Also I have found that leaving my natural skin oils helps aid in a more comfortable shave. When I wash face first, it strips those oils & the shave is not as smooth.
This morning I shaved in the hallway, with a straight and KMF Lavender & shea. Get out of the bathroom, get into the kitchen, free yourselves, free your shaves
I have done it both ways, albeit I like to shave after my shower. The shower really hydrates the beard and makes shaving that much easier.
I'm in the shower at night, shave in the morning camp. I started shaving at night after my shower but being in the military, I need a fresh shave first thing so it lasts all day. I found shaving at night I would have a 5 o'clock shadow by noon!
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So I conducted a little experiment to determine if shaving before showering changed the outcome of my shave and I can say conclusively, yes, it does.
I spent a whole week doing each of:
1) shaving in the evening without showering (shower in the morning only),
2) shaving in the morning after showering (as per usual)
3) finally shaving in the morning before showering.
Across the entire experiment I found that my usual morning shower then shave produced the worst outcome! In hindsight I already knew that a long hot shower was setting me up for an awful shave, so I suppose it should have been no surprise that no shower makes for a better one.
In past experiments a trend had developed which indicated that it was possible to over-hydrate my skin and develop more irritation; this experiment seems to support that notion. There seems to be a window where whiskers are adequately softened but skin is not yet over-hydrated/compromised and I can get a great shave with little thought. Not enough prep time and it's a rough shave, too much and the I have to be very careful or suffer greater irritation.
So, here's what I do now:
- Two minute face wash in warm water with Mitchell's Wool Fat bar soap
- empty and re-fill the sink with cool water, soak brush, prepare lather while face is wet
- face lather for one minute
- two passes, XTG and ATG, some touch-up
- rinse and clean up before showering
I shave six days a week and on every occasion I've had a very close shave with little to no irritation at all, regardless of the razor used.
Result!
I thought exactly the same, over hydration can produce bad shaves as the skin feels softer and more prone to irritation, so when I have long hot showers I shave with cold water to tighten my skin and does not affect the hydration on the whiskers but shaving before shower seems like the way to goit was possible to over-hydrate my skin and develop more irritation
This is why I started shaving before showering. Now I just keep that routine.When I first tried shaving with cartridge razors in the '80s, I shaved then showered, so that I could rinse off any blood from nicks. Now that happens very rarely. Perhaps I'll try it tomorrow . . . I can probably find something to occupy me for 2-3 minutes while I let the cream soften the bristles.
And now there are 3.I thought I was the only weirdo that did that
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I have a question though. Would I wash my face with soap/wash in the shower, or just water? After shaving that is.
Gotta say, it's really strange washing an already smooth face when I'm so used to stubble when I wash hahaI always do. I just use my regular face soap in the shower. Then after I get out I apply whatever aftershave and/or balm I will be using. Works like a champ for me!
Gotta say, it's really strange washing an already smooth face when I'm so used to stubble when I wash haha