Does wet-shaving = Better Hygiene practice?

[Krona Kruiser]

I'm not saying I was dirty before shaving with a DE but getting into DE's usually leads to nice brushes which leads to nice creams/soaps which leads to nice colognes which leads to better grooming. Right?
Has this hobby made you cleaner?
I have to admit that I know make sure to keep my nails tidy, use a luffa when I shower, along with Clubman talcom and other lotions afterwards. I used to be the standard bar soap and cheap shampoo type (nothing wrong with that) but walking down those shaving aisles lead your eyes astray.
Any similar experiences?

 

[Mendel]

I too, have always been a well-groomed clean guy. However, I do believe that this wet shaving hobby make us even more sensitive and aware in all aspects of our appearance - clothing, shoes, hair, etc. It's like a trickle down or domino effect.

 

[Krona Kruiser]

It's funny Mendel because before I got into traditional wet-shaving I was (still am to a degree) a clothes-horse. Brooks Brothers, Ferragamo, ties, you name it. That naturally led to this.....Now I've got a few fountain pens and started to window shop at the tobacco shops. What next?

 

[PomfretSteve]

It's funny Mendel because before I got into traditional wet-shaving I was (still am to a degree) a clothes-horse. Brooks Brothers, Ferragamo, ties, you name it. That naturally led to this.....Now I've got a few fountain pens and started to window shop at the tobacco shops. What next?

Thats funny I started on cigars, bought a humidor filled it, moved onto single malt scotches stocked my bar beyond capacity, moved to clothes, Brooks Brothers, Charles Tyrwhitt, etc... Restocked my wardrobe before my shaving ADS kicked in. I'd wager that a lot of us here have similar stories. Oh and to answer the questions I am now obsessive about my hygiene as well as the cleanliness of the bathroom, a change my wife enjoys!

 

[RABIDMONKEY]

Yeah I got to have a spotless clean sink to shave , before wet shaving this was not always the case

 

[Mendel]

IMHO, I believe that this wet shaving hobby and the like, to some degree, helps us to slow down time a bit. We can truly value being alive and enjoy living in the moment. I do believe that access to excess does not equal success but there is nothing wrong with working hard, enjoying fine things, and treating ourself.

 

[sigthorson]

I've always been clean but what changed for me is lathering my shower soap better instead of just wasting a bunch of it.
I used to go through a bar in almost 2 weeks. I never lathered it before I would just rub a ton of it on until I thought I thought I was clean enough then rinse it off.

Now I put a few layers on then add bits of water to build up a lather and let the soap do it's cleaning work.
Usually repeat if it's a hot summer and feel I need it.

 

[A3M0N]

I've found myself caring more about how I look as well. I mean, I take care and take my time on my whiskers, may as well take better are of my face in general. Then I don't want to waste a great shave on sloppy clothes, so I have been caring more about those as well - and I want my son to see a well put together man growing up.

My biggest problem is when to wear nicer clothes. I work night shift in a military uniform, so I don't go out a whole lot. But I am planning to have my ABUs altered to fit better, I can still apply tidy clothing fit rules to my uniform and stand out some.

 

[Jefebadskin]

Not really, but my face is in much better shape, and I now use better shampoo for my needs.

 

[sychodelix]

I was more into the grunge look (still technically clean, though) before, and my habits have changed drastically since starting wet shaving. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a suit and tie kind of guy all of the sudden, but I seem to care more about my appearance.

 

[brother cavefish]

same guy different shaving tools

 

[BrookR1]

T-shirts, flip flops, shorts/jeans, and a very clean shaven face. I will admit, though, that I have been visiting the barber more frequently.

 

[Graybeard57]

...my habits have changed drastically since starting wet shaving... I'm not a suit and tie kind of guy all of the sudden, but I seem to care more about my appearance.

I was always clean before, but I do pay more attention to my appearance now, at least from the neck up. My wife has allergies, so I go easy on the AS and colognes, but I DO use them now, whereas before rarely an AS, and never a cologne. Am keeping my receding hair quite short now, so it's always neat. May one day get the courage to shave my head and go totally clean.

 

[dannymayo]

IMHO, I believe that this wet shaving hobby and the like, to some degree, helps us to slow down time a bit. We can truly value being alive and enjoy living in the moment. I do believe that access to excess does not equal success but there is nothing wrong with working hard, enjoying fine things, and treating ourself.

DIN DING DING, WE HAVE A WINNER! I couldn't have said it better.

 

[Deltaboy]

It leads us back to the classic men days of the 30's-60's when Men were Men and no one had any doubts. Being well groomed is a way to open doors that other wise might be closed to you.

 

[Krona Kruiser]

It leads us back to the classic men days of the 30's-60's when Men were Men and no one had any doubts. Being well groomed is a way to open doors that other wise might be closed to you.

Funny you bring this up. My dad was in his late 40's when I was born and in his youth, he lived and worked in Vegas in the 60's and was also in the service in the late 50's. I've seen pictures of him wearing sharkskin suits and skinny ties with slicked back hair. Even though he was a cook for a living, he dressed well and shaved with DE's. I also remember him polishing his shoes on Sunday nights. He's influenced the way I see dress and grooming.

 

[PugslyCat]

I use a lot of grooming products I didn't use before, and those that I was using have been upgraded. I'm now using artisan soaps in the shower, various aftershaves, hair tonic, and am just starting to use some inexpensive colognes.

I also took a renewed interest in my pipes and bought my first fountain pen.

 

[mdove47]

I've found myself caring more about how I look as well. I mean, I take care and take my time on my whiskers, may as well take better are of my face in general. Then I don't want to waste a great shave on sloppy clothes, so I have been caring more about those as well - and I want my son to see a well put together man growing up.

My biggest problem is when to wear nicer clothes. I work night shift in a military uniform, so I don't go out a whole lot. But I am planning to have my ABUs altered to fit better, I can still apply tidy clothing fit rules to my uniform and stand out some.

According to the Army Regs you cannot alter your uniform. I do not know about the Air Force. I would also find it difficult to alter because of all the seams and pockets, etc. If you want a closer fitting uniform why not step down a size? BTW, you do not want to "stand out some". The purpose of the uniform is so we all look alike. Standing out just draws attention to yourself and puts a target on your back. I retired a Sergeant First Class E-7. If one of my soldiers ever showed up in a jacked up uniform....well, it just would not happen

 

[celestino]

Can't say i am more hygenic, but i sure look better and my face is so smooth and silky! Hee hee.

 

[A3M0N]

According to the Army Regs you cannot alter your uniform. I do not know about the Air Force. I would also find it difficult to alter because of all the seams and pockets, etc. If you want a closer fitting uniform why not step down a size? BTW, you do not want to "stand out some". The purpose of the uniform is so we all look alike. Standing out just draws attention to yourself and puts a target on your back. I retired a Sergeant First Class E-7. If one of my soldiers ever showed up in a jacked up uniform....well, it just would not happen

AFI 36-2903 1.2.5. "Airmen may alter uniform clothing to improve fit; however, alterations will not
change the intended appearance or required function of the uniform as designed."

Looking good in uniform does not "put a target on your back", you look like a good troop who cares about how he/she looks in a uniform that doesn't look sloppy. My blouse fits me, but it could fit better, going down a size won't help. Taking it in on the waist and shortening the sleeves to fit will make my uniform fit better and be a better example to the Airmen that I supervise.

My performance has already been proven, all of my performance reports are "5's", which on the USAF EPR is the highest rating.