I know I am new to DE shaving but today I got my first lot of irritation in an unexpected place!

My cheeks are covered in red blotches now but strangely enough the really dodgy, sensitive skin on my neck is absolutely fine!? I do have very dry skin and I am prone to excema which is why I have wet shaved for the last 25 years but always with cartridges. However I am very used to using a brush, proper prep and after care and I have been irritation free so far using my new DE razors.

The only change today was I used my US Aristocrat instead of the Super Speed I started with. I noticed that this gave me a better shave than the SS but I have come out looking like Mr Blobby, but my neck which is uber sensitive is absolutely fine!?

Do you think this may be now that I am some way in I have been a bit aggressive of is the US Aristo a harsh shaving mistress?

I've been using Astra Platinum blades each time and a new blade each shave and all my usual products so no change there then? Ideas?

It appears that I am not the only one in my house intrigued by the paraphernalia that DE shaving brings.

The temptation of meddling with a new and exciting EJ Best Badger brush and EJ86 razor on the bathroom shelf was obviously too much for a little person to resist this week. Clumps of black and white hair on the edge of the sink, then some on the shelf roused suspicions of some external interest.

The clincher was half a badger's nape sticking out between the blade and razor head, with little attempt to cover up the evidence of an attempted badger brush shave.

On confronting the 12 year old chief suspect, innocence and denial was the name of the game, whilst at the same time looking as guilty as a puppy sitting next to a pile of poo.

Still, hasn't affected the lathering up process any, in fact I think it's improved it slightly!

Has anyone else had their shaving experience improved by some kind of external intervention or accidental occurrence?

I'm curious has anyone experienced any bad blades when using the EJ 89 DE razor? By bad blades I mean irritation and or cuts. Reason I'm asking is that so far after trying several different blades I haven't....strange

Dear all

So far i am really enjoying my DE Shaving Experience and so far so good have not destroyed my face. Though i am relatively new i am keen to try new things and attempt to hone my skills and progress.

I am currently using a Muhle R89 with mostly Gilette 7 o' clock yellow sharp edges. With a choice of Monsavon, Vitos, Proraso Green and Ingrams as the mood takes me.

Can anyone suggest a natural progression up for a next blade to try, slightly more aggressive. I am aware of feathers but believe this is the super sharp top of the tree blade so do not think i am ready for that.

Your help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Ben H

ps Gutted i have not been shaving this way for the last 20 yrs!

How do Chaps .

Just wondered if anyone has tried Bulldog shave cream? If so what did you reckon?
Saw it it massively reduced today in a shop, down from £4 to £ 1.20.
Never tried the Shave cream but their other stuff is pretty good!

So has anyone dabbled? Also is it a lather cream or brush less??


Cheers folks!

What do you all think
   

Hi again all,

Still enjoying my wet DE shaving, being about 5 weeks into things now.

Suffered a bit of a combo-blip though on the way. Think I was using a bit too much post shave balm and I got a little spot break out. Followed by a an ingrown hair I think for getting a bit too nonchalant with the razor speed and pressure.

I've stopped using the balm as an always, swapped for witch hazel post shave and if I need any moisture, will apply a very small amount of balm or a light moisturiser.

The ingrown I treat with Benzoyl Peroxide cream and worked a treat.

I left my beard an extra day than usual before shaving to let the irritated (by me squeezing thinking it was a spot) ingrown settle.

I shaved so lightly, no pressure, letting the blad head do the work and I had the best shave to date. Fair enough my sore ingrown has le a bit of a red patch, but it seemed closer??

I only do 2 passes too. Well, I did as I started to feel that was the limit of my skin, but after that great irritation free shave yesterday I could maybe do another?

Anyway, it led me to think about shave direction.

I have always done 2 WTG passes. It's all I've seemed to have needed. Close enough for me anyway. But should I be working up to an XTG pass sometime? Will I notice a difference? Bit scared to think of ATG just yet!

So is it poor show if I just stick to the WTG or am I missing something with other direction passes?

Thanks in advance, everyone

Mike

Has nobody bought anything this week?

I have

Body Shop Maca Root Cream
Herbs of Bulgaria Lavender Cream
Gillette Fatboy Razor
Safari Shaving Soap

Well, a nice surprise on a day with a bad headache: some free products from The Dandy Gent. (Who, I see, is now a member on here.)

I'm assuming I've been sent them in my capacity as shaving correspondent for The Chap magazine (?)

Anyway, some post-shave gel (sniff - am I getting neroli and clary sage? very green / woody / herby and slightly bitter / astringent smell; looks to be aloe vera based) plus some lime shaving soap that smells like the old Opal Fruits lime - very juicy and with a slight something else going on that adds a rounded note to an otherwise one dimensional single-note fragrance; very tasty!)

So. I'll crack them open properly tomorrow and report back in full when I've spread them all over my chops.

http://www.thedandygent.co.uk/