New DE shaver (3x). To those thinking about it...keep it simple.

[fastnardo]

Simply, this board is overwhelmingly deep in its passion for shaving and the gear "needed" to get a good shave. I'll keep my experience simple...

Three shaves right out of the shower. Two with hot water on my face and brush and one with cold tap water.

I used canned gel and rubbed it on my face for 20ish seconds and had the closest shave of my life. Maybe I have a special low maintenance face, but other than regular post shave lotion, I don't need anything else. Keeping it simple works for me.

Not a scrape or cut...I prefer cold water as well. I don't romanticize the process, but I do like this perfect shave.

 

[The Shaver]

Yeah, I've used Edge and Barbasol when I shave. While it is convenient, I still like pampering myself. But glad you're happy with it! More than likely I'll be doing what you are already doing in college

 

[ricardo9505]

do what works for you. I personally dislike the canned gels. not lubricating or moisturizing enough. plus it feels and smells great so its a plus. a perk in the morning. I buy lots of arko. it's still cheaper than your canned gel by the way

 

[Maxime D.]

Same here, the good old barbasol work fine for me. Shower, pre shave scream and the original foam without scent. STILL I dislike very much Gillette goo, especially the green can with the lemon smell.

 

[jb4647]

I actually havn't used any of the canned stuff in like 12 years since I discoverd cream from the Body Shop and began using a brush. I'm curious as to seeing what it's like with a DE razor so I picked up a couple of travel-size cans. One of Barbosol and one Gillette Fomey.....

 

[Gingerbread]

I never liked the can goop. However, the feel of Proraso on a Silvertip in the morning...oh lawd.

 

[Absolute Mustard]

I couldn't live without a brush

Nothing (for me) can replace a good soap and brush. It makes the experience enjoyable instead of a chore

 

[Steveareno]

I'm relatively new to DE shaving myself, but I've always been a mug soap and brush shaver, from the first scrape of my peach fuzz nearly 40 years ago. I've used canned shave cream only a few times out of necessity and never liked it. However, I agree that one coming into DE shaving can find the emphasis on products in these forums to be a bit daunting. Good basic beard prep with water, a good soap (such as the Van der Hagen that you can buy at Wal-Mart) and brush, a razor and blade that works for you, and that's all you really need.

 

[Jclifton]

I say stick eith what works for you. I used a brush and mug when I was a teenager for a bit, but didnt have great results, when I started using a brush and mug recently it was a bit better, but face lathering works the best for me. I use it because I think it is fun and brings some new to an old chore that I despised. I always got good shaves with barbrasol, even with the green goo stuff, probably will keep using that when I am traveling just for convenience and because I am a bit lazy.