I used to use a hot towel, create lather with a brush and bowl, then use a Merkur double edge safety razor chasing BBS shaves every time I shaved. Usually making 3 or 4 passes.
The result was that I was shaving every other day and still getting some irritation and bumps, but nothing major.
Now, I rub some hot water on my face, apply lather from the tub with my fingers (rubbing it in my face with some dabs of hot water, forming lather) and then, use a cheap multiblade Dollar Shave Club razor, I shave with the grain, not counting passes, but just going over any given area until it's clean shaven. I never go against the grain or chase a BBS shave.
The results are great. I almost never get irritation and I can now shave on a daily basis. Shaving daily was tough when I went for BBS shaves because they left me with some irritation if my technique wasn't perfect.
All I'm saying is things have become a lot better since simplifying my routine.
I do still use great shaving creams though. I have noticed that makes a huge difference in my shaves and a great cream makes things so much more comfortable. But I haven't noticed much difference in my shaves, as far as the comfort of my shave, since ditching the extra tools and preparation.
The result was that I was shaving every other day and still getting some irritation and bumps, but nothing major.
Now, I rub some hot water on my face, apply lather from the tub with my fingers (rubbing it in my face with some dabs of hot water, forming lather) and then, use a cheap multiblade Dollar Shave Club razor, I shave with the grain, not counting passes, but just going over any given area until it's clean shaven. I never go against the grain or chase a BBS shave.
The results are great. I almost never get irritation and I can now shave on a daily basis. Shaving daily was tough when I went for BBS shaves because they left me with some irritation if my technique wasn't perfect.
All I'm saying is things have become a lot better since simplifying my routine.
I do still use great shaving creams though. I have noticed that makes a huge difference in my shaves and a great cream makes things so much more comfortable. But I haven't noticed much difference in my shaves, as far as the comfort of my shave, since ditching the extra tools and preparation.