Brush hurts my face

[breadstick]

I got the Pure Badger brush from The Art of Shaving a few weeks ago and have used it everyday but hit a problem. When I use it, it feels like it is too rough for my face. My skin isn't too sensitive but is a little and when I use the brush it sort of itches my skin for a few minutes. I a few different soaps and creams and it does it every time. It doesn't break out, but it itches for a few minutes and I don't think it should be. I looked a lot online and didn't see anything about this happening. I researched many techniques and tried these but it still happens. I usually either rub it under hot water until it is loaded with water and start to make my lather or let it soak in hot water while I'm in the shower and start building my lather after the shower. The soaking seems to work a little but not a lot. Is it the brush or my technique that is causing me trouble?

Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

 

[PlasticCity]

You may need to still break it in, as far as technique, I don't see how it could be that, not much effort needed to load and use the brush. Also, Pure badger is indeed a bit more stiff then say a Silvertip, if you don't like the feel of that, you may want to pickup a nice Silvertip later on down the line (it will happen, lol). Let us know how it goes, and I'm sure you'll get some more responses from the other members too.

 

[talibeard]

You may need to still break it in.....

There isn't much breaking in with a badger I am afraid. Pure badgers are not too pleasant on the skin; go for a silvertip or go for a nice boar (which does need a break-in!!). Actually I think the only reason why there is a market for pure badgers is that they are relatively cheap and carry the word 'badger' with them. Any decent boar will beat one of those in softness and lathering...

 

[Dpflaum]

Actually I think the only reason why there is a market for pure badgers is that they are relatively cheap and carry the word 'badger' with them. Any decent boar will beat one of those in softness and lathering...

I agree. For relatively little money over Pure you can upgrade to Best, my particular favorite grade. More scritch than Silvertip and softer than Pure.

 

[SubmarinerLV]

Yeah I had exactly the same problem with a Vulfix pure badger mate, so at least your not alone. As stated above the solution is a silvertip (well at least you have a valid excuse) you belong to an exclusive club my friend you actually need a silvertip not enabling SBAD at all.

Regards Grant

 

[HDPaul]

Anyone know which brand has the softest, least scritchy, silvertip?

Kent?
Rooney Super?
Simpson 2 band?

 

[breadstick]

I was just about to the same thing

 

[beginish]

The Rooney Super Silvertip (in both 2 band and 3 band) in their Heritage line is very soft at the tips, but have great backbone.

 

[Razor Emporium]

if u want an inexpensive silver tip, look no further than omega. They make great budget brushes!

 

[breadstick]

if u want an inexpensive silver tip, look no further than omega. They make great budget brushes!

Any suggestions? I posted in the WTB section, so maybe I'll get a hit there.

Also, I read about some best badger brushes (Edwin Jagger mostly). Do you think that would be too scratchy for me?

 

[PaulL]

Also, I read about some best badger brushes (Edwin Jagger mostly). Do you think that would be too scratchy for me?

I have an Edwin Jagger Best Badger, it doesn't seem scratchy to me. I think it's a perfect beginner brush, just tonight I bought another one for my brother.

I have a pure badger and it does feel scratchy. It seems to me that my pure badger brush was trimmed with scissors, so the ends of each bristle are abrupt. It doesn't bother me, but clearly pure is not what you need.

 

[KWyKJJ]

My first brush was and EJ pure badger brush. The tips are trimmed so it irritated my face, made me itch, and was just not for me. I took the advice of some members on here and picked up an EJ best badger brush and while this is certainly less picky, it still made me itch. After a breaking in period it was better and comfortable while lathering, but the irritation afterward was still present. I then picked up an EJ Super Badger brush (my favorite) this was perfect for me. The tips are very soft, it holds water well and is still firm enough to get a good scrub in. Finally, Since I had one of each type I decided I wanted a Silvertip. I bought the EJ silvertip and it was too soft for me. I then decided it was a good idea to try a different brand. My brother bought me a Grade A silvertip knot from the nib and made me a handle for it. While this was a bit better in my opinion, I still like my EJ super better. If it was the first brush I bought I probably wouldn't have gotten the others. Ok thats a lie, the fine gentlemen on here have a way of making you want to buy things. Regardless, depending if you have sensitive skin like me, best isn't that much better than pure. Go with super or silvertip.

-JJ

 

[denim]

I like my Simpsons Colonel in Best. I just wonder if you might be allergic to badger. Try a synthetic brush?

 

[breadstick]

I don't think I'm allergic. If I were allergic, wouldn't I have some sort of reaction from handling the brush? When I shave today, I'm going to use the brush on a slightly less sensitive part of my body, like the inside of my forearms to see if I have a reaction. What makes me think it's not an allergy is that I never broke out, it just itches for a few minutes after I use it.

 

[verdict]

Yup, we have the same problem. I bought a Pure Badger brush from Vulfix and the tips are so rough that I've resorted to my trusty VDH Boar, which is much softer now that it was when I first bought it.

 

[denim]

What makes me think it's not an allergy is that I never broke out, it just itches for a few minutes after I use it.

I'm not a doctor, but as I understand it, it depends on the severity of the allergy. Itching can be a reaction. I'd try another type of brush first. Thing is, some people are allergic to animal hair, so a boar brush might not be better. That's why I suggested a synthetic.

 

[SubmarinerLV]

I thought that people were allergic to animal dander as opposed to the actual hairs themselves? Not a dermatologist or a vet so don't take this as gospel I actually heard this on another shaving forum I lurked on, this interests me as I purchased a Silvertip to allay the problem akin to the OP's

Regards Grant

 

[cvac]

It is highly unlikely you are allergic.

The problem is probably "brush burn". I tried pure and best grade brushes and they weren't soft enough for me. I can use those and boar brushes occasionally but certainly not everday. My face would be red and irritated if it did.

Also, face lathering is a no go if your skin is easily irritated. Try lathering in a bowl instead.

Your only real choice is to upgrade to a silvertip brush. Not cheap, but worth the investment. I'd go with one of the big names. Your face with thank you.

 

[SubmarinerLV]

It is highly unlikely you are allergic.

The problem is probably "brush burn". I tried pure and best grade brushes and they weren't soft enough for me. I can use those and boar brushes occasionally but certainly not everday. My face would be red and irritated if it did.

Also, face lathering is a no go if your skin is easily irritated. Try lathering in a bowl instead.

Your only real choice is to upgrade to a silvertip brush. Not cheap, but worth the investment. I'd go with one of the big names. Your face with thank you.

+1 this is what I found even using a simpsons chubby Super which is much softer than my pure badger Vulfix face lathering is like giving my face a good sandpapering i.e not pleasant.

Brushily yours Grant

 

[Confilo]

There isn't much breaking in with a badger I am afraid. Pure badgers are not too pleasant on the skin; go for a silvertip or go for a nice boar (which does need a break-in!!). Actually I think the only reason why there is a market for pure badgers is that they are relatively cheap and carry the word 'badger' with them. Any decent boar will beat one of those in softness and lathering...

I own a few brushes from silvertip, finest, 2 bands etc. I started shaving with a pure 46 yrs ago because they were cheaper, in fact i still own the brush with a balding head. I currently own a couple of pure badgers from Simpson and they are still coming on top of the rotation. I'm primarily a SOAP user and they do get a BIT softer but then it takes awhile