To continue my safety razor adventure:
Prepared with all the tools of the trade, I stepped into the world of a true wet shave without much apprehension. I figured that I couldn't cut my face up too much as the razor's design doesn't really allow it (unless I was intentionally trying to do so) - it is called a safety razor after all.
So with novice steps, I attempted to lather up in a mug with my brush and spread on my face. After checking to make sure I looked like Santa Claus, I proceeded to do my typical Gillette, six bladed type of shave. That was a mistake.
First of all, it's only one blade and needs to be rinsed a lot. Secondly, it is quite sharp so the amount of pressure I've been used to all my life is far too much as evidenced by several nicks on my face. Oh and blood - facial cuts bleed a lot.
So with my first run I noticed I cut myself in several places and my face was a bit irritated. After some research, I learned some basic points that I may have misread or weren't emphasized enough:
1) Take your time - don't expect to burn 5 minutes or less and come away with great results
2) Take your time - just in case the above doesn't spell it out for you
3) Let the lather sit on your face for awhile. Not 10 minutes but maybe 5
4) Get a good rich lather going, if it's watery and non Santa Claus like - keep working it
5) Use a light touch - no need to gouge yourself - let the weight of the razor do the work
6) Go with the grain - not against it. With the Gilette mindset, I didn't know what this meant. The grain changes on your face, learning how it goes will help.
7) Don't expect perfection in the beginning - go with presentable instead of baby smooth
Over the past several weeks, I've kept my face fairly clean. I've worn some sort of facial hair or a beard for the past 5 years or so - it's been a bit odd but nice. I have used my Gilette razor more than a couple times to compare. Overall, it is a bit easier but it's still far too expensive. It does work for a rush job of sorts - getting presentable and all, however a true shave makes you feel great.
Prepared with all the tools of the trade, I stepped into the world of a true wet shave without much apprehension. I figured that I couldn't cut my face up too much as the razor's design doesn't really allow it (unless I was intentionally trying to do so) - it is called a safety razor after all.
So with novice steps, I attempted to lather up in a mug with my brush and spread on my face. After checking to make sure I looked like Santa Claus, I proceeded to do my typical Gillette, six bladed type of shave. That was a mistake.
First of all, it's only one blade and needs to be rinsed a lot. Secondly, it is quite sharp so the amount of pressure I've been used to all my life is far too much as evidenced by several nicks on my face. Oh and blood - facial cuts bleed a lot.
So with my first run I noticed I cut myself in several places and my face was a bit irritated. After some research, I learned some basic points that I may have misread or weren't emphasized enough:
1) Take your time - don't expect to burn 5 minutes or less and come away with great results
2) Take your time - just in case the above doesn't spell it out for you
3) Let the lather sit on your face for awhile. Not 10 minutes but maybe 5
4) Get a good rich lather going, if it's watery and non Santa Claus like - keep working it
5) Use a light touch - no need to gouge yourself - let the weight of the razor do the work
6) Go with the grain - not against it. With the Gilette mindset, I didn't know what this meant. The grain changes on your face, learning how it goes will help.
7) Don't expect perfection in the beginning - go with presentable instead of baby smooth
Over the past several weeks, I've kept my face fairly clean. I've worn some sort of facial hair or a beard for the past 5 years or so - it's been a bit odd but nice. I have used my Gilette razor more than a couple times to compare. Overall, it is a bit easier but it's still far too expensive. It does work for a rush job of sorts - getting presentable and all, however a true shave makes you feel great.
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