Bad Shave with Mama Bear's

[cnnc97]

I am having some trouble with Mama Bear's Dragons Blood. I've only been wetshaving for about 6 weeks and just got a lot of irritation and a pretty poor shave. I still have stubble left on my cheeks after 3 passes, WTG, XTG, ATG and major irritation on my neck despite skipping the ATG on my neck. Some parts of my neck feel like I shaved yesterday. Witch Hazel and AS burned like the devil on all parts of my face, by far the worst I've experienced.

I've been mostly shaving with Proraso and have been getting better and better, not much irritation, can go ATG on cheeks and get it nice and smooth. I can even go ATG on most of my neck when feeling brave and haven't gotten much irritation.

Not with the Mama Bears tonight though. I'll admit that I'm still learning on the lather, but I thought it was ok. Didn't dry out or anything, seemed nice and thick. Looked and felt like the lather from the stuff I can get good shaves with. I was using an SS with an Iridium, 3rd shave on the blade I think. I got what was probably my best shave on Friday with the same setup with Tabac.

It seems to be a pretty highly regarded soap, so I'm thinking it's my technique, just not sure what exactly. I've read all the tutorials and watched the videos, not sure what I might be missing. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Luc]

I didn't try that one but there are a few thread about allergies with that particular fragrance...

Going back to Proraso is a good choice and re-visit it a bit later.

 

[Justinsane]

What do you do for prep?

 

[Svedge]

Tried the glycerin tutorial? That worked for me.

 

[ackvil]

I have not used Dragon's Blood but her unscented is great for a person like me with sensitive skin. Often it is the fragrance that is added - not the soap - that causes the issue.

 

[c0ry]

I didn't try that one but there are a few thread about allergies with that particular fragrance...

Going back to Proraso is a good choice and re-visit it a bit later.

I agree with this. Many people have had issues with that particular scent causing a burning sensation.

 

[guitarslinger]

you're allergic to that Fragrance Oil.

Sell it, and try a different scent.

Her soaps are great.

 

[Hex]

I have a once-used Mama Bears EO soap, Basil Lime that I would be willing to trade with you. I am just not keen on the Basil aroma.

Let's PM if you're agreeable.

 

[cnnc97]

What do you do for prep?

I just rinse my face with hot water for a few minutes most of the time. Works fine usually. I somtimes use the Proraso Pre/Post, but didn't last night.

 

[cnnc97]

I have a once-used Mama Bears EO soap, Basil Lime that I would be willing to trade with you. I am just not keen on the Basil aroma.

Let's PM if you're agreeable.

Thanks for the offer, but it's just a sample. I do have two pucks that I bought and haven't tried yet. If I don't get better results with them I will probably just sell them.

I also have several more samples to try. I will probably give my face a day or two to heal and then try some of the other samples.

I don't know that it is really a reaction to the soap. My face didn't get even close to a good shave, despite the same passes I usually use. Maybe my angle and technique was just way off for some reason. I hope so because I really like scent of the soaps that I bought, can't remember which ones at the moment.

 

[solar]

Never had a problem with any of the MB soaps, including Dragon's Blood. That said, I have read a few posts here at B&B indicating that some folks find the Dragon's Blood irritates their skin.

My skin is fair. I thought I might have a problem with Dragon's but so far, all is well.

Chris

 

[EvilGobi]

I have never tried the Dragons Blood, but so far from the 4 or 5 that I tried I only ever had any problem with the Toasted Coconut (I noticed some burning). Sadly it was exactly the scent I was looking for, the thing is I have also tried her Coconut Lemongrass and had no issue with it. Maybe your skin just doesn't like something in it, that was my problem.

 

[mretzloff]

I don't know that it is really a reaction to the soap. My face didn't get even close to a good shave, despite the same passes I usually use. Maybe my angle and technique was just way off for some reason. I hope so because I really like scent of the soaps that I bought, can't remember which ones at the moment.

It probably is not a reaction to the soap. If it was a reaction, you would have had a quality shave, except your face would have burned like the dickens.

Your lather may not have been up to par or your angle might have been off. Remember to use less water with melt-and-pour soaps than with any other products, such as your Proraso. For the angle, follow Mantic's advice of putting the head of the razor on your face and slightly tilting it forwards until the blade barely touches your skin.

Good luck!

 

[cnnc97]

It probably is not a reaction to the soap. If it was a reaction, you would have had a quality shave, except your face would have burned like the dickens.

Your lather may not have been up to par or your angle might have been off. Remember to use less water with melt-and-pour soaps than with any other products, such as your Proraso. For the angle, follow Mantic's advice of putting the head of the razor on your face and slightly tilting it forwards until the blade barely touches your skin.

Good luck!

That's exactly what I was thinking, and after another poor shave last night with TOBS I think I can confirm it's me and not the soap. I think I will go back to Proraso for a while until I can refine my techniques on building lather as well as shaving technique. I'm thinking I was using too much of an angle. I probably need to switch back to my EJ DE89 as well since that's what I've been using up until now.

 

[Cuttingboard]

You may want to consider doing only two passes (WTG & ATG) rather than three passes. I use to get some irritation when I did three passes, so I switched to two and now receive irritation free shaves that are smooth and close.

 

[cnnc97]

You may want to consider doing only two passes (WTG & ATG) rather than three passes. I use to get some irritation when I did three passes, so I switched to two and now receive irritation free shaves that are smooth and close.

I just don't get a very close shave if I don't attempt ATG or 45 degree ATG, or whatever the correct term is. On my cheeks I haven't had a problem until now, my neck I have to be more careful. 2 passes just leaves too much behind for me.

 

[Lux_Aeternitas]

Well once again this proves that different shaving soaps work differently for other people.

 

[mretzloff]

I probably need to switch back to my EJ DE89 as well since that's what I've been using up until now.

Good idea. You will run into problems if you switch variables too quickly.

 

[closer]

I probably need to switch back to my EJ DE89 as well since that's what I've been using up until now.

+1 since you are not cutting hair properly, check your technique with the hardware. You may also have an issue with lathering properly with MB soaps, but I would suspect the hardware first.

 

[cnnc97]

I switched back to using my DE89 last night, and I used Proraso Pre/Post. Went with TOBS Lavender again and got a great shave. Was able to shave ATG on face and neck, few small nicks, but no irritation at all.

So it's either:

My lathering abilities
Failure to use Proraso Pre-Post
Lack of familiarity with razor - although before all this started I got a great shave with my SS
Just had 2 bad shaves in a row

I really don't know what to think at this point.