shaving - Suggestions?

[corrupt123]

Well, as much as I've tried to avoid it, looks like I'm going to have to start shaving pretty soon.

I consider myself higher class than my parents. So I'm not going to ask them for advice. Not that any of you are high class, I just have more access to a variety of information here. :lol:

Hehe, Jokes asside, any recomendations from people who've been at it for a while? I am going to shave everything, atleast for the time being, so I dont need any attachments for goatee's or the like. I was thinking, either a high end braun like shaver, something that I shouldnt need any shaving cream for and I can just use in the shower. Easy to clean, etc etc.

Or, I was also toying with the idea of a scalpel type thing. If any of you have seen the movie Pitch Black, Vin Diesel is shaving with something like that. Probably doesn't give as good a shave as the high tech electronic ones, but it looks so damn cool.

I'd prefer not to buy anything disposable, just because I suck at making consistant trips to anywhere other than work or school. Shaving cream would be an exception though.

Any Input?

[Oni-kun]

By shave everything you mean only your face right? Because other regions I don't think I can give much advice... But as for shaving your face:

I've tried electric razors before and didn't really like them, they require you to go over the same spot many times, running out of batteries near the end always sucks, cleaning it is a pain, if you don't replace the razors inside once in a while they get dull, list goes on. My advice? Use a razor like Mach3.

I've tried the Mach3 and the Schick quattro and I have to say the Schick quattro really sucks because it feels like its scrapping on my face and isn't comfterble. Also the yellow lubricant strip on the schick turns into a yellow goop after one use. I recommend the Mach3.

For the best possible shave I recommend soaking your face in warm water and letting it sit for a couple of minutes. Then lather your face in some shaving cream or gel. Don't skimp on cheap stuff because the cheap stuff has some sort of numbing agent. Let it soak for a minute or so. Then you can either shave with or against the grain in a vertical motion. Do not go horizontal or you'll cut yourself. Be careful near the lip because thats the tricky part. Rinse your razor every stroke or two to get out the gunk. After you're done rinse your face and put on some good aftershave. I recommend nivea for men. Cheap stuff won't really moisturize your face.

[SquealADeal]

Probably have to find whatever works best for you… Although I agree with Oni-kun (Don’t like the electric shavers and I find Mach 3 best) I think opinions will vary… Some people shave in the shower with no shaving cream at all, some people dampen their face before applying shaving cream, some people put shaving cream on a dry face… Try it all out and see what works best.

My own preference is Mach 3 and Gillette foaming gel applied on a dry face and no aftershave.

[gamovafan]

the best advice I could give you if you use a blade is never, never ever forget to put aftershave. I use Aqua Velva Ice Blue.

[RSD]

I am going to shave everything,

sooooo, going homo commando eh :lol:

[SquealADeal]

the best advice I could give you if you use a blade is never, never ever forget to put aftershave. I use Aqua Velva Ice Blue.

Why? I never use it... My face is still fine. Do you use it for moisturizing?

[Oni-kun]

If you use aftershave theres less irritation if your skin is sensitive. A smooth face is always good for the ladies.

[CheapScotsman]

I use a Mach3 turbo in the shower and just plain, regular soap. Going against the grain gets it ultra smooth anyways.

The advantage to using a razor (over an electric shaver) so that when I go travelling I don't have to worry about power sources, recharging and the weight (backpack travelling).

[SquealADeal]

Ahhh, I see... Face is still very smooth, doesn't dry out either, so I never really had a need.

[fakishan]

I used to use the mach3, but got tired of shaving creams and the fear of razor cuts.

There are good electric shavers out there, I use a Remington ES1000. Best electric at the sub 100$ level hands down. Also beats my 200$ Panasonic.

These are my first two shavers, bought them together not knowing which one was better :cheesygri

Remington battery power is exceptionel! and it will give you maximum power until the last second. No slow battery death. The shaver was at full power after a 6-month hibernation, didn't need a recharge for a few full shaves.

To avoid hair "pulling" by electric razors, don't let your beard grow, shave everyday and it will be quick and painless. The ES1000 is Remington's smooooothest shaver, no razor burns.

[sonick]

i use:

Gilette Mach 3
Nivea foaming shave gel
H20 after shave lotion

never shaving against the grain, if necessary, shave ACROSS the grain, never against.

[SquealADeal]

Here is a step by step guide for ya

http://www.ehow.com/how_2116_shave-face.html

and since you wanted to shave it all...

http://www.menessentials.com/tips/shaving_privates.html

I think the key takeaway from this is

Don't use an electric shaver. It'll mulch your scrotum.

[Oni-kun]

I always shave against the grain lol. Whats wrong with it? lol.

[SquealADeal]

I always shave against the grain lol. Whats wrong with it? lol.

Shaving against the grain will give you a closer shave, but risks cuts and ingrown hairs

Hmmm, I think even those of us who have been shaving for a while will learn from this thread! :)... I don't shave against the grain, but I didn't know the risks of doing so till I looked it up

[SquealADeal]

http://web.mit.edu/hudson/www/shaving.html

Go With the Grain
Why shave with the grain? Because there is less of a chance of nicks and cuts, and because it reduces the chance of ingrown hairs and razor bumps. When you shave against the grain, the razor's blade catches aginst the hair and pulls it slightly further away from the surface of the skin. This results in an increased likelihood of shaving the hair at a level slightly below your skin's surface-- one reason why ingrown hairs develop. Also, when you shave you are not simply taking off hair, you are taking off a fine layer of skin (you are "exfoliating"). Shaving with the grain tends to be a little easier on your skin as well, as the razor tends to travel a smoother path with the grain of hair growth.

If you've been shaving against the grain up until this point, then you it might take some time to get a close shave by going with the grain. Keep trying; your face may take a week or two to adjust to a new method of shaving.

**A note on going against the grain**
You might have some particularly stubborn stubble that needs to be shaved against the grain (or sideways across the grain, which is a little less harmful than directly against the grain) in order to attain a close shave. If that is the case, shave as much as you can with the grain, then re-lather and shave those trouble areas across or against the grain. Some guys use this method for a really, really close shave. If you try this approach, remember to re-lather and repeat only after getting through your first shave with the grain.

If you are prone to ingrown hairs/razor bumps, avoid this practice at all costs as it will most likely make the problem worse.

[kingsley]

What's an ingrown hair?

[SquealADeal]

Hair that grows under your skin and doesn't push through, therfore curling up under your skin.

[gman]

i use:

Gilette Mach 3
Nivea foaming shave gel
H20 after shave lotion


I use:

Mach 3
Edge shaving gel
H20 as after shave lotion. ;)

[derevaun]

ingrown hair: when a hair grows and "curves" into an adjacent patch of the skin... so it basically grows in a loop back into your skin, and can cause inflammation and all sorts of bad stuff. not too hard to remove if you've got tweezers - i had one once on my neck... small bump, but got it out. probably got it since i'm really lazy to shave.


to original poster: depends on what kind of skin you have. electronic won't get you as close as blade. and get Mach3 -- it is amazing. if you get an 8-pack of blades, that will last you a long time... usually I change cartridges every week, so 8-pack lasts me a couple of months or so. don't skimp on the shaving cream, as it is the lubrication for your skin and since you're exfoliating, you're essentially irritating your skin every time you shave. get Aveeno brand from shoppers, it's got oatmeal in it.

i don't use aftershave, but i moisturize every day (out of habit... i've done it every day since i was like 5, my mother made me).

[BobW]

I used blades for years. If you're going to go blade, use a Mach 3. Unfortunately, the cost of blades adds up.

I switchd over to a Braun Syncron a couple of years back. This is the model with a tank of alcohol in it and it cleans itself. It took a bit to learn how to get a good shave with it, but it can do a pretty decent job. The cost of th cleaning solution is a negative, but not having to clean a razor is nice. All electrics do need to have their cutting heads replaced every year or so.

In the end, I'd say that the cost per shave workds out about the same between Mach 3 and the Braun. Once the Braun dies out, I'll probably go back to blades just because it's just as quick on a daily basis, and much quicker if I skip a day.

I never go against the grain... no need for ingrown hairs.

[corrupt123]

woah, good to know about the ingrown hairs. scary ****.

nobody's heard of the scalpel type thing like in Pitch Black?

and I only plan on shaving my face... Jeeze, and I thought I had a dirty mind

[camzie]

I use an electric shaver, Braun Activator and find it works very well. Not having the clean the thing is a huge plus, and the cost of the cleaning solution is nominal (around $15 for 2 cartridges - will last be approximately 4 to 5 months with twice per week cleaning). If you move to an electric shaver from manual shaving like I did, you need to give your face 1 to 3 weeks to get used to the shaver.

Manually shaving will probably give you better results, particularly if you have a heavy beard, but you can't beat the convenience of an electric razor.

Since this is RFD, I'll also throw it out there that I think the operating costs of electric razors are much cheaper

[steve.m]

shaving procedure:
-wash face with warm/hot water to soften face hair. Dry face with towel.
-trim side burns with electric razor using ear features as measurement markers to determine accurate matching length of L/R sideburns.
-shave with blade razor and shaving cream of choice.
-wash face to remove left over soap, then dry face with towel.
-shave face again (Braun shaver owns) with electic razor for extra smoothness.
-use a sterilized pin (dip it in rubbing alcohol) to get out any ingrown hairs and shave those off too.
-use medicated after shave or something else non alcoholic.
-don't touch your new face for a while or you will be more prone to zits.


Now it is clubbin time for some hot ladies! :)

oh tip but you know this already i bet. Always use the razor blade up and down (perpendicular to the blade) never use it sideways parallel to the blades or you will end up at the hospital.

http://orifice.net/cave/3954.jpg

[BobW]

I haven't seen Pitch Black, but I assume you're talking about a straight razor.

You can get a fantastic shave with one, but you have to be very, very careful. These can slice your throat if you screw up. Barber shops used to use them back in the day when men would go for a shave. In skilled hands, there is nothing better...

If you're just starting to shave, I'd say wait and gain some technique before attempting this.

[B0000rt]

If you don't like shaving often, then what you can do is pluck everything out lol!

A friend told me his cousin experimented one day, and shaved half of his face, and plucked the other half (just chin and upper lip) a few days pass, and people ask him wtf is wrong with his face. The shaved half grew in lot faster while the plucked side was still smooth!

lol!

[SquealADeal]

If you don't like shaving often, then what you can do is pluck everything out lol!

A friend told me his cousin experimented one day, and shaved half of his face, and plucked the other half (just chin and upper lip) a few days pass, and people ask him wtf is wrong with his face. The shaved half grew in lot faster while the plucked side was still smooth!

lol!

I think we need pics for this one...

I may have found him... Is this him?

http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/dskippy/pictures/half_hair.jpg

[CanadaBoy]

sooooo, going homo commando eh :lol:

I think he meant his whole face :lol:

[B0000rt]

@SquealADeal

Hah, when u pluck I'm sure it gets really smooth (well if there's no hair whatsoever, I'm sure it's really smooth)

This guy just trimmed half fo his head :p

[SquealADeal]

@SquealADeal

Hah, when u pluck I'm sure it gets really smooth (well if there's no hair whatsoever, I'm sure it's really smooth)

This guy just trimmed half fo his head :p

LoL, yea, was worth a shot. ;)

[rayesyn]

My advice:

- use SCHICK not GILLETE, (gillette's waaaay over rated)
- use shaving gel not foam (the gel is actually formulated to be good for your skin)
- use aftershave lotion (not aftershave, as aftershave is an alcohol based product dries up your skin, making your face appear 'older' over time)
- people might say shave against the grain for that 'closer' shave, i say, buy a new blade and save yourself the pain of cutting yourself.
-shave in warm to hot water as that opens the pores and makes hair easier to shave, kinda gives you an 'edge' when shaving.

lol....anymore advice and i think i'd be labelled "metro" :D

[KrispyFive]

As a few people here have already said, the Mach 3 is pretty good. I prefer it to an electric, although I do use an electric to start and then a Mach 3 to finish. As for shaving creams and aftershave, don't go cheap. The cheap stuff is exactly that, cheap. For the shaving cream I use one from Men-U (http://www.menessentials.ca/index.php?sid=33175dfd1c3e2fbc3fef3c2fc32e3328&cl=details&cnid=f0640ab8cd0e9b257.75671734&anid=7384138a73ac07891.72429532) and I use an aftershave balm from Baxter of California (http://www.menessentials.ca/index.php?sid=33175dfd1c3e2fbc3fef3c2fc32e3328&cl=details&cnid=f0640ab8ce3f3f343.69747818&anid=09c3e9fabdd351246.80879105). These great products can be purchased at MenEssentials (http://www.menessentials.ca).

[corrupt123]

I haven't seen Pitch Black, but I assume you're talking about a straight razor.

You can get a fantastic shave with one, but you have to be very, very careful. These can slice your throat if you screw up. Barber shops used to use them back in the day when men would go for a shave. In skilled hands, there is nothing better...

If you're just starting to shave, I'd say wait and gain some technique before attempting this.


that looks right [googled it]

the one in pitch black was all one peice, stainless or polished steel. Looked like a scalpel but with a slightly longer blade.

and in my classic fasion, i like to start things three steps ahead. bad habit, but what are ya gonna do?

[HughG]

sooooo, going homo commando eh :lol:

haha
this made me laugh pretty hard for some some reaosn.