With the new videos being posted in the media section, showing the various ways our members shave, the topic of pre-shave prep has come up a few times. We all know (either through practice or by reading ANY shaving forum) that preparation for the shave is a key component of success. What constitutes proper preparation is another matter, there have been numerous debates and even a few wars started over the topic. Rumor has it the Spanish American War was actually started when opposing sides couldn't agree on whether one should use hot or cold water to soften the beard. Things reached a boiling point when a third party introduced an oil to the mix. He called it "pre-shave" oil but the other two said it was clearly for a POST shave ritual. The rest is history.
So, how do YOU prep for your shaves? Has your technique evolved? Does your prep depend on how much time or what you are using?
As seen in my recent videos, my regular prep seems pretty simple. My process is actually more involved than it might look.
Can you prep too much? I think the answer is YES. As I learned and evolved I began to notice that lathering too long or leaving the lather on my face too long seems to swell my skin and cause "rough" spots that feel like stubble. While this may not actually prevent me from achieving a good shave, I end up trying to shave stubble that isn't there and that leads to irritation or frustration. Over time I have learned where this usually happens and have learned to discern the difference between stubble and rough skin. I think the benefit of a hot towel prep is that it softens the beard and stimulates sebum without overhydrating the skin in the process. If I enjoyed the hot towel I might be inclined to incorporate it into my process.
Since I spend most of my time shaving for work (at 5:30 am) and my attitude is Git er done. My prep routine allows a nice mix of efficiency and efficacy and works well for me. If I were giving advice to a shaver who is having difficulty getting the results they want I would say they should error on the side of "over-prepping" and incorporate an evening lather as appropriate.
What say you?
So, how do YOU prep for your shaves? Has your technique evolved? Does your prep depend on how much time or what you are using?
As seen in my recent videos, my regular prep seems pretty simple. My process is actually more involved than it might look.
- I start by doing a nightly face lather with a synthetic brush and what ever shave soap I have relegated to shower duty. I follow my nightly lather with an aftershave splash, moisturizer, salve and/or talc...depending on what I think I need at the time.
- I nearly always shower before I shave which means I have once again washed my face using soap and hot/warm water. Occasionally, I face lather or rub a shave soap on my face while showering but this isn't "typical"
- Immediately before shaving I will splash cool water on my face. I used to use a pre-shave soap (Musgo Glyce or one I have made) at this time too but I don't always do that now. Whether I use a pre-shave soap or not depends on whether I have one handy or not. I usually wash my hands to remove the hair pomade that remains on my hands before splashing water on my face.
- I face lather most of the time so I consider this part of my prep. Over time my face lathering has become more efficient so the amount of time spent face lathering before shaving has decreased.
- Since I usually strop my razor the night before (when I set out my gear and do my face lather) I am able to immediately start shaving. If I have note stropped my razor I will do it while I have lather on my face, extending the time the lather sits on my face prior to shaving. *This step is VERY common among straight shavers and is somewhat reminiscent of the techniques used by old school barbers.
- Between passes I will rinse with/splash on cold water before lathering up again. Out of habit, I will "lather" the brush on my face again before finishing with paintbrush strokes.
- Post Shave I will rinse with cool/cold water, rub on some alum, splash on my special witch hazel and apply my aftershave of the day. I may or may not apply a balm or salve, it depends on mood more than anything (I generally dislike rich balms and oily salves). I like to use talc applied with my horse hair brush but my face is usually still too wet with aftershave to apply talc ...OR I have left my AS in the secret lair and can't put on talc because I still need to put on AS.
Can you prep too much? I think the answer is YES. As I learned and evolved I began to notice that lathering too long or leaving the lather on my face too long seems to swell my skin and cause "rough" spots that feel like stubble. While this may not actually prevent me from achieving a good shave, I end up trying to shave stubble that isn't there and that leads to irritation or frustration. Over time I have learned where this usually happens and have learned to discern the difference between stubble and rough skin. I think the benefit of a hot towel prep is that it softens the beard and stimulates sebum without overhydrating the skin in the process. If I enjoyed the hot towel I might be inclined to incorporate it into my process.
Since I spend most of my time shaving for work (at 5:30 am) and my attitude is Git er done. My prep routine allows a nice mix of efficiency and efficacy and works well for me. If I were giving advice to a shaver who is having difficulty getting the results they want I would say they should error on the side of "over-prepping" and incorporate an evening lather as appropriate.
What say you?
