Why can't I get a decent shave?

[Master Bates]

I'm convinced that the guys in the shaving commercials have their face waxed a day before the shoot, because no matter what I use I've never had a close shave. I can run my Schick Quattro up and down my face for fifteen minutes and it still feels like sand paper when you rub it the right direction. And don't get my started on my neck-- it looks like pure sh1t after shaving. Really obvious stubble even though it kinda feels smooth, and it's red for at least half the day. I can never get a shave without visible stubble. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Docs]

Because hair is flexible. You notice how a hair bends when pressure is applied to it? Exactly the reason why you can't get a perfect shave,

Your razor glides over this hair, and it catches (for idealist sake), the hair at an exact horizontal to the skin. As your razor moves though the hair, it DRAGS the hair enough to BEND it. When you're finished your cut though the hair, you have a cut that now isn't so horizontal! Not only that, but as your hair bends, it gets pushed just a little into its hole, helping to piss you off.

Now, you say you run up and down for 15 minutes, and it still feels like ****? Sometimes you have to apply a little bit more pressure then normal. But understand something, that although you can be really close to the skin, there is a point where you'll start slicing off too much skin (and still with the bend effect here), and hair will still be there.

So, live with it, or get a daily waxing.

 

[~attrACTION~]

I'm currently trying to grow a beard.

By the way, you may want to try an electric. I use a Norelco, and it shaves extremely smooth and close every time. In fact, when I used a regular razor, I had a similar experience as you...it wouldn't be that great. My Norelco is just great though.

Overall though, I think shaving sucks. Just because I don't feel like it. I usually shave every other day or every other 2 days. Right now I've decided I won't shave for a month, just to see what I look like. It's been 3 days so far, and I've already got a mustache and some.

 

[Azidoro]

Maybe you should change your shaving cream. Try Aveeno shaving gel .

 

[typical]

Ok heres a tip which may help, drink plenty of fluids during the day, the extra water in your body makes your skin softer, next shave after you have a shower, your pores open up your skin softer and you'l get one of them close shaves youve wanted all along.

also sounds like your messed up how the hair on your face grows, leave it for a week then just shave with the grain using the above advice I just gave you.

After a few weeks start shaving with the grain then re lather up and shave directly against the grain.

Jesus christ people this is shaving 101 did you dad teach you anything ???

 

[Teflon_Mcgee]

I used to have all sorts of trouble shaving. I grow hair like a gorrilla and have sensitive skin. The only way I could get a decent shave without bleeding all over was to use abrand new Mach 3 and shave against the grain. This was expensive (Mach 3 blades $$$$ at 3 or 4 a week) and still lead to massive rasor burn and bleeding.

Now I swear by the old straight edge (aka, cutthroat) rasors. After a short learning curveyou will se that even the "bend" doesn't matter as these will either cut or scrap the hair off. Even going with the grain.

 

[Vulpine]

Yeah,

Straightedge razors are awesome. I get an awesome shave and zero skin problems.

Check it...
http://www.sosuave.net/forum/showthread.php?t=106653

Hmm... I really gotta get those pictures taken and finish that thread.

 

[I.A.F.Y.B.]

Found this off a website:

Ready for the best advice on shaving that you will ever get? To get the best possible shave and look as good as possible you only need four things : Regular 3-blade razor (Mach 3 type), straight blade razor (the kind barber's use), a handheld mirror and warm water. Forget about electric razors, they will never be able to invent an electric razor that will be able to perform as well as a blade... plus they are way too expensive for the quality of shave you get from them. Forget about shaving cream, it does not do anything besides for give you razor burn, shaving creams are made by the same companies that sell those "Get rid of razor bumps" creams and lotions... it's just another way to get money out of your pocket. I never use shaving cream and never get razor burn... ever. Warm water moisturizes your skin well enough to get a great shave, and when I say warm I mean HOT, you need it really hot in order to open up your pores and soften your facial hair enough to be shaved easily. Ok now on to the process... the first step it to drench your entire face in warm water, then get out your Mach 3 and completely shave all of the areas that are not near any facial hair that you will be keeping. For example, if you have a goatee then you want to shave almost near it with the Mach 3, but not too close because that will be done with the straight blade. Do the same thing for your sideburns... get close but not too close so you can shape them with the other blade. Always shave with the grain, never against it (this means shave down, not up) and when you are finished with the Mach 3 put it down and grab your straight blade and handheld mirror. You need the handheld mirror so you can hold it beside your head and use it along with the mirror on the wall to get a perfect profile view (side view) of your head in order to get your sideburns or beard lined up perfectly... if you don't do it like this you will rarely get it perfect looking. Now use the straight blade to shape the edges of your goatee, beard and/or sideburns to look exactly how you want them... you'll be amazed by how nice the straight blade can make all of your lines look, this is why the best barber's always use these types of blades when they shave their customers... it makes for a very professional look. When you are finished, turn the water on cold and splash cold water all over the areas of your face that you've shaved, never use after shave because it will dry out your skin... even if it's the kind that says it won't. The cold water will close your pores and prevent any bumps from forming better than any after shave on the market. This last step is very important : Never, ever dry the cold water off of your face... allow it to air dry by itself, if you dry it yourself your skin will not soak up the amount of moisture that it needs. There you have it, the exact step-by-step process that I use to get a perfect shave every time... follow these instructions and it'll do the same for you. BTW, the straight blades are hard to find, I get mine at a local beauty supply store. If you don't have one within driving distance from where your live you can find them online... the one I use is made by a company called Fromm

 

[Suicide]

Using a shaving oil under a good shaving cream seems to do the trick. I'd recommend the Art of Shaving line, you can find it at most department stores. Be prepared to spend an easy $50 getting the oil and cream, but it's worth it. That **** from the supermarket is awful.

 

[rakishness]

Try a hair removing creme. They are called depilatory creams. You wont have to worry about irritation again. But it does take longer then shaving.

 

[Big-J]

I've found that electric razors for some reason give me a closer/smoother shave than my Gillette Fusion, but the bastards always don't do a good job of getting all the hair on my face.

Then there's the fact I can't stand electric razors, but none the less, my results remain the same.

 

[speakeasy]

Stubble is cool, just accept it!

 

[Play the Game]

Let your beard grow out till it becomes soft usually takes about a weekend... then after a shower or a hot soak take some shaving cream and your favorite razor and shave against the grain. Closest shave you'll ever get.

Everyday i usually use an electric then finish it off with the blade against the grain. (a lot less irritation)
Some people shave with the grain, but it leaves your face rough.

 

[Ever onward]

Try softening up your beard before you apply the shave gel (and by all means, switch to a gel if you're not using one). What I do is take a wet wash cloth and lightly scrub my stubble for about two minutes before I put on the gel. Seems to work fine.

 

[theunflushables]

I don't agree with the shave with the grain thing. I once heard it depends on how your facial hair grows. I've found this very true. My facial hair is the curly unruly Irish type. If I shave with the grain (down) it leaves stubble. If I shave against (up) my skin is as smooth as a baby's ass.

 

[Suicide]

According to the experts, you're not supposed to shave against the grain.

 

[theunflushables]

Well the experts can bite my shiny metal ass.

 

[diablo]

I've had the same problems and found that using "Lectric Shave" works well for my face, while using Remington's neck powder (not sure what it's called, but it comes in a stick and rubs on much like chalk does... smells like the stuff barbers used to use...) works well for my neck. Generally I'd catch a lot of red bumps on my neck after shaving, but with the combination of these two I've done better than usual.