How about that upper lip.

[dpmtherrien]

As I move into my 4th month of straight shaving, the one area that continues to give me trouble is my upperlip and the corners of my mouth. I'd like to know how our more experienced straight shavers tackle these areas.

I think one of my problems is positioning the straight to get at my upper lip. Is it better to attempt a N to S stroke or to use a XTG stroke. I can get at the area O.K. but it seems that I just have trouble shaving there. Or could it just be that its something that will resolve itself with more experience? I manage a decent shave in other areas without too much trouble.

On the corners of the mouth is it better to use the front, the middle, or the rear of the blade to get in there?

These two areas are enough to make me wonder what I'm doing wrong there when you consider the rest of the shave goes pretty darn good. Thanks for any help, pointers, or assistance, because I can sure use some.

 

[Luc]

Mmm, well, like any other area, I try to create a flat surface. For the corner, I do the 'O' face and use the tip of the razor (Round point usually, works well).

For the upper lip, I try to stretch it and going from outside toward the nose is where I cut everything that's left in my 3rd pass (W-E/E-W).

 

[LeverTime]

I switched from DE to straight not too long ago, and am far from an expert. I had an impossible time with my upper lip at first, but I have found a technique that works very well for me. I do a N to S stroke on my upper lip, and use the tip (front?) of the blade on the corners of my mouth. The hardest part was right under my nose, because my nose was in the way. I just hold the blade at a very high angle, and use VERY little pressure. I think this is the key to most trouble areas is GO SLOW and use very little pressure. After I did it a few times, I got much faster.

 

[FiveOhNine]

^---Goatee.....muahahahaha

 

[mparker762]

I do one pass on my upper lip, blade held vertically going from the outsides in, then for the middle bit I use the coup de maitre. easy peasy.

 

[NavyShave]

Being in the military, I need a very close shave since I have dark hair and pale skin. So, when I first started with a straight, I realized that WTG on the upper lip wasn't quite cutting it. No pun intended.

I have found I can go ATG on the upper lip as long as: 1, My razor is very sharp 2, I stretch the corners of my mouth downward with my other had 3, I use a smooth continuous stroke rather than the short and abbreviated strokes and 4, that I sort of move my lip onto the razor edge by sucking my lips inward as I move towards my nose.

I know some people do not advocate ATG on the upper lip, but with good technique and a sturdy gip, I have not had any issues. Good luck!

 

[Klarion]

On my upper lip, I immediately start with something between an XTG and an ATG pass, which manages to cut very close. Then, I turn for my ATG pass, using short overlapping strokes. For this, I pull my upper lip down, but not sucked in against my teeth. It creates a curvature I'm not really set on, since things work fine as is. I mostly use the heel for this, since it's the least-used part of the edge, and closest to my fingers for control.

 

[netsurfr]

I do a N-S pass followed by a XTG pass. That seems to do the trick for me. But then my blades are wicked sharp.

 

[riooso]

I use the Coup De Maitre on each side of my upper lip then as the blade travels down I open my mouth wide in a big "O". I continue the stroke and cruise over the side of my mouth using the toe to middle of the razor and stop just after I get past the center of my mouth. This is only a clean up N-S pass. I re-lather to soak the whiskers and save the ATG till the last pass. I go ATG starting with the center of the razor using short slicing motions till I get to the bottom of my nose. The ATG stroke is vastly easier because it has been already had a clean-up pass.

Great question! I am anxious to see how others accomplish the upper lip. It took a lot work for me to figure out how to get a BBS on the upper lip.


Take Care,
Richard

 

[Derek_V]

I won't call myself an expert but...

As others have already said, stretching the skin is key...

for the sides of my mouth, I'll use the heel of the blade, (hope I'm using heel correctly, I mean the opposite of the tip) I seem to have more control with the heel, and this is a pretty tricky area.

For the Upper lip I'll do a wtg, straight North to South, under the nose I sort of 'curl' the razor in. Starting close to 90, then rotating to proper angle. I follow up with 45 degree pass, NW to SE, NE to SW

Hope this helps, I'm looking forward to hear how others do it.

Take care

Derek

 

[richmondesi]

Coupe de Maitre & the Fool's Pass work for me

 

[Noswad]

coupe de maitre & the fool's pass work for me

+1