the art of shaving (your face)

[dave1215]

i've tried all sorts of products and tools
but have found i really only need
warm water and good quality shave cream
and a cheap 2 or 3 blade disposable razor
or you could go crazy ---> The Art of Shaving

how do you get it done?

[chasea]

Well, I haven't shaved since Halloween. One of the perks of working for Arabs. However, when I did, I swore by this. Bigelow Chemists : Bigelow Premium Shave Cream 5.1 oz [bpsc] - $10.00USD

I have recommended this to countless people and I have never heard anything but rave reviews. It literally made a shitty task like shaving my face, well, not shitty. I'm going to go out on a limb and even say it was pleasant.

True story: I sent my dad a package for the holidays last year that consisted of some of the grooming products I'd been impressed with. He called me to tell me that he especially loved the shaving cream. He stole the shaving cream from the package I'd sent my brother. When he ran out (two $10 tubes lasted almost a year) he begged me to buy more. He was just in town, and being that he is internet-challenged, I took him to CO Bigelow where he bought another two years worth.

Seriously, a tube is $10 and lasts 4-5 months. Why are you still reading this? Click the link and buy it! Report back with findings.

[Clyde]

Noxema + the 3 bladed wonder razor. Smooth face for a 1/2 day at least, at my age.....

[caleb]

I'm sold on a Merkur with Feather blades. I take Bigelow on the road, but stick to Crabtree and Eveleth soap applied with a badger brush at home.

More here.

[Too Tall]

A few yrs. ago, seems like eons, I started to truly HATE the evil throw away shaving empire. My hate evolved from an nasty razor burn on the side of my leg and a little google search affirmed the reason...besides hamfisted shaving these sill disposables actually shave too close and they are a d@mn waste of resources.

Double Edge razors use very inexpensive blades and the razor itself will last forever. Combine that with an simple shaving soap + badger brush + a small learning curve and you are in business. FWIIW I still use disposables for my legs but I'm more patient and use gobs of shaving soap...now ;)

This is the best DE razor I've found and expect it will remain my fav. forever.

Feather All Stainless Steel Double Edge Safety Razor

I use this with Feather blades (wicked sharp) and whatever minimally scented shaving creme-o-the-day. Life is good

[Human Epic Jolt]

for your head:



if you adjust it to its shortest setting and use it like you're sharpening up the end of your sideburns, but on your entire bearded part of your face, they are jolly quick to make you look like you shaved a day or two ago, thus giving others the impression you care about such things, and don't leave you with spots or ingrowing hair. just shave your neck a bit with the birds razor and you're done.

[sonny]

for your head:



(...)they are jolly quick to make you look like you shaved a day or two ago, thus giving others the impression you care about such things, and don't leave you with spots or ingrowing hair. just shave your neck a bit with the birds razor and you're done.

that's been my trick for quite a while now.
nothing easier.

[dave1215]

...truly HATE the evil throw away shaving empire. My hate evolved from an nasty razor burn on the side of my leg and a little google search affirmed the reason...besides hamfisted shaving these sill disposables actually shave too close and they are a d@mn waste of resources...

...FWIIW I still use disposables for my legs but I'm more patient and use gobs of shaving soap...

hehehe, this cognitive dissonance reminds me of that trip to charlottesville during 2009 spring training when one of your campers explained in specific passionate details how his next bike would be an american handmade frame with all american made components because he believed in american (gosh darn it) as he was driving us proudly in his toyota prius, hehehe

[caleb]

This is the best DE razor I've found and expect it will remain my fav. forever.

I'm working my way through a "variety pack" of 25 or so DE blades right now. Feather remains the best I've found, with the Gillette blades in a green wrapper firmly in second.

What I've found is that most of them work well at first, some just dull much more quickly than others. I'll use a Feather for 8-10 shaves. Some of the Indian and Pakistani blades I tried were done after 1-2 shaves.

If you're ever in a pinch, I'd guess that even drug store blades will work fine. They just won't last.

[gt6267a]

for the face, i like jack black and zirh. the zirh products require training to use properly. once trained, its a pretty nice experience.

i also like the gilette that vibrates. the idea seemed ridiculous but its worth it. great shaves and i never nick myself.

for the head, the oster 111 turbo is easy the best set of clippers i've used and blade changes are a snap.

[anthonymaietta]

Chase,

Can you take this thread on a small tangent and talk about the etiquette of the facial hair itself? When is having it appropriate? In the business world is it acceptable to have a beard? Goatee? Mustache? Is it only acceptable to be clean shaven or to have a full-on beard...nothing in between?

Can you give us some guidelines?

[chasea]

Generally, clean shaven is the rule. If you have a job where "cool" is marketable, facial hair becomes more acceptable. It all depends on what you look like and what you can pull off. Some people just don't look right with facial hair. I find that shaving every day tends to make me look like a pasty fat goth baby. Still, its what the job requires, so when I'm working, I do it.
A beard can cover up a weak chin. Some places will let you have a mustache or a beard, but you cannot grow them while you're working. So unless you can get a full beard on vacay, you're SOL.

The best thing is to figure out what your boss and SO are willing to put up with. If the boss doesn't mind, but the SO turns bright red every time you kiss her, the hair has got to go. If the girl likes a little scruff, but the boss ain't into it, she better be prepared to be your sugarmama.

Your options as I see them:
Clean shaven- Don't need any excuse to pull this one off.
Unshaven- Makes a man look a little haggard, which is not always a bad thing.
Mustache- Gotta be confident. You're getting into irony or porn territory here. Some people think it looks scummy. But sometimes there are advantages to looking scummy.
The Doc Holiday- Also known as the "Earp" or the "Depp," mustache and soul patch/ flavor saver. Never in an office. You are always expected to get someone's back in a bar fight.
Soul Patch/ flavor saver- Never by itself. Like, NOT EVER.
Chin strap- Reserved for wannabe thugs and gangesters.
Goatee- Personally not a fan. Says "cool" if flame jobs and bowling shirts are your thing.
Trimmed beard- Again, okay with some employers. Ask first.
Untrimmed beard- Bartender, barista, lumberjack, effbuilder.

It'll amaze you what a well tailored suit can do. A lumberjack beard doesn't have to look out of place on a guy wearing a Saville Row suit and a pair of John Lobb's. Not only does this guy know his shit, but you also don't want to fuck with him.

True story. When I first moved to New YorkI interviewed for a job as a doorman in a luxury apartment building. It didn't pay well, so I didn't bother to shave for my interview. I got the job and the CEO walked me into the boardroom where the other execs were meeting. He introduced me as the new doorman for their new building in a hip neighborhood. "Look at him!" "You're gonna meet a lot of rich girls." It quickly became apparent I was hired for my appearance. I even asked if they wanted me to shave the beard and they said no. Not only did the job pay shit, it was a huge pain in the ass too. I was making more money playing songs in Central Park every day. And on top of not having to shave like the rest of my coworkers, they gave me the best schedule, so I was hated from day one.

[chasea]

Goatee- Personally not a fan. Says "cool" if flame jobs and bowling shirts are your thing.

The holy trinity! Would you hire this man?

[boundgear]

Anyone know anything about electric shavers? I have a beard trimming/buzz cut machine, but I am considering dropping the $ on an electric for everyday head shaving. If you do know that scene, help a brother out.

It's just too expensive to shave with blades when you need 2 new blades a week to shave your noggin.

[Too Tall]

hehehe, this cognitive dissonance reminds me of that trip to charlottesville during 2009 spring training when one of your campers explained in specific passionate details how his next bike would be an american handmade frame with all american made components because he believed in american (gosh darn it) as he was driving us proudly in his toyota prius, hehehe

I think we both shared an internal giggle on that note. Funny.

[Archibald]

I've been using the same Gillete adjustable safety razor since the early 80's. Most of the time, I use it on 5, but when I'm scraping off the beard 9 is the man. Barbasol shaving cream is used when I use it otherwise I dry shave after getting out of the shower.

Shaving is shaving. It's not masturbation.

[gearguywb]

1961 Gillette Fat Boy, Feather blades, either Bigelow or Crabtree shaving cream. Took a while to learn to use the razor properly....but what a great shave!

[t-hoe]

My Dads old Merkur classic plus feather blades.Never found a reason to try anything else. Do I really need a $150 Feather Stainless DE?
I've been using the QED glycerin shave sticks a lot lately (great for travel).
Might have to give the bigelow a try, but Trumpers is still my favorite weekend cream whan I have a bit more time and Tabac hard soap whn I feel like going back in time.

[Too Tall]

No you don't need the SS Feather. The DE itself is more compact esp. in the head making it easier,for us Roman Nosed types, to shave close without pressing. Also, the design is a thing of beauty and as someone else said "the japanese don't do anything just ok". FWIIW I moved from an Gilette Fat boy to the Merkur Classic than my current Feather.

[topher]

I just made the change to a DE Safety Razor and must say I am impressed. It does take longer but it definitely seems to be worth it. Haven't lost too much blood with the transition either.