Like many, I jumped into this fold because I was looking for a solution for ingrown hairs and a red, irritated neck. I used gift cards and cash I got from Christmas to start my wet shaving adventure back in January. I started with the common stuff - a DE89, Shea Moisture brush from Target, and CO Bigelow cream. I have since tried WAY TOO MUCH stuff, and have enough soap/cream/aftershave products in my drawer to last for the next 3 years. Here are the truths that have gradually come to my attention over these past 4 months...
1) Shaving technique and DIRECTION is the most critical component to avoiding irritation.
1a) I thought I had sensitive skin. I don't. My technique just sucked. I didn't really know about grain, or at least I didn't ever figure out that the grain on my neck grows upward and a bit to the right. I suspect a lot of the guys out there that think they have sensitive skin are in the same boat. Their skin isn't the problem... they just suck at shaving. I know I did.
2) Once you really figure out lather-making, virtually all decent soaps and creams will perform perfectly fine. Use enough cream and enough water, and the lather is pretty much THE SAME between them all.
2a) Soap and cream selection really just boils down to what scents you like, how much you're willing to spend, and whether there's a certain ingredient you like or need to avoid. Yeah, there are some stinker products out there, but as long as you're using decent ones, this will hold true. I've used a bunch of stuff, from $60 Martin de Candre to $6 Speick to TOBS to Trumper to T&H to eShave to Nancy Boy to RazoRock to AOS to Mystic Water to QCS and beyond. Take away the scent? I couldn't tell the difference between any of them once I have the product in my brush ready to go to my face for lathering.
And my final one, when taking into account what I now know from above...
3) DE razors only offer one measurable advantage - saving money on blades versus buying cartridges. I have used a DE89 (sold it) and now rotate a Super Adjustable amongst a Sensor Excel and Mach 3 disposables. Now that I know HOW to shave and can make a nice lather, I'm gradually using the DE less and less. The cartridges are just easier. The razors weren't the problem. It was my technique. I'm still ecstatic that I made the jump to wet shaving. I'll never give up my brush or soaps/creams/aftershaves. My DE razor on the other hand? It's becoming a decoration.
1) Shaving technique and DIRECTION is the most critical component to avoiding irritation.
1a) I thought I had sensitive skin. I don't. My technique just sucked. I didn't really know about grain, or at least I didn't ever figure out that the grain on my neck grows upward and a bit to the right. I suspect a lot of the guys out there that think they have sensitive skin are in the same boat. Their skin isn't the problem... they just suck at shaving. I know I did.
2) Once you really figure out lather-making, virtually all decent soaps and creams will perform perfectly fine. Use enough cream and enough water, and the lather is pretty much THE SAME between them all.
2a) Soap and cream selection really just boils down to what scents you like, how much you're willing to spend, and whether there's a certain ingredient you like or need to avoid. Yeah, there are some stinker products out there, but as long as you're using decent ones, this will hold true. I've used a bunch of stuff, from $60 Martin de Candre to $6 Speick to TOBS to Trumper to T&H to eShave to Nancy Boy to RazoRock to AOS to Mystic Water to QCS and beyond. Take away the scent? I couldn't tell the difference between any of them once I have the product in my brush ready to go to my face for lathering.
And my final one, when taking into account what I now know from above...
3) DE razors only offer one measurable advantage - saving money on blades versus buying cartridges. I have used a DE89 (sold it) and now rotate a Super Adjustable amongst a Sensor Excel and Mach 3 disposables. Now that I know HOW to shave and can make a nice lather, I'm gradually using the DE less and less. The cartridges are just easier. The razors weren't the problem. It was my technique. I'm still ecstatic that I made the jump to wet shaving. I'll never give up my brush or soaps/creams/aftershaves. My DE razor on the other hand? It's becoming a decoration.
