So I have been doing two pass DE shaves mostly. ATG is simply too much for my face. In any case I thought I would try XTG the opposite way as a 3rd pass. By this I mean starting from the nose area and shaving across towards the ear/jaw area. However, I noticed that when doing this type of XTG I get similar resistance as when I shave ATG. very baffling, anyone else experience this? Is this just because there is likely to be hairs that grow in a different way meaning it's ATG for certain hairs? Will likely go back to a two pass shave again...
Shaving across the grain?
- Thread starter Homer
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Everyone's face is different. Mine is dashingly handsome as an example. 
To shave ATG it is best IMO to have superb prep, a top tier soap/cream, a razor that it not hyper aggressive and a top tier blade. Even then, NO pressure and go slowly & smoothly with no sudden spurts. Just slow fluid motions and even then only in areas that you have thoroughly "mapped". Few can shave ATG on their neck as hairs usually grow every which way there.
Sometimes it is far wiser to lower your expectations from obtaining the elusive BBS shave to simply a DFS that results in no irritation and more importantly no ingrown hairs.
To shave ATG it is best IMO to have superb prep, a top tier soap/cream, a razor that it not hyper aggressive and a top tier blade. Even then, NO pressure and go slowly & smoothly with no sudden spurts. Just slow fluid motions and even then only in areas that you have thoroughly "mapped". Few can shave ATG on their neck as hairs usually grow every which way there.Sometimes it is far wiser to lower your expectations from obtaining the elusive BBS shave to simply a DFS that results in no irritation and more importantly no ingrown hairs.
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Yes, a lot of times on my work days, it is just a one pass shave to keep me looking acceptable. I go for a smoother shave when I have a little more time.
It must be incredibly rare to have whiskers that just go straight up or down. In some areas they grow from one side to another, or on a diagonal, depending on the individual, so what constitutes ATG/XTG differs from person to person. If you use a DE, SE or straight then in time you do get to know which way is up for your own face, and shave accordingly.
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Few days growth + rested not irritated skin + aggressive razor + smooth blade + slick hydrated lather + no pressure = BBS
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- Haywards Heath
I agree with naughtilus. I do the same. However, I could not do this, even waiting few days and using sharp blade etc the first time. I always got some nicks and some irritation, despite I have been wet shaving for almost 10 years now so I think technique is not a problem. Indeed, and I am not saying to try this at home, I have been force myself to keep trying, and I don't know what happened but now it seems that my skin got adjusted to it. I do shave every 2, at most 3, days with fatip piccolo OC, and I get no nick or irritation and a super smooth face. Also, moisturising the skin is fundamental in my opinion. Good aftershave (possibly a balm) and a good cream may make the difference, because the skin is stressed anyway and it needs to rest but also to be re-moisturised.
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I find rigid blades help ATG. My GEM razors with a sharp PTFE blade do a good job and cause very little irritation.