Commissario
More product, NO pressure.
Suspended
You need to use some pressure or you just end up with a crap shave. It's a balance he'll find with time like all of us.
Associate
Thanks for all the replies. They're all useful.
Tried today using double the cream I previously used loaded into my brush. Didn't seem to make much difference in the pot. When I applied it to my face I ended up sort of wiping the side of my brush onto my face to build up the product then gently lathering it with the tip of the brush. I don't think this is right so still have a lot to work on here.
Lense steamed up so I couldn't get a good photo. Gonna watch some more videos over the week and refine my technique.
Do people think leaving my brush to soak as I shower is adding to much water? I flick most of it off but I'm not sure as a few videos say just to dip the tip for a moment.
Tried today using double the cream I previously used loaded into my brush. Didn't seem to make much difference in the pot. When I applied it to my face I ended up sort of wiping the side of my brush onto my face to build up the product then gently lathering it with the tip of the brush. I don't think this is right so still have a lot to work on here.
Lense steamed up so I couldn't get a good photo. Gonna watch some more videos over the week and refine my technique.
Do people think leaving my brush to soak as I shower is adding to much water? I flick most of it off but I'm not sure as a few videos say just to dip the tip for a moment.
Suspended
Personally, I lather on my face.
Also I tend to shower first, the heat and steam helps. Proraso pre-shave applied and while doing that my razor and brush are in warm water. I then apply a couple of finger tips worth of cream, squish it into the bristles, remove excess water from brush and then it foams right up.
We all have our own techniques and none are right or wrong, just keep experimenting until you find out what's right for you.
Also I tend to shower first, the heat and steam helps. Proraso pre-shave applied and while doing that my razor and brush are in warm water. I then apply a couple of finger tips worth of cream, squish it into the bristles, remove excess water from brush and then it foams right up.
We all have our own techniques and none are right or wrong, just keep experimenting until you find out what's right for you.
Commissario
I don't use any pressure at all, just the weight of the razor on my face - That's what's right for me
I also face lather. I soak my brush for five minutes or so, then put a splash of hot water on my face, flick the brush to get rid of some of the water and then just swirl it round in the cream a few times before painting it on my face and then dipping the tips of the brush in warm water to build the lather.
Associate
I do the same. Irritation for me was going against the grain when not realising. Make sure your following the grain in the areas where you get irritation. I really wish my hair grew southward but sadly it does not so I have to shave different ways depending on the area of my face.
Associate
Is dipping the brush an easier way to load it than using your fingers to put it straight into the centre of the brush?
Associate
So I've changed a couple of bits on my routine.
So after shaking my brush after my shower in the dip the brush directly into my shaving cream tub and give it a whirl, the apply the lather directly to my face. Only problem with this is the lather is quite cold (where a hot lather would be better right?)
First pass I'm doing my whole face and neck with the grain.
Second pass in just doing my sides, chin and around my mouth but across the rain.
Third pass I'm doing around my mouth and chin but against the grain. I know I'm not doing that well as I have some patches that feel instability smooth and some that don't (for instance today I shaved the left half of my face smooth enough that I couldn't feel the bristles a few hours later even when running fingers against the grain, the right side I could feel the hair but it's not really a visual difference)
I've not finished my taster pack of Derby blades but I put my first Israeli blade in ready for my shave in the morning, I'm hoping a slightly sharper blade will give less of a scraping feeling on the thick hair on my chin and lip when going across the grain or against it.
So after shaking my brush after my shower in the dip the brush directly into my shaving cream tub and give it a whirl, the apply the lather directly to my face. Only problem with this is the lather is quite cold (where a hot lather would be better right?)
First pass I'm doing my whole face and neck with the grain.
Second pass in just doing my sides, chin and around my mouth but across the rain.
Third pass I'm doing around my mouth and chin but against the grain. I know I'm not doing that well as I have some patches that feel instability smooth and some that don't (for instance today I shaved the left half of my face smooth enough that I couldn't feel the bristles a few hours later even when running fingers against the grain, the right side I could feel the hair but it's not really a visual difference)
I've not finished my taster pack of Derby blades but I put my first Israeli blade in ready for my shave in the morning, I'm hoping a slightly sharper blade will give less of a scraping feeling on the thick hair on my chin and lip when going across the grain or against it.
Associate
So first shave with the israelis didn't go to plan, I managed to be real gentle on my neck but shaved as normal on my face (what I think I was doing with the Derbys). I wouldn't save the Israelis have any better shave on my face (although this could also be down to my technique which probably isn't consistent between shaves) but I did manage to make a right mess of the right half of my face (must have applied too much pressure and not realised) and also the left half of my upper lip (I realised I did then when I went against the grain, the blade sort of dug in and jumped across my face/stubble leaving some irritated red marks, again probably poor technique and too much pressure)
Rest of the shave looks good though!
Going to try this Israeli blade for a couple more shaves then decide whether to go back to the Derby or stick another Israeli in
Rest of the shave looks good though!
Going to try this Israeli blade for a couple more shaves then decide whether to go back to the Derby or stick another Israeli in
Zero pressure!
You'll get there. Remember, you're aiming for whisker reduction with each pass, not complete removal (that will happen on your final against the grain pass).
You'll get there. Remember, you're aiming for whisker reduction with each pass, not complete removal (that will happen on your final against the grain pass).
Associate
Yeh in definitely getting better, still struggling with the lather slightly I think with ether being too thick and clogging up or too thin and not giving proper coverage.
My razor rash from this morning cleared up pretty quick though so I'm very happy.
Try & get the feeling of using no more pressure than the weight of the head of the razor & don't try & take to much off in one go. Personal preference on lather is thicker, you can always wash the razor out more often, thinner just doesn't give any glide or protection.
Associate
Just doing another shaving shack order (I want a bowl to lather in)
I've been trying to use hair conditioner in the shower to soften the hairs on my chin and lip but doesn't seem to be helping, so I'm thinking of getting some pre shave oil.
This looks easy to use
http://www.shaving-shack.com/the-bluebeards-revenge_pre-shave-oil-125ml.html
But this type is what i've seen a lot of people get
http://www.shaving-shack.com/proraso_pre-and_post-shave-cream-100ml.html
Any advice? Any hows best to apply it?
Getting loads happier with my shave but still struggling with the thick hair on my chin and lip (even with a 3 pass shave)
I've been trying to use hair conditioner in the shower to soften the hairs on my chin and lip but doesn't seem to be helping, so I'm thinking of getting some pre shave oil.
This looks easy to use
http://www.shaving-shack.com/the-bluebeards-revenge_pre-shave-oil-125ml.html
But this type is what i've seen a lot of people get
http://www.shaving-shack.com/proraso_pre-and_post-shave-cream-100ml.html
Any advice? Any hows best to apply it?
Getting loads happier with my shave but still struggling with the thick hair on my chin and lip (even with a 3 pass shave)
I've just ordered myself a 1967 Vintage Gillette Superspeed Adjustable, looking forward to testing that out - I'll post pics when I get it.
On soap, I just don't get on with the Proraso, which is a shame, it smells lovely. If anyone wants it, it is theirs, all I ask is you cover postage. There is 80-90% of the pot left.
On soap, I just don't get on with the Proraso, which is a shame, it smells lovely. If anyone wants it, it is theirs, all I ask is you cover postage. There is 80-90% of the pot left.
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Associate
How much is postage mate
I'd imagine £1.50-£2?
Oi you! Take your raging heterosexuality and get the hell out! It's not welcome here.
Associate
I pulled out my Gillette Slim Adjustable of about that age the other day. I haven't used it in ten years!
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Gillette_Slim
I put in a Feather blade, turned it up to maximum aggression (9) and had a go. It was not as efficient as my Muhle R41+Feather. I needed three full passes and some face buffing over my trouble spot. It was a shave nearly as close as the R41 achieves with two passes and less stress to my skin.
Lovely razor but I will stick with the R41.
Yes, lets see a pic of yor when you get it.
I hope I have better performance with mine then. I'm going to buy a few other razors this year, the R41 in particular is of interest to me too.