SOTD - “Tail-Wagging Wednesday”
60 yo newbie’s 2nd shave with traditional shaving.
After a fairly successful, first ever single-blade wet shave on Tuesday, I awoke with great anticipation for this second shave. (like a puppy returning the ball to the master.)
Prep: Pre-Shave Oil - The Art of Shaving
    Morning, Steaming Hot Shower
Face Cleanser - CeraVe - Hydrating Cleanser (borrowed from SWMBO)
Razor:  Gillette Tech “Fat Handle”
Blade:  Astra Stainless
Brush: Omega Pro 48
Soap: Arko Stick
Aftershave: Proraso Post Cream (White)
I probably shouldn’t add too many variables to my new regimen, but I decided to add a pre-shave oil to my routine - which I applied prior to showering. As the last part of my shower, I used the CeraVe to lightly wash my face, dabbed dry and then reapplied the pre-shave oil prior to lathering.
Not happy with the lathering of my first shave, I also changed from bowl lathering to face lathering. I used my self-formed puck of Arko, and with an almost dry brush, loaded it up with soap without building a lather in the bowl. - Huge difference. With the water on my face and a few drops of water sprinkled onto the brush, the lather worked up very quickly on my face.
Though at times I didn’t even feel any whiskers being cut, the first pass WTG was so good, that I took a chance and went right to a 2nd pass ATG. My face needed a little touch up after the 2nd pass, but that was it.
After clean-up and some after shave, my face felt as good after a shave than I could ever remember.
I still have a long way to go with my razor work, especially upward strokes on my entire face and specifically on the skin right on and below the jaw line. (It’s worth noting that the really delicate places - upper lip, mouth and chin - are exempt from this new-found passion due to a beard. But their time may come once I perfect my technique in all the other spots.)
My Den of Samples and Pyrex
	
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