I always shave in the morning after a shower. Just before shaving I wash my face with a nice shea butter soap. I pick these up at the local farmers market. After the shave I use witch hazel with glycerin added followed by aftershave of choice. Depending on my mood and the time of the year, I follow with a aftershave balm like Nivea or whipped shea butter. Like you I stay well hydrated through the day. Beyond that I don't do anything special.
Great setup today, a terrific bowl of lather, and that razor is a beauty! Stay with it, and I'm sure you'll get the hang of it.
The Red Tip does not feel the same as a slim dialed up. Red Tip is one of my favorite DEs. IMO, it is easier to use than a Slim, and more efficient. I believe the head geometry is a little different. Happy birthday, by the way. I found one of the boys on my front yard, and another in front of your old frat house. They celebrated in style, but didn't make it all the way to St. Louis.
I wash my face with water in the shower. I shower before my shave. In the past I tried some face wash products but found they dried my skin out. My face felt tight when time to shave. So I use water only for pre-shave - no other special products or anything of the such. The post shave includes witch hazel, generally an after shave that I apply after the witch hazel or cut in with the witch hazel, and then Nivea balm.
Martin, hang with the pain stick. I have one just like yours, and you're tempting me to break it out after the OCtober focus. I am following your progress closely, hoping to learn from you.
My muted spikes tend to bite me the most when I am trying to use the heel of the razor, and not paying as much attention to where the tip is. It is very easy to line up the heel under my lip, and turn my head to the side, and dig the point of the razor in on my cheek. This can happen no mater which direction I am shaving in. My best way to avoid this has been to use the toe for detail work around my mustache, not the heel.
Shave 3 Last night I had my third shave with my straight. It was a tuggy affair. This shave was not near as smooth as the previous. So I must assume that my hone job sucked or I am doing something wrong stropping. I will clean the edge up and see how tonights goes. All in the learning process, so I know this is to be expected. Have a great weekend Tom Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I always shower before I shave, and I use Stirling's pre-shave soap to wash my face. Not too much else.
Nice brush! I didn't know there was another maker of the 400 style handle. The black finish looks good. The Shavemac site didn't list the 400 as an available item. But I did find more photos of yours on ATG. I've gone from "What everyone says to do" to a less is more attitude. Hot steamy towels when the overnight temps didn't drop below 80 degrees? How about a splash of luke warm and lather away. Finally getting some below 70 degree nights & I'll fire up the heater in another month. I might switch back to a hot towel in November. Otherwise my prep has devolved towards minimal with no perceptible difference in outcome.
Thank you. I'm not going to let this Razor beat me. I think I'm using pressure and have to lighten up.
OCtober Focus Renewed Arko & B-400 Tuxedo B-V3.1 & Chick blade Alum & The Veg I don't post many lather shots. It interrupts the flow and cadence of my shave. Exception today for my first use of both a 400 type handle and a Tuxedo knot. For those weak souls that fear being enabled, click this link and go on about you day. Still reading? OK! I've been fondling this B-400 handle handsomely crafted by Tom @twhite for too long. Received a Tuxedo synthetic knot, purchased a tube of silicone and BAM! It all came together when I got my new brush too close to a tub of Arko. I lathered all over the place! (NSFW image) I like the shape and weight of the handle. The knot felt great fresh from the supplier. Set, dried, add water soap, & a suribachi and it's just perfect. No comparison to my other two synthetics or single badger. So soft I can feel the lather but not the brush tips. As for the shave The Bunny deserved to be in on the Maiden Lather of the matching brush. Three passes with smooth luxurious application of Arko in between left me DFS+. Alum was silent, no burn from The Veg. I'm not saying everyone should get one of these Tuxedo knots. These are only for those that deserve one.
1. Wipe down face with cold wet cloth, no soap. 2. Wet face thoroughly. 3. Arko! 4. Lather 5. Shave 6. Rinse thoroughly 7. One Alum pass 8. Pinaud product Best skin appearance of my life. Mrs. Samurai says I look younger than when cart shaving.
Razor: Gillette OC Blade: Personna Platinum Brush: Muhle Chrome Plated Handle 31 M 89 w/Synthetic. Soap: Eufros Tierra Humeda Aftershave: Old Spice Lime A very good 3 pass shave with this gear. Eufros is an excellent soap.
Just beautiful, Doug. How do you like the Eufros Tierra Humeda? I have some, but I haven't started using mine yet.