Face prep - yep, it IS that big of a deal

[gmgaj]

So I've been working my way into my routine, and making little changes as I go. I've got things down to where I can get pretty good results consistantly. I started just prepping my face with hot water soaks, and it worked ok. Then I started lathering my face in the shower using regular soap and then rinsing it off just before getting out. Better results. After reading about it here, I tried following the soap with some cheap hair conditioner. All I can say is WOW! I used a couple of my second tier combination razor/blades, and they both gave amazing results.

Since starting wet shaving, the best improvements I've seen were moving to a little more aggressive razor and using black 7 o'clocks. But using the cheap conditioner after soaping gave me the largest improvement in results I've seen by a large margin. I'm getting shaves from my less effective combos that are on a par with my best setups without conditioner. Astra and SE blades are shaving like my blacks. Tomorrow I'll try using a new and 7 o'clock black to see how it affects my best combos, but I have high hopes for it.

If you haven't tried it, buy some cheap conditioner and give it a try. Best improvement for a couple of dollars that I've found.

 

[clk]

I use my wife's conditioner in the shower, followed by home made pre-shave oil (castor oil, jojoba oil, olive oil and almond oil). Works great, better than either conditioner or pre-shave oil alone. Always a great shave, and my face is nice and soft afterwards.

 

[edgerunner]

I shave after shower or use face wash, otherwise my face won't survive shaving every day.

 

[Coler]

I'll make another suggestion - that you consider an exfoliating scrub. You can even get one that says its for men (its no different from what the girls use). If you think your face is clean now, try this. It makes a real difference to your shave too.

 

[Graybeard57]

Skin prep is essential. It pays to do it right.

 

[OldSaw]

Prep is definitely a huge part of a great shave. Find what works and stick with it.

 

[Modern Art]

My daily prep is a wash with Origins Zero Oil cleanser in a hot shower, then splashing hot water on my face at the sink and a little dab of whatever pre-shave oil I prefer, most often Anthony Logistics. I've tried shaving in the shower and I prefer shaving at the sink with the radio.

Twice a week I exfoliate in the evening with Keihl's Energizing Scrub. Sometimes when I'm combating an ingrown or two I'll do it in the morning and lather with my Burma-Shave brush, my toughest.

 

[dieselfuel79]

I shave after shower or use face wash, otherwise my face won't survive shaving every day.

Amen good sir. I can determine how good or bad my prep was once I complete an ATG pass.

 

[N2theBreech]

Okay, somebody has to mention Kyles prep. Might as well be me.

Soak a wet towel in hot water. Rub a little soap or cream on a soaking wet face. Pick up the towel, and when it is cool enough that it doesn't burn, hold it tightly to your face, covering all the bearded area. The recommended time is 3 minutes, but I never quite make it that long. I reserve this for a slow day when I want a leisurely shave.

GMGAJ--thanks for sharing. Sounds like your "shaving journey" is going well.

 

[duckdown]

Gotta go against popular belief here..

When I started out, I followed the whole soaking in the shower routine and so on and so forth religiously...

A little went by, and I had to suddenly shave in situations where I simply did not have the time, and have gotten irritation free, great shaves without going through the whole spiel. I think blade angle and minding your razor pressure have been much more instrumental in good shaves than the preperation part of it. The only "prep" I really use EVERY time is the Castle Forbes pre-shave balm.

Not discrediting it at all, but I do not think it's as vital as a newbie like me was lead to believe in the beginning...

 

[HoosierTrooper]

Yep, prep is important. A few splashes of cold water, let the lather set for about two minutes on my face and then have at it. Works great!

 

[duckdown]

Yep, prep is important. A few splashes of cold water, let the lather set for about two minutes on my face and then have at it. Works great!

Interesting, you lather your face then wait a whole two minutes with it on before shaving? I'd be worried it would start to dry on me, which certain soaps have done WITHOUT me waiting for the two minutes.. Hell, sometimes it will start to dry on half of my face before I can even get to it.

I will try that out, thanks for the tip!

 

[OldSaw]

Yep, prep is important. A few splashes of cold water, let the lather set for about two minutes on my face and then have at it. Works great!

Interesting, you lather your face then wait a whole two minutes with it on before shaving? I'd be worried it would start to dry on me, which certain soaps have done WITHOUT me waiting for the two minutes.. Hell, sometimes it will start to dry on half of my face before I can even get to it.

I will try that out, thanks for the tip!

Actually, lather on the face is about the easiest method of prep that there is. It works very well. If it dries out in 2 minutes you are either in a very, very arid place or your lather is too dry to start with. Try adding just a bit of water by just touching the tips of your brush in some water and repeat if needed. Also nothing wrong with letting the lather sit while you get your things ready and then take the brush and freshen up the lather on your face right before beginning the shave.

 

[john shea]

Getting ones beard as soft as possible and keeping it that way for the duration of the shave is extreamly important. Once the hair is as soft as possible, extra softening effort is without additional improvement. Some people need less work than others. What works best for me is:
-Shower/shampoo/conditioner/lather,
-if shower is not possible, wash and rinse two or three times then lather. I usually find that my face suds much easier the second time around with less soap being needed.
-Some people find that cold water is less irritating on their skin. While I have no skin issues with and prefer hot water, cold water has been equally effective for me.
-Rehydrate/relather as much as needed to keep the hairs from drying and rehardening.

A good close comfortable shave begins with a soft beard and a sharp blade. After that, it is primarily about good technique.

 

[johnh]

Gotta go against popular belief here..

When I started out, I followed the whole soaking in the shower routine and so on and so forth religiously...

A little went by, and I had to suddenly shave in situations where I simply did not have the time, and have gotten irritation free, great shaves without going through the whole spiel. I think blade angle and minding your razor pressure have been much more instrumental in good shaves than the preperation part of it. The only "prep" I really use EVERY time is the Castle Forbes pre-shave balm.

Not discrediting it at all, but I do not think it's as vital as a newbie like me was lead to believe in the beginning...

Interesting. I regard prep as beneficial, but I think all that is needed for this is warm water washing with soap at the sink beforehand or during a bath or show prior to the shave.
Found Alepp soap good but any household soap is OK really; ymmv though.

 

[InfernoOrangeSS]

My prep has been to hold a warm washcloth to my face for 3-4 minutes and then I would splash warm water on my face and proceed to lather. I think I will try the water splash and keep the lather on there for 2-3 minutes as was said earlier. I think that will work better for me. Thanks to all for their input!

 

[Viseguy]

Prep is key, and eventually you find what works for you. Mine is simple: Splash some warm water on face. Apply thin layer of shaving cream with fingers. Lather with soap on top of that (superlather). Takes all of 2 minutes and works well for me. (YMMV, needless to say.)