Does anyone have any tips for a proper shave..?

[Omphaloskepsis]

I'm talking about my face here. I just can't get a good shave. I just shaved and my face is still rough if I rub my hand against the grain. I use a Mach 3 with the Edge Gel crap. I don't use any after shave. Any tips for getting nice and smooth?

Suggestions for lotions, creams, blades, or methods would be appreciated.

The ladies are welcome to answer too.

[taterguy]

1. Grow a beard

Problem solved

[Omphaloskepsis]

2. I tried...

It just doesn't work on me. My facial hair is spotty.

[supernova]

3. Wrap your face in a warm wet towel or wash cloth

first. Let it go for 5 minutes or so. That will open your pores and make the hair easier to remove. That's what the barber does. :thumbsup:

Alternatively, I guess shaving in the shower would do the same thing.

[Omphaloskepsis]

6. That sounds good...

I had a friend who swore by shaving in the shower. I tried it a few times, I couldn't do it without a mirror. I brought a little hand held one in one time and it was fogged in seconds.

[supernova]

17. There are bath mirrors

you can get to go in the shower that won't fog up.

I know my legs feel silkier when I shave them after a little soak, rather than just right away.

[darkstar]

4. Try shaving w/ hair conditioner maybe?

That's what I use. Discovered it in a pinch on vacation when I borrowed my wife's ultra, leave-in conditioner. For me, far better and far cheaper too.

[Omphaloskepsis]

7. Interesting..

I will give that a try..

[jpgray]

5. I use this stuff:

Works way better than a Mach 3, though it takes a bit of practice. It's also cheaper after the initial purchase, since good replacement blades are incredibly cheap and the Proraso lasts at least three times as long as Edge shave gel. The brush should never wear out.

[Richard Steele]

8. Warm towel on your face first....

And try something other than the gel; I had similar
issues the time I tried the stuff. I think it makes
a thicker layer of foam between the razor and your face.
Not sure. But I sure couldn't get a good shave with it.

I use the old-fashioned "shaving soap", with a brush.
It puts down a very fine foam, shaves clean, and is
much more economical than canned cream.

(Looks way COOLER, too!)

[JANdad]

9. Does your facial hair grow "down" or "out"?

Mine grows down around my cheeks and neck, so I have to shave "against" the grain so-to-speak. this only works with a relativley new blade and well rubbed-in shaving lotion...

[Aristus]

15. I agree. First, shave with the grain, then against it. Test it afterward by running your hand

over the skin. If it still bristles, shave it again...

Also, if you don't already, pull the skin while you're shaving it. B-)

[LostInAnomie]

10. I have the coarsest beard known to man, so here's my advice.

1. Shave immediately after stepping out of the shower. The hot water softens your beard.

2. Use shave gel. Shaving cream doesn't provide enough moisture.

3. After applying shave gel wait for about 2 minutes. This will allow the moisturizer in the gel to sink into the already softened hair.

4. Short strokes with the razor. That way if you sense any rough spots you may have initially missed you can get them while the hair is still soft, instead of coming back to them later when the hair has dried and hardened.

Shave well.

[Omphaloskepsis]

12. I usually shave before the shower.. I use the sink..

Normally I get my face wet with warm water, lather, shave, and then I get into the shower. This might be my problem. I alway thought of the shower after as a good way to get rid of the shaving cream that ends up in my nose and ears. I'm sloppy.

[LeftyFingerPop]

11. I have a tough beard...try this...

1) Shave in or after a shower.

2) Edge shaving cream. The black can..."tough beard" one.

3) Buy Gilette Fusion blades. They are expensive as hell, but they are 5 blades in one, do a great job, and last forever.

4) Feel your face afterwards for any rough spots, and just hit them again, without shaving cream...slowly against the grain.

[The Straight Story]

13. WWJD?

He would think about it for a minute, turn some water to wine, have a few glasses and say the hell with it.

[Inchworm]

14. I have given up on this mission

My face grows barbed wire. I had to shave 2-3x a day when in service and being inspected (however rare that was).

Once it grows out it's all soft though :D

:hi:

[mainegreen]

16. Almost all shaving creams are crap. You need this stuff:

king of shaves.

Seriously. No foaming (which actually gives you a worse shave), no alchohol. It has silicon in it. That's serious lubrication.

[TommyO]

19. I'll have to give this a try - I'm almost out of my Aveeno which does a good job.

[fishwax]

18. Jack Black Beard Lube works great

The chuckle-worthy subject line aside, it's some of the best stuff I've found: