i guess it could be any number of things: 18-20 yrs of using disposables/cartridges, canned goo and elecs im sure my face is trying to get adjusted only been using DE;s for a week now (9 shaves total) im sure the brush might have some effect the cream im using is TBS old formula and some EJ sample. i have oily skin. i dont use an aftershave i just rinse in cool water. am i hitting on anything yet or all of the above??
I'm guessing something you're using has an astringent in it. Does your TBS or EJ have any of the following?: witch hazel, menthol, ethanol, propanol, peppermint, spearmint, alum. May be others, but I think those are the most common astringents which will give a "tight" feel. I use alum to tighten my skin and it doesn't bother me. I guess if it was really extreme it would be an issue, but tight skin = no wrinkles, so I really don't mind.
I find that a little balm will cure the tightness. I get that tight feeling after applying aftershave. Once the a/s dries I use a little balm and it remedies the tightness for me.
Good AS like Aqua Velva will help. Or like tracy said use a good Balm. I have some of the TBS old formula it is a good cream. Fuzzy
Am I the only freak that likes the feeling of a little tightness after a good shave? I've been DE shaving for about 2 months and use Ogalla AS and get that tightness after everything dries. My skin doesn't look dry and I don't often get dry skin so I'm guessing its the cold rinse and AS I use. It goes away in about 15 minutes though.
Nope. I meant to add that to my previous post: while I do add an ASB, that's because my face will dry out in my climate. I like the post-splash tightness though...
I hate the feeling of a tight face and hate astringents. A good ASB should cure it, as said above. The cold water rinse will tighten it up a little bit as it closes the poors but if it feels tight from that it probaly is because you're not used to amount of exfoliation you get from a DE and it dries you out a tad bit.
Yes, I think the consensus is tight is generally good unless it really bothers you. I rinse my face post-shave with cold water for 20 seconds and then apply some balm--best, fresh feeling ever.
What is this "breaking in your face" thing. I have seen people talk about it in numerous places, but it does not make any sense to me. Have any of you gone for a while without shaving and then had to re-break your face?
You are breaking your face in to shaving w/ a DE blade. If you're only doing one or two passes w/ the blade then maybe there is no break-in period per se. However most DE shavers and particularly those new to the craft are shaving anywhere from 3 to 6 passes. With every pass you are removing a mico layer of skin and cells. The new DE shavers face is not used to that level of exfoliation as cartridge razors don't really operate that way. It takes a bit for your face to get used to it. Actually it's you yourself that is getting used to having a fresh face appear. My wife has commented numerous times how much better my face and skin look now days. To the OP's question, I suggest a good aftershave that contains glycerin and/or aloe. AV is a good one, Musgo Real is also good, SCS AS's, Speick is nice. There are several. Or as mentioned you can use a balm, but I find them to be too greasy.
