WhyKid is 13, and just starting to get a few long curled hairs on his chin, and has definite “glint in the sun” fuzz on his upper lip. He wants to start shaving. I got him a Mach 3 and some shaving cream. Now what?
My husband is hopeless with a razor - he uses an electric. While I offered an electric to WhyKid, he said he’d prefer to try a razor, and knowing his biodad’s facial forest, that’s probably a wise move. Plus, I sort of feel it’s like driving a car - if you learn on a stick, you’ll be able to drive anything; learn on an automatic, and you’ll have to re-learn to drive a stick.
So I’m going to have to teach him to shave, not Dad. I understand he’s supposed to go with the grain, not against it like we do with our legs. Any other tips? Any websites with good lessons for male grooming?
Should he shave his whole face (or at least the “beard” area of his face) when it’s only the lip and tip of his chin with “real” facial hair yet?
There’s nothing to it - I taught myself in about 10 mins. Use the razor in a downward motion - never use it sideways. Go upwards for the tough bits. (you can do it all upwards unless you have sensitive skin, like me!) I’d do the whole lot, right from the beginning but that’s only because it’s good to practice.
Buy a styptic pencil, because he will cut himself occasionally at first.
Give him a couple of years and he’ll use a shaver like everyone else…?!
I’m pretty hopeless with a razor too; no matter what technique I use I can never seem to get a close shave without hurting myself somehow.
You’ve already got him the Mach 3; good call on that. I’d also recommended one of those Conair contraptions that warms and foams the shaving cream. You can get a cheap one for less than $20 and I’ve been really pleased with mine.
They’re old fashioned, but I was amazed at how much closer and more comfortable a shave I got when I switched from cream to a brush and shaving soap. It’s cheaper too.
Soak the face/hair as much as possible with the hottest water he can stand before shaving. This will soften up the hairs and make them easier to shave.
I happen to like Edge as opposed to “pre-foamed” shaving creams. As you work the Edge into a lather, you work it in a bit more.
As mentioned before, rinse often while shaving. I used to rinse under the tap, but now I prefer to fill the sink (again with hot water). I think you use a little less water over all.
After shaving, rinse the face with as cold water as he can stand.
Keep a styptic pencil handy
I shave both with and against the grain. But that may just be my hair type.
Thanks for the advice! I picked the shaving cream and the Mach3 up on sale quite a while ago, just as or before the Fusion came out. I think I got the Mach3 for $5 or something. It’s been sitting around unopened, waiting for him to tell me he’s ready for it. I love mine for my uses, and it’s pretty well reputed around here. If he doesn’t do well with it, I’ll be sure to try the Fusion next.
Does he need to warm or wet his face before putting on the shaving cream? I’m always in the shower for my bits that get shaved, so they’re wet to start. I think I remember reading once that laying a hot wet washcloth on the face for a few minutes before shaving swells the hair follicles and gives you a closer shave or something?
They can be hard to find sometimes, and if you’re not having luck at the drugstore, try going to a beauty supply shop. They use them to stop bleeding when they do nails. Be advised, they sting like hell and leave white residue on your face. Oh, and never, ever, ever put it near your eyes or mouth. Just get the tip wet and poke it onto the nick. Then replace it in it’s tube.
Steer away from the zits! A shaved zit bleeds like a stuck pig.
If you use a multi-blade razor, keep the area between the blades clean. Blast it with water and if that doesn’t work, run your thumb down (NOT up, and NOT across) the blades to remove the gunk.
I find it easiest to just shave after my shower, face is already clean, wet and all that good stuff. Half the time I don’t even use shaving cream unless I’ve let it go a few days.
Shave after showering. The idea is to get the whiskers nice a wet. I use a brush with shaving soap and swear by it. Other claim I am somewhat eccentric.
I go a step further. See if you can get a fog-free shower mirror cheap so that he can toss off the shaving in the shower. (If you can talk him into it, you can also get him to brush his teeth in the shower in the morning, too. All this is null and void if he’s… er… taking too much time in the shower already, of course.)
Shaving in the shower also anecdotally stops the need for teeny squares of toilet paper. I don’t know why I don’t bleed when I get out of the shower, but I don’t.
Speaking from personal experience, going from electric to blade isn’t that hard. I started shaving with an electric when I was around 12, and did it that way for the longest time. When I was around 19 or 20, I got frustrated with the shave not being close enough, and decided I’d try a blade (or more accurately, three). I think in the first month, I’d only cut myself once or twice.
Just have him keep in mind that it is a blade and it will cut you if you aren’t careful. I tend to shave against the grain on my neck and cheeks, and with it on my chin and upper lip (when I’m not sporting a goatee, at least). Going against the grain in those areas is a recipe for an ouchie. And yeah, if he’s not shaving in our fresh out of the shower, make sure he wets his face with a hot washcloth for a minute or so before.
