What stymies my perfect shave…

[Jamolay]

Head shaving.

I can get close to perfect BBS shaves with my Proof Whiskey (easy) and my Ascension Copper (more challenging). However, I never seem to quite get there.

I have a lot of grain directions and several dips and contours, probably not that different than most heads. My hair is thick in the back but not coarse at all.

I shave before showering, but prep well. What I experience is that I will finish the shave, searching with my fingers for anything less than BBS and it feels marvelous! I rinse, apply Alum (no sting with the Proof!) clean up, lest the wife get on my case, and shower. It still feels marvelous.

Occasionally, washing my scalp in the shower, I will find a spot that now feels less than perfect. Often it is fine, like today. However, once dry and out of the shower, I apply aftershave and suddenly there are several areas with palpable bristles. Ugh! They are not much, still a DFS, but frustrating. Worse they are often in the same places (you would think I would learn).

Clearly my hair isn’t growing back, and as my scalp dries a bit, they become less noticeable. They must be due to changes in moisture content of my scalp and hair, but it is disappointing and I can’t seem to resolve it.

Thanks for reading my vent and I am happy to hear thoughts and suggestions!

 

[BigJ]

Looks like you are doing very well.

My approach is to NOT chase BBS!! If it happens, great! Otherwise do the best you can and ENJOY your shaves!!
Just my $0.02!!

 

[Jamolay]

Looks like you are doing very well.

My approach is to NOT chase BBS!! If it happens, great! Otherwise do the best you can and ENJOY your shaves!!
Just my $0.02!!

I absolutely agree! However, my inner perfectionist seems to be unable to let it go.

 

[Cumberland Sausage]

Chasing BBS can lead to nicks or at least some discomfort and seldom achieves the desired results. Just relax and BBS might come while you're not even thinking about it.

 

[Old Hippie]

One of our Shaving Sages around here, @Ron R said something that changed my outlook on this, as I've been frustrated by it, too. It always feels like since I'm standing there all lathered up and holding a razor that I should "finish the job." But that's actually a wrong move as Ron pointed out. Shave well and carefully. Apply your aftershave or post-shave balm. Now don't mess with it for at least an hour. Then give it a feel to see how it is. Chances are you'll be pleased. If you're not, well, you've cleaned the razor and put everything away, so leave it for next day.

Kind of like a roast needs to sit to give the carryover cooking a chance to settle out, your skin needs some time to come back a little from what you've just done to it.

O.H.

 

[gpjoe]

This happens to me also. On my second pass with full lather I think I'm done, since I'm getting no feedback, but after a quick splash of water, I do my final touchup with only the residual soap sickness, and am able to pick up all traces of any left over stubble that I can't seem to get with lather.

 

[Cal]

soap sickness

Nothing worse!

 

[Hawkweber]

soap sickness

Nothing worse!

Yeah, I hate it when my shave soap vomits on my face!

 

[gpjoe]

...soap sickness...

Nothing worse!

Yeah, I hate it when my shave soap vomits on my face!

Arrrgh......

Once again, spellcheck proves who's boss.

 

[Cal]

Arrrgh......

Once again, spellcheck proves who's boss.

Don't cha just love AUTOCORRUPT!

(Our training in cognitive dissonance [unknowingly, by our parents/teachers/peers/etc] continues.)

 

[dotKomo]

Looks like you are doing very well.

My approach is to NOT chase BBS!! If it happens, great! Otherwise do the best you can and ENJOY your shaves!!
Just my $0.02!!

Good advice.

 

[dotKomo]

One of our Shaving Sages around here, @Ron R said something that changed my outlook on this, as I've been frustrated by it, too. It always feels like since I'm standing there all lathered up and holding a razor that I should "finish the job." But that's actually a wrong move as Ron pointed out. Shave well and carefully. Apply your aftershave or post-shave balm. Now don't mess with it for at least an hour. Then give it a feel to see how it is. Chances are you'll be pleased. If you're not, well, you've cleaned the razor and put everything away, so leave it for next day.

Kind of like a roast needs to sit to give the carryover cooking a chance to settle out, your skin needs some time to come back a little from what you've just done to it.

O.H.

Yup.

 

[JoWolf]

Head shaving.

I can get close to perfect BBS shaves with my Proof Whiskey (easy) and my Ascension Copper (more challenging). However, I never seem to quite get there.

I have a lot of grain directions and several dips and contours, probably not that different than most heads. My hair is thick in the back but not coarse at all.

I shave before showering, but prep well. What I experience is that I will finish the shave, searching with my fingers for anything less than BBS and it feels marvelous! I rinse, apply Alum (no sting with the Proof!) clean up, lest the wife get on my case, and shower. It still feels marvelous.

Occasionally, washing my scalp in the shower, I will find a spot that now feels less than perfect. Often it is fine, like today. However, once dry and out of the shower, I apply aftershave and suddenly there are several areas with palpable bristles. Ugh! They are not much, still a DFS, but frustrating. Worse they are often in the same places (you would think I would learn).

Clearly my hair isn’t growing back, and as my scalp dries a bit, they become less noticeable. They must be due to changes in moisture content of my scalp and hair, but it is disappointing and I can’t seem to resolve it.

Thanks for reading my vent and I am happy to hear thoughts and suggestions!

I shave face and head as well. There is no such thing as a perfect shave. We strive for excellence towards perfection. We all have the troubled spots. They do require careful exfoliation and a good pre shave lubricant especially on those troubled areas. Inevitably you will probably do some extra buffing on those areas and must also be vigilant in re lathering to ensure good skin protection to avoid skin irritation. With persistent vigilance you will move those areas towards perfection. But must be content with excellence.