Newbie with sensitive skin

S

smlcfc

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7
Hi all

I've just got myself a Merkur 34C but am yet to use it as I can't decide which accessories/creams etc to get!

I've enjoyed reading lots of beginners guides on this site and have watched lots of videos about technique so looking forward to getting started. Whilst the guides are great they are not written with sensitive skin in mind so I was wondering if anyone could give me some guidance on best brushes etc.

I've never really wet shaved consistently. I love the feeling of it and do actually enjoy the shave but have always suffered with razor burn around my neck and throat. My skin generally just feels sore for a few days afterwards. I've been using electric razors a few times a week until now (I'm 31!) and I hate it. I now want to get all of the right products and really give it a good go. I don't mind spending money if it's going to really benefit but really I'm looking to get started for as little cost as possible.

My shopping list is as follows (let me know if you think I'm missing anything):

Cream
Brush
Blades
Pre shave
Do I need a bowl?
Do I need post shave?
Do I need alum block?

Any help or advice would be very much appreciated.

Cheers!
 
Welcome to TSR, new user with a catchy name!

My opinion is my own and biased, but for 'sensitive skin' I'd recommend

Cream - Speick Men
Brush - A reasonably priced synthetic brush.. needs no breaking in
Blades - A sampler, or Astra Superior Platinum (ASP) if you want just one blade. On second thought: a sampler with ASP
Pre shave - shower and hot towel is more than enough
Do I need a bowl? No, but it's useful to learn.. anything cheap from the kitchen will do..
Do I need post shave? No, but I'd get Speick ASB or some witch hazel (cheaper)
Do I need alum block? No. But they are dirt cheap from your local barber. (Don't pay more than a quid)

Just some random thoughts

Andreas
 
Hi and welcome m8. I'm an oldie with some decades of on and off visits to skin clinics and dermatologists in my history, so I get what you're saying. First off, being completely honest, unless you have a skin condition I'd hope that you'll maybe discover that your easily irritated skin may well settle down with decent soap or cream and a gentle technique with a nice razor, which you've already got. If you get a cream you won't need a bowl. If finances allow I'd suggest a sample pack,of different blades from Connaughts ( they do a TSR discount ) . Myself, I'd get an artisan soap rather than a cream. I'd go for one of the makers on here who specialise in soaps and maybe initially go for the non scented or sensitive versions. OSP, Nanny's Silly Soap, and Wickhams are all well thought of and fine for face lathering. Initially I wouldn't bother too much with pre shave balms. Others will have different thoughts. I'd think about a styptic pencil in case of minor nicks and leave the alum block meantime, it may be a bit fierce if your skin is kinda vulnerable.

JohnnyO. o/.

PS Forgot Phoenix & Beau in the artisan soap makers, my bad.
 
smlcfc said:
Hi all

I've just got myself a Merkur 34C but am yet to use it as I can't decide which accessories/creams etc to get!

I've enjoyed reading lots of beginners guides on this site and have watched lots of videos about technique so looking forward to getting started. Whilst the guides are great they are not written with sensitive skin in mind so I was wondering if anyone could give me some guidance on best brushes etc.

I've never really wet shaved consistently. I love the feeling of it and do actually enjoy the shave but have always suffered with razor burn around my neck and throat. My skin generally just feels sore for a few days afterwards. I've been using electric razors a few times a week until now (I'm 31!) and I hate it. I now want to get all of the right products and really give it a good go. I don't mind spending money if it's going to really benefit but really I'm looking to get started for as little cost as possible.

My shopping list is as follows (let me know if you think I'm missing anything):

Cream
Brush
Blades
Pre shave
Do I need a bowl?
Do I need post shave?
Do I need alum block?

Any help or advice would be very much appreciated.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

If I were to go back in time and tell my past self what to get, I'd go with a set-up like this.

Cream/Soap: Palmolive stick - a chimpanzee with a toothbrush could lather this stuff up. One of the best soaps out there and yours for around 69 cent from Tesco.
Brush - Synthetics like the Plisson/Plissoft/Fine Angel Hair. Boars are going to be scrubby and take a while to break in. Cheap badgers are terrible and the good ones get expensive fairly quickly.
Blades - Sampler pack from the vendor of your choice.
Pre shave - Optional, but I like Proraso white
Do I need a bowl? - No.
Do I need post shave? - Bulldog Sensitive Moisturiser or Nivea Sensitive Balm. Both available in your local supermarket
Do I need alum block? - No, but a styptic pencil can be handy if you get a nick and don't fancy going to work with toilet paper on your face.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Welcome @smlcfc

I am a recent convert too with similarly sensitive skin. Hopefully my experiences can help you.

I recommend watching videos on YouTube. I started with Mantic59 videos and it was a great start for me. I would recommend 4 things:
1) learn the direction of how your heard grows on your face. It may well not just go from North to South. This impacts the direction in which you shave With the Grain, Cross the Grain and Against the Grain.
2) just shave With and Cross the grain for some time. Against the grain is more likely to cause irritation, so hold off. Work on shaving right and close shaves will come, don't chase the close shave as you will irritate your face.
3) don't press the razor into your skin, glide over the surface. Pressing on the skin means you will take off skin cells with the hair and this is a prime cause of irritation.
4) stick with it. You skin adjusts to a new regime, so combined with improved technique, you will quickly find your shave improves, your neck settles down and you stop getting razor bumps.

Brush:
I would get the following, an Omega or Semogue boar brush. There are plenty of designs to choose, they are cheap but excellent brushes. Boar brushes need to be well soaked before use as the hair fibres swell and become more supple, at least 3 or 4 mins in warm water, best to leave while you shower or whatever.

Soap:
For soaps/cream this is a very personal choice, ask 20 people and you will get 20 answers. My answer is get on eBay and order 100g Vitos red from gemstone trading. It does have a marzipan scent but isn't that strong. I find the performance to be brilliant and it is not expensive. Choosing this soap you would need a container to store the soap in once it arrives. Alternatively you can get samples of a range of soaps from Shavedash.

Other soaps that I would recommend as an alternative with not too great a cost:
Tabac - available for £7 on eBay as a refill without a tub
Palmolive stick - 50p at ASDA
Cella - £7ish for a tub

Blades:
There are plenty of blade samples available. I think it is best to not just buy a random sample but to choose specific blades. The most commonly recommended blades are:
Polsilver iridium
Rapira Swedish
Ladas
Sputnik
Voskhod
Astra Super Platinum

5-10 of each of those should give you a good start.

Pre shave:
Hot shower is best/easiest. Failing that I find a hot face wash in the sink helps soften my beard. Applying Lather onto a damp face helps add ensure a slick shave.

Bowl:
No need to use one as you can load your brush and then lather directly on your face. Dip the tips of your brush in water to add extra moisture to the lather. If you prefer to lather in a bowl then a cereal bowl does fine - so worth seeing what you prefer.

Post shave:
There is no right or wrong and you will need to try things out to see what works. Alum isn't necessary but I like it, the feedback it gives on a shave via the amount of sting, the taughtening of the skin it provides and the antiseptic qualities. I also like a balm and in summer I think you will find something lighter better. Nivea Sensitive Aftershave Balm is well regarded and not expensive, though personally I really like Trumpers Skin Food as it cools my skin well and leaves it feeling great. Again you will need to choose what works for you via some degree of experimentation.

Finally, ask questions. The people on this forum are amazingly helpful and generous.

Hope this helps!
 
Hello & welcome to the forum,
I started De shaving for exactly your reasons at the start of the year,
you have made a good decision on the 34c.

Here is my 2p worth on your questions:
Cream
- I would suggest Palmolive stick, 50p from most supermarkets and extremely good.
There is better, there is a lot worse, a solid performer & a bargain.
Brush
- suggest a synthetic or an omega boar, a razorock synthetic for c.£15 is a great brush
Blades
Buy a sample pack from Connaught, makes a surprising difference. Different blades also suit different razors.
Pre shave
Not needed in my opinion, a good shave needs good prep; face wash & then a good hot shower, use a bit of hair conditioner on your beard while you're at it. If I don't shower a hot towel and a some lather as a minimum, search for "Kyle's prep" on how to do this.
Do I need a bowl?
Nope, face lather or just use an old cereal bowl. If you later find you like to bowl lather then a ridged bowl would be a nice treat, far from essential.
Do I need post shave?
Probably & the biggest surprise for me personally. I always used nivea balm as cartridges left my face in a bit of a mess. I bought some alcohol splash & love it, it's all I use now. Boots & Superdrug own brand splash are really good & not a massive loss if it's not for you.
Do I need alum block?
Not essential, it does feel nice & will sting if you use any pressure, poor prep or any other bad technique.
I bought a 100g block from Amazon for £2 & it will likely be the only one I need.

Mapping my beard growth made a big difference, kevy shaves has a good YouTube video on how to do this. Always had problem with neck irritation until I did & realised my neck hair grew in all sorts of odd ways. I now make sure my first pass is truly with the grain, bingo, no irritation.
Hope some of that helps.

In essence, prep, NO pressure & practice.
Take your time & enjoy.
 
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Wow, so much good info in such a short space of time! I've already learned two things:

1) I really have found the most amazing resource for shaving info that is going to help me no end. I've never had such a full and friendly response on any other forum. Ever.

2) With so much enthusiasm for DE shaving from you guys I must really be onto something and can't wait to get started. I'll take in the responses over the next day or so, do some shopping, and take the plunge!

Thanks all
 
Wow thank you!! Done.

For now I'm leaning towards trying the Palmolive stick, the Plisson brush from l'occitane and some Nivea sensitive aftershave balm
 
smlcfc said:
Wow, so much good info in such a short space of time!

1) I've never had such a full and friendly response on any other forum. Ever.

2) With so much enthusiasm for DE shaving from you guys I must really be onto something and can't wait to get started.

(3) Crazy likes crazy
Click to expand...

I finished that up for you.

.
 
Hi all

Quick question: would it be a good idea to try the Merkur blade that came free with my razor? Are these rated particularly sharp/aggressive or good for beginners?

I've assembled the rest of my kit (34c, plisson synthetic brush, Palmolive stick, Nivea sensitive face wash and aftershave balm), but don't yet have any blades. Does anyone know where I can it these locally they don't seem to sell them in supermarkets? If not I'm tempted to give the merkur blade a go whilst I order online and wait for delivery.

Thanks
 
skip the hot towel crap. all you need is a quick rub down of the face with your brush directly from the cup you soak it in. its how it was actually done in the days when Gillette was CREATING his razor.

hot water will just strip the oils from your face, and from the hair. Youll notice that soap is an oil... no sense in removing what you have in place already.

Cella
Palmolive
Erasmic
La Toja
All rather decent. The la Toja has an odd smell.
 
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