Totally overwhelmed by prep routines

[roboboticus]

I'm still learning the DE shave, trying to get my technique down, but there's SO many different prep routines being discussed that I'm getting overwhelmed by choices
...conditioner
...no conditioner
...which conditioner
...hot towel
...cold lather
...witch hazel

OY! Somebody help me

I'm inclined to skip the conditioner, wet the beard in the shower, lather up, hot towel (not too hot, as I've been getting dry face), wipe and re-lather, and...
SHAVE

Should I just stick with this for a while without tinkering?
I started reading about the cold shave over at straightrazorplace, and it sounds great but didn't work out so great for me yet. Maybe it works better with a str8, or with a more seasoned hand...

 

[Dennis]

Relax. If you find you are having problems with DE shaving, then you can start looking to your prep. Do you use non-strengthening conditioner in the shower? If so, you can rub it on your beard as well. If not, don't worry about it. If I absolutely have to have a fantastic shave, I use a hot towel. If it is an everyday shave, I don't bother. Try it one way, try it the other and use whatever works for you. Warm lather is a nice luxury - that is why so many guys have scuttles. I don't have one, I get along just fine. Don't stress about it. If your shaves aren't as good as you would like them to be after doing this a while, try different stuff in the prep and see if it makes a difference for you.

 

[luvmysuper]

I'm still learning the DE shave, trying to get my technique down, but there's SO many different prep routines being discussed that I'm getting overwhelmed by choices
...conditioner
...no conditioner
...which conditioner
...hot towel
...cold lather
...witch hazel

OY! Somebody help me

I'm inclined to skip the conditioner, wet the beard in the shower, lather up, hot towel (not too hot, as I've been getting dry face), wipe and re-lather, and...
SHAVE

Should I just stick with this for a while without tinkering?
I started reading about the cold shave over at straightrazorplace, and it sounds great but didn't work out so great for me yet. Maybe it works better with a str8, or with a more seasoned hand...

This whole thing should be fun my friend. If it isn't, then change something till it is!!
My routine:

Fill sink and put brush in.
Take a hot shower, where I wash my face and other parts.
Get out and dry off, except for face.
Grab brush, and lather up.
Shave. (rinsing the razor with hot water)
Rinse face with cool water.
Pat dry face and apply AS.
That's it. Simple and enjoyable.
If you need to add something, you can, but if you don't need all that extra junk, just drop it.
Good luck!

 

[Topgumby]

I don't do conditioner, a shower first or a hot towel.

I wash my face with warm water and soap, lather up and leave the lather on for two minutes while I brush my fangs. Then I shave.

I haven't missed the hot towel or pre-shave shower at all.

 

[nicolasedelbach]

Your best option is trial and error. Find what you enjoy and what works best for you. Everyone probably has a different routine, and there's no right or wrong. It's whatever works best for you.

I personally like to shave before I shower(Something it seems most people don't like).

I wash my face with warm water while my brush sits in water in the mug. Usually I'll clean my face with a exfoliating scrub(but not a grainy one because i don't want grains in my razor).

Then I'll use a warm towel on my face(occasionally I'll microwave the towel for extra warmth). Two minutes the most on my face, usually less.

By this time I feel my pores are open and face clean enough to get a good, close shave that's comfortable. Proceed to making the lather in a mug, once that's done I'll give my self another splash of warm water on the face before applying the mix.

After I shave, I splash myself with cold water to give the skin a good shock and close the pores while i clean up. This step is probably in vain since shower then with warm water.

Never used a pre-shave oil before, but I'm tempted to try it one day. Just to see what it's like.

 

[The Nid Hog]

These days, I either shower or wash my face and rub some Castle Forbes preshave into my beard. After that, I face lather and shave. That's it. I get a great shave and it isn't an endless, fussy operation.

 

[sodajerk]

Do as little or as much as you want to get a good and enjoyable shave. For many of these things it's a personal thing for what works the best, and is the most enjoyable, for the shaver writing about them. For some it's a therapy of sorts. For others, the fun is in the chase!

I just shower, keep my face wet until I've finished shaving. But, I am going to try many of the things mentioned because they sound like fun and sound like they might be enjoyable.

Enjoy your shaves!

 

[ajkimmins]

+1 to the trial and error. Unfortunately, it takes a while. I found that while I was learning it was a lot easier to stick to ONE setup. I like TOBS cream, so once I had one I STUCK with that. NOW stick to one razor, if you have three or four. If you've found a blade that works good for you already, STICK WITH THAT. If you enjoy the routine you have use it. Now once you keep all the variables down you can work on the technique. Once you have that down pretty well you can change A variable. Like start trying different blades. Just remember to change one thing at a time. You can keep using your go to blade and change creams or soaps. This is the fun part anyway.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

I started out using Kyle's Prep, but found that sometimes its a bit too much for me on time. When that happens, I simply wet my face thoroughly, apply cream or soap and shave.

 

[Crawford Montizano]

I use conditioner in the shower which for me does seem to help daily. Do what works for you and at least for now keep in simple. My daily shaves are simple but when I have that extra time, I pull out the hot towels and indulge a little bit more.

 

[Slivovitz]

Just another datum, I don't claim that I've discovered the right way. My only prep until last month was a hot shower and leaving my face wet. If I don't have time to shower, I get my face as wet as I can with hot water. Seems to work fine. I bought some hair conditioner last month and have been using that on my face in the shower, but it's not clear if it makes any difference. After I run out, I may not buy any more.

 

[roboboticus]

Now once you keep all the variables down you can work on the technique. Once you have that down pretty well you can change A variable.

I'd read that already, but needed to be told again
Methinks you speak the truth.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[Go West Young Man]

Shower, lather, let it sit 3 minutes, shave. Nice and simple.

 

[Yushiro]

um..i used to go through all that stuff too. I even insisted in having a hot shower every time I wanted to shave even tho I'm living near the equator and its hot as hell most of the time. These days tho, wash face with cleanser, cold shower, splash face with hot water, lather and shave. Works fine every time.

 

[sam_I_am]

I've been doing the wet shaving now for about a year. When I first started I did the whole nine yards: Prep with hot shower, hot towel, pre shave oil and then did 3-4 passes with the DE razor and of course aftershave balm. I even did the exfoliation with a face scrub twice a week. My face hated all this because all it got me was red irritated skin and not to mention the little red bumps on my neck that I never had before.

It took me a couple months of killing my face to realize I was over doing it. I simplified it to: let brush soak, warm shower, lather and shave with no more than 2 passes and finally aftershave balm. My face has been thanking me ever since with smooth clear non-irritated skin.

Got rid of the pre shave oil and face scrub routine all together.

 

[Austin]

Do yourself a favor and read this thread.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9745

 

[richmondesi]

I know people preach prep, but all I do is shower, lather and shave. There's no waiting, no magic words, and no chicken feet involved. Works just fine for me

 

[dod.e.ratherwell]

While learning I kept it to two passes and simply prepped thus:


1) Hydrate (splash warm water on bits to be shaved)
2) Lubricate (apply lather to bits to be shaved)
3) Shave WTG
Repeat #1-2-3 for second pass XTG

Voila! Shaved!

I found the quality of lather plus wet skin made the biggest difference, everything else prep wise just felt good.

Once this feels good add/subtract steps, passes etc as you discover you want to.

 

[JPDyson]

My prep has just changed and I haven't noticed a significant difference in result, but the routine is simpler (so I'm sticking with it).

Former Routine:
Put on a kettle (hot pot, really)
Shower, dry off (all but my face)
Start soaking brush (and wetting soap, if applicable) with tap water
Start soaking a towel with hot pot water
Brush mah teef
Lather, apply to face, cover with hot towel (which is comfortably hot by now)
...stand there holding a towel as long as ADD allows...
Wipe, re-lather, shave.

New Routine:
(Skip the hot pot, it kills my lather in the scuttle)
Start soaking brush (and wetting soap, if applicable)
Fill up the scuttle (bowl and reservoir)
Shower, dry off (all but my face)
Refresh Scuttle water (reservoir only, empty bowl)
Lather, apply to face
Brush mah teef
Rinse, Re-lather, shave


And because I imagine somebody will ask (because I myself wondered): if you get a little sloppy with the toothbrush, you will a) get toothpaste in your lather, which is cleared away by the pre-re-lather-rinse, and b) get lather in your mouth, which is a jarring experience (depending on the soap/cream ).

 

[roboboticus]

Hm, I might try that. It would be nice to be able to cut out the hot pot and towel.