It's been so long since I've used a cart I'm sure that it would take me as much time to do as a DE shave.
5 minutes maximum for a 2 or 3 pass DE shave. Face lathering with a synthetic brush and I'm good to go.
I have given a quick routine and a "zen" routine below. Feel free to adjust as necessary. Quick routine under 12 minutes: Shave brush and shave soap in vintage hot water scuttle Hot shower Bulldog original face wash Lather shave soap (I rotate several different soaps, but Truefitt and Hill 1805 and Taylor of Old Bond Street Jermyn street are my favorites) Lather face and shave face with Edwin Jagger mach 3 Wipe face clean with a fresh towel Apply Truefitt and Hill Trafalgar aftershave balm Quick cleanup My zen routine. Probably 30 minutes, but I dont time it, so I don't truly know: Put on the best of John Coltrane 180g vinyl record (or other relaxing album) Shave brush and shave soap in my vintage hot water scuttle Hot shower Blind Barber wild watermint gin facial cleanser Truefitt and Hill ultimate comfort pre-shave oil Lather shave soap (I rotate several different soaps, but once again, Truefitt and Hill 1805 and Taylor of Old Bond Street Jermyn street are my favorites. I typically always go with my very best soaps on my pleasure shaves. In the summer I like TOBS peppermint and Stirling Soaps margaritas in the artic as well) Lather face slowly and carefully and shave face with one of my favorite straight razors (either dovo, thiers-issard, wade and butcher, or wostenholm) Wipe face clean with a cold (freezer-kept fresh towel) Apply Truefitt and Hill Trafalgar aftershave balm Wipe down and clean up, leaving no water, soap, or hairs behind. I wipe my blade thoroughly with tissue paper and store it away. I clean my soap and place it in its container (they have great stainless steel containers with lids at daiso japanese dollar stores) with the top open so it can dry before closing. I lastly spray one of my favorite colognes (gucci envy or versace eros).
Takes me 10 minutes give or take one, day in day out. It ain't Magical, Mystical or Zen, it's just shaving.
Thank you to all who replied! I have a number of suggestions to try. I have been off the forums for a while and have forgotten what a great community of enthusiasts are here.
