Smoosh's Shaving Journey

[Smooshface]

First shave today, used:

Edwin Jagger (PIF'd and I don't know the exact model)
Omega Synthetic Brush
ProSilver Super Iridium blade
TOBS Grapefruit SC
Nivea Sensitive Skin Balm

Did this at night with no shower, used a hot towel for prep. Way too much water in the cream and didn't get a good lather at all. I did accomplish my goal though, I took two passes (ran out of lather) and had no nicks or weepers as well as almost zero irritation. I didn't get a close shave, but I went from having a slight beard to invisible stubble with a horrible job getting my lather going. I'm going to use the same setup tomorrow with less water and see if I can get a closer shave. I will wring out my brush from its soak before starting to make the lather in my mug.

I also noticed myself going fast, as if using an old cartridge razor, I need to slow down and pay attention to my angles.

 

[celestino]

Congratulations on the first shave and enjoy the rest to come!

 

[Mad Man]

Hey, good for you mate! The first one is always the toughest.

 

[Smooshface]

Second shave today:

Edwin Jagger (PIF'd and I don't know the exact model)
Omega Synthetic Brush
ProSilver Super Iridium blade
Proraso Green
Nivea Sensitive Skin Balm

Made a much better lather today, had enough for 3 passes and some spare, though I only had time to do 2 passes this morning. Shaved directly out of the shower. Much closer shave, did a great job getting my face smooth (other than my upper lip, still working on that) and did a pass straight down, and a pass side to side. My hair changes direction so much, that just hitting those two directions is about the best I can do on 2 passes.

While I got a much better shave, I also got irritation on my neck and opened up a lot of little bitty nicks that bled one dot around my adam's apple and in the side areas of my neck. I have to keep reminding myself to go slow, it's such a force of habit to just blow through shaving in a couple minutes.

On another note, I LOVE the proraso feel, nice and cool on the skin, felt great. Tomorrow my goal is this close of a shave, but no irritation/blood. One step at a time. Also I should receive my slim today, but I don't want to change razors for just a little bit more, too many variables could be rough to figure out what works.

 

[eborraga]

The Proraso is pretty good. Also the razor is a de89. I typically shave in the evening, as it allows me lots of time to myself. Let us know when the kiddo arrives!

 

[Smooshface]

Absolutely I'll let everyone know when the baby is here. Tomorrow is the due date, but so far, nothing is pointing to him arriving tomorrow. Maybe I'll shave tonight then instead of tomorrow morning.

 

[Smooshface]

Shave #3

Gillette Slim I3 Set to 2
Omega Synthetic Brush
AoS Lemon Pre-Shave Lotion
ProSilver Super Iridium blade
Old Spice Shaving Cream
Nivea Sensitive Skin Balm

So first things first, my Gillette Slim arrived in the mail today, and I just HAD to use it, so I sanitized/cleaned it, and put the same blade I had been using into it. It's such a nice looking Razor, came with the case and some vintage blades which I don't think I'll be trying out.

So the Old Spice lathered up great, I watched a few videos yesterday on creating a good lather and that really helped, I had enough for 4+ passes (of which I only did 2) and didn't really use that much actual cream, very nice. The smell was a little strong, but pleasant and didn't linger.

I either have good technique on my face that fails when I reach my neck, or bad technique all around and my face is made of leather. I also may just be compounding irritation on my neck over the last few days, I'm not sure which, but I definitely had a lot of weepers and quite a few nicks. I used my sensitive skin balm, and then followed it up about 10 minutes later with a rub down with neosporin (believe it or not, it moisturizes great and will help the weepers and nicks close up more quickly).

I am going to take a day off and let my neck heal up before I shave again, as I think doing it over and over is causing the irritation to multiply and that may be a large part of my problem. I'm also having trouble seeing the angle I'm using the razor at in a lot of areas (such as my neck) and that may be affecting my ability to do this correctly. I'm going to go hunting for some videos on how to get your angle right and then pick this back up the day after tomorrow.

I also am going to try one of the Astra blades I have in my samples tomorrow, I've read so many people say just buy astras and forget samples, they are the best (which I know is opinion in a lot of areas) but I've seen it often enough to make them blade attempt #2.

 

[eborraga]

I shave every other day because of the irritation issue. Alot of people can do it everyday, but not me. Goos luck on the next shave!

 

[quietearth]

Hey Smooshface!

Congrats on getting the first few shaves down. The biggest things I've learned so far is a) don't change too many things at once; and b) NO PRESSURE!

It's also interesting to note that so far at least, the MORE water I use (especially with the proraso products) the better my lather is, by which I mean the end result is more comfortable.

My best results so far have been with proraso - the white and green soaps/creams. Seems to work well for us noobs.

Good luck! and keep up the good work on the journal!

 

[Smooshface]

Shave #4

Gillette Slim I3 Set to 2
Omega Synthetic Brush
AoS Lemon Pre-Shave Lotion
Astra superior platinum shave 1
TOBS Avocado
Nivea Sensitive Skin Balm

First off, the day off was smart, I came into it with a good neck. My preshave was a warm towel, and from there I did 3 passes on my face and 2 on my neck.

Quick story, I received one nick on my chin where I kept hitting a stubborn spot and didn't reapply cream. Other than that, no irritation and I actually finished with a DFS.

I focused on zero prpressure, slow small strokes, and not hitting areas multiple times in one pass. I guided myself by the sound of hair being shaved. My razor did seem to collect hair, I actually had to take out the blade a few times on some rinses. The 2 is such a small hole, and my hair is so thick, it clogs a little. There were some points when I went ATG that I had some pulling, but I am sure that is me not having great technique.

I learned a lot on this shave, and it was comfortable and relaxing. I am considering doing a newbie video to show people who are new what it is like starting out. All the videos you see that are instructional, the guy is always shaving super fast, and it sets such an unrealistic expectation for your first few shaves. Also seeing someone screw up a bit might make new wet shavers not feel so bad about their own mishaps.

Overall though, I am just so happy with today's shave. There are some areas that are BBS, and the rest is a nice close shave. Here's hoping that I can replicate today.

 

[Mad Man]

Good progress mate! And a GREAT idea to document your progress, insights, revelations.

Advice? Minimise the variables now. Stick to one set of gear as much as possible to enable the muscle memory to settle down.
It's easy to try to "buy" your way to closer shaves (been there, done that, got a cupboard full of crap I don't use anymore...) but the reality is you've got some seriously good kit already. Time to nail the basics of technique...if that makes sense?

 

[Smooshface]

That does make sense and a lot of my stuff is gifted samples, but I am going to keep to what I did today for a bit to see how it goes. I have 5 astras, so that should last a bit and a decent amount of TOBS Avocado to use. I am very excited about my shave last night and intend to not change anything for a bit.

 

[richierich12]

You're already getting the hang of it! Keep at it!

 

[Smooshface]

I'm having trouble deciding if I'm enjoying the relaxing private time shaving or the overall enthusiasm and generosity of this community more. Thank you everyone for being so awesome. Looking at my process, do you guys think there is anything I should add in that may help, maybe an alum block or something at the front/back end of the shave to help clean up afterward?

I am itching to try a soap, but like suggested, I should stick with one thing for a bit, so I will have to hold off. I have some Pushing Petals Fancy Neroli Shave Soap coming which should arrive Saturday, but I will force myself to wait off on it for at least 2 or 3 more shaves that give solid results before I make a change and try it out.

 

[WetWhiskers]

Looking at my process, do you guys think there is anything I should add in that may help, maybe an alum block or something at the front/back end of the shave to help clean up afterward?

I added an alum block to my process to get fast, detailed feedback about what areas of my face are irritated.

It works.

And allowed me to "normalize" my process so I can try different aftershaves afterwards without messing up my "don't change anything to work on technique" discipline.

Ww

 

[imthegoal]

I definitely agree that adding an alum block after you finish shaving but before the a/s is a great idea. Like was already said it gives instant feedback on areas you need to focus your technique on a little more.

 

[Graybeard57]

Good progress mate! And a GREAT idea to document your progress, insights, revelations.

Advice? Minimise the variables now. Stick to one set of gear as much as possible to enable the muscle memory to settle down.
It's easy to try to "buy" your way to closer shaves (been there, done that, got a cupboard full of crap I don't use anymore...) but the reality is you've got some seriously good kit already. Time to nail the basics of technique...if that makes sense?

Agreed. You are doing fine, BTW. My experiences were very similar. Change nothing for awhile, except to get fresh blades when you feel them tug, but stick to the same brand for awhile. Enjoy your shaves!

 

[Smooshface]

SOTD
Gillette Slim I3 Set to 3
Omega Synthetic Brush
Astra superior platinum (2)
TOBS Avocado
Nivea Sensitive Skin Balm

So, I was in a semi hurry this morning, so I forgot the pre-shave lotion and only did 2 passes. BUT, they were clean passes, no irritation, no cuts, and I did a good job shaving. There are a couple really smooth spots, but for the most part, it's just a semi-close shave, the kind of closeness you would generally get from a decent electric.

I was happy with the result and I got a great lather out of the TOBS, my best yet by far, it was exploding out of the mug, I could have made passes all day if I wanted to. Great shaving day for me, as my technique is definitely improving and I'm happy with how things are going.

 

[Smooshface]

SOTD
Gillette Slim I3 Set to 3
Omega Synthetic Brush
AoS Lemon Pre-shave oil
Astra superior platinum (3)
TOBS Avocado
Nivea Sensitive Skin Balm

Needed a SUPER quick shave, so 2 quick passes with the above setup, it went great all things considered, still probably my closest shave yet, and only slight irritation on the neck that is already cleared up from this morning!

 

[Smooshface]

SOTD
Gillette Slim I3 Set to 3
Omega Synthetic Brush
Astra superior platinum (4)
Pushing Petal Fancies - Neroli
Nivea Sensitive Skin Balm

I have been dying to try out this shave soap so I did. SO SLICK, but I did nick my throat a couple times going ATG. I really enjoyed both the scent and the feel of the soap, though I didn't get a great lather out of it. From what I've heard that probably has more to do with my technique than with the soap itself, so I will try again tomorrow. Regardless, it was a smooth shave, with 3 passes for the first time, and only a few small nicks on my throat going ATG.