I've noticed from reading some of the wet-shaving message boards and forums that people have many different reasons for getting into all this. Many state that their initial inspiration was saving money, yet afterward they admit that they now spend far more on razor collecting and luxury "high-end" soaps, creams, aftershaves, etc. I have not had this problem, partially because money's a bit tight right now, and partially because if I want to experiment with new scents and whatnot I make my own sundries.
Hell, for about the same price of a single tub of many designer shave creams, one can purchase 10 - 24 lbs of soap base online or at your local craft store. From there it's a just a matter of popping some base in a mug into the microwave for thirty seconds and mixing in whatever essential oils, fragrances, etc. you choose and, after waiting a bit for the soap to set up (the freezer can help with this), you're ready to try a new scent of shave soap.
Aftershave's no different. You just need some aloe vera gel, witch haze, and some form of fragrance. Hell, I've even used store-bought, alcohol-based aftershaves for fragrance. The benefit of this type of recipe is that it will moisturize and tone your skin, instead of drying it out like using just an alcohol-based AS will. That's especially nice for those of us with sensitive skin.
As for pre-shave oils? I've yet to try any, but I've been told by many that one can get a good quality pre-shave prep from olive oil, baby oil, or even massage oil scented with the essential oils of your choice.
Expensive shave brushes? I will admit that these are nice, and you do need a good brush. Yet I've found that, while not quite as soft as my friend's badger brush, my boar brush is quite soft since I've treated it a few times with a bit of conditioner (yup, same stuff that goes on my hair).
How about the razor, you ask? Well, you obviously can't shave without one. By doing your homework before purchasing, you can save yourself alot of money, headache, and facial irritation. I started off with a Junjie DE safety razor (cheap chinese crap), and got decent shaves(note: for the price I'd advise going with a Weishi or used Gellette from ebay. If you want new, Merkur seems to be top of the line). Yet I wanted to move to straight razor shaving, as it's always intrigued me. When I was still living in my home town I loved going for a trim and a shave at the local barber shop. There's nothing like it. So I talked with a friend of mine who shaves with a straight and asked him for advice on an economical (meaning cheap, but good quality) razor to start off with. He told me what his barber told him, and sent me to Sally Beauty Supply for a Fromm Hair Shaper razor and box or Personna blades. You simply slide off the comb/guard, slide in a blade and you can get a great shave for about $10.00. Now I will eventually move up to a classice straight razor (maybe Christmas for me, lol), but until then my cheap little beauty works wonderfully.
Now, I apologize for ranting so, and I am still making my point, and it's this: Even with trying many different shave soap/cream/aftershave recipes, since I make my own at the sacrifice of a few minutes, I'm still saving loads of money on shaving products since switching to wet-shaving. I'm not knocking or putting down the guys who enjoy collecting various razors and sundries, I'm just saying that you can explore the vast world of the wet-shave, and even some less-traveled paths, without breaking the bank. The making of my own shave products is even something that my wife can enjoy because she (like many women) loves homemade bath and body products and crafts.
So, if you're feeling adventurous, give it a go. It's a brave new shave.
Hell, for about the same price of a single tub of many designer shave creams, one can purchase 10 - 24 lbs of soap base online or at your local craft store. From there it's a just a matter of popping some base in a mug into the microwave for thirty seconds and mixing in whatever essential oils, fragrances, etc. you choose and, after waiting a bit for the soap to set up (the freezer can help with this), you're ready to try a new scent of shave soap.
Aftershave's no different. You just need some aloe vera gel, witch haze, and some form of fragrance. Hell, I've even used store-bought, alcohol-based aftershaves for fragrance. The benefit of this type of recipe is that it will moisturize and tone your skin, instead of drying it out like using just an alcohol-based AS will. That's especially nice for those of us with sensitive skin.
As for pre-shave oils? I've yet to try any, but I've been told by many that one can get a good quality pre-shave prep from olive oil, baby oil, or even massage oil scented with the essential oils of your choice.
Expensive shave brushes? I will admit that these are nice, and you do need a good brush. Yet I've found that, while not quite as soft as my friend's badger brush, my boar brush is quite soft since I've treated it a few times with a bit of conditioner (yup, same stuff that goes on my hair).
How about the razor, you ask? Well, you obviously can't shave without one. By doing your homework before purchasing, you can save yourself alot of money, headache, and facial irritation. I started off with a Junjie DE safety razor (cheap chinese crap), and got decent shaves(note: for the price I'd advise going with a Weishi or used Gellette from ebay. If you want new, Merkur seems to be top of the line). Yet I wanted to move to straight razor shaving, as it's always intrigued me. When I was still living in my home town I loved going for a trim and a shave at the local barber shop. There's nothing like it. So I talked with a friend of mine who shaves with a straight and asked him for advice on an economical (meaning cheap, but good quality) razor to start off with. He told me what his barber told him, and sent me to Sally Beauty Supply for a Fromm Hair Shaper razor and box or Personna blades. You simply slide off the comb/guard, slide in a blade and you can get a great shave for about $10.00. Now I will eventually move up to a classice straight razor (maybe Christmas for me, lol), but until then my cheap little beauty works wonderfully.
Now, I apologize for ranting so, and I am still making my point, and it's this: Even with trying many different shave soap/cream/aftershave recipes, since I make my own at the sacrifice of a few minutes, I'm still saving loads of money on shaving products since switching to wet-shaving. I'm not knocking or putting down the guys who enjoy collecting various razors and sundries, I'm just saying that you can explore the vast world of the wet-shave, and even some less-traveled paths, without breaking the bank. The making of my own shave products is even something that my wife can enjoy because she (like many women) loves homemade bath and body products and crafts.
So, if you're feeling adventurous, give it a go. It's a brave new shave.
