I have a problem with shaving – I never could see to get a good, clean shave at all. It seems that I have an extremely hairly neck and after shaving, there is always some hint of a stubble left. It is not that much a problem - but it does gives the impression that I am untidy, unprofessional (will be due for an internship next year) and I will get into some deep shit when I head back to the Army after my university course (damn conscription…)
I tried the usual advice - warm water, shaving cream, a good razor (it’s one of those triple-layered Gillete blade which can vibrate) and it’s isn’t working well. If I shaved in the morning, by noon I will be looking unshaved again.
Any idea on what can be done? The irony is that I am losing hair from my scalp but have no lack of it for my neck. Is there some super-technique for getting a clean shave?
I don’t shave anymore, I look like a ZZ-Top wannabe. But back when I did shave I found that any nagging stubble could be removed by application of a little “William’s Lectric Shave” lotion. It is basically alchohol with a few lubricants, and as it evaporates makes the whiskers stand tall, making them easier to shave. A little touch up with a new razor and the job is done. Be careful though, with no foam the razor can be very unforgiving, and if you are prone to razor burn forget the whole idea.
Run your fingers down your cheek, top to bottom. Fairly smooth, right? Now run your fingers up your cheek, bottom to top–you’ll notice it feels rougher. The whiskers grow generally downwards on your cheeks, so shaving top-to-bottom would be ‘with the grain’ and bottom-to-top, ‘against the grain.’ Experiment with the rest of your face to figure out which way the grain runs.
I conned myself into buying a Fusion Power razor, the one with a vibrating motor inside it the other day (cost a bloody FORTUNE).
It seems to encourage a different way of shaving from normal - slowly, against the grain, one pass only. But combined with King of Shaves gel, it’s the closest damn shave I have ever had.
If all the hairs normally go this way: /////// then the razor goes from right to left. So, for the most part, move the shaver up. This goes contrary to normal shaving theory, however, and will cause some people to get ingrown hairs.
I have a different version of the same problem: very pale skin and a beard that’s very dark (well, the hairs that aren’t gray, that is). Immediately after shaving with a brand new blade, my skin is smooth as an android’s butt and I have a five o’clock shadow, because you can see the stubble through my luminous skin. So, I grow a beard and only shave bits around the edges to make it look tidy. If people want to fire me based off of quantity and location of body hair, I have some speeches prepared for them, since the color of my skin and hair really shouldn’t count against me…
I’m going to second what Trumpers says about using a shaving oil before applying the foam/cream. It makes a big difference in sliding the razor against the skin. Especially when you are shaving against-the-grain.
Makes no sense. If against the grain (up) gets more of each follicle than the other direction, why step #1?
My experience is if I wait for two days in between shaving, I get a closer shave easier. That tends to suggest that slightly longer hairs get clipped better than short ones. If true, then you should get as much as possible on the first stroke, and that should be up or against the grain.
Works for me. I have heard that shaving in that direction encourages ingrown hairs, which I have never had, so it can’t be a universal fact.
WAG: I think that the single-step-against-the-grain procedure is what promotes ingrown hairs.
If I shave with the grain first, then follow up against the grain, then the first pass shortens the hairs to a length so that the second pass doesn’t snag any. I use the third pass, either with or against the grain, only to touch up places I missed in the first two passes.
Don’t know if you need the most expensive Gillette but I use an MP3 razor and find it substantially better than a regular razor. I shave twice as follows:
I shave down once. then I shave a 2nd time up from my jaw line and down a 2nd time on my neck. If I shave up on my neck I will get ingrown hairs.
I go to one of those old-fashioned barber shop run by men in their 60’s and 70’s who have been cutting hair for 50 some odd years and would take what they say as close to fact as possible. When I was in the Marines I would often get asked if I shaved, and this was about thirty minutes after shaving. It got to the point that the only way I know I got even close to a good shave was by having numerous cuts on my face.
On various occasions I have been given the following advice:
Rub warm/hot water on your face.
Lather shaving cream, rub it in good.
Let shaving cream sit for a little while to soften your skin and stubble.
Shave with the grain first, this will help prevent irritation and ingrown hairs.
Shave against the grain. This will get rid of extra hairs.
Change your razor at least once a week, if you shave daily. Only pat dry when done, do not rub dry.
It has worked wonders for me and I have probably only missed 15 days shaving in the past 12 years.
I shave in the shower. Take a nice hot shower, remembering to start with a thorough soaking of your face first. You want your whiskers wet for a while before grabbing a razor.
Next step is to get all the non-hair crud off your face (oils and dead skin and whatnot). Good wash with whatever your favorite soap is. I also use some stuff called “St Ives Facial Scrub” which is a skin cleaner with powdered walnut shell in it, makes a noticeable difference (it’s cheap, they sell it at Target).
Now lather up (I just use plain old Dove, no fancy soap, shaving cream, etc). As some others have recommended, I start by shaving with the grain (i.e. downstroke), making sure to rinse the blade often and using as few strokes as possible.
Then I rinse, re-lather and do a pass against the grain (upstroke). Almost never cut myself and gives a very close shave. To keep any irritation to a minimum rinse thoroughly, pat dry and I use a bit of witchhazel as aftershave.
All that said I’d like to learn how to shave with a straight razor, I’ve been told by barbers that that’s the absolute smoothest shave you can get, it’s just very labor intensive - not the shaving itself but maintaining the razor properly.
