(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best shaving products

Cartridge Razor

• Probably the most common razor type nowadays. They'll get the job done and you'll get a decent shave too.
  
  
• The Gillette Mach 3 (three blades), the Gillette Fusion (five blades) and the Wilkinson Sword Quattro (four blades) are probably the most common cartridge razors. They are widely available.
  
  
• You may also see some variations on the above razors. For example, the Fusion ProGlide Power is a battery-operated Fusion that vibrates, and is supposed to help the hair stand on end for a better shave. Some like it, some don't. Your call.
  
  Advantages
  
  

1. Technique matters less with this type of razor because most of them have a pivoting head that runs along the contours of your face. This reduces the chance of you getting the angle wrong and cutting yourself.
   
   
2. Supplies for this type of razor are readily available pretty much anywhere.
   
   Disadvantages
   
   
3. The replacement cartridges are extremely expensive for what they actually are. Gillette's (and other manufacturers') business model is to sell the handle for cheap and charge a fortune for the blades because you've already made the investment in the handle.
   
   
4. The cartridges tend to cut and tug your hair out. This can irritate those with particularly sensitive skin and many people get razor bumps when using these. As a general rule, the more blades a cartridge has, the more likely you'll have this tugging effect. If you don't have sensitive skin, then it should be fine.
   
   
5. These cartridge razors tend to get clogged with hair easily. The problem appears to be worse as the number of blades increases, ergo, the five blade Fusion will clog more easily than the three blade Mach 3.
   
   Technique
   
   

• Most people tend to use foam or gel with this type of razor.
  
  
• A WTG pass will suffice but go ATG too if you can (see "Passes" section below).
  
  
  *
  
  
  Double Edge (DE) Safety Razor**
  
  
• They look like this!
  
  
• Typically range from $20 to $60. I recommend the Merkur 38C as a good beginner's razor. Other reputable brands include Parker and Edwin Jagger. Weishi aren't bad either.
  
  
• These handles can (and often do) last you for life. You can also find them in antique shops if you look hard enough.
  
  Advantages
  
  

1. Blades for these razors are obscenely cheap in comparison to cartridge razors. In the UK, I can buy a 100 pack of Astra blades (my favourite brand) for about £9 on Amazon. That could easily last me a year of shaving on a near-daily basis.
   
   
2. The closeness of a DE shave is unbeatable IMO.
   
   
3. Your blades won't clog up with hair.
   
   
4. There is a certain enjoyment in mastering the art of a DE shave. This cannot be explained - only experienced.
   
   Disadvantages
   
   
5. A DE razor does not typically have a pivoting head like cartridge razors. That means you have to learn the proper technique or you're going to get a few nicks.
   
   
6. There is a little bit of a learning curve. It's nothing most people can't handle. However, if you're impatient or clumsy, DE might not be for you.
   
   
   Technique
   
   

• Hold the razor so it's comfortable, but keep your hand away from the face and more towards the end of the handle. You'll have better control over your wrist and the blade angle.
  
  
• Use minimal pressure. Let the blade do the work for you.
  
  
• Your first pass should be WTG. Your second pass should be XTG. Your third pass should be ATG (see "Passes" section below).
  
  
• Make sure the bathroom is nice and quiet. Listen for the blades cutting the hair so you'll know your perfect angle. It'll eventually be second nature.
  
  
• If you use a DE razor, you could use foam or gel, but the preferred method for most of us is to buy a shaving brush and some shaving soap or a shaving stick. Then you can use this to make lather. This video is a great guide on how to make lather.
  
  
• Since nicks are a bit more likely (especially in the early days) it's worth you buying a styptic pencil or alum block to seal up your cuts. An alum block is also good for soothing razor burn and also has antiseptic properties.
  
  *
  
  Electric Razor**
  
  
• No introductions necessary.
  
  Advantages
  
  

1. Pretty quick.
   
   
2. Can be used on dry skin. No need for shaving soap/foam/gel.
   
   
3. Your odds of cutting yourself are pretty damn slim!
   
   Disadvantages
   
   
4. Shave quality is severely reduced. You will never get as close a shave with one of these as you will with a cartridge razor or a DE razor.
   
   
5. Can be pretty harsh on sensitive skin. Try a pre-shave oil to see if this helps.
   
   
6. Requires either a power socket or battery power.
   
   Technique
   
   

• Oh, come on!
  
  
  
  Preparing the Face
  
  This differs for everyone. Make of it what you will. The general idea is just to get the face moisturised and the hair nice and soft.
  
  I tend to exfoliate my face with an exfoliating scrub, then rinse and apply a pre-shave oil or cream - I use this.
  
  
  
  Applying Shaving Lubricant
  
  This doesn't apply to electric razor users. You guys don't need it.
  
  If you're using a gel or foam, just apply it to the face.
  
  If you're using a shave soap and brush combination, your technique is a bit more important (but totally worth it):
  
  

1. Grab a mug, bowl, or some other vessel.
   
   
2. Wet your shaving brush with (preferably warm) water.
   
   
3. Either apply some soap to the end of the wet brush or put some soap in the mug.
   
   
4. Swirl that brush around in the soap.
   
   
5. Results will vary depending on the soap you're using; the quality of the brush; the softness, temperature and amount of water. If it's not really "whipping" up, consider adding a little more water.
   
   
6. Apply to face at desired consistency.
   
   If you're still having trouble, this is a good video on how to make lather.
   
   *
   
   Passes**
   
   There are three directions you can shave in. Shaving in a specific direction is known as a pass:
   
   

• With the grain (WTG) - shaving in the same direction as the hair grows. You could get away with doing just this. The shave will be socially acceptable, but it won't feel like a great shave.
  
  
• Against the grain (ATG) - shaving in the opposite direction of hair growth. This can be a little harsh if your skin is sensitive. This is especially true if you're new or haven't done good face prep.
  
  
• Across the grain (XTG) - Yep, you guessed it! Shaving across the direction of hair growth. This is a good compromise if you're finding ATG too rough on the skin.
  
  Here is a video about the different types of passes.
  
  *
  
  Post-Shave**
  
  
• If you bought an alum block, by all means run it under water and apply to your face. It'll help to seal cuts, close pores, and also acts as an antiseptic.
  
  
• If you don't have an alum block, splash some cold water on the face to help seal pores.
  
  
• Got nicks or cuts? Either apply an alum block or a styptic pencil. If you don't have these (you should), then you can just rip up some tiny pieces of toilet paper and stick them to your cuts for a few minutes. You can do this as you go along or at the end of the shave. Your call.
  
  
• Apply an aftershave lotion or balm. I wouldn't recommend any harsh aftershave sprays yet. If you've just finished shaving, you've got to treat your skin like a princess. Go for a soothing balm like this one (sorry, I love Proraso). I always use an after shave lotion with little or no alcohol, because alcohol dries your face out and makes you look older.
  
  
  
  Suggested Brands
  
  Razors - Gillette, Wilkinson Sword, Merkur, Parker, Edwin Jagger, Weishi, The Bluebeard's Revenge, Muhle.
  
  Blades - Merkur, Astra, Gillette, Shark, Derby, Lord, Feather, Wilkinson Sword.
  
  You can also buy sample packs like this one.
  
  Shaving Soaps/Sticks - Taylor of Old Bond St, Proraso, Erasmic, Trufitt & Hill, The Art of Shaving, Palmolive, Arko, Omega, Crabtree & Evelyn, Castle Forbes.
  
  Avoid Col. Conk
  
  Lotions/Creams/Oils/Gels - Taylor of Old Bond St, Proraso, Trufitt & Hill, Jack Black, Crabtree & Evelyn, Nivea, Gillette, The Art of Shaving, etc.
  
  
  
  I have intentionally left out straight razors and shavettes because you said you don't want to cut yourself. These have a much steeper learning curve than the other methods I have discussed. You probably will cut yourself if you attempt to use these.
  
  If you would like any further information about shaving, please feel free to message me, comment here, or visit /r/Wicked_Edge. Thank you!
  
  
  

There really is no "best" razor, what qualifies as best varies from person to person. The Edwin Jagger DE89 series is widely recommended. Personally I don't like the EJ DE89, and I find that the Parker 99R gives me much more comfortable shaves. I also find the Parker to be much more forgiving when you are just starting to learn to use a safety razor as well. Either razor wouldn't be a bad place to start looking, though.

In terms of soap, I would personally recommend you start out with one of these kits: Van Der Hagen Deluxe Shave Kit. You get a decent bowl, brush & soap for about $10. None of the stuff in the kit is the best of anything, but it is all fairly middle of the road and a great value for the price. Once you have gotten the hang of DE shaving you can upgrade your brush and soap as needed.

The Strop Shoppe also makes great soaps, and they have an incredibly reasonably priced sampler that is worth picking up. I also like Queen Charlotte Soaps quite a bit, and they also have a reasonably priced sampler.

You will need a pack of blades, right now I am enjoying Wilkinson Sword (which you might be able to get locally) but there are various blade samplers that are worth checking out.

• [West Coast Shaving](http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Sample-Packs_c_1.html}
  
• Shoebox Shave Shop
  
• Amazon
  
• BestShave.net
  
  There are tons of places that offer blade samplers if you look around. You will want to try a good number of blades so you can figure out which work best for you.
  
  Preshave treatments vary. Many people just wash their face in warm water and whatever soap they have on hand. Some people use a canned shave cream like Barbasol as a pre-shave soap (I have tried this and it works pretty good). MrGlo is a well respected preshave soap, but it can be hard to find and it is getting pricey due to its increasing rarity. If you are just starting out, you might wanna keep things simple and just use whatever soap you have on hand. You just want to make sure that you use a soap that won't dry your skin and you want your face slightly soap and wet before you apply your shave lather.
  
  After shaving you could follow up with Witch Hazel. Thayers is highly regarded, but you could use normal drug-store stuff as well, just look for low alcohol content. You might also want a styptic pencil which you should be able to get locally for $1-2. You might also consider an Alum Block instead of Witch Hazel.
  
  In terms of aftershave, there is a lot of variation bases on skin types and personal preference. I prefer Nivea for Men Post Shave Balm in the white bottle (not squeezable) as my skin tends to run a little dry and this has a nice gentle moisturizer. It also soothes razor burn quite well. However I know guys that swear by Every Man Jack products (they hurt me) so you will have to try things out to find what works for you. There are hundreds of specialty aftershaves people like, as well as all the common drugstore brands like Old Spice and Aqua Velva. If you have an aftershave that you are currently using, you might as well stick with it for now unless it really no longer meets your needs.
  
  I have a goatee and I have no problems whatsoever shaving around it. I don't know what to say beyond that, using a DE with a goatee is no more challenging than using a Mach3 in the same situation especially once you get your technique down.
  
  TL/DR
  
  My advice in everything is to start simple.
  
  
• Pick a good razor (The EJ & Parker I linked above are a good place to start)
  
• Buy the VDH kit I mention above. It is a good value and you should be able to find locally (Walmart, Target, CVS, most Grocery Stores all carry it).
  
• Buy a blade sampler.
  
• Buy a styptic (its better than toilette paper).
  
• Use whatever aftershave you were using before.
  
  Wait on everything else until you know if you really want to continue with DE shaving. This short list will get you started for about $40, and you can always pick up more stuff as you go along.

Straight razor shaving is a great way to accomplish an irritation-free shave, but it requires a good razor, good lather, and good technique.

Let's start with the razor. Which razor did you buy, and where did you buy it? Most of the straight razors on the market are made with inferior steel that can't hold a shaving edge. And even if you have a good razor, it's going to cause irritation if it hasn't been properly honed. (Note that many vendors claim their razors are "shave-ready" when they're not.) Unless and until you have a good razor with a properly-set bevel and a well-polished edge, good soaps and aftershaves aren't going to do you any good.

For good lather, you'll need a brush and a high-quality soap. You can't beat the ~$10 Maggard Razors synthetic brushes for value, but personally I prefer badger brushes (and broken-in boars, but let's not go down that rabbit hole yet). For $30-40 you can order a Frank Shaving finest or an Ace Shaving silvertip on eBay; just be prepared to wait for shipping from China. A couple of Amazon vendors are currently having a price war on the Semogue Owners Club that has driven it down to the lowes I've ever seen - $57 with free Prime shipping. Thanks to the weak Pound, $85 will now get you a Kent BK4 from a UK vendor. And once you hit $100 you have tons of great options.

Speaking of great options, there are so many fantastic soaps out there that you could write a book about 'em. If I had to pick one for somebody just starting out, it'd either be something from the Barrister & Mann Latha line (I really like Le Petit Chypre) (sign up for the Rewards Program for $5 off your first order) or, if you're already on Amazon, Pre de Provence.

Then there's technique. Getting a good shave with a straight razor is a challenge. You need to make absolutely sure everything else is right, so that your technique is the only variable. Frankly, you'd probably have an easier time with a safety razor, which will accomplish exactly the same thing with a shorter learning curve. But if you want to learn to use a straight, make sure you've got a good edge and a good lather, and then shave with it every day. Every. Single. Day. Maybe not a full shave; maybe just one pass, but use it every day. After 2 or 3 months you should develop competency.

OK...here we go :D

I'm going to preface what you're about to read with this caveat: My knowledge of aftershaves is somewhat limited. I've tried and used a handful myself, and know what I would recommend out of those, but I'll also recommend a few others based on what I know of their makers. I'll try to make very clear which is which.

Here's the page of aftershave samplers: http://www.maggardrazors.com/product-category/samples/pre-shave-post-shave-samples/post-shave/

• Either of the available Barrister & Mann scents will be great (all of their scents are impeccable), but I've personally used and highly recommend Lavanille: http://www.maggardrazors.com/product/barrister-mann-artisan-tonique-aftershave-splash-samples/
  
• Chiseled Face's scents can be polarizing, but his soaps are always top performers, and I've no reason to believe that his aftershaves would be any different. Trade Winds is probably the most accessible of them, although I love and recommend Sherlock as well. It's very earthy, so steer clear if you're not into that: http://www.maggardrazors.com/product/chiseled-face-aftershave-samples/
  
• Fine Accoutrements splashes are well regarded and excellently made. Watch out for Snake Bite, though; it's a menthol bomb: http://www.maggardrazors.com/product/fine-aftershave-samples/
  
• Trumper's Skin Food doesn't get enough love around here. It's actually quite good for both pre- and post-shave usage, and very nourishing for your face. I've only ever used the Extract of Limes flavor, but I'm sure the other two are great as well. It's also worth noting that this one isn't an alcohol splash and thus won't have that initial burn often associated with aftershave:
  http://www.maggardrazors.com/product/geo-f-trumper-skin-food-samples/
  
• I like all 5 available flavors of Captain's Choice aftershave. The Bay Rum and Cat o' Nine Tails are both bay rum scents, but Cat o' Nine Tails carries with it a significant burn, so be wary; it's not for the faint of heart: http://www.maggardrazors.com/product/captains-choice-aftershave-samples/
  
• Proraso is a classic, and although their soap can be polarizing, their aftershave is highly regarded by most: http://www.maggardrazors.com/product/individual-aftershave-balm-samples/
  
  Another aftershave that doesn't quite have the allure of all the gourmet brands above, but is actually very good, inexpensive and ubiquitous, is Nivea Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm. It feels great on the skin, has no alcohol burn, and you can find it at pretty much any local pharmacy, grocery store or big box retailer. I always keep a bottle of it on hand: http://www.amazon.com/Nivea-Sensitive-After-Shave-Soothing/dp/B0014E2Q8K
  
  Hope that helps!

My shave of the day (night?):

Brush: an Art of Shaving "genuine badger" brush:

• Got it for free from a friend who never touched it, but it came from one of the starter packs that I assume can be bought online or in store. I believe it is a variation of the brush in this starter kit
  
• I have no idea whether or not this is a "good" brush to be honest, but it's the only one I've ever used since I started DE shaving about 6 months ago. Works well for me!
  
  Shave Soap: Proraso sensitive soap
  
  
• Bought from amazon for $10
  
• Bought this after reading a bunch of reviews here. It's been great so far although I have nothing to compare it to except for the canned Brut I used to use before (this is miles better)
  
  
  Pre/After Shave Soap: Brickell Men's Charcoal Face Cleanser
  
  
• I got this from a Brickell Men's starter pack that was about $8
  
• I can't really complain. It smells of peppermint and does a good job, but the full-priced bottle is $25 on their site here...I can't really justify spending $25 on face wash when the black charcoal soap you can see in the background does the exact same thing minus the peppermint scent (for those interested: bought it from amazon for ~$10 for a pack of 3)
  
  Razor: what i believe to be a Gillette Ball End Tech
  
  
• Bought this for a good price from an antique shop
  
• Honestly I have no idea if this is actually a ball end tech, but from what i've read the lack of production code on the bottom of the head means it's from the 50's or so
  
• Works great! The only thing I have to compare it to is a Merkur Futur clone (I think it's called Q-shave) which also suits my needs very nicely. Only complaint is that it seems to get clogged up quickly.
  
  Alum: Phoenix accoutrements alum block
  
  
• Got it from amazon for about $6 (can't find the link sorry)
  
• Comes with a rubber band so the rock doesn't slip from your hands. It started to crumble pretty early on so I won't be buying again. I have a RazoRock alum stick waiting for me so hopefully that lasts longer
  
  Aftershave: Nivea sensitive after-shave
  
  
• Bought from a CVS
  
• Haven't really tried any other aftershaves, but this one suits my needs perfectly and doesn't feel too sticky afterwards. Will definitely buy another one when this runs out
  
• Should note that the brickell men's sample pack does come with a really nice aftershave, but again it's $25 and I'm sure I could find something better
  
  Shaving Beer: Creature Comforts Tropicalia
  
  
• Easily my favorite IPA. Very tropical flavor (as per name) and goes down pretty easy. If anyone has recommendations for other IPAs I'd be happy to search them out and give comparisons
  
  
  Edit: I apologize for the redundant SOTD tag in my title just. Also sorry that the image was linked as an album

1. Neither is better or worse for sensitive skin. There are soaps that have burned my face and there are creams that have burned my face. If you have a reaction to one you just have to figure out what ingredient it was that caused it and resign to only use products without that ingredient (lanolin kills me personally, but works great for other people). A good place to start is with Proraso White or Green soap (Green also comes in cream form if you'd like to try that, creams are easier to lather and deal with hard water better), or if you're on a tight budget pick up an Arko stick. You can also find sample packs of creams and almost all the artisan soap makers like Stirling and Barrister & Mann (and many many more artisans I can't even list them all) offer samples. Samples are helpful because you never really know what something smells like until you smell it in person.
   
   
2. Many and myriad are the choices. Maggard sells some very good in-house MR brand razors that are extremely affordable. You can also start with a vintage Gillette Adjustable if you can find a good one online for cheap, but prices and quality on those vary a LOT. Adjustables let you change how mild or aggressive the razor it. The other popular choice right now is the Edwin Jagger razor, mild and has a nice high mirror chrome finish with a variety of handle colors. My personal favorite, however, is the Parker 92R, all brass and fantastic head geometry that gives me the best shave out of all the razors I've tried.
   
   You'll also need to pick up a brush to lather the soap/cream with. Omega boar brushes are great quality and come very cheap, or if you want badger hair you can get a Silvertip badger brush from Whipped Dog for $30 (pick a handle size and select silvertip from the dropdown menu). If animal hair isn't your thing then you'll want a synthetic brush, of which Muhle has undoubtedly the best.
   
   Alternatively you can just pick up a complete starter kit and not have to worry about buying everything separately.

After some careful deliberation and lots of research here on w_e, I bit the bullet and made a $100 purchase (more than I would have liked, but I think I can justify it):

Merkur 180 razor $31 for my large sized hands. Good reviews all around and price seemed comparable to the Edwin Jagger that was recommended.

VDH Men's Luxury Shave Set $32 I went with this set basically because I wanted a shaving mug. Also, I'm not convinced I could purchase each component separately and save more than a few dollars while retaining quality. The soap has great reviews, the brush seems decent (good for a starter brush) and the stand is bonus. If I purchased each component separately I might have been able to save a few dollars, but it's easier to start out with the kit, I think.

[This blade sampler] (http://www.amazon.com/FEATHER-Oclock-BLUEBIRD-Blade-Sampler/dp/B004UIZFQW/ref=sr_1_2?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1331009882&sr=1-2) $16 This was a recommended sampler on one of mpperry's links, I went with it because it's a good variety of brands I recognize from research and gives me more than one or two blades of each brand.

[This alum block] (http://www.amazon.com/Tulumba-Barber-Alum/dp/B000VXELII/ref=sr_1_3?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1331010211&sr=1-3) $8 incl shipping Again, found this through research. Alum block was said to be a non-essential, but I have sensitive skin and it sounds like alum will help me with razor burn and dryness. Plus, I figure, if I'm making the change, might as well go whole-ish hog.

Finally, This nick stick $8 because I know I'll screw up a few times, and I can't be bleeding all over the ladies all the time.

I skipped an aftershave, mostly because I didn't want to pay for shipping. I can probably find a decent one at Walgreens or something.

Although I didn't buy many of the things mpperry recommended in his awesome comment, I plan to use those things in the future when I'm no longer a beginner. Better soaps, better blades and better brushes are in my future, when I'm getting better shaves!

Shipment should arrive over spring break, I figure that's a good time to learn. Can't wait!

The price is reasonable, but you could do better for the same money. The Merkur razor shown is not so good as one of the Edwin Jagger DE8x series (or the Mühle equivalents): the latter have a newer, better head design. The EJ series prices depend on the handle (the heads are all the same) and range from $32-38. If you can afford it, the ARC Weber razor is truly magnificent, but it runs $70.

For the story on blades, read this post.

For a brush, consider a horsehair shaving brush: terrific lather generators and modestly priced. In the US, BullgooseShaving.net has a good selection. The "Bombito" on that page ($15) is actually horsehair despite being labeled "boar" and the Zurito has proved quite popular.

If you really want badger, look at the Wee Scot, and check out Frank Shaving and Lijun shaving brushes.

For soaps and shaving creams, you might want to try samples to see what you like and what agrees with your skin. Check out Garry's Sample Shop and also try some samples purchased from the artisanal soapmakers:


• Al's Shaving
• Em’s Place
• Ginger’s Garden
• Honeybee Soaps
• Kell’s Original
• Mama Bear
• Mystic Water
• Nanny’s Silly Soap Company (in the UK)
• Prairie Creations
• QED
• Queen Charlotte Soaps
• Saint Charles Shave
• Scodioli
• The Shave Den

I just discovered Mystic Water, and their soaps are excellent.

Soaps are quite sensitive to hard water. Unless you know your tap water is soft, try a distilled water shave as an experiment. It's sort of fun, and it can be eye-opening.

I highly recommend a pre-shave soap---it doesn't make lather, but washing your beard with it at the sink after you shower will make for a better shave. I recommend Musgo Real Glyce Lime Oil soap (MR GLO) (or the same thing, Ach. Brito Glyce Lime soap, only cheaper and with a different label), but any high-glycerine soap will do, even Dr. Bronner's. I'm enjoying QED Reserve right now, and also look at Proraso's pre-shave soap.

Also check out the reader reviews of my introductory guide to see whether you think it would be helpful.

The Azzaro Chrome aftershave you're using is alcohol-based, and will likely dry your skin. Feel that burn? Yeah, it's nice, but I prefer the soothing and less-astringent Witch Hazel alternative.

Listed in order of recommended products:

• Nivea for Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm, Active Comfort System, 3.3-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 4) note: witch-hazel based, so good for your face
  
  
• Yes To Carrots Fragrance-Free Intense Hydration Night Cream, 1.7 Fluid Ounce
  
  
• Yes To Carrots Nourishing Exfoliating Cleanser, 3.38-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 2)
  
  
• Musgo Real Lime Glyce Oil (MR GLO) Soap (use for pre-shave beard and face conditioning)
  
  I have not personally used MR GLO but the glycerin in it is great for skin hydration, and I plan on picking some up to add to my pre-shave routine.
  
  Looks like a lot of money, I know that, but I'm just tossing you some options here. I would highly recommend the night cream if you can at all afford it, since my face in particular dries out overnight if I don't apply this stuff. YMMV, but I can definitely vouch for the night cream, which is also available at Target.
  
  My local Target has discontinued the exfoliator, but I get mine on Amazon now. Feels fantastic on dry skin, just massage in with fingers until your skin feels buffed out. Not necessary, since your razor will exfoliate you plenty (and all you really care about are your shaved areas), but I use it on my whole face.
  
  And of course, Nivea Sensitive Post-Shave Balm works amazingly well for an off-the-shelf solution, also found at Target.
  
  PS: A cheap easy way to really clean up before you apply your aftershave balm is to apply straight-up Witch Hazel to your face using Cotton Rounds. Wipe it on generously, fan it to feel a cooling sensation if you want, let it sit for about a minute, then rub in what hasn't dried off. Apply aftershave balm, and enjoy your well-maintained face. Witch hazel and rounds are easily available at your local Target/Wally World/Walgreens.

As someone explained, ingrown hairs happen when the hair doesn't actually break the surface of the skin, the most common cause for them is shaving with poor gear or incorrectly. Basically you shave and instead of cutting the hair, the razor pulls it slightly out from the hair follicle before actually cutting it. So when the hair grows back, if it's even slightly off from it's previous position, there's a good chance it won't break through the skin and end up as an ingrown hair.

Some people also have naturally very curly hair which then ends up causing much more ingrown hairs than most others. If they just happen even without shaving then the issue is a bit more difficult to manage and there's actually very little you can do about it. However if they happen after shaving, then solution do exist.

I'm going to detail some things you can do about your shaving routine that should help with ingrown hairs.

First of all, get yourself a double edge razor. If you want something cheap you can get one for about 3$ from Amazon, for something a bit better and more expensive the Edwin jagger DE89 is an excellent razor. There are literally hundreds of other options out there, you can often find DE razors from antique shops, flea markets or just your parents/grandparents place. And vintage razors are often extremely good if they are in decent shape.

Next you'll need some blades, I recommend buying a sampler pack again this one is about 11$. The reason you want a sample pack is because certain blades work better for certain people, so you can try them out and find the blade that fits you.

Now why on earth would you spend the whopping 15$ on technology from 70's when you have the new gilette 20 blade razor that is supersharp technology masterpiece? Mostly because it's not supersharp, well..It kinda is but it won't stay that way. The problem is that blades go dull, and when blades go dull they don't cut well, when they don't cut well they tug the hair and you end up with ingrown hairs. The easy solution is to change the cartridge often, but the cartridges are really goddamn expensive so you don't want to do that. DE blades? You can get a years supply for 20-30$, change it every 1-3 shaves and you can ensure the blade stays sharp and cuts well.

Someone also suggested exfoliating the skin, but you can kill two birds with one stone. You can get yourself a shaving brussh, something simple like the Omega 10077 it's a good, cheap starter brush it's a bit on the harder side so you can easily use it to exfoliate your skin prior to shaving. With that you can get a tube of Proraso shaving cream which is leaps and bounds better than the stuff you get from a supermarket in a can. Then to top it off get yourself some nice aftershave to calm your skin after shaving.

Now you'll also need to change your entire routine a bit. Slap a blade on your new razor, fill your sink up with some hot water and let your brush soak in the water. While your brush soaks rinse the areas you want to shave with plenty of hot water, this helps to open up the pores and soften your hair prior to shaving. If you want you can use some pre-shave to try and keep the irritation to your skin to minimum. Now you'll need to prep some lather, you can use a bowl, your hand or just do it right where you want to shave Here's a good guide on what you can do. The basic idea is to make sure your brush isn't exactly dripping wet but still wet, get about an almond size drop of the shave cream, then just mix up the cream like you'd be mixing eggs, add drops of water if needed. Once you have some lather, apply it in the places you want. You should use rather brisk circular motions, these help to prop your hair up and makes them easier to shave. Applying cream with hands usually has the bad effect of pushing your hair flat on your skin which makes shaving harder.

Now you have some lather so you'll need to shave. There are two main things to keep in mind with a DE: Blade angle and pressure.

Basically there is an ideal blade angle and finding one will take some time. However there is an entire wiki page dedicated to this. The second one is pressure, with a cartridge razor you ten dto press it against your skin, because the blades are dull and you try to shave as well as possible. With a DE, you should not put any pressure on your skin. The blade is sharp enough to cleanly cut the hair with zero pressure. Getting a hang of it is gonna take a week or so, but once you do you will consistently get better shaves. And be sure to rinse your blade often with the water you have in your sink, you don't want too much cream clogging the blade up.

The basic three pass DE shave includes one pass with the grain of the hair, another across the grain and the final pass is done very carefully against the grain and only if needed or you absolutely want to do it. Shaving against the grain gives you the best shave, but also irritates your skin more and is much more likely to end up with reddish skin or small cuts. So you fist shave everything with the grain, then rinse, apply lather, shave across the grain, rinse, and shave against the grain if needed.

Finally rinse with cool water, dry yourself up and apply aftershave. For other post-shave products you can get yourself an Alum bloc. It's a natural astringent that closes up most small razor nicks. After your final pass and after rinsing your face, grab the block and just massage it on the areas where you shaved, then rinse your face again. Another excellent product is witch hazel. It's again an all natural skin care product, it helps to cool, refresh and revitalize your skin. You can also use it daily even if you don't shave. Personally I apply witch hazel after I rinse off the alum. Then wait a few minutes and apply after shave.

Doing all that should help to decrease skin irritation and reduce ingrown hairs. And those products are just a dip in he ocean, there are hundreds of soaps, aftershaves, creams and all manner of other things you can get cheap and easy. Check out /r/wicked_edge for more.

Awesome! All right, here we go.

Razors:

The difference between men and women's razors is that women's have longer handles and a smaller aperture for the blade. Men's usually have a wavy little comb bit that lifts up their thicker beard hair to cut.

The one I personally recommend is the Weishi. It's $17 bucks, and the metal is really light, but I ended up getting used to that fairly quickly. Not a big initial investment and perfectly adequate for my needs.

I see Murker recommended fairly often. I hear they are okay, if overpriced. I personally hated it, lol. They are definitely geared towards beards and did not play nice with my pale little legs.

You could also go for the vintage Lady Gillette. I paid $30 for mine on ebay and it's got a nice long handle, good grip, and nice weighty metal. This was actually my first purchase and I'm still really happy with it. Considering I'm happy with the Weishi, though, I'd probably just repurchase that one if I ever lose mine.

Blades:

Now this one might take some trial and error. Everyone has different hair and different skin and every razor brand shaves a little differently.

A lot of people start off with a multipack to get a feel for the different blades and then narrow it down to brands they like. I think it's a great idea and probably your best bet. I'll still mention my experiences though.

STAY AWAY FROM DORCO. They are bullshit. I'm not a fan of Gillette brand blades either except for the Wilkinson Sword and they're kind of expensive at $20 for 100. Derby is also just okay.

Feather: give the sharpest, closest shave ever. So sharp that you can cut yourself and you won't even notice until the trail of blood starts going down the drain. Great blades, and a ton of people like them, but I found that they dull too quickly for leg real-estate and are too scary sharp for sensitive bits.

Voskhod: Sharp, reliable, lasts through a few shavings. I quite like this one and have repurchased it. They are good, solid razors that gave a decent shave. Good for all-over.

Shark: My favorite at the moment. Comparable to Voskhod except I feel they might give a slightly closer shave and dull a little bit faster. If I had both in the bathroom I would probably choose Shark for the legs and Voskhod for everywhere else.

Astra: Worked adequately. Shave isn't bad or great, just reliable. Worked on the legs but not as good in other places. Wasn't worth a repurchase.

Lord: I think these actually lasted the most shaves out of all of them, at about 4 uses per blade. I think I had the least incidence of cuts with these but the shave wasn't as close as I wanted. My shaves usually last two or three days with the other razors but with this one I was feeling it lasted only 1-2. I think these are literally the opposite of the Feathers in terms of their qualities.

​

M'kay, that's all I can think of for now. I hope this helps!

For the handle it's really up to you, but I would go with the 1/7/11 because you'll get a better grip on those. The 1 is the standard length, the 7 is a little longer, and the 11 is a little shorter.

Soap is also a personal preference. I love London Barbershop, it was my first soap and I still use it regularly. 2oz of artisan soap will probably last you 40-60 shaves. If you want the best value soap, look into a box of Arko sticks on Amazon. They seem to last forever and are only like $1.25 each in quantity. I would recommend smelling one first, the scent seems to be very polarizing. Artisan-wise, Stirling is probably the best value since they have ~6oz tubs for the same price as most 4oz tubs and tons of scents.

As a beginner I would also recommend checking out Try A Blade and getting a couple of their top 10 samplers. Use some of the blades from Maggard's to get your technique down then try the sampler blades. Once you pick your favorite blade hop on eBay and find a 100-pack, usually about $20-$30.

I don't know of any promo codes Maggard's has active right now.

/r/wicked_edge has lots of great advice. I'll boil a lot of it down for you though..

1. Stop using the 17-bladed nuclear-powered vibrating cartridge monsters with extra lubricating strip and kung-fu grip. Similarly, no electric shavers. They're really electric hair-ripper-outers. Not kidding. Kick it old school, like your grandfather. Look at a double-edge safety razor, or if you're really looking to go all-in, consider a straight razor.
   
   
2. Think about your shaving cream. Does it come out of a can using aerosol? Maybe rethink that too then. Plenty of options out there that don't involve chemical-laden aerosol-propelled goo. You can even really turn the clock back with a cup/bowl/mug and brush setup to whip up a nice lather. I'm a fan of Taylor of Old Bond Street. But, I've also used DR Harris products, and they're quite nice as well. One of the side benefits of my former job was all the trips to London, so I could just stop into the ToBS shop on Jermyn Street. Sadly, those days are past, so I rely on the kindness of co-workers that still go over. :) It's easy enough to get their products in the US, it just costs a bit more.
   
   
3. If you go the DE route, get a sample pack of different blades. Different blades work differently on different guys. For me, Derby blades are death. For others, they're amazing. For me, I work well with Astra, or can manage Feathers if I'm really careful (they're super sharp). My best blade though, has been a Personna medical prep blade.
   
   
4. Shave in passes. Do a with-the-grain pass, followed by an across-the-grain pass. If you're really not there yet, you can add an against-the-grain pass, but that's a pretty advanced move. Remember - you're doing multiple passes. You don't need to remove every bit of hair the first pass. You don't press the razor into your face (as you're probably used to!). This razor has heft, and a blade that's really sharp. You're accustomed to a lightweight razor that has blades that are as dull as a hunk of cardboard compared to your garden variety DE blade.
   
   
5. Use a quality aftershave. Try to avoid ones that contain alcohol, as it dries out the skin. I love the Nivea sensitive skin stuff. I can get it for way cheaper than that link shows at Walgreens, Target or Wegmans though.
   
   Many folks will try to sell you on the economics here, and how much money you'll save by shaving this way. While possible, it's not necessarily so. One can go bonkers and spend hundreds on the best gear if they wish. BUT, you don't have to.
   
   For me, I use a $30 brush from whippeddog.com with a $5 mug from Target. My cream (ToBS Jermyn St) runs about $15 a tub, which lasts me probably 6-9 months. My daily shaver is a $30 Edwin Jagger, and my blades run about $30 for a 100-pack. I get 2-3 shaves from each blade.
   
   If you run the numbers, you'll likely come out ahead by going to DE, get better shaves, and have better skin as well. It sure was cheaper for me. I used to go through a cartridge a week. So, that's 4 carts a month. I was spending $30-ish every other month on 8-packs of cartridges, or about $3.75 per week. Nowadays, that's 2 blades a week, at ~$0.30/blade, that's $0.60/week in blades. That's a massive savings alone.
   
   You can do the ROI analysis for yourself. Take into account what you'd spend on shaving supplies, and calculate at which points the cost lines cross (ie break-even).

This isn't exactly what you're asking for, but it might help. Since I started using a different razor/shaving cream, razor burn is history and my complexion has gotten better.

Get yourself a nice double edged safety razor. I have a Merkur Futur. It isn't cheap, but It'll last a lifetime and blades are cheap as dirt. There are less expensive razors in the ~$30 range. It is easy to justify the cost when you realize you won't be paying much at all for the razors.

Get a brush (to apply shaving cream) - badger hair is the best. I have this: Omega Stripey Badger Hair Brush

Get a quality shaving soap. I used to use just these two: Proraso Eucalyptus and Colonel Conk's Bay Rum. Now, I'm favoring the Sensitive Skin Cream which may be more up your alley too. The proraso creams don't require a shaving bowl to store them in, but the Col. Conk does.

The other bonus is that using such a sharp blade (they are cheap enough to replace every 2-3 shaves w/o guilt) it also serves as a great exfoliant. My face feels awesome after I shave.

Here's what I would suggest:

Razor: either this one if you want to stay frugal or this one if you want to splurge a bit. I'd stay away from the QShave. It's a clone of a razor with a lot of design issues. One being that the head is so large it's hard to get under the nose, etc.; another issue is that it is extremely aggressive even at its lowest setting.

Brush: This synthetic brush. I think it's much better to start with a synthetic than a boar brush. Boar brushes are less comfortable on your face and actually make it more difficult to make lather until they break in. No reason to mess with those variables when you're just trying to get the hang of it. As for this specific synthetic brush, I have one and it is an amazing value for the money. It is one of about a dozen brushes I own, some of which were $200+, and this $12 brush holds its own with them.

Shaving soap: Lots of options here. Barrister & Mann's Latha line performs extremely well and is a great value. Several scents to choose from. Barrister &
Mann's Glissant line is a bit more expensive but has even better performance and more complex scents. Seville is a particularly good starting point with B&M, just an extremely clean, classic, masculine scent. Pre de Provence and Pre de Provence No. 63 are classic french soaps that smell great and perform very well.

Aftershave: Even more options here. You could go with Thayer's witch hazel with aloe, or if you want a traditional high alcohol aftershave, Fine Accoutrements is excellent. There are several scents, all based on popular and/or classic colognes. Or you could splurge and get the world's greatest aftershave product, L'Occitane Cade After Shave Balm.

Blades: Amazon has some good deals on blades in bulk but just sucks for sampler packs, and you want to start with a sampler pack because reasons. So head on over to TryABlade and order two of the "Top 10 Sampler." You can't use your Amazon credit there, but it's going to come to less than $10 including shipping.

So, if you go with the cheapest option in each category, you come out to fifty dollars or so if I'm adding right, which leaves you room to pick out one or more of those splurge options I mentioned.

The necessary items are; razor, brush, cream/soap, and blade sampler pack. For aftershave you can use whatever you currently have, but if you don't have anything you can pick up Nivea sensitive aftershave balm from your local supermarket for $5.

There are preshave creams, oils, and soaps. These are not necessary, but some users do find them helpful. A cheap glycerin soap like the "clearly natural" or "whole foods 365" can be had for about 2-3 dollars. You use these soaps to wash your face before you start lathering.

For post shave there is; alum block, afershave splash, aftershave balm, moisturizing cream, moisturizing oil like jojoba oil, unrefined shea butter, and witch hazel. You pretty much have to try which works for you, but I'd start with a cheap aftershave balm like the Nivea sensitive that I mentioned (if you get satisfactory results with it you don't have to explore the other options unless you want to).

For bowl lathering you can use any small sized bowl you have in your house. Approximately 2-3 inches deep and 4-6 inches in diameter would be a good size for the bowl. You can also purchase one from your local supermarket for cheap. Alternatively you can face lather which removes the need for a bowl.

--------------

HERE is what I recommend for DE kit. Mainly posting that for all the information links in that post, I recommend you check them out.

Below is a UK specific suggestion:

• Razor: Edwin Jagger DE89, DE86, or DE87. (just the handles are different) £20.
  
• Brush: Omega 40033 'Mighty Midget' boar brush £5.70
  
• Blade sampler: 10 brands 65 blades £9.90
  
• Shaving cream/soap: Tesco sells Palmolive shaving cream for £1.80 or Palmolive shaving stick £0.50 (might be available at ASDA).
  
  
• ASDA, and Boots should sell "The real shaving company" shaving cream (might be called "Groomed"). The real shaving company shaving cream can be purchased from Connaughtshaving as well.
  
  Total: about £40 (including shipping).
  
  ---------
  
  If you are on a super tight budget you can switch the Edwin Jagger razor to 'Boots' plastic handle DE razor. They sell it for about £3. I have not personally tried it myself, but others have said it to be decent. The Sodial razor is available through Amazon.uk too.
  
  Lastly if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
  
  Edit: the Connaughtshaving 'popular' blade sampler seems to be out of stock. You could order the sampler from nkdman.co.uk they have free shipping.

Instead of getting a pre-made set, id pick and choose what i want. With 150, you can get quite a few nice things.

This razor is very very highly praised and so is the handle. I my self have the normal handle with the DLC head but since that one is out of stock this is your only option. $70


This brush has very good reviews on Amazon and is is usually pretty highly praised on here as well. Plus it comes with a stand so you might like that. If you want to save money on this part, id also suggest the Van Der Hagen luxury set. I am using it currently and while the brush could be better, i love the soap and the bowl is spectacular. $36

Just those two things alone cost you a little over 105 so that leaves you 45 dollars for a pre-shave soap, a soap/cream, a blade sampler pack and any post shave supplies you may want, like after shave and alum bloc, all of which you have many options for as well.

A Fusion ATG everyday on a coarse beard is going to murder your face. That used to be how I shaved for a long time, and my skin hated me.

My suggestions in the immediate term is to step up your prep and shave products. That alone will make a very big, immediate difference without breaking the bank or requiring you to teach yourself how to shave with a safety razor (i.e. a double-edge razor).

My advice is to buy the following:

• Proraso shaving cream
  
  
• Proraso pre-shave cream
  
  
• Omega boar-bristle brush
  
  All-in, you're looking at about $40 in products. IMO, Nivea makes a perfectly good aftershave balm, so no need to mess with that. If you want to try a splash, you could try this, but it's not necessary.
  
  For the prep and shave: after your shower, soak the brush in hot water for a couple of minutes. In that time, wet your face with hot water, then rub in about a dime to a quarter-sized amount of the pre-shave (however much it takes to get a thin layer of coverage without any gooping). Rinse it off with hot water. Your face should feel slicker after the pre-shave.
  
  Remove the brush, squeeze the bristles to get the excess water out, then give it a 1/2- or 3/4-inch line of shaving cream. Go to town on your cheek with broad, swirling motions, lathering right onto your face (you can use a mug or whatnot, but your face works just as well and saves time).
  
  If the cream feels too thick, just add a bit of water and continue lathering. It'll take some experimentation to get the amount of water right (varies based on water hardness). Too little water and it will not lubricate very well. Too much and it becomes a runny mess that doesn't lubricate at all. Add water in little bits. You'll figure it out by feel pretty quickly.
  
  Shave WTG, hot rinse, lather, XTG, hot rinse, lather, ATG. Use as little pressure as possible and try to let the blades do the work on each pass. It should feel like the blades are just barely touching your face. Rinse cold after you're done.
  
  That should help deal with the irritation and improve your shaves in the short term. When you're ready, feel free to move up to safety razors. Probably the best way to start is to get ahold of a basic Merkur 34C razor and this thing. Switch brands every two weeks and slowly work through until you find one you're really happy with.
  
  Good luck!

Yes! This was something I put a lot of thought into when I was really sick.

• /u/mnicoleb1773 already mentioned body wipes, which is an essential for the spoonie life. We're living in the golden age of body wipes and I love it. There are the medical grade ones (like these) and the fancier ones they sell in stores now for, like, "active people on the go", and the deodorant ones just for underarms, or whatever. For vulva-owners, I definitely recommend a wipe designed for that area.
  
  
• After the wipes, a good body powder is sometimes helpful (I love Lush's "silky underwear" to use under arms and the underboob area).
  
  
• For hair, if yours is short enough you can use rinse-free shampoo (some even come in a shower cap form where you just put it on and smoosh it around and throw it out). I usually fared better with dry shampoo and a re-hydrating spray for curly/wavy hair since my ends tend to dry out.
  
  
• And then there's shaving. Get an electric shaver that works dry. I got this basic one for $18, and it's absolutely good enough. I even use it on underarms after getting the area clean and thoroughly dry (a tiny bit of powder rubbed in before is helpful to reduce friction).
  
  
• Another option for shaving is the shave cream by EOS. It can be used dry! And it works as long as your razor is good and sharp and you go a tiny bit slower. (I wiped a damp washcloth on my legs first and that seemed to help) And then follow it with a damp cloth to get the residue. And you can just be sitting on the floor to do this anywhere.
  
  
• When I was feeling ambitious enough to shower, a stool was essential. My shower is tiny, and this one still fit. If you've got a bigger shower stall (or even a tub!) you can find some cuter shower chairs, even.
  
  
• And I would sit to floss. And really just, any time that it was logistically possible.

I've been using my 6S without issue for over a year now. It's been great, but I'm looking forward to see how the Model T compares to it when it finally arrives. I've passed on my "extra" razors to my dad as he became interested in wetshaving as well. At the very least he loves the great Maggards synthetic brush.


It's pretty nice being settled on a razor and not needing to look at new ones anymore. The only downside is I'm considering ordering a second Model T to hold as a future gift before the price doubles.


And to answer your question, I'd recommend giving Feathers a try, especially since you have them there. I used to use only Personna Blues with the 6S, but switched to Feathers a few months ago and have really nice shaves with them.

I shave my legs, armpits, and lady parts daily and almost never get razor burn or ingrown hairs anymore. I used to only shave once every few days because my skin would get so irritated, but I've found that with this process I'm able to shave daily with no issues:

1. Trim long hair first
   
   • Like others have said, if it's been a while since you shaved the area it's a lot easier if you trim the hair down prior to shaving. If you don't have a trimmer using scissors is fine.
     
     
2. Exfoliate
   
   • I recommend doing so once a week or so if you're shaving regularly, or prior to shaving if it's more rare of an occurrence. I really like the Lush Ocean Salt scrub and the Haus of Gloi Sugar Exfoliant
     
3. Use good razor blades
   
   • This is the most important thing. Don't use crappy disposable blades; even a lot of the "better" drugstore brands would still give me bumps and ingrown hairs (like Mach 3 Turbo and equivalents). I currently use the Dorco Shai 6 Smooth Touch blades though I bought one of the Pace 6 Plus handles because the men's razor handles are much sturdier (the Shai handles are entirely plastic and break easily if dropped, and the men's are mostly metal and a lot more sturdy).
     
4. Use a good shaving cream
   
   • Ditch the aerosol foam stuff, it's not helping you much at all. Conditioner is better than those shaving foams. There's a lot of different options, but I've found that for my skin the best are the thicker creams that contain some kind of shea or coconut butter. I really like Lush's Dirty shaving cream, but it's rather expensive so I've switched to the Van Der Hagen Shave Butter that's like 1/4 of the price and works just as well.
     
5. Switch out blades often
   
   • I switch out my razor cartridges every 3 days, which seems to be the limit before they get dull enough to start irritating my skin and giving a worse shave. Don't bother with places like Dollar Shave Club -- they literally just buy Dorco blades, re-brand them, then mark them up. Just find an online retailer and buy direct from them.
     
   • Also, if you do go with Dorco, there's absolutely no reason whatsoever to pay full price. They have some kind of sale every 2-3 weeks so I always wait until they're having some kind of 20% off or buy-one-get-one promotion before buying more.
     
6. Moisturize
   
   • Putting on a lotion that's not going to irritate your skin post-shave helps me a lot. I like the Nivea Sensitive Post-Shave Balm or the basic St. Ives Moisturizing Lotion

Taylor of Old Bond Street and Geo F Trumper are both London-based companies with a very good reputation here. Both companies offer a sandalwood variety of shave soap. For around £10 you should be able to get a 6 oz soap of either in a plastic tub, or you can upgrade to Geo F Trumper in a wooden bowl for about £20.

Edwin Jagger is a company based out of Sheffield that offers very nice razors for around £20. Any that start with DE8_ are good, they all have the same head... it just comes down to the handle for example DE86 has a faux-ebony handle but DE89 is all chrome... the cutting head is the same on both.

A silvertip (highest quality) badger brush will run you at least £20, so as you can probably start to see, getting a soap, brush, and razor all for £30-40 will be tricky. If you downgrade to a boar brush you can get one for about £10 which will bring all 3 products to about £40. A boar brush isn't "worse", it's just different -- many people prefer it over badger. It's also more humane as the badgers need to be killed to harvest their hair. Otherwise you will need to start getting into lower-quality soaps and razors to offset the cost of the badger brush, or spend at least an extra tenner.

For example here are some amazon.co.uk links for you, there are probably other UK-based shaving websites that carry all these as well, or if you live in a major city you might even have a physical shave shop:

Razor

Shaving soap

Boar brush (personally I would look for one with a wooden handle though, I think it's classier than the plastic. If you want to stick with plastic, they come in a variety of colours)

I intentionally picked British-made products for you since you want to incorporate strong traditional and classic themes, but other companies like Merkur (German), Gillette (American), Parker (Indian) also make good razors that you might want to take a look at. I'm also assuming you want a brand new razor and not something vintage. Proraso is a nice Italian soap I use myself that will probably cost you £5 if the others are a bit too expensive.


You can add in an aftershave but that will again be another £10 or so, same with a bowl. If you want something classic and like an aftershave, I'd pick up an alum block instead. It's a naturally-occuring mineral that acts as an astringent and antiseptic -- you run it over your face after shaving to close your pores and prevent razor bumps, etc. Brand generally doesn't matter, it's all the same chunk of rock. I think a bowl is an unnecessary extra cost, any cereal bowl or latte mug can be used. If anything, just go to a charity shop and pick out the nicest mug you can get for £1-2. The bowl is used to produce your lather... you swirl the brush on the soap for 30-60 seconds to load it, and then transfer to the bowl and the lather will grow into something like a normal shaving cream when you stir it for a couple minutes. You can also lather directly onto your face or in the palm of your hand if preferred too.

If he has any questions on how to use the stuff, just direct him our way :)

There are some that cost 100 but you can find a great one for much cheaper, like around 50-60. Read some reviews off the internet and make sure it has a grated handle, if it doesn't have a grated handle it becomes very slippery when when wet. The other things is that different razors do better with different blades but I've yet to find a razor that doesn't work great with either feather blades or the Astra superior platinum so I would recommend buy a small pack of each to try.


I bought this one for less than 20 bucks for travel and it works really well with feather blades. It doesn't have the nice weight you get from a higher quality razor and the perfect blade stability, but it's still better than a cartridge razor and will get you started until you can save up for something better. When I get home I will send you some other things you should get.

https://www.amazon.com/WEISHI-Nostalgic-Handle-Butterfly-Double/dp/B00PKHIDRA/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=Safety+razor&qid=1556324878&s=gateway&sr=8-3

So about a year or two ago I began experiencing similar problems. One day it was so bad that on a whim in a drug store I purchased a little blue tub of Nivea Creme. It was cheap, but I figured I'd give it a try as I've liked some of their other products, especially their post shave balm which helped with razor burn and bumps.

Now I had never used moisturizers or anything on my face before. I would just wash it with a face wash when I showered and went to bed. But a friend of mine was working at Vogue or GQ and got my gf a couple of free samples of this stuff called Crème de la Mer. She absolutely swore by and I could definitely see the improvement in her skin. But as you can see here, at nearly $200 per ounce it's not cheap. But I got curious as to what made it so effective beyond hte marketing hype.

This led me to looking into the ingredients, and what do you know? That tub of Nivea Creme I bought almost has the matches. In fact, numerous other people have written about them and most say their performance is essentially the same. So unless your name is Daddy Warbucks and you don't mind spending 40 times the amount for what is at best a negligible difference, go with the Nivea Creme.

I recommend using it after you wash in the evening, and just leave it on nice and thick overnight. Then in the morning, rub some on your face before after washing again, but really rub it in this time. Within about 24-48 hours you will be as good as new, if not better.

Thank you very much for your detailed reply!

Thanks for the sterilization tip, I was a little concerned about sanitizing them but that seems like an easy way to do it.

I was thinking of the Super Speed because I heard that they're less aggressive for beginners, which I would like because my face gets irritated easily. Is that true or was I just reading a biased review?

Great idea on letting it grow out to find the grain! I always get irritation on the sides of my neck so I bet they're the swirls you're talking about!

I have a cheapo boars brush that I'm using with cheapo soap and my Mach 3, but I'm planning to get some Pre de Provence soap and some Astra blades. Does that sound like a good plan?

I just looked at your link for the Nancyboy. Is it a lather or just kinda a cream? It looks kinda interesting!

Thanks again!

Glad I saw this thread. It's my time to shine.

I am only 18 years old and use a DEvette every day, and I can't even grow a full beard yet. I cut my neck/chin/jawline areas though and it works very well. Just about a month ago I stopped shaving for a week to see how well my beard grows out and I had plenty of acne after just a week, yet with a DEvette I get the cleanest shave I have ever gotten and I have no irritation as long as I'm careful. I shave at a relatively shallow angle but will shave at a steeper angle on my sideburns.

I also don't use any shaving cream or anything but I do shave in the shower so I use plenty of water to lubricate. To make sure your shave is safe use something to keep the blade tight to the head or use a razor where the blade is naturally tight against the head to limit blade flex. I use This merkur razor without the guard. The blades I use don't tend to flex.

DEvettes are amazing if you can adhere to the learning curve. You WILL irritate yourself a lot, but with practice they can be the greatest shave you ever get, every single time.

With all of this in mind, YMMV. I am convinced DEvettes are amazing for everyone, but you need to find your perfect blade and your perfect pre/post-shave routine too. Not everyone can shave with just water.

Ditch the plastic razor and generic shaving cream. You can get an amazing, stubble free, longer lasting shave for way (WAY) cheaper by switching to a double edge razor.

Here is what I recommend:

DE razor: Merkur 37C Slant HD Safety Razor $40

Razor blades: Persona Israeli, Derby, Kai, Shark (100 Pk. $18) or Feathers. $20-$50 100 Pk.

Brush: Any brush from a local pharmacy. $5-$15

Soap: Wilkinson Sword, Proraso, or Williams. $3-$10

Mug: Any coffee mug is fine.

The razor will last you at least two life times, a 100 pack of razor blades should last you a couple of years, ditto for the brush, and the shaving soap will probably last a couple of months. The shave will be godly once you get the hang of it. Make sure to get a good lather and to shave at a slow pace.

I recommend lurking the Badger & Blade forum and watching the videos by mantic59. B&B is the best shaving resource in the Internet and mantic is a shaving god (and also a redditor!)

Once you are more experienced, I recommend getting a good badger shaving brushing and stepping up to the Feather razor blades. These blades can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Treat it with respect.

Watch this video to get started

> My opinion of Proraso is that it’s cheap and it’s good to, an opinion a lot of people have on it.

Proraso with all its additives works. But I wonder why anyone would claim that it's "cheap", when it's obviously not, at least not outside Italy. And that is no matter of opinion (which its utterly synthetic smell may be, I won't even call that a "scent", but others like it), but of numbers anyone can check.

Cheap would be Arko (wich also smells divisively synthetic) or - in Europe - the Palmolive stick that doesn't smell luxuriously either, but perfectly acceptable to me. Yes, that's completely subjective. But both make solid lather.

For the 10 bucks you have to pay, you could either get a real traditional triple milled shaving soap like Pre de Provence or variety of pleasantly scented, very good US artisanal soaps. Even with shipping, these are definitely worthwhile.

I'm new to wetshaving, but here is what I've learned in the two weeks since I've started, and the few months before that I spent in this subreddit.

For pre-shave, most people like MR GLO, but any high-glycerine soap works well. I use a pure glycerine soap that I like just fine. Make sure you either shave right after a shower or leave a hot towel on your whiskers for like five minutes before you attempt a shave. I use TOBS shaving cream as well, and the non-sensitive skin cream works fine with my sensitive skin (not sure how sensitive yours is; I normally can't wear scents or use non-glycerine soap without getting itchy).

After a shave, I personally use a hot towel to remove all of the extra cream, clean and dry my straight razor, put cold water on my face, dry it, and use Nivea sensitive skin aftershave balm. Any alcohol-free aftershave works well, but the Nivea stuff is widely available where I live. I've never used an alum block (forgot to order it), so I don't know about them, really.

tl;dr: MR GLO, make sure you get your whiskers warm and wet, TOBS rules, use good aftershave.

• Edwin Jagger DE89
  
• Omega 10049
  
• Proraso Sensitive
  
  You pay a premium for certain things on Amazon, but those are good options. The price of blades is quite high on Amazon, so get a couple of packs of Astras (or a sampler pack) on Maggards before sampling a larger selection from tryablade.com.
  
  Maggards also has build-your-own DE starter kits which you may find to be better value. Also they sell excellent artisan soaps which are better quality than massed produced soap like Proraso, (and much nicer on the skin). Their own soap is very good quality and affordable.
  
  Brands to avoid on Amazon are Escali brushes and Van der Hagen.

I think that you would be better off with a double edge. It's less technically demanding to learn, you don't have to maintain the blade (you'll have to sharpen a straight edge from time to time and strop it daily) because it's disposable.

My philosophy is that shaving is less about the hair and more about the skin, caring for it and leaving it comfortable/not irritated. Even with a light beard, it's worth learning how to shave well because it's good for the skin and it's a pleasant and meditative ritual. The whole process of carefully prepping the skin, applying the soap/cream and doing a multiple pass shave is satisfying. Like a very masculine manicure, manly pampering. Mampering? No...

Anyway, if you click around this sub a bit, you'll notice that it's easy to go overboard and get too into it, and shave gear isn't cheap. But that's as much a blessing as a curse. I have three straight razors and a double edge, and I fully expect them to last me decades.

If I were you, I wouldn't jump in the pool quite that deep though. Here are the suggestions I make to most shave newbies interested in checking out the wetshaving gig:

Edwin Jagger DE 89:https://www.amazon.com/Edwin-Jagger-Kelvin-Double-Safety/dp/B00K6Z24SK/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1469558129&sr=8-4&keywords=edwin+jagger+de

This is a simple, entry level razor. It comes with a few blades, but I'd recommend buying a sampler pack (and yes, I picked this pack because it has Feather blades, they are exceptional, if slightly too sharp for me. I use Sharks.):

https://www.amazon.com/FEATHER-Oclock-SILVER-Blade-Sampler/dp/B004UIZFQW/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1469558238&sr=8-4&keywords=double+edge+sampler+pack

After that you'll need a brush. I'd just check the sidebar there, I use a wee scot and I suspect that not many would push you in that direction.

Then you'll want a nick stick, because dude... you'll cut yourself. It happens. Again, sidebar. But here's the cheap one that I use (don't cut myself much anymore so I don't invest in the good stuff these days):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013H6AVM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And beyond that is the decision between soaps and cream and an aftershave. That one is up to personal preference in terms of scents and consistency.

I use this cream and like it fine: https://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Old-Bond-Street-Sandalwood/dp/B0007MW2ZW/ref=pd_cart_rp_1_4?ie=UTF8&dpID=519dkWyoBqL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_SL500_SR100%2C99_&psc=1&refRID=FTVMYYYARCCYAX4AK72N

I use this aftershave and love it to pieces, enough to spend 50 fucking dollars on it a few times a year: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007XMDQO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This isn't a super cheap set up (about $200) but you could get a cheaper aftershave and brush and be all set for under $100 and make improvements down the line if you decide you want to keep doing this.

First... TALISMAN! Oh god what an amazing book!!!! <3

Ahem, ok back to the program!

This dog toy was gifted to me a while back for my dachshund and he LOVED IT. Normally this type of toy will last about 3 hours with Harley. But this one lasted DAYS.

Another dog toy is this type of Kong. When I got it I was like ... yeah he's going to kill that in no time. But the strangest thing happened.... he did destroy it but lo and behold, there is a ball in there (the larger one) that is just a smidge too big for his mouth. He can get it in his mouth but it takes some work. Anyway, my dog LOVES that darned ball. It's been like 2 months and he still has it. It's amazing. And he so loves that thing.

Since you have a Kindle Fire on your wishlist, you should also add a cover. I found this one to be very well rated plus come in a very good variety of colors and pattersn.

Another must have item to go with that wishlist entry would be [screen protectors](http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Clear-Screen-Protector-Guard/dp/B009G4M20M/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3SHL98A1HK17S&coliid=I1KY50R7YJZW240.

Last but not least, cables to hook the tablet up to your tv so you can watch movies on the big screen!

As for an item I need, I could really use one of these and you just do not want to know how badly I could use it =P

As for your happy picture, here is Harley when we got the first toy. He was very excited!
dog toy

I use the Merkur 23C long-handle razor, which is currently ~$28 on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Long-Handled-Safety-Razor/dp/B00374F5CY/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1V9JOHAEGBLYW&th=1). I'm super happy with it -- mild, well-balanced, glides like a dream. Minimal blade exposure and lightweight, so there's less risk of nicks/cuts for DE razor beginners like myself. The long, slim handle also means it fits my (small, female) hands comfortably. There are less expensive options on Amazon in the $12-$20 range, though I can't vouch for them personally. There's also a longer recommendation list over at r/wicked_edge.

For DE razors, it's recommended you replace the blade often. The blades themselves are super inexpensive (anywhere from $0.15-0.55 each depending on brand; see http://www.tryablade.com/blade?sort=popularity).

In terms of suggested prep, here's an outline of my approach:

1. Soften skin with water -- I do my shaving post-shower, though I'm sure you can also place a warm wet towel on your face if you'd prefer to do it another time
   
2. Cleanse skin -- I use my regular hydrating facial cleanser and then rinse it off with lukewarm water
   
3. Lather shaving area -- On wet/damp skin, I apply a tiny bit more of my cleanser in the area I'm planning to shave and massage/lather it in (I don't have a dedicated shaving soap/gel/foam & just using my normal cleanser works well, but YMMV). Let the product sit on skin to soak for a few seconds
   
4. Shave with DE safety razor -- Use a light touch, never apply pressure or actively press the razor, simply let the weight of the blade do the work and gently guide it across in short strokes. Rinse razor as often as needed.
   
5. Rinse & recheck -- Rinse off the area with lukewarm water & check to see if there are any missed spots. If there are, lather & reapply more product onto skin before shaving those missed spots.
   
6. Apply soothing and moisturizing product(s) of choice onto skin -- Whatever works for your skin, preferably alcohol-free to minimize irritation/stinging
   
   After a few hours, I'll use Stridex/BHA over the area & then moisturize again. Previously I tried doing it between step 5/6, but my skin felt itchy/unhappy. So now I either wait a few hours, or do it the next day. Hope that helps, lmk if you're curious about anything else!

I'm a TAOS employee as well. I recently bought a custom turned brush off of ebay, and I love it. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cocobolo-Wood-Silvertip-Badger-Hair-Shaving-Brush-w-Cloth-Pouch-/231365379422?pt=US_Shaving_Hair_Removal&hash=item35de73855e This is kind of similar to what I have.

If you are looking to switch things up, you could look at a synthetic brush. Here is one from Maggard that I really like: http://www.maggardrazors.com/product/hjm-21p8-black-fibre-synthetic-hair-shaving-brush-blackgrey/
Another option is the Plisson from L'occitane, which has great reviews.

http://usa.loccitane.com/cade-shaving-brush-plisson,82,1,29221,388683.htm


You could also look at a boar brush - Omega is highly regarded.

http://www.maggardrazors.com/product/omega-11574-boar-bristle-shaving-brush-orange/

In terms of the pre-shave options, I think our pre-shave oil is top notch. Other pre-shave options include a high glycerin content bar of soap (i.e. Whole Foods 365, Musgo Real Glyce Lime, http://www.amazon.com/Musgo-Real-Lime-Glyce-Soap/dp/B0007M41YW) Proraso also offers several pre-shave options which I like, though I'm not a huge fan of menthol: http://www.maggardrazors.com/product/proraso-green-tea-oat-pre-and-post-shave-cream-glass-jar-100ml/

From a shaving cream/ soap standpoint, there are tons of artisan soaps on the market which perform just as well, if not better than ours. Check out Barrister and Mann's offerings, Tiki's, Dapper Dragon's and Maggard's own soap line. Maggard's Limes and Bergamot smells amazing, and I'd like to try a few more of theirs.
http://www.maggardrazors.com/product-category/soaps-creams/

Our Aftershave balm is also top notch. You could also look at Geo. F. Trumpers Skin food, which is well regarded and is something I've been meaning to try when I have the money. Fine Accoutrements also has really popular aftershave, but it's alcohol based, whereas ours is shea butter based.

Since you work for AOS, I'm assuming you're using Gillette Platinum Blades or Merkur. Get a sampler pack and see which blades you like the most. Once you find the one that works the best for you, you can order by the 100 pack and you'll be set for a while (this can also be used as a selling point of DE razors, but you need to make sure they get the technique down before they start throwing in variables like different blades). They should keep the blade consistent for a while so any issue with a given shave is attributable to prep and technique, and not the blade. Also, whenever I sell someone a DE, if they have never used one before, I write down Mantic59's youtube channel on one of our cards so they can learn the technique before they jump into it.

If you wanted to try out a bunch of these products at once, at a very reasonable price, and also get a nice stainless razor which is interchangeable with your muhle head, you can pick up one of maggard's budget starter kits, throw in their artisan soap, throw in a sampler pack, and you'd be set. http://www.maggardrazors.com/product/budget-starter-kit/
Let me know if you have further questions.

This is an interesting question!

On the personal front, Col. Conk's Bay Rum Shaving Soap is quite nice and has a tropical vibe. The lime scent is pretty good as well.



For room scents, we had a party this weekend and there was a ton of leftover citrus. So, I have a big bowl of unpeeled lemons and limes sitting on my table that smell great though it doesn't exactly fill the room.

Lastly, if you have ever stayed in a really fancy hotel, a lot of them have signature scents that fill the lobby. Typically they are light, refreshing, and custom made for the hotel and therefore hard to track down otherwise. I stayed in the La Meridian, Bangkok that had a wonderful smell and I fell like it would be amazing for a tiki bar.

I just learned it apparently was created to smell like old books!

Pulled this from my own Instagram because I couldn't find the original on my phone, so sorry for the b&w filter, but this is what I'm currently rocking, except for the blade.

The razor is a Gillette Fat Boy adjustable double edge razor that I cleaned up (they only made them from like 1958-61 or something like that, so usually if you find one they're not in the best condition).

Instead of the Astra blade I've moved on to these which work better for my skin.

Soap, pre-shave oil and aftershave are all from Grimm Blades, the "Smolder" collection.

Honestly, the oils are shit as far as function. The soap works pretty well, but I have super sensitive skin, and the oils just weren't cutting it for me, but I'll be damned if they aren't the best smelling things I've ever used in my life. The pre-shave oil wasn't entirely terrible, so I'd use that, but the aftershave never helped, so I started using Nivea sensitive aftershave balm on my actual neck, and just applying the Grimm Blades aftershave to the back of my neck and behind my ear. Since the Nivea is near-scentless, it works out pretty well. Like, seriously, the Smolder set is my favorite smell of all time.

I have no clue what brand the brush is since it was a gift, but it's badger hair and works really well.

I stole the mug from my wife.

Edit: typos

First and foremost, please don't kill yourself. You need to go see a therapist right now. If that's not at all possible, here's the number for the suicide prevention hotline, which is free and confidential: 1-800-273-8255.

>I feel i'll always be an outsider looking in.

This is imposter syndrome, and it's something that I think many of us deal with or have dealt with. I'm in a very similar situation to you. I just recently turned 28, pre-everything, and have often felt like no matter what I do it will always feel fake.

One thing, that has helped me tremendously as of late, is getting serious about improving my self care routine. Get some really nice conditioner for your hair (I like this one: Aussie Miracle conditioner), exfoliate your skin, get a decent razor to take care of your body hair (I use this one for my arms, legs, chest, back, and even face, and it works great and is completely waterproof: Panasonic Electric Wet/Dry (Be sure to use the pop-up trimmer the first time you use it)), get some body lotion (I just picked this one up the other day and I love it: 'You Are Amazing' Lavender Fields)

It doesn't seem like much, but just taking special care of my body instead of letting it waste away like I had been (since I'm obviously dysphoric about it so why take care of something I hate) has drastically improved my current outlook on life.

You are not alone okay. We're all in this together little sis.

It's hard to find a complete starter kit for such a low price here in the UK, especially since we don't have access to the starter kits from Maggard.

One way to save money is with a good quality boar brush. You can't get a decent badger brush for that budget, but you can get a fantastic Omega boar for £9

With soap, Proraso or Arko are low-priced options that deliver exceptional value and performance.

The razor is the most difficult. Without the Maggard or Razorock models, there aren't many quality metal options. My recommendation for the cheapest available DE in the UK would be a Wilkinson Sword Classic, available from Boots for £4.69.

It's a decent way to try out DE shaving for a very low price. Probably the best value DE razor easily found in the UK. You could also look into finding a vintage Gillette razor on eBay, such as the Superspeed. But I haven't been able to find these for much less than an Edwin Jagger.

The Wilkinson Sword, Omega brush and Proraso soap will cost £19.38. Drop that to £15.70 if you replace Proraso with Arko. You can add a few quid for blade samples, or just give the blades that come with the razor.

Ideally, a starter kit will also include an alum block, but that will probably push you past the £20 mark. A razor, brush, soap and blades are all the essentials covered. The kit I suggested is the only one I can think of which makes the minimum of concessions for £20 total. The razor is decent and can be easily upgraded if your friend likes the process. But the brush and soap don't need upgrading, Omega and Proraso are great regardless of budget.

Hey. We're glad to have you. Definitely a worthwhile endeavor. Anything that says sensitive skin on it will (that is of quality) should be good. I'd start here:

proraso

or here:

TOBS sensitive

As far as the DE razor, I've been shaving for over half a year with one DE and absolutely love it- the Edwin Jagger DE86. here


I'm not saying it's the best. It's just the only razor I have experience with. But I am very pleased with it. It helped me find a blade I like and I feel like a DE pro now. But there are others that are good as well. See sidebar for more information.


And of course- the proper legal disclaimer: YMMV.

You buy these.

Should last you like a year. You will never, EVER look back at cartridge bullshit ever again, I can promise you that. I do however buy the cheapest single blade disposables I can like twice a year for pubes and whatnot, but with these blades, that razor, a decent boar's hair brush and proraso shaving soap (these can even just be substituted for regular shaving cream or soap and no brush, it's just much, much better is all) = amazing shave. I'm a very bearded male...and I swear by this. It costs me like $20 to shave for a year instead of a ~3 weeks (brush has so far lasted me 2 years, soap usually just about a year, 100 blades about a year, so maybe 1 every 3 days or so, but I have a beard and only shave my neck/shape it up.)

I have gotten a lot of people into it by just mentioning it. Now they all swear by it. I heard about it on Reddit a few years back.

Safety razors are so, so much better than cartridges (once you get used to them a bit, but it's not hard, I'm a very rough shaver, I go nuts on my face and these things cut me less than cartridges did). Also, you can take it apart whenever you want, which is the biggest annoyance with cartridges (clogs) - you can just clean off the blade, tighten it back up, and get like 2-3 more days out of it easily.

fuck. cartridges. I have tried every method to keep them good for longer times (I was military, had to shave like crazy, and as I said - I'm very bearded). Cartridges are the worst, they're a fuckin racket.

Also I do recommend the blades I linked. Astra's are the cheapest, but meh...kinda rough... they DO last a long time though. Feather's are super sharp, but way too expensive. Personna's are a perfect middle ground, and are made in the USA, which is nice to make up for the Chinese razors I bought. Also those razors usually come with at least 1 blade for trying it out with. They take ~2 weeks to ship usually, but who cares. Buy 2 so you have a travel one.

I think the selections are great but, do have a few suggestions.
You may want to avoid an adjustable razor to start with. If you think you'll want one down the road don't want to have two DEs in your arsenal, then by all means get it now. But a lot of beginners blame their bad shaves on not being able to find the "right setting" on their adjustable. I like the EJ89 as a good starter. But if you do go with the Progress, don't play with the settings, play with your technique.

I also think you should get a blade sampler with a little more variety (read includes astras). This is a pretty good one, but I think the bigger the better.

Good Luck, and congrats on deciding to change your shave.

Thanks a ton for this! I'm a complete newcomer to DE and likely would have waited another few weeks before purchasing anything, but my dad just gave me a pretty nice looking adjustable Gillette razor.

This list helped me narrow down the sampler options available on Amazon to this pack, with this one in my wish list for some late-December fun.

Thanks again & wish me luck.

E: Now if only there were an equivalent list for every other required item...

What is you max budget?

Here is my recommendation for your kit(trying to keep with a budget):

Blade sampler $23

Edwin Jagger DE89 $30, it's the one I have and I love it.

This Omega Brush for $13, I have a similar Omega boar brush and love it. You have to soak it in hot tap water for about 5-10 minutes before you lather up to soften it up so it can absorb water.

For soap you could also consider C.O. Bigelow w/ menthol and eucalyptus $10, just got this at bath and body works for $5 in store (if you live near a store) and shaved with it today, it was fantastic, had a nice cooling effect to it and had a good protective lather. Taylor of Old Bond street is good as well, i have the sandalwood one(the hard soap) and it is fantastic. You have to consider they have hard soap, cream and sticks as well so you could look at those as well.

And as far as lathering you can lather in a bowl/mug or straight to the face, i like the face method thats just a personal bias though.

Have you thought about making the switch to a safety razor? As /u/Slayman420 said, head on over to /r/wicked_edge and read a few of the threads and side bar. Best thing I've ever done to move away from cartridge razors and my skin is looking better too.

Make sure your prepping your face well by either shaving after a nice hot shower or washing your face first with your Cetaphil and hot water. If you're not into moving to a safety razor, maybe look into getting better soap using a shaving brush and a good shaving soap. Learn how to lather it well and you'll notice a huge difference with that alone.

Usually when I shave I do three passes: one with the grain, one across the grain (literally going horizontal on the face) and then if I need it, going against the grain. Don't press hard with the razor. Let it glide over your face.

Post shave, I wash my face with cold water then use a post shave balm.

Hope that helps!

Hi. I know this is pretty late, but I’ve been using a safety razor for the last six years. While which razor is best is totally subjective, after owning several more expensive ones, I actually found I prefer the straight forward basic [Merkur Classic](Merkur Long Handled Safety Razor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00374F5CY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_5BrmDbC72K1DR). Great price and great shave. Oh, and don’t buy into that whole “you have to do this and this and properly do this” ritual shit some people try to feed in videos and even on the subreddits. Just shave as you normally would and you’ll find what works best for you.

Wet shaving is the cheapest way shave I have ever found, and the best shave I have ever gotten. I shave every other day and get a "5 o'clock shadow" around mid-afternoon the second day. This has been better for my skin too.

Depending on how fast you go through blades, it can be pretty cheap. I use these blades as they have the best quality-to-cost ratio I have found - Shark Super Chrome

Invest in a good badger hair brush - it will last you years if you take care of it. It really does make a difference and will allow you to use better, cheaper soap than any foam you can get in a can.

For soap, I am a big fan of Taylor of Old Bond Street. A $15 tub will last me 1-2 years (a little bit goes a long way!) I dab a finger in to the tub and put it in to a cup that I use to froth with my brush.

From a brief description here, it doesn't sound frugal. But I buy blades every ~18 months and soap every ~24 months... I use a Merkur DES handle I bought years ago for $30, and buy a brush every few years. I would say my annual costs are less than $20. Cheaper than any other method I have used while having better shaves and less irritation.

I might suggest shaving after a shower (make a point to wash your whiskers before shaving to make sure they're clean). You should also try to use a hot towel.

Soak a towel in very, very hot water (the hottest you can handle, but not hot enough to scald), gently wring out and hold it on your beard for a minute or so. Your hands are more sensitive to heat than your face is, so don't worry about that much. This will greatly soften up the hair.

Another option is to wash your beard with MR GLO or similar soap. Aside from smelling fantastic, this will also do a great job in prepping your face.

You're getting a lot of great advice here, a lot of which would work when shaving with a cartridge razor and canned lather.

The most important thing is feeling for your face's natural grain and only shaving with it, never against (at least with a cartridge).

I'll include links but by all means shop around...

• Edwin Jagger DE89 - popular three piece starter razor
  
  
• One of the many creams by Taylor of Old Bond St. - inexpensive and quality
  
  
• An alum block like RazoRock - you can also find some of their artisan soaps
  
  
• A synthetic shaving brush - this one looks to have the same fibres (Plisson clone) as some other very good ones. You could also get a boar brush by Omega or Semogue for eg but these will have a break-in period. Do NOT get a badger brush on your budget; it will be shite. The exception might be this mixed loft Omega 11047 "mixed midget" which is a fantastic little brush; works out of the box like a badger but gets better over time like a boar.
  
  
• Go to your local drug store for Nivea Men Sensitive after shave balm - inexpensive, effective, and widely available.
  
  This is a more than decent starter kit and affordable but you'll also need skills. Check out this poster from /u/mmosh and search for tutorial vids on Youtube by Mantic59 and/or "Nick Shaves".
  
  EDIT: Completely left out blades. You want to sample many kinds to find what is right for you. Something like this.
  
  
  
  

This next one is more for your husband. There is no reason to spend lots of money on shaving. If your husband is currently shaving with disposable razors or with a cartridge based system then he is probably wasting money.

For shaving get a double edged safety razor. I use a Merkur Long Handled Safety Razor. The razor blades are sold separately and this is where you save a lot of money. Getting both together is a really nice Christmas present.

The Shark Super Chrome razor blades cost $0.12 per blade. I go through maximum two blades per week. So that is less than a quarter each week for a really good razor.

Be forewarned. Safety razors are not for everyone. Some people don't like shaving with them.

Now the next part. Shaving foam. Shaving foam is expensive. If you use shaving soap and a badger brush instead you will save money. It takes a bit longer time to lather up the soap but the savings are worth it.

You don't have to get the safety razor and the shaving soap at the same time. I would get the razor first and see how your husband likes it.

There is also a subreddit for old school shaving called /r/wicked_edge that is really good. People there will be happy to answer any questions you have.

I went on amazon bought a brush for 10.00, a relatively cheap DE razor for about 27.00 a stand for 10 and a soap for 10.00, I would recommend trying a soap sampler to find one you like. You can find starter packs as well, and I would do that. I was trying to be somewhat frugal but ended up needing more than I thought. Most razors come with a free pack of blades, usually at least 5, and that should last you approximately 15 shaves, so at least two weeks. After that I recommend going with some kind of blade sampler since a lot of packs come with a hundred blades and if you buy the wrong blade you might be out the 10 or 15 that it cost.

It takes longer than a cartridge razor to shave, and requires more skill and attention, but the whole process is much more enjoyable with better results.
I recommend going the cheap route until you're sure you like it, and as you wear out the items you buy (bristles comes out of my brush almost every shave, a couple at a time) then buy the next level up. It can be extremely expensive, but like anything there's also regular people versions of all the expensive stuff too.

For your reference:
Razor
Soap
Brush
Stand
Blades

Don't be! Its easy, reletively cheap to get into, its fun, and just start with a double edge safety razor and you'll be fine. You arent going to slice your face off. Trust me, you'll love shaving with it. Go to your local antique mall and look for something liek this Go to amazon and order a sampler pack of blades And possibly some shave soap and youre set!

You can find shave soap at Target/winco if you are in the USA as well. You can get brand-new razors on amazon, look for a company called merkur. Although there is nothing like having a vintage razor from the 50's. =) Check out that subreddit for more info. Even if you are female these work awesome legs and armpits. My wife uses one. And yes, its WAY cheaper than cartridge razors.

Some comparison math for those wanting to see the numbers right now:

All from Amazon.com, and the cheapest I could find at a decent quality...

• Gillette Fusion Pro Glide w/ Flex ball and two blade refills: $10.59
  
• Gillette Fusion razor blade refills, 12 count: $40.99
  
  __
  
  
• Merkur Long Handled Safety Razor w/ guard, w/ 1 platinum-coated double-edged razor: $29.85
  
• Personna Double-edged Razor Blades, 100 count: $14.54
  
  Already, the totals are: Fusion, $51.58 and the safety razor, $44.39.
  
  Now, let's shave.
  
  I'm not including cream or soap, since that's a preference for people, and can change prices drastically for what people use. Personally, I use absolutely nothing; water works just fine and I don't break out at all like I would if I applied some sort of substance on my face prior to scraping it off.
  
  We'll give Fusion the benefit of the doubt as well, by getting THREE shaves out of a single blade. The double-edged razors, we'll toss out after every shave (yup, double-edged or not, resharpened or not, one and done for this experiment). We're going to shave twice a week. That's 104 times a year (I wanted a figure close to 100, because I like that number).
  
  Fusion: One razor, 35 blades (three shaves per blade). That's three packs of replacement blades, totaling out to 38 blades including the two that come in the starter pack...$10.59 + ($40.99 x 3) = $133.56. You can go an additional nine shaves before having to buy another replacement pack.
  
  Safety razor: One razor, 104 blades (one shave per blade). That's two packs of replacement blades, totaling out to 201 blades including the one that comes in the starter pack...$29.85 + ($14.54 x 2) = $58.93. You can go an additional nine...ty-seven shaves before having to buy another replacement pack.
  
  The craziness is that even after giving as much home field advantage to Fusion as I could, they still cost over $70 for the first year. Realistically, you can get a lot more shaves out of the single-blade, double-edged razors which increase the longevity of a single replacement pack. If treated properly, one 100pk can last over three years. Those "moisture" strips on blades today last maybe a shave, and they're just about worthless afterwards; hairs constantly get stuck in between the blades and are difficult as fuck to remove, thus causing frustration or added swipes to get all the hairs off your face; and these added technologies like a swivel head, vibrating shaft, lubrication spitting spout, or rotating super ball does nothing differently than what you've already learned how to do with the contours of your own face and how the products treat your skin, rendering these features completely redundant.
  
  It's a no brainer.
  
  Edit: Oops, messed the links up. FIXED NOW!
  
  Edit edit: I just want to state that I am in now way shunning the use of the pro glide if it works for you. If you have found a way to increase the longevity of those blades, and you prefer them to any other blade, then by all means, continue to shave with what you like best. This price comparison is to show to those one the fence about trying a new method, or are searching for new methods to save a couple bucks, that there is an alternative. This formula is very basic, and doesn't contain all the variables that go with shaving (i.e. sharpening blades, the actual amount of shaves you can get from a single cartridge, a high quality durable electric pre-shave, hair growth and thickness). This is just to show that the single blade product at its most basic level is a much cheaper solution to shaving needs.

Merkur Long Handled Safety Razor (MK 23C) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NL0T1G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_O90CzbSJ0E07Y .
.
Proraso Shaving Soap in a Bowl, Sensitive Skin, 5.2 oz (150 ml) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JHEY14/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Y-0CzbYSCM0MT .
.
Taylor of Old Bond Street Jermyn Street Luxury Shaving Cream for Sensitive Skin, 5.3-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VZPTAC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_bb1CzbP65TJRP .
.
100 Astra Superior Premium Platinum Double Edge Safety Razor Blades Personal Healthcare / Health Care https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EXPTR0W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_7b1CzbPDNCYAR .
.
Perfecto 100% Pure Badger Shaving Brush-Black Handle- Engineered for the Best Shave of Your Life. For, Safety Razor, Double Edge Razor, Staight Razor or Shaving Razor, Its the Best Badger Brush. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VF1NI5M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_zd1CzbRXDRTVE .
.
Crown King Victorian/Western Style 12 oz Shaving Scuttle - Durable Porcelain - Hierloom Quality - Dishwasher Safe - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTF145J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_9e1Czb0XEH37V .
.
Proraso After Shave Lotion, Refreshing and Toning, 3.4 Fl Oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085UECY2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_4f1Czb32JE3AZ

I'm extremely self-conscious of my facial hair; if I had to label myself, it would be as trans / genderqueer.

When I was reading earlier, I only mention it because I have a huge issue with shadowing. I missed when you said
> but in cases where I don't have time or don't want to put any on

and I'm sorry. However, I'll leave this link here just in case you haven't looked deep into color correcting, cause it def helps me.

But, in my experience (YMMV), even the closest shave will still have a slight shadow and if I'm feeling weird about it I take 5-10 minutes to cover it up.

Since you're asking for shaving tips though, here's my advice:
Start with a DE. I'd personally recommend the Edwin Jagger (it's what I have, it won't break the bank. The blades are insanely cheap. I generally go with Feathers.

If you want to make buying easy on yourself, there's a kit here I've had on my pinterest wishlist forever that looks pretty nice.


As for the act of shaving itself, you can check out this video tutorial that covers the Edwin razor that's pretty good.

You can also check out this quick shaving routine. A lot of the DE shaving comes in how many passes you do, and which direction you're shaving (with / against the grain etc.) I would highly recommend checking out the FAQ section and scrolling down to "how do I shave".

You don't want to go against the grain though every time you shave, as it'll most likely start to irritate your skin. Going against the grain as the last pass of shaving always gets the closest / least noticeable shave for me. But there is still a shadow, unfortunately. This is why I recommend color correcting under your foundation, as you shouldn't have to be putting on "half a bottle" (I know it's an exaggeration) in the first place.

Hey there - I started off with the same shave set as you did. Have upgraded since then, but it did a great job for a long time. My first upgrade was to some proraso Shave cream (link 1 below) and then some art of shaving cream (link 2). I LOVE and highly recommend the AOS cream, the sandalwood smells amazing. You will get more for your money with the first one, but I personally think the 20 bucks for AOS is worth it.

What kind of razor are you working with?

1. http://www.amazon.com/Proraso-Shaving-Eucalyptus-Menthol-Formulation/dp/B00837ZOI0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375907425&sr=8-2&keywords=proraso
   
2. http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Shaving-Cream-Sandalwood/dp/B000I2XL4M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375907434&sr=8-2&keywords=art+of+shaving
   
   
   
   

Cool!

Generally online is the better place to get this stuff. There's a few brick and mortar stores that carry good stuff, but online is just easier.

Some soaps can be a little expensive, yes, but keep in mind they generally last longer than the canned gel.

There's a lot of options if you're price conscious however.

Razorock is an Italian shaving soap that's really easy to whip up so it's ideal as a beginner. They have sales on some of their soaps in the $7 to $9 range.

Also consider Arko. It's definitely not as "fun" as some of the other artisan, uniquely scented soaps, but if price is super important to you, it's definitely the way to go. That link is a 12 pack. I have absolutely no idea how long that would last someone using exclusively that product to shave, but I would guess at least 3-5 years, maybe more.

Arko is a shaving stick, so it's a little different. Again, have him watch a video in how to properly lather that stuff if that's what you end up going with, otherwise he'll probably end up frustrated.

There's tons of places to get blades. Here's West Coast Shaving's inventory of them. This is where you'll save money in the long run.

Tell him to consider getting a sampler pack. Blades are very different and everyone has a personal preference.

I don't shave completely, but trim pretty close with one of these dedicated for my Netherlands. It gets close enough and is completely safe using the attachments. I use the shortest one for my balls and gooch, the longest for my lower gut and armpits. I'm sure others can chime in who use a DE down there as many do, but this is good enough for me.

> (side note , I always feel horny when I trim my pubes lol)

Haha.. that came off a bit odd, but I know what you mean, if you meant after shaving, not while. It's because your balls are more sensitive with less hair. It's also just the considerate thing to do for that special someone. Very few people enjoy pubes in their face.

Those cremes are not that expensive I use this one and it lasts almost a year. I bought a ton of razor blades cheap but its fun to try out a ton and find the one you like. I recommend this site. We all all different and I used to think just like you and then I tried it this way. Its nice to get up in the morning, make some lather and enjoy a nice shave.

So I looked more into it, because I have no life and it amuses me to type it all out. Already knew the whole “women must shave this or that body part for reasons” industry was started in sexism, fashion, and imitating celebrities, but my annoyance mainly comes from the actual shaving or hair removal products themselves. These are equally advanced or held back by sexism, and the more recent history is both fascinating and frustrating to look back on. The basic history is this:

In 1770-ish, Jean-Jacques Perret wrote a guide on shaving and seemingly invented the Perret razor of a blade fixed to a handle, i.e. the straight edge, which looked like a small machete for your face.

In 1847, William S. Henson produced a razor with blades set at right angles to the handle, and in 1880 the term “safety razor” was patented by some dude or other.

In 1898, John F. O’Rourke invented the electric razor.

In 1901/1904, American inventor King Camp Gillette (no royal affiliation) and William Nickerson patented a new design of safety razor as well as disposable blades.

In 1939(?), Professor Alexandre Horowitz invented the Philishave rotary electric razor (for the Phillips company).

In 1940, it seems Remington made the first women’s electric razor, Lady Schick, the design of which hasn’t changed too much since as far as some budget electric razors go.

In 1966, Phillips added the 3rd rotary head to their razors, making the style we tend to see today in men’s rotary razors.

More modern, “nicer” women’s razors still tend to look like this style, a design men had in the early 90’s, if not earlier. Meanwhile, I’ve seen exactly one long-handled (non-octopi-shaped) women’s rotary razor and attempting to find who makes it, for the purpose of this mini history lesson, is annoying as hell because it only popped up in one random Pinterest image and that turned out not to lead to the product.

Now the popular thing is the octopi-shaped design by Finishing Touch and their competitors. Tried to find when exactly that style got invented/patented, but it’s proving too difficult. Though I’m pretty sure I started seeing them advertised towards women around…. 2010 maybe? Amusingly, it’s the same design as the electric shavers advertised for men’s bald heads, so guess which probably came first. All in all, the Finishing Touch design is about 44 years after Phillips added the 3rd rotary head and 95 years after Gillette started “The First Great Anti-Underarm Hair Campaign”.

I’m just saying, for the TL;DR that if men want women to shave everywhere, why is the industry so slow to further implement (edit: and market) better designs for women?

I just use barbasol with aloe (the green can). It's not the best but it's super cheap and lasts forever. Fairly neutral smelling too. It globs on thick straight out of the can so I just work it with a bit of water til it's the consistency I want.

When I wanna be more fussy with it I use proraso shaving soap that I lather up with a brush (I wet the brush itself and work it into the soap. I press a bit of soap into the lid that it comes in, no need for a dedicated bowl). I'm still on the first one I bought like 3 years ago, that stuff lasts forever too since you need very little soap. It's nice cause you can really control how wet/thick you want it to be. Apparently they have a "sensitive skin" version now too. proraso soap

A lot of guys swear by shave butter. That stuff is nice cause it's clear so you can see what you're doing. They tend to be odorless and perform really well from what I've heard. That stuff might be up your alley. I don't use it just cause I'm cheap; between the barbasol and proraso I probably spend $1/year on shaving supplies.

In regards to razors, recently went from cartridge ones to the double edge razors and its awesome. Like $16 on a nice metal handle thing on Amazon that twists open and you drop the razor blade into it then twist it shut and shave. Got like 100 blades for $10 and I'm set for eons.

Its nice as its a lot less garbage plastic and stuff, cheaper, and for my baby skin doesn't cut the shit out of me and get clogged like the multiblade cartridges. Downside is the head doesn't swivel and tilt, but it's easy to get used to.

Edit: This handle and these blades in particular. They're alright, and apparently good shaving cream helps a lot. Just wish I had found these to begin with, rather than using DSC for years.

A good electric razor may be a solution for you. I've used this Phillips model for going on two years now (both before and after starting laser btw) and it is amazing. There's a bit of a learning curve, but once you get used to it, you won't have near as bad of issues with the neck. Also, if you don't like wasting money, buy it on eBay instead of Amazon.

Other things I use to get the best shave possible -

Shave Secret -not sure why Wal-Mart beats Amazon here, but they do

Nivea After Shave - I apply this over the Shave Secret oil and my Norelco glides over my face no problems.

Bump Stopper 2 - also a blessing, use as directed, after applying after shave, and after makeup removal before bed. I find it barely use it for a couple weeks after a laser session, but I was using it every day before starting laser treatments and now use it during the last two-ish weeks between sessions.

This is the regimen I've had in place for a good while, as the hair on my neck grows in 217 different directions and using a multi-blade or a safety razor always jacked my neck UP. Best of luck!

The simple answer is, yes.

The benefits, in my opinion, are twofold. First, the amount of money you save. I was at my local retailer (walmart) and some of the replacement cartridges for the mach5 quatro xtreme^r were $28. WTF? So, last year for my birthday I went to amazon and got a Parker 71R. It came with the blades. You can continue to use your edge progel or whatever but I also got a bowl and brush and some Colonel Conk's shaving soap. It's a bit of an investment but those cartridges never seem to last. The blades can be purchased on line for as little as 25 cents a piece or cheaper depending on how many you buy at once.

The second benefit is environmental. It takes a lot of time to break down and recycle the blades and plastic. With a DE blade you are simply discarding the blade which can easily be recycled.

So, good luck. I highly recommend searching out a video or two about how exactly to shave. Though they are dubbed "safety razors" they will cut you like you owe them money.

On value alone you win so significantly with the Bespoke box. As others have said, you're getting a Standard razor at half price or less. This is the razor I've been using for the past month, from the Bespoke box, and I can tell you it's a marked jump from my previous Edwin Jagger DE86. The DE86 itself is superior to the Parker 22R, so you can imagine how much of a jump the Standard would be.

One thing to note is the NY Shaving Co cream is a smaller size, only 2oz. You will have to get some more soaps or creams fairly soon after. Additionally it comes with only 10 blades in total.

If you were planning to put up $98 to get in the DE shaving game anyway, here's an allocation that is superior to the one in your post:

1. Bespoke Post "The Barber" - $34 with code GOOD
   
   
2. L'Occitane Plisson shaving brush - $30 in store or online
   
   
3. 35-blade sampler - $19 (very important that you get a sampler with >1 of each blade)
   
   
4. Barrister & Mann "Latha" shaving soap - $3 plus shipping if you sign up for their rewards program. A straight-up steal on one of the best soap makers in the business.
   
   This combination is what I got my friends into DE shaving with. For a newcomer it's really important to start with the highest quality you can afford - the Standard razor is excellent, the Plisson is known as the "brush of the gods", and B&M soap has a near-legendary reputation among wet shavers.

My advice would be to generally stay away from cordless clippers. It seems like a nice thing to have but in my experience once the battery goes you're better off just buying new ones. My last set of cordless clippers lasted about 18 months, and the ones before that lasted 2 years.

I've shaved my head with clippers for about 15 years and have gone through many. I picked up a WAHL Peanut a few months ago and have been extremely happy with them. They're quite small so even with a cord it's easy to get a good cut.

Lastly if you do get good clippers make sure to oil them regularly...it really makes a difference using them and they'll last forever.

I just did this recently.
This razor from amazon gets great reviews, was recommended all around on multiple forums, and has been regarded as a great entry razor. So far I love it.

This shaving soap

This brush

This razor sampler

These are working well for me, then again I'm still relatively new. The brush seams to be a great deal for starting off. Although I obviously haven't tried them all yet, it appears to have a decent representation of some of the most popular blades.

Hair that grows back is always going to be prickly because it's so short. Only way to avoid that would be laser treatment.

Best way (imho) to avoid razor burn is to use good products.

I shave with a safety razor and use a nice shaving cream. You'll need a shaving brush and a small shaving bowl as well. I change the blades frequently (available online or at drug stores) and pretty much every time before I do my legs.

I will never go back to disposable razors and canned shaving cream. I had to use both on vacation recently and it gave me the shittiest shave and worst razor burn.

Now shaving for me is less of a chore and more like a mini spa trip. :]

Full Disclosure: using a safety razor takes a little practice and I promise you will nick yourself a few times before you get it right. Be patient, it's totally worth it.

edit: I also find this helps with razor burn, bumps, and ingrown hairs: I exfoliate, shave, exfoliate (again), towel dry, use moisturizer.

This will leave your skin soft and smooth and also helps prevent bumps! :)

Good luck!

> FYI, I shave probably every other day and get 3-4 shaves out of each blade.

I finally figured out that I can get away with only shaving once a week.

I'm a slow beard-grower and it's mostly a goatee, so by the end of the week I have a nice, attractive, and even stubble like the ones that some men work to get the right balance of. I look best with either that stubble or fully shaved, from there my beard starts getting patchy until it's long, and then when it's long it just poofs out and goes everywhere.

I also can use a blade three times before I need to dispose of it.

SO, a single DE blade lasts me three weeks, which means if I ever get through all these sample blades I bought (I have a favorite so far, Shark Super Chrome), I can buy a pack of 100 for 16.99, that's 17 dollars for 300 weeks...

... in other words, seventeen dollars for six years. In fact, that investment is on a long enough time scale I'm wondering I shouldn't just buy a smaller pack because I don't know what my lifestyle will be like six years from now.

U/Trooze knows what’s up.

Go slow, and take your time. You’ll get faster as you do it more, rushing is when you hurt yourself. Shave after you shower. The hot water will soften you’re facial hair, and washing your face will get the gunk of your skin, allowing for an easier job.

Razors are hella expensive. I found an old-style safety razor like this one for ten bucks at an antique shop and bought 100 blades for it for $10 on amazon. The new ones are mostly expensive gimmicks. The old safety razor works just as well, and is easier to work in my mind, since there’s weight to it.

Invest in some quality aftershave. Back when I was clean-shaven, I found an Old Spice one I liked. It smelled nice, and made the razor burn go away.

Also, if your facial hair is thin, or patchy, it’s nothing to be ashamed of, I couldn’t grow a full beard till I was almost 30. Lots of dudes can’t ever grow a lumberjack beard. Remember though, with facial hair, it’s kind of an all or nothing thing. Half-stache’s don’t look great, so think long and hard about growing stuff out.

You’ll be fine.

You use the same blades for de and shavette. a shavette just uses half of a de blade so before you pull it out of the wrapper you bend it in half and it will snap in half. now you have 2 blades for your shavette. The blades you linked are just derby blades they already snapp in half for you. So any sampler pack of de razor blades is what you need which is why i linked that search.

Here is a specific pack that is inexpensive but you only get one of each blade (2 blades for a shavette tho). Here is another pack that is more expensive but comes with whole packages of some very popular blades.

The almond is my favorite. hope you enjoy it.

the shavette does take a while to get the hang of so be prepared that it may take a month or so to really get comfortable with it.

Forgive me if you already know this, but...

Most people would actually recommend a blade sampler pack for a beginner. One of the resident guru's, Leisureguy, wrote a short explanation that can be found here on why sampler packs are best to start with.

In short, the problem with buying just one blade is that blade might not really be the best one for you. A well varied sampler pack like this one, or this one would be a great start. You can go through multiple blades to see which one works best for you.

Then in that case if you want to up the ante of gift giving, (i ordered all my supplies on Amazon since i have Amazon student and 2 day free shipping) but i also ordered a stand. Like you can build your own kit really nicely and then arrange it for him as a surprise!

Razor

Blades

Badger brush

Stand

Shaving cream, my favorite

And as for a cup to mix the shaving cream? Don't bother buying one just use a short mug it's much easier

Also, think about it this way, when you are using a regular 4 bladed razor you need to go over each spot at least 2 times right? That's as if 8 individual razors went over that spot. With a single blade you usually get every hair in one pass but sometimes you need 2-3 but still, 2-3 is less that the original 4 so you're regardless way less likely to get razor burn

Here you go

Edwin Jagger De89lbl Double Edge Safety Razor Chrome Plated Lined Detail

Dovo Stainless Steel blade BLACK Handle Shavette Straight Razor Uses Replaceable DE Blades and a Brut Styptic Pencil you're going to need it

Edwin Jagger Razor Stand for Double Edged Razor or Colonel Conk Evernice Model 775 Chrome Safety Razor Stand

Double Edge Safety Razor Blade Variety Pack - 100 Blades! and/or 115 BEST Blade Sampler FEATHER SHARK ASTRA BLUEBIRD LORD GILLETTE

Edwin Jagger 1ej946sds Traditional English Best Badger Hair Shaving Brush Faux Ebony With Black Drip Stand

Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream Bowl, 5.3-Ounce

Proraso Shaving Cream 5.2 oz (147 g)

Bloc Osma Natural Alum Block

Ogallala Bay Rum Bonanza Sampler!

And just use a kitchen bowl to make the lather.

Edit : Made an Amazon List

Not really artisanal soap, but this and this are excellent values. Those are 5.25 ounce pucks of hard milled soap that will last incredibly long even with daily use. I can’t compare these to Proraso since I have never tried it. These soaps though will no doubt last way longer than a tub of Proasomthough. I have both of these pucks and enjoy them both very much. They represent what I consider to be one of the best values available. Every once in a while you can catch the original scent for under $10 on Amazon.

Safety razor, real shaving soap, and a after lotion. I use method shaving which is just the best way IMHO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSv_0MpKJU4

Watch his whole series. They're awesome.

EDIT: I should explain some of the process in method shaving is that you should first have a moist surface to shave as to reduce irritation. Second, attempt to reduce the number of passes over the same area to reduce the chance of razor burn. And third, probably the most important USE GOOD PRODUCTS! Don't cheap out here you're going for a good clean shave.

Personally I like Proaso products, my shaving kit has the following items in it:

• Shaving Soap
  
• After-Shave Lotion
  
• Merkur Razor
  
• Shaving Brush
  
  I'm not saying drop a ton of money into this but don't cheap out. Get stuff that will last you a lifetime it will be well worth the investment and you'll enjoy the shaving experience.

I don't think you'll get any good straight razor from Amazon, especially at that price point. You can get a straight handle with disposable blades (look for Shavette) from there. Amazon has one or two good brands but they're most likely not properly sharpened by Amazon and I can almost assure that you'd have to send it out to someone before using it.

You can check out this article on Straight Razor Place about getting items on a budget. I usually suggest these full straight razor kits, which start at $160 and include a proper straight razor (sharpened), strop, brush, brush stand, soap, mug and styptic.

Things you can get on Amazon are this brush for $11, and Proraso soap for $9. This $32 strop would work well. If you get a strop from Amazon make sure it's Fromm as some of the other brands I saw on the first few pages were made in Pakistan and probably lousy.

Lastly you can check out the SRP classifieds for deals. Most of our vendors are active members who also sell through their websites: Dylan, Ben, Glen, and Larry should all have affordable shave-ready razors listed.

http://imgur.com/05VH10o
here ya go:3
i love my puppy, shes so fricking adorable!s he falls asleep right on my lap, and she has the cutest little yawn!

shes such a snuggle bunny, and i love her:3



[id love this] (http://www.amazon.com/Not-Your-Mothers-Beach-Texturizing/dp/B004UL0GTK/ref=sr_1_131?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1371396685&sr=1-131) or maybe [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Proraso-Shave-Soap-Sensitive-150ml/dp/B001JHEY14/ref=sr_1_231?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1371396763&sr=1-231), [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Gillette-Venus-Embrace-Womens-Cartridges/dp/B000XVSNTQ/ref=sr_1_275?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1371396825&sr=1-275), or [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Jelique-Pure-Instinct-Pheromone-Cologne/dp/B000LCETUO/ref=sr_1_290?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1371396868&sr=1-290)

thank you!

creamo! easy to use. i like the peppermint version. if he has sensative skin the normal one is pretty gentle.

dollar shave club is nice for what you pay for. to be honest, i have used creamo and a dual edge razor for the longest time no complaints. a DE razor will last him much longer than a disposable and he can do the tour de razor and find out which blades he likes. a box of blades is so much more economical than dollar shave club and if you get him a real nice razor he will treasure it. maybe he will get into brushes soaps etc but to be honest starting him off with something easy like creamo works. i have a maggard!

When I shave with my electric razor, it takes like 90 secs tops, and I've legit never replaced any of its parts (and I've had it for probably 2-3 years at this point). And I know I've already recommended safety razors before, but allow me to point something else out: cartridge razors (i.e. multi-blade things you typically buy in packs of 4) are A LOT more expensive than safety razor blades and they don't last that much longer. You can buy a pack of 100 blades for $16. It takes a little bit of time to learn the proper technique so you don't cut yourself, but it tends to produce better results in the end. Plus, the handles are really nice (hefty, solid metal, shiny).

About $6.22 USD (I'm Canadian), free shipping on orders over $35 (probably $25 USD) that include other free shipping eligible items (doesn't matter what it is). Works well, same amount, probably smells better, not sure about ingredient differences in terms of if one's healthier. If I'm gonna ask for free stuff like shaving cream, I'd be doing the people helping me a favor by at least doing my research. Looking for deals, not luxury items that cost several times (4x in this case?) more than it could if one was willing to use alternatives. Spend smart.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00837ZOI0

I have a very similar situation, a wire brush for a beard and fairly sensitive skin. I found that more than any particular blade (I use straights or a Feather shavette and rarely a DE) that face prep is the biggest single factor in irritation and closeness of shave.

What works for me (others will have different recipes, you should experiment):

1. Start either immediately after a shower, or use a hot-washcloth for a minute or two (hot as you can tolerate, hold it to your face with your hands over the sink). This softens the beard, and is a super important step.
   
2. I use pre-shave oil. You don't need much, just a few drops, work it all over your wet beard with your fingers. I hear that oil doesn't make any difference for some, but it helps for me.
   
3. Use a brush and whatever soap you like, although I'm partial to Proraso sensitive skin (the white tub). It lathers well in our very hard water. I do change it out from time to time, just for fun, but usually come back to it.
   
4. Whether or not you're using a straight, a shavette, or a DE, keep the blade sharp! I get 4-5 shaves out of my Feather Professional shavette blades, but only 2 shaves out of a DE, and of course the straights have to be stropped and periodically rehoned. Don't use too much pressure when shaving - if the blade is as sharp as it should be, it will get very close and smooth and take off your beard without using much pressure. Blade angle matters, too, try adjusting a bit at a time and evaluate your results.
   
5. I like to use alum block after wiping my face when finished. Cold water splash on your face, wet the block, then rub it all over where you shaved. I have an electric toothbrush that runs for 2 minutes, so I brush my teeth afterwards, and when that's done, I use a cold washcloth to wipe my face.
   
   Of all the steps above, having a moisturized face and a sharp razor of whatever type are the most important points.
   
   On the rare occasion I do get a bit irritated, I like to use Anthony Logistics After Shave Balm. It's a bit expensive, but I find it works pretty well to soothe irritation.
   
   Good luck!

Ok, so I don't have actual relationship advice, but I have some great shaving advice.

I get shaving bumps, 100% of the time, exfoliating doesn't help, blah blah blah. Electric trimmers are the best tools! They're easier to use, they never burn, wider area per stroke, don't need to be in a shower to use. I find it to be just as close as a razor.

I bought this razor last year and it is going strong.

I browsed /r/wicked_edge for a bit before diving in. Their FAQ should be a good place to get you started.

I've improved my pre- and post-shave routines as well as using a brush and non-canned shaving cream. Anecdotally, the learning curve wasn't very steep for me (a few nicks and cuts starting out) and I'm noticing that my issues with sensitive skin and ingrown hairs are resolving.

Your start-up costs may seem a little steep, but you can find some deals or cheaper gear and upgrade later. The fact that I actually enjoy shaving and feel better after doing it more than makes up for the initial purchase.

I started with the following:

Razor Emporium Sensitive Skin Blade Sampler pack

Musgo Real Lime Glyce Soap

Parker Safety Razor SYNTHETIC Bristle Shaving Brush

Taylor of Old Bond Street Avocado Shaving Cream

Edwin Jagger DE89bl Chrome Plated Double Edge Safety Razor

Gentleman Jon 3.5 Ounce Alum Block

A key is to change a little bit of the routine at a time. First prep, then products, and finally equipment.

The first step: addressing skin and beard preparation.

The hair on the face needs to hydrate as much as possible in order to shave with reduced tugging (this tugging is a large component to ingrown hair issues).

A proper glycerin based soap found at whole foods, or this popular one will clean the skin, remove oils that are barriers to hydration, and impart a layer of water attracting glycerin.

Once the hairs are hydrated, apply your usual shaving lather generously on the skin.

Shave as normal, but only in one direction - with the grain. With the grain means that the hair mats down when you run your hand across it. It's like petting a cat or dog without ruffling their fur.

See if this routine improves the shaving experience. If not, I'd suggest going to a dermatologist for advice.

If you do see an improvement, post back to this thread, and we'll help you find a good shave soap. If you dive into this alone, a quick disclaimer for sensitive shavers: avoid regular proraso.

It's highly recommended, but I believe that the eucalyptus and other extracts used are suspicious for use on facial skin, and around the face's sensitive mucus membranes.

I got the DESS permanent hair removal device. It works amazing. I also use this electric razor that works great. It's only around $15 and it blades are good for like 6 months for me. In combination it's good enough after a couple laser sessions. I would also recommend getting professional laser hair removal for the face done at a clinic, their lasers are more powerful. Typically laser sessions are $100-$250 a month, or total around $1500-$2500.

Hello there German brother. I'm looking forward buying a DE on Amazon.de as well.
After browsing this thread for 2 days i decided that I will be buying an Edwin Jagger.

http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00K6Z24SK?colid=1KF1RX1FOW71J&coliid=I1JWCT9UQ3ME0Q&psc=1&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl

For blade i found this set to have a lot of variarity: https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00CBG1BRC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1ZYQAHVI25Y2A

I also don't know if I should not order a brush and soap or just wait till I have more money to buy those things as well. (I'm a broke med school student here.)

I also thought of buying a cheaper Boar brush for 7€ and soap for 6€ but since I'm new to this DE shaving thing I do not know if that's what others would recommend.

Well seems like I talked around the heißen Brei enough.

I hope i could help you somehow. :)

I'm assuming you're sticking with the Merkur, which is a good choice I think.

Shopping at Amazon, I'd buy:

a Brush Omega boar brush

A blade sampler with some well loved brands.

Shaving Cream TOBS Avocado is a well liked, easy lathering cream.

Optional:

Alum Block to rub over your face after shaving, recommended.

Also optional is a glycerin-containing soap or facewash to use right before you shave.

I'm assuming you already have an after shave, otherwise Nivea Sensitive Balm is a good choice.

Just get a bowl from the kitchen to lather and you're set.

Switching to a safety razor literally changed my outlook on the world in the morning. Much better shave, not a lot more time, no ingrown hairs, smells a lot nicer. Here's what I would recommend for starters:

• Merkur razor. There are many models, so pick one you like the price/look of
  
  
• Tweezerman brush
  
  
• Colonel Conk shaving soap. Again, many kinds but I like this one.
  
  
• Feather blades
  
  
  You can shop around and see if anything suits you better, but I highly recommend all of these. Also, this video is a good starter if you've never used a safety razor before. I've never seriously nicked myself, but I have with a Mach 3 (which I still use to shave my head).
  

I had the same reaction to Maggard's Barbershop. The few soaps that didn't give me any irritation include Proraso Sensitive (the white one), Sterling's Sandlewood, and TOBS Avocado. Maybe one of these may work just as well for you as they have for me, but it seems like everyone reacts differently to each individual scent and/or brand of soap if there is any sensitivity issues. Best of luck hunting down what works best for you.

Oct 8, 2019

Pre: Proraso Pre-Shave Cream
Lather: Barrister and Mann Leviathan - Soap
Brush: Parker Safety Razor Handmade Deluxe "Long Loft" 100% Pure Badger Shaving Brush 22mm
Blade: Lord Platinum Class (1)
Razor: Merkur 38C
Post: Thayers Alcohol-free Unscented Witch Hazel Toner & Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream
Fragrance: Barrister and Mann Leviathan - AS Splash

Sweet baby jesus! I can smell again after a 2 week cold I can finally smell. And what smells to come back to. I love the scent of Leviathan. I'm hoping it lasts a good portion of the day.

Also, I reaffirmed what I already knew today: slow shaves are the best shaves. Taking your time makes them more enjoyable and creates less irritation.

haha, that certainly is a frugal setup for disposable/cartridges. when i was younger always thought those Bic's wouldnt cut shit compared to a mach 3, but supposedly they're pretty decent.

ya man, after you get your handle & brush, its all about the blades. nice, that's the way to do it, i picked up this. mine did too, and even tho i heard they were decent, personally was kinda disappointed with the derby's, at least compared to the good stuff. my sampler is just about done (10 months later), so prolly gonna pick up those personnas on amazon for $12. tried the astra's & feather's, and those two were the best blades from that sampler pack

I have the Wahl Peanut. It's pretty basic but I like that it runs on a single (rechargable) AA and never really suffers from a decrease in power. Comes with 5 length attachments. It's small, you never need to plug it in, and it gets the job done. And it's pretty cheap. I love mine.

Honestly, ever since I started shaving with a safety razor, not only did I save ridiculous amounts of money, but I also never had ingrown hair problems again. I was back home this week and had to shave with my dad's Mach 3, and what do you know - ingrown hairs again.

I think the safety razor forces you to slow down. Also, you get less "face-to-razor" contact because you're only dragging one blade across your face as opposed to 3 or more. The perceived "ease of use" associated with multi-blade razors incentivizes you to rush through and chew up your face.

There are a lot of safety razor purists who will tell you to get a coffee mug, a boars hair brush, and fancy shaving cream. However, all I did was change the razor and kept all else the same, with conventional cream. Its been working fantastically for me.

I linked you to the safety razor I bought, which is only $15 and works perfectly. Buy a pack of these razors to go along with it and you will be set for a couple years for what you would pay for one months worth of Mach 3 razors.