Some guys can make 4 passes in the morning and still have dark follicles that make them look poorly shaved all day. Most guys probably don't have that problem. I have dark hair but a not too thick beard; if I shave closely enough you won't see a trace of hair for 18 hours at least. Was 5 o'clock shadow really as common as old advertising would suggest it was? Doesn't seem to be that much of a problem today, from what I see of myself and others. Was it possibly the quality of blades back then?
I think it was probably the fact guys didn't put as much into getting BBS as some do today. I doubt very much that more than 2 passes was the norm. I would guess only one pass to be what most guys did. I know for me that one pass is not going to get me as close as I want, and come 5 o'clock there would definitely be some shadow. Even back when I was using cartridges I would have stubble showing up come late afternoon, early evening. My wife noticed a big difference in how much smoother my face is now even when snuggling down for the night.
Ya im thinking probably technique. I doubt they did 3+ passes. I know I can do 500 passes and still look like i need to shave right after. You can see my hair through my pasty pale tissue paper skin . But in all seriousness I wish I could look hairless... on my face for the day :happy102 Even till 5 would be a nice touch. I am smooth till 4 then jawline and chin can feel. By 6-7 can feel it slightly everywhere. Just the way I am O well. Means I get to chop off that much more the next day.
ever seen that episode of the Simpsons where Homer shaves and then poof, it reappears two seconds later? That's me. I've got light stubble along the jawline by noon and sandpaper across my face by 5pm. So 5 o'clock shadow may not be common anymore, but it's true for me. a big part of the problem is that I've got sensitive skin that won't handle more than one pass. I do one pass + touchup. Depending on the blade/ razor combo sometimes that's even too much.
Same for me but I'm lucky enough that my sensitive skin will hold up for 2 -3 passes. I sneeze and I have stubble!
The shadow is more visually apparent when your hair is dark and less if it goes gray for some. The feel is another thing entirely. Mine is now in the more grey side so it is less visually apparent, but it old sandpaper by 5 P.M. :happy102
I have very dark beard stubble which is very thick, although the grey starts. When I am finished a shave, my face usually is very smooth, but it grows very fast back, so with me, by 3:00 it is rough again.
