My wife was offered her facial sauna back from her mum the other day (she refused for the time being) but it got me thinking. Does anyone use, has anyone used or has anyone considered using a facial sauna instead of the hot towel? If anyone has used it, how good do you think it was? For those who are not sure what I am talking about, it's one of these (albeit a different make/model): My only worry is that it might not touch the neck area.
My answer to the question in the title of this post: "A hot shower." I can't remember the last time I shaved without taking a hot shower first. I can see, though, that in lieu of the hot shower, where a hot towel, or the above sauna you are inquiring about, would be just the ticket to prep and soften the ol' beard.
I've never seen a piece of equipment like this before. But, it's small, easy to transport and doen't require much storage space. Why not give it a try? Like Swarden43, a hot shower is the preferrable shave prep for me. I also use the hot towel method now and then , but I'm too impatient to hold the towel to my face very long - I want to get on with the shave!! Another shave prep that works for me is to wash my face using Neutragena Face Soap and hot water. This softens my beard nicely.
I agree on the hot shower front, but I prefer to shower AM and shave PM - dunno why. I was turned onto the hot towels years ago by a professional barber, but only recently found the benefits of a cold splash afterwards. I had a pro shave the other day from Jason "Mr. Barber" Bailey at the same time I had my hair done. And he told me about alum blocks, and that got me back into looking into traditional shaves. I will probably stick with my cartridge razor for general, but am going to invest in a DE for my luxury time - my weekend soak.
Well if SWMBO does get it back of her mum I will. In the mean time, I found this site that may explain a little more for the un-intitiated: http://www.facialsteamer.org.uk/
Myself I don't think I'd go out of the way to get one of these gizmo's for shaving, but if your gonna just happen across one, then it would be interesting to see how it fares. I do think your right though..the thing does need to envelope the neck area also and somehow from here this looks doubtful...
It is an intresting idea. Me, I purchased a small crockpot at a discount store for $10 U.S. I soak two towels in it thirty minutes before I shave. It works great!!!
Same here! If I am in the mood for a luxury shave I just fire up the mini crock and let a couple towels heat up. Only problem is sometimes they get so hott I gotta wait till they cool a bit! Haha.
I do all the above depending on the day. I also mix up the scuttle lathering and face lathering as well as brushes, blades and razors. Thats what I like about having different types of equipment, fun city!
Turk I think the steamer can work. Check out a youtube called , The Barber's Chair". The barber is giving a " vapor shave". He is using a commercial spa steamer to spray its hot steam on the face to prepare it for shaving. It does a excellent job. The hot towel and steamer work on the same principle. I think steam or moist heat is the way to prepare a coarse or heavy beard for shaving, the video seems to confirm it.
