I thought that this would be a creative way for newbies to help eachother navigate the learning process of using DE razors. Although the advice of seasoned vets is undoubtedly valuable, how many of them truly remember their own learning curves and experiences from many years ago ?
What are some tricks and tips that you've learned on your own for the first week or month?
Apply no pressure. This has been preached, I know, but it deserves repeating. Going from cartridge razors to single blades, this is the biggest difference that I had to remember. Had I not done hours upon hours of reading on forums, I would have overlooked this, and my skin would be in the sink right now.
Start with (only) two types of blades. I know, this one is tough. Especially since my sampler pack has already arrived! Switching through 15 brands in a row will do you no good. My razor came in the mail with 5 Dorco blades and 5 Astras. Some vets advise using a solitary brand for the first while. However, By alternating between two brands from the get-go, you really get the understanding of the very real differences between blades, and develop a general idea of what to look for when you patiently move on to your sampler packs.
example: For me at least, the Dorcos really tug at my beard. I wouldn't have known that if I hadn't used the Astras to compare.
Complete your first few shaves at night. Sounds silly doesn't it? Well you definitely don't want your inaugural DE shaves to be rushed. This will give you time to focus and concentrate on the shave at hand. Plus, if something goes horribly wrong -- terrible razor burn or multiple nicks and cuts -- you'll get to recover overnight instead of going to work looking like you just ran through a bush of thorns.
Use the kitchen sink! In a perfect world, we'd all take nice, hot showers before every shave. Unfortunately, the real world isn't so cooperative. Most kitchen sinks will be big enough for you to stick your head in, so run the tap on hot over your beard for a minute. I find that this is much more effective than using the hot towel method.
Shave left to right. Then right to left! Foam, gels, cream, or shaving soaps begin to harden, clump, dry, or liquefy the moment that they are applied. If you shave with a specific pattern every time (for example, right side of face, then left), you'll notice that the latter half gets a much poorer shave due to the deteriorated lather quality. For your second pass, follow your usual pattern, but complete it as a perfect mirror image to your initial pass. This way, you'll have shaved with fresh lather at least once on both sides!
Enjoy!
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What are some tricks and tips that you've learned on your own for the first week or month?
Apply no pressure. This has been preached, I know, but it deserves repeating. Going from cartridge razors to single blades, this is the biggest difference that I had to remember. Had I not done hours upon hours of reading on forums, I would have overlooked this, and my skin would be in the sink right now.
Start with (only) two types of blades. I know, this one is tough. Especially since my sampler pack has already arrived! Switching through 15 brands in a row will do you no good. My razor came in the mail with 5 Dorco blades and 5 Astras. Some vets advise using a solitary brand for the first while. However, By alternating between two brands from the get-go, you really get the understanding of the very real differences between blades, and develop a general idea of what to look for when you patiently move on to your sampler packs.
example: For me at least, the Dorcos really tug at my beard. I wouldn't have known that if I hadn't used the Astras to compare.
Complete your first few shaves at night. Sounds silly doesn't it? Well you definitely don't want your inaugural DE shaves to be rushed. This will give you time to focus and concentrate on the shave at hand. Plus, if something goes horribly wrong -- terrible razor burn or multiple nicks and cuts -- you'll get to recover overnight instead of going to work looking like you just ran through a bush of thorns.
Use the kitchen sink! In a perfect world, we'd all take nice, hot showers before every shave. Unfortunately, the real world isn't so cooperative. Most kitchen sinks will be big enough for you to stick your head in, so run the tap on hot over your beard for a minute. I find that this is much more effective than using the hot towel method.
Shave left to right. Then right to left! Foam, gels, cream, or shaving soaps begin to harden, clump, dry, or liquefy the moment that they are applied. If you shave with a specific pattern every time (for example, right side of face, then left), you'll notice that the latter half gets a much poorer shave due to the deteriorated lather quality. For your second pass, follow your usual pattern, but complete it as a perfect mirror image to your initial pass. This way, you'll have shaved with fresh lather at least once on both sides!
Enjoy!
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