Time to change my shave: advice wanted! (1 Viewer)

This is not a good reason to change.

But, If you are going to do this, Find a safety razor, some blades and give a shot. That's what I used when I started shaving all those years ago (age 14).

You'll have to use a bare blade to get in around the tight areas (under the nose, up against the ear).

A suggestion, stay with Gillette and upgrade to the electric Mach 3 model. It considerably improves your shaving experience.

Go with the soap and keep your current razor. The soap is nice, but I would keep with a modern style razor. Thats what I do.

I can't get anywhere with anything more than single blade disposable Bics. Anything more than one blade and I spend most of my shaving time cleaning the damn thing.

I have a brush/soap option, and it's okay, but I think the gel will allow a smoother shave, with less irritation.

I'm wondering whether going electric (and by that I mean the old kind, not a bladed razor)would increase my enthusiasm for shaving, which I now find highly unappealing.

I don't appreciate the electric Mack 3, it really just doesn't do much and the green is ugly. Gillette will be releasing their new 5 bladed razor soon, I'd recommend trying that instead (I know I will).

I tried moving to the Schick Quattro and the thing got clogged up too much, so now I'm back to the Mach 3 Turbo. I usually just shave in the shower with the Mach 3 and forgo the creams, soaps and gels without any nicks or irritation. The only thing with shower shaving is that I have to occassinally neaten it up in front of the mirror afterward. But at this point, I know where to shave pretty much by feel.

I switched to the Electric Mach 3 a few weeks ago. After a few days getting used to it I like it better than the non-electric version. It is able to get the under nose hair better than the non-electric version and seems to do better in the other difficult to shave areas as well.

If for some reason you don't like the vibrating electric Mach 3 you may use it without turning on the vibrator and to me it is a superior handle compared to the non-electric Mach 3.

For shaving cream, try Kiehl's shaving cream. It doesn't lather, which is weird at first, but it gives a very smooth shave. You can get it at Keihl's stores or Nordstrom. I am sure there are other places as well. I also use their Men's Herbal Toner after I shave.

Art of Shaving is whole line of shaving products. They make a Pre-Shave Oil that is great and an After Shave Balm that is is quite soothing.

I would try either of these to get a great shave. Try shaving in the shower if you aren't already. Make sure you use a good face wash that softens your beard. I use the Lab Series Power Lift Off Face Wash.

I second the Art of Shaving recommendation. Good stuff which I got as a gift, but expensive. Only product of theirs I do refill on is their after shave balm which is great.

I enjoy using a brush but don't use it often. Seems more time consuming in my zombie-like morning state.

King of Shaves is my favorite product from the cream/gel category. It's a gel that doesn't lather, and like Phil said, I agree that not getting the lather is weird at first. But it's very good, a reasonable $7 or so from any CVS or Duane Reade and it lasts forever.

It's winter - time to grow that beard out for warmth!

http://www.theartofshaving.com/taos/sterling-silver.php

Badger hair brushes are great.

For me, the biggest thing is shaving in the shower. That's honestly the only reason I don't keep a beard all the time. I hated shaving before, because I have a pretty heavy beard, but my sister told me I should start shaving in the shower. To start out I bought a cheap $7 fog-free mirror at Wal-Mart to try things out.

After realizing how much I like it, I plan to purchase a better fog-free mirror from Sharper Image. This mirror actually hooks into the water line and uses hot water inside the mirror to keep it from fogging up. The $7 Wal-Mart mirrors last about 6 weeks before the chemical disappears and they are no longer fog-free.

Also, which direction do you shave - with the grain or against it? I also learned that shaving with the grain is much more comfortable for every-day use. For special occasions I first shave lightly with the grain and then re-lather and shave against the grain. It makes the overall shave smoother and much more comfortable.

Ronald,

The shaving method you're using now isn't going to be much improved by going to a more expensive hand shaver or a shaving soap. You might get some improvements with the M3 Power vibrating shaver, but it's not worth the money, in my humble opinion.

I myself use Schick's Xtreme 3 razor and Edge shaving gel; I like the Xtreme 3 razor because the blades physically bend slightly to better follow the contour of your face, which really improves the closeness of the shave, especially shaving "against the grain."

M3 Power and Avalon Organics moisturizing cream shave (peppermint) can't beat it though the shave cream is hard to find. Whole Foods or any organic grocery store would probably carry the Avalon line.

I always shave with the grain with a Mach 3 Turbo. If I shave against I will pay for it later.