Is this a good starting kit? Newb needs advice.

[oberonmsu]

Hey guys,

I posted in the newbie check-in to get some general advice, did some research, and I think I'm ready to get some equipment.

The short version of my story (original poster with full story) is that I have dry skin and a very bad ingrown hair problem. It started a few years ago when I graduated from college, and has gotten worse over time because I now shave every day before work and I've gotten more facial hair.

A few months ago I bought a 1974 Gillette Black Super Speed Safety Razor on eBay and have used it ever since. Until this forum I used random drug store blades because I didn't know better, along with Neutrogena Skin Clearing Face Wash, Nivea for Men Face Scrub, Neutrogena Skin Clearing Shave Cream, Neutrogena or L'Oreal Men's After Shave Balm, and used PrinceReigns for a while to treat the ingrowns (it was too expensive for the limited results I was seeing).

After a fair amount of reading, asking, and research, here's what I have in my Amazon Shopping Cart:

• Tweezerman Men's Shaving Brush - $13.50
• Muscgo Real Shaving Cream - recommended to me to help with the dry skin - $10.00
• Derby Double Edge Razor Blades, 30 ct - It was between these and personna red pack, and it just came down to getting free shipping on the Derby's. Anyone know where to get free shipping on a red pack? I've heard they're better for beginners -$5.99
• Aftershave - Need help here. Still up in the air, any recommendations on a good, inexpensive after shave? Maybe something that will help with the ingrowns and moisturize? If nothing pops up I'll probably stick with Neutrogena or L'Oreal.

Before joining the forum, I ordered Anthony Ingrown Hair Treatment which should arrive today. I also recently started applying olive oil to my face before shaving, which seems to have made a difference.

As you can see from the list, I'm targeting relatively inexpensive products - I can't afford to drop a ton of money on stuff I'll use regularly. I've read good reviews on Anthony Treatment, but it's really expensive and I hope with good products and technique I won't have to buy crazy serums like that or PrinceReigns in the future.

So do you guys agree with what I'm planning to purchase? Is there anything that I should replace, or anywhere that I can get this stuff significantly cheaper (I chose Amazon because of free shipping over $25)? Any ideas on a good after shave? How about a good, cheap face wash?

Sorry for all the questions and the long post. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[luvmysuper]

Looks like a great line up you have there.
I will mention that VDH soap at Walmart sells for about 1.50 a puck and is quite good for the price. Easy to lather and quite slick. Just for reference.

Not suffering from sensitive skin, I can't make a recommendation, I always use an alcohol based AS, I like the sting after I shave, I just don't feel like I'm done till I get that.

You might consider a sample pack of blades, as everyone is different and you might need to experiment a bit to see what suits you best.

Good luck with your purchases, and keep us posted on your progress.

 

[Carlin]

The tweezerman brush looks great! May I recommend getting taylor of old bond street vs muscgo? Many people around here, including me, highly recommend it. Derby's are also well recommended around here, but my face hates it, and love the red pack personnas instead.

My personnal recommendation is to head over to walmart/walgreens and get nivea ASB, in a white glass bottle. if you want a splash, aqua velva is also popular (but i haven't tried it).

Last but not least, Welcome to B&B!

 

[oberonmsu]

The tweezerman brush looks great! May I recommend getting taylor of old bond street vs muscgo? Many people around here, including me, highly recommend it. Derby's are also well recommended around here, but my face hates it, and love the red pack personnas instead.

My personnal recommendation is to head over to walmart/walgreens and get nivea ASB, in a white glass bottle. if you want a splash, aqua velva is also popular (but i haven't tried it).

Last but not least, Welcome to B&B!

Thanks for the response guys. What's the advantage of Taylor of Old Bond Street vs. Muscgo?

I might pay the premium and just get the Red Pack, I don't want a ton of blades that irritate my face, and my technique is improving but not quite there. Where would be a good place to get a sample pack?

 

[luvmysuper]

Thanks for the response guys. What's the advantage of Taylor of Old Bond Street vs. Muscgo?

I might pay the premium and just get the Red Pack, I don't want a ton of blades that irritate my face, and my technique is improving but not quite there. Where would be a good place to get a sample pack?

West Coast Shaving has sample packs for reasonable prices

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/

 

[Monkeydad]

Looks like a great line up you have there.
I will mention that VDH soap at Walmart sells for about 1.50 a puck and is quite good for the price. Easy to lather and quite slick. Just for reference.

Not suffering from sensitive skin, I can't make a recommendation, I always use an alcohol based AS, I like the sting after I shave, I just don't feel like I'm done till I get that.

You might consider a sample pack of blades, as everyone is different and you might need to experiment a bit to see what suits you best.

Good luck with your purchases, and keep us posted on your progress.

I second the VDH soap.

 

[Carlin]

Thanks for the response guys. What's the advantage of Taylor of Old Bond Street vs. Muscgo?

I might pay the premium and just get the Red Pack, I don't want a ton of blades that irritate my face, and my technique is improving but not quite there. Where would be a good place to get a sample pack?

I'm not sure exactly as I haven't used Muscgo, but I find TOBS to be very cushioning and slick. Also, the smell is heavenly o_o

 

[gone down south]

Oh now you've done it..... ask an open-ended question here and you're going to get everyone on the board recommending their own personal favorite products to you!

Basically, yes, your setup is great. I would recommend a blade sampler, as every face reacts differently to every blade and that's the one thing you really have to try for yourself. You can play around with different creams and asbs and splashes and whatever, but what you've aleady picked is going to work fine

 

[Tat2d Bald Dude]

I second the VDH soap.

+3

The VDH Soap is pretty good for being about $2.

 

[82R100]

+1 on the westcoastshaving sampler pack.

Their shipping is very reasonable. I just bought 100 red pack Personna's and the shipping came to $2.

- Chris

 

[Lavaine]

If you have dry skin, I would stick with an after-shave balm rather than a splash. I use a splash in summer, and switch to a balm in winter when it is cold and dry. As far as a good inexpensive balm, I would go with Nivea Extreme Comfort, Real Shaving Comapny ASB (easy to find in Canada, not sure about the US), or Body Shop.
As for the ingrown hairs, I still get the odd one on my neck, but found that making the switch from canned goo to a brush and good cream or soap made a huge difference. Switching from a cartridge to a single blade (as you have already done) helped a little bit as well.

Good luck, keep us updated.