Well i just wanted to ask about techniques on shaving.. Well when i shave i need to shave UP the way, for all parts.. upper lip, chin, sides, is this unusual? Because if i shave down the way, it doesnt remove the facial hair properly and leaves alot of hair but shaving up the way removes it completely, very awkward to shave my upperlip using this method! Im 19, so its not really rough facial hair, its more of bumfluff type facial hair :happy102, i use the Gillette Fusion blade and the Gillette Series Gel.. Any help? Also can anyone suggest the best way to stop spots from appearing after shaving? thankyou!
I think this is gonna get lots of answers... BTW how long is the facial hair when you shave? "Back in the days" when i used to shave with the Gillette Mach3, it would just slide on top of the beard when it was more than a couple of milimeters long.
If you have bumfluff all over your face we might not be able to help you in this forum What you describe as "UP" is probably what we call ATG (Against The Grain) and that usually removes hair efficiently. A sharp blade and the right technique shouldn't leave much if you go WTG (With The Grain) either. Personally, I go WTG first, and then ATG, for a smooth shave. Soft and fluffy/bendy beard can actually be harder to shave than a coarser beard since it bends easier and the razor pass over. Make sure your blade is sharp, go WTG, then ATG for a good result! Study your beard growth to see in what direction it grows on different parts of your face and neck to be able to shave efficiently. The Gillette Gel provides A LOT of slip for the razor, you might consider using a shaving soap or a shaving cream instead, not essential, but I think it might help a bit too. Good luck!
Which way does your beard grow? Run your hands over a stubble face and you can feel the grain. It should grow in different directions. If not then there is nothing wrong with what you are doing and keep it up. Most people go N to S and From the ear to the nose. The neck is a different animal. YMMV Have you looked up Mantic's vids on U TUBE? There is also a vid in the DJ section call "Mantic she is not" with some helpful hints. Also, if you are just getting your beard direction may not matter. BTW get step away from the gel, it clogs pores, which may lead to acne.
To start, quite using the canned goo from Gillette. Get some real shave cream or soap and a brush. This can be anything from a $5 drug store boar brush and $2 soap to $60 silvertip badger brush and $30 english shave cream, or even more, but until you know exactly what you want I don't think it's worth it. Spending more in general gets a better product, but even the low end brush & soap will be a big improvement. Also important, is to watch the youtube videos by Mantic59 on wetshaving. Pay close attention to the preparation and direction of growth. If you get ingrown hairs, you'll want to avoid shaving against the grain (I believe that's what you mean by UP). Proper preparation will allow you to get a closer shave by shave with the grain for one pass, then across the grain (sideways) for a second pass, or even just two passes with the grain. Remember, a comfortable and presentable shave is more important than a perfectly smooth shave. As your face health improves, the shaves will get closer. Less important, but still worth considering is changing your razor. The best is a classic double edge (DE) razor. Next best is a cartidge razor with one or two blades (the more blades, the more likely you are to get ingrown hairs, razor burn, and general irritation). Ask questions, we're here to help. And welcome to The Shave Den.
Proper shaving technique should help. Shaving is about reduction, not obliteration of the hair. Going against the grain, as your post suggests you are doing, will usually cause the red spots. An alcohol based aftershave, or an alum block, can help reduce the red spots, too. Sign up for the November Newbie Give-Away. If you win, you'll have plenty of stuff to help you get started towards better, more comfortable shaves.
Thanks for all the replies, appreciated! Just watching those videos on youtube tha were reccomended, seeing some new stuff that might help, ive recognized i need to get rid of my Gillette Gel and get something better!
Got a Wal-Mart or drug store nearby? You can usually pick up a boar shaving brush and a puck of shaving soap for probably less than $10. It'll get you started for now, and give you some practice using something better than Gillette goo in a can.
Adding to JoAnna's suggestion regarding post-shave. If you have oily skin, like me, an alum block is great and alcohol based A/S is great. If you have "normal" skin, the alum might be too drying, but alcohol or witch hazel aftershave will be beneficial. If you have dry skin, go for an aftershave balm or witch hazel, alum and alcohol are both drying and not good for dry skin. If you're of the dry skin camp, let us know and some of the guys with dry skin may have better advice.
I live in the UK but yeah i have a few stores around here, il have a look around! Id say i have normal skin, what i usually do is, shave, then put on "Nivea for Men, After Shave, Replenishing Balm, Soothes and Nourishes Normal to Dry Skin", guess thats not the way to go? lol
Figures. :happy102 (laughing at myself, not you.) I almost started that previous post with, "Presuming you live in the US.......", but didn't.
Check at Boots, they have their own brand Shaving Cream and Shaving Stick, that is actually good stuff! (So good it's even available at the TSD store for people outside the UK ) /Johan
Maybe i should have mentioned i live in the UK, my bad haha Awesome, i'll check Boots out then, thanks
