Shaving for those who hate to shave

this is something I wrote about some time ago in my LiveJournal, but a recent conversation with a friend made me think to recreate it here

I have always hated shaving. To say it has been an uncomfortable experience for me is to redefine understatement. As such, it is quite something to note that I have become a frequent shaver. Having found a method that makes the experience almost pleasant, I feel inclined to share with anyone who might care to read about it.
I suppose I should say that I have no formal authority on matters of skin care, I just know what works for me and that that is no small feat.

I'd like to start with two main points right up front. First and foremost, shaving should only be done when one has enough time to do it right. If you have to rush, everything else I am going to say becomes moot. Second, heat is your friend. I am always hot and usually make every effort to avoid adding to that, but when I am about to drag a blade across my skin, I want all the help I can get.

These are the things I prefer when shaving:

• Gillette's Mach3 Razors


• Philosophy's the Common Man


• Philosophy's The Afterglow


• very hot water


• A good sized mug to rinse the razor


• a simple white washcloth

I will say that I haven't tried any razors with more than 3 blades, so I can't give any real comparison, but I do know that fewer is not preferable. Philosophy makes some very good products across the board. I especially like The Common Man because it has a topical anesthetic. Since irritation begets irritation, anything that limits it is a good thing. I use a mug of hot water in stead of running the tap both for the sake of not wasting so much water and because at my house, the hot water doesn't last all that long.

And now, the process:
start with a cloth soaked in water as hot as you can stand
drape the cloth over your beard and allow the heat to soften the hair a bit
I tend to also go ahead and put the razor into the mug of hot water and let it sit
after heating the hair for a little while, take a small amount of shave cream and spread it over your beard
shave the easiest parts first - if you have areas of especially tough hair, the longer you leave the shave cream on them the easier they will be to shave
shave with the grain - now this does not always mean downward; for me, I go down the cheeks and up the neck and across the jawline (more or less)
take long strokes such that you can take as few as possible to cover your face
I know that this may still leave some rough bits, but wait...
after you have finished this, rinse with warm water and pat, do not wipe, the excess water from your face
reapply a thin layer of shave cream and repeat the process shaving against the grain - this is likely to be somewhat hard on your face, so do this with care (I might not even suggest it except that I can't seem to get really smooth otherwise.)
as before, long strokes are best and leave the worst parts for last
when you finish, once again, rinse with warm water
I'll say it again just to be clear; pat your face dry, do not wipe
I finish with a liberal amount of The Afterglow to sooth my face

As you can see, this does, like many things in life, take time to do well. Also, the products I am recommending aren't cheap, but they are worth it. If they can make me not mind shaving, they must be good.

One more somewhat related plug...
I have a lot of trouble with in-grown hairs. To help with that I recommend Tend Skin. It's good stuff.

I suppose that is all for now.
cheers-
-db

trying out w.blogar

this is pretty much just a test posting using w.bloggar
w.bloggar

The Death of Customer Service Has Been Exaggerated

I found an item by way of CoolHunting that I thought was kinda cool. Not such that I immediately thought, "I must write about this," but enough to get me to follow the links and investigate. It's simply a wrist cuff that holds pictures. (Here's CoolHunting's write-up.)
At any rate, the part of this that really got my attention was not the product itself, but the company. I went to the buy page and found no listing for one of the cuffs in the larger size in black. I was curious, so I sent them an email to see if it was an oversight on the page or if it really didn't exist. The emails that followed really impressed me.

Hi Dresden,
Yes, you're right. There is no Black 9" Brooklyn since the 8"-ers sells more so when I start making them in black, I decided not to sell the 9"-ers in black. (But,) I will make (one for you.)

and then a little later

I just placed an order to get the Brooklyn 9" laser-cut in Black. Just place an order for the Brooklyn Brown 9" and I'll remember it's you.

He has since changed the site to include the cuff I asked about so they are available to all.

Now this all may seem like just doing things the way they should be done, but, sadly that is all too uncommon these days. Here's one of the things I like about the internet; it allows small companies to reach people they would never touch otherwise.
By the way, if I hadn't mentioned, I think you should support Smoy, Spencer seems like a really good guy.
Also, if you get a chance, take a moment to contact small companies when you are looking at stuff online. It seems to actually make a difference to some of them.
cheers-
-db

Want, Want, Want

This company makes a Hydrogen burning home fireplace that breaks down water to fuel itself. It just sounds exceptionally neat. (I had to avoid my intitial desire to call it cool, seeing as how it is a fireplace, and all.) Of course, I saw no indication as to how much such a wonder would cost, but you know, "if you have to ask..."
Anyway, I can dream, right?

Heat & Glo

[via: OhGizmo!]

Altoids Strips: Goth Girl Ad

(giggle)

[via Screenhead]

HYDESim: High-Yield Detonation Effects Simulator

HYDESim: High-Yield Detonation Effects Simulator

Isn't this a nice way to start a 'blog?

It seems that my House falls with in the 1psi range for an explosion on the Square.
Cheers!

[via boingboing]