...Hope this is the correct place.
The following is for dry skin and very tough beard hairs.
Got an EJ89 and went from the Derby blades to Feather yellow 10-pack. While pre-oil isn't 100% necessary after shower warming and washing with good soaps I apply warmed Luana Brand non-smelling AFFORDABLE processed coconut oil; from the grocer in a tub. I move some to a small container; redone once a week. I'm also reapplying some between passes and then using it (especially) after a cold water finishing splash as a very superior balm and that does not sting. It also reduces razor burn; that I only got one time being overly aggressive (BBS) with Polsilver Iriduim. I've use Derby the Pol and Feather.
To get baby smooth (99% perfect) I require more than 3 passes and touch-ups of about 5 all-told passes. I can usually avoid any nicks with the Feather; so does this indicate I have found my blade and should stop hunting? I'm afraid I may have to move to a different razor to get fewer passes; but I am also at my tolerance for irritation and carefulness(that's fine). Perhaps an HD razor would be better for me; I don't know. Then there's open combs next I think. Probably not a slant.
I would be concerned that even the Merkur HD razor and while slightly more aggressive might require less than a Feather and I'd lose my needed sharpness(raising irritation due to more friction). I am softening my beard as much as possible; with warm prep.
Cold shaving did not work for me. My neck got worse. BTW perhaps cold shaving is best warm (soften) and then cold (cutting)shaving I don't know. Yet I'm working with warm now and keeping most alternatives (control) at bay.
Like many I figured my face was extra sensitive. What is was I think is I'm (49) older and do not have the oily skin I once had. Grey beards hair are tougher. I'm actually surprised I have very dry skin and this is a dry time of year. I had associated this with allergies; but tough beards require more friction and so we think it's sensitivity. The bumps were caused by ingrown hairs not acne and less than optimal direction passes cushion glide (was skips and drags) and no re-lathering of a superior shave soap. I do not have to use unscented products; but that's a good way to go for some. I'm all over triple-milled soaps tallow and those with moisturizing qualities. Where some of those might cause issues for some young oily skin guys. I now realize the importance of regular face care and that it is not girly to need moisture (water retained). My skin was far more cracked and would get flaky at times than I thought. That added to irritation. I'm enjoying 24/7 moist hydrated skin (water retention by never being completely stripped and using coconut oil for emulsifying) and the optimized shave soap is part of this regimen. Mainly it's the near miracle (simple and uncomplicated) processed coconut oil; even if only used as your aftershave balm.
I also avoid pore clogging (acne causing) ingredients in face/body soaps. No Parabens (just to play it safe) and even no SLS soaps or shampoos(needing a bit more cleaning than face/body). The fewer the ingredients the better! Your face soaps may need to be different also; depending on what else you choose. I'm currently testing (inexpensive $1.20) "Clearly Natural" unscented 25% retained glycerin soap bar on face and body. "Bed Head" non-SLS for shampoo.
I went for the best shave soaps and starting with the affordable VDH Deluxe (not "Select" or "Glycerin" versions) for $1.58 at the Mart. I learned to be patience for a minute; whipping-up and brush loading a thick lather. including simple fast bump reducing face lathering. Starting; with less water (shake the warmed Silvertip well). I have a big Silvertip brush and while a bit floppy it still works well with better hard shave soaps(and creams). Brush exfoliation is very important and you should work at it; but gently. You can avoid needing a face scrub; but go ahead use a ***MILD*** scrub (Equate brand Oil of Olay knock-off) if you are still getting bumps. A MILD scrub is also good for your shave days-off if you do not shave everyday.
My super shave soaps are MWF, Speick stick, and Cella! Any one will do great. Speick stick(travel) is hitting ALL the bases and even the scent. MWF being tops and all one needs; with excellent Lanolin (no sensitivity for me) scent and not as hard to lather as some think and long lasting. These make your brush smell great. Then Cella an Italian style "croap" is very fast to lather and the most moisturizing. But I still need coconut oil. Cella has its mild Almond/cherry-ish scent; that many like. Speick is the best scent (by my family poll) though. MWF has a great (brush) soap scent too. All having excellent cushion and glide; and given my use of coconut oil they all are superior. I do not apply an over abundance of coconut oil between passes. I don't want to mess-up the fine shave soaps performance. But it's better to use some (lesser amount just enough) of coconut oil between passes also. I do apply an abundance as an aftershave and it lasts longer than any (stinging) lotion; that I have tried. I just pat with a towel if too shiny. I have a problem with being very dry faced an hour or so later. So my face really sucks-up the coconut oil and this keeps me from drying out altogether; during the day.
That's my story; but my issue (as many) is my neck. I tried doing my neck separately with an electric; but it was worse irritation. I am healing from the old way of (cartridge Mach 3 sensitive) shaving and comparatively much better; with less irritation. I am shaving every day and getting better and avoiding most irritation. Best I can do on my neck now is going extremely easy(er) and in all directions with the hairs like that there and with the feather; compared to mowing-down (buffing required) my tough chin area(without irritation!).
Frankly being hairy (the beast) I am using a Braun electric foil on my ears only (yes ear stubble!); but not every day. Also I've learned to use the clipper only (not foil or blade to avoid later bumps) on the back of my neck hairs (very very light touch else red scratches) and on a small amount of long shoulder and upper arm hairs (a couple); that otherwise cause itchiness (harboring infection) and are unsightly. The lower arms and chest are naturally (Sean Connery like) hairy. This can be done once a week and leave minor acceptable hair stubble; but without ingrown bumps and that's the point. No need for baby smooth on the fine hairs; that are very few(wild hairs).
...and here I thought my beard hair was wimpy but it's become the opposite.
Please help with any experienced advice; that can improve on my neck irritation (I carefully prep there) and I'd like to reduce the time and number of passes required.
It's like rough sandpaper under my jaw (no irritation) even after two good buffing passes with a feather. So I do not feel like I can stop the final against the grain pass(es). Still then there's some stubble. Even at the best (real BSS) I can still find stubble under the jaw line and chin. Plus some "shadow"; where the "Foo man chew" would be. Still this a far far better than I was getting with an expensive cartridge; even when new. I went back and tried the cartridge; with everything I've learned and have changed and the cartridge was horrible! I gave it an overly fair try too and I expected it to be all the prep. It was not. ...Way too much friction; with a cart.
It took far less time to get used to the minor (feel) differences of the DE razor than I had assumed. I'm shaving everyday to increase smooth non-irritated results. you get used to avoiding irritation (lighter LOW friction strokes) and with the better prep. Think smooth and don't go extremely fast (nor to slow), and don't go into un-relathered areas. Do a fast re-lather between passes/directions and touch-ups. It takes one second to swipe lather; before a touch up spot.
I'm better shaved (closer) the next day (stubble); than I was with cartridges even right after and those had major irritation! Friction is the killer. This is why I'm trying to figure out how to get fewer passes; but not add irritation. To close was that time I got my first all over (pol-silver) even coverage burn (from pressure buffing a less sharp blade untold; until done and aftershave). That was the fine line(to close); not to cross. My face is adapting. I'm about 98% there.
I could not be more pleased and still in shock; that I can't wait to shave! LOL. I just need the red spots on the neck gone.
The following is for dry skin and very tough beard hairs.
Got an EJ89 and went from the Derby blades to Feather yellow 10-pack. While pre-oil isn't 100% necessary after shower warming and washing with good soaps I apply warmed Luana Brand non-smelling AFFORDABLE processed coconut oil; from the grocer in a tub. I move some to a small container; redone once a week. I'm also reapplying some between passes and then using it (especially) after a cold water finishing splash as a very superior balm and that does not sting. It also reduces razor burn; that I only got one time being overly aggressive (BBS) with Polsilver Iriduim. I've use Derby the Pol and Feather.
To get baby smooth (99% perfect) I require more than 3 passes and touch-ups of about 5 all-told passes. I can usually avoid any nicks with the Feather; so does this indicate I have found my blade and should stop hunting? I'm afraid I may have to move to a different razor to get fewer passes; but I am also at my tolerance for irritation and carefulness(that's fine). Perhaps an HD razor would be better for me; I don't know. Then there's open combs next I think. Probably not a slant.
I would be concerned that even the Merkur HD razor and while slightly more aggressive might require less than a Feather and I'd lose my needed sharpness(raising irritation due to more friction). I am softening my beard as much as possible; with warm prep.
Cold shaving did not work for me. My neck got worse. BTW perhaps cold shaving is best warm (soften) and then cold (cutting)shaving I don't know. Yet I'm working with warm now and keeping most alternatives (control) at bay.
Like many I figured my face was extra sensitive. What is was I think is I'm (49) older and do not have the oily skin I once had. Grey beards hair are tougher. I'm actually surprised I have very dry skin and this is a dry time of year. I had associated this with allergies; but tough beards require more friction and so we think it's sensitivity. The bumps were caused by ingrown hairs not acne and less than optimal direction passes cushion glide (was skips and drags) and no re-lathering of a superior shave soap. I do not have to use unscented products; but that's a good way to go for some. I'm all over triple-milled soaps tallow and those with moisturizing qualities. Where some of those might cause issues for some young oily skin guys. I now realize the importance of regular face care and that it is not girly to need moisture (water retained). My skin was far more cracked and would get flaky at times than I thought. That added to irritation. I'm enjoying 24/7 moist hydrated skin (water retention by never being completely stripped and using coconut oil for emulsifying) and the optimized shave soap is part of this regimen. Mainly it's the near miracle (simple and uncomplicated) processed coconut oil; even if only used as your aftershave balm.
I also avoid pore clogging (acne causing) ingredients in face/body soaps. No Parabens (just to play it safe) and even no SLS soaps or shampoos(needing a bit more cleaning than face/body). The fewer the ingredients the better! Your face soaps may need to be different also; depending on what else you choose. I'm currently testing (inexpensive $1.20) "Clearly Natural" unscented 25% retained glycerin soap bar on face and body. "Bed Head" non-SLS for shampoo.
I went for the best shave soaps and starting with the affordable VDH Deluxe (not "Select" or "Glycerin" versions) for $1.58 at the Mart. I learned to be patience for a minute; whipping-up and brush loading a thick lather. including simple fast bump reducing face lathering. Starting; with less water (shake the warmed Silvertip well). I have a big Silvertip brush and while a bit floppy it still works well with better hard shave soaps(and creams). Brush exfoliation is very important and you should work at it; but gently. You can avoid needing a face scrub; but go ahead use a ***MILD*** scrub (Equate brand Oil of Olay knock-off) if you are still getting bumps. A MILD scrub is also good for your shave days-off if you do not shave everyday.
My super shave soaps are MWF, Speick stick, and Cella! Any one will do great. Speick stick(travel) is hitting ALL the bases and even the scent. MWF being tops and all one needs; with excellent Lanolin (no sensitivity for me) scent and not as hard to lather as some think and long lasting. These make your brush smell great. Then Cella an Italian style "croap" is very fast to lather and the most moisturizing. But I still need coconut oil. Cella has its mild Almond/cherry-ish scent; that many like. Speick is the best scent (by my family poll) though. MWF has a great (brush) soap scent too. All having excellent cushion and glide; and given my use of coconut oil they all are superior. I do not apply an over abundance of coconut oil between passes. I don't want to mess-up the fine shave soaps performance. But it's better to use some (lesser amount just enough) of coconut oil between passes also. I do apply an abundance as an aftershave and it lasts longer than any (stinging) lotion; that I have tried. I just pat with a towel if too shiny. I have a problem with being very dry faced an hour or so later. So my face really sucks-up the coconut oil and this keeps me from drying out altogether; during the day.
That's my story; but my issue (as many) is my neck. I tried doing my neck separately with an electric; but it was worse irritation. I am healing from the old way of (cartridge Mach 3 sensitive) shaving and comparatively much better; with less irritation. I am shaving every day and getting better and avoiding most irritation. Best I can do on my neck now is going extremely easy(er) and in all directions with the hairs like that there and with the feather; compared to mowing-down (buffing required) my tough chin area(without irritation!).
Frankly being hairy (the beast) I am using a Braun electric foil on my ears only (yes ear stubble!); but not every day. Also I've learned to use the clipper only (not foil or blade to avoid later bumps) on the back of my neck hairs (very very light touch else red scratches) and on a small amount of long shoulder and upper arm hairs (a couple); that otherwise cause itchiness (harboring infection) and are unsightly. The lower arms and chest are naturally (Sean Connery like) hairy. This can be done once a week and leave minor acceptable hair stubble; but without ingrown bumps and that's the point. No need for baby smooth on the fine hairs; that are very few(wild hairs).
...and here I thought my beard hair was wimpy but it's become the opposite.
Please help with any experienced advice; that can improve on my neck irritation (I carefully prep there) and I'd like to reduce the time and number of passes required.
It's like rough sandpaper under my jaw (no irritation) even after two good buffing passes with a feather. So I do not feel like I can stop the final against the grain pass(es). Still then there's some stubble. Even at the best (real BSS) I can still find stubble under the jaw line and chin. Plus some "shadow"; where the "Foo man chew" would be. Still this a far far better than I was getting with an expensive cartridge; even when new. I went back and tried the cartridge; with everything I've learned and have changed and the cartridge was horrible! I gave it an overly fair try too and I expected it to be all the prep. It was not. ...Way too much friction; with a cart.
It took far less time to get used to the minor (feel) differences of the DE razor than I had assumed. I'm shaving everyday to increase smooth non-irritated results. you get used to avoiding irritation (lighter LOW friction strokes) and with the better prep. Think smooth and don't go extremely fast (nor to slow), and don't go into un-relathered areas. Do a fast re-lather between passes/directions and touch-ups. It takes one second to swipe lather; before a touch up spot.
I'm better shaved (closer) the next day (stubble); than I was with cartridges even right after and those had major irritation! Friction is the killer. This is why I'm trying to figure out how to get fewer passes; but not add irritation. To close was that time I got my first all over (pol-silver) even coverage burn (from pressure buffing a less sharp blade untold; until done and aftershave). That was the fine line(to close); not to cross. My face is adapting. I'm about 98% there.
I could not be more pleased and still in shock; that I can't wait to shave! LOL. I just need the red spots on the neck gone.
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