Foreman Giveaway: TAOS Full Size Lemon Shaving Kit
January 2, 2009 by tsims
* Update 01/13/09 – This Contest is now closed. The winners have been selected. Please follow our blog and newsletter if you would like to be notified of future giveaways and promotions.
We want to help you get a smooth start in 2009, so we’ve decided to give away a few The Art of Shaving Full Size Lemon Shaving Kits. Each kit is valued at $100 and includes:
- Pre-Shave Oil (2 oz.)
- Shaving Cream (5.3 oz.)
- After-Shave Balm (4 oz.)
- Pure Badger Shaving Brush.
In order to get your chance at winning one of 3 Free The Art of Shaving Full Size Lemon Shaving Kits from Foreman you must do a few things:
- Sign up for the Foreman email newsletter. (you can do so here, unless you’ve already signed up)
- Comment on this post by describing your current shaving routine/products? (US readers only)
- Provide feedback on your experience with the products if you win.
Best of luck! This contest will end on Monday, January 12th 2009 at 11:59p.m. Winners will be announced the next day.
I usually use some anti-acne soap (Banish), and create a lather after wetting my beard for 5-10 minutes in the shower. I still experience many razor bumps though, so would love to try this out.
Thanks!
I just received a Merkur Classic DE razor for Xmas along with shaving scuttle, soap, badger brush and I can’t wait to try it out come Monday! Such an upgrade from my Nivea Shaving Cream and the vibrating 5-bladed monster I’ve currently use.
These products look great!
Currently I try to shave coming right out of the shower, so that I soften up my tough beard as much as possible. I use a facial scrub and cleaner both from Neutrogena Men before applying my Every Jack Men’s shave gel to exfoliate and clean my skin before putting the razor to it. I’ve been using the Fusion razor for the last couple of years with better results than many other blades or disposables. The combination of the facial scrub/ shave gel/ Fusion blade usually gives me good results, but I still get tons of ingrown nasty hairs at my jaw line. I was recently recommended The Art of Shaving products because of their complete shaving system. I’d love to try these products out and step my shaving up to the big leagues.
I have been using a gillette ball handle tech, Lord blades with an omega boar brush, proraso cream, and clubman a/s. Cheap products but have been effective so far.
Hot shower as a pre-shave (every time)
Merkur Progress
Derby or Astra Superior Platinum blades
Various shave creams (the big 3 T’s, small atrisan soapmakers, etc.) and soaps (all depends on my mood that day)
Various aftershaves (must contain alcohol) including drugstore cheapies (Old Spice, Aqua Velva, etc.) and high-end products (D.R. Harris, etc.)
Aftershave balms/milks for moisturizing (Baxter’s, Art of Shaving, small artisan makers, etc.)
Thanks!
My shaving routine consists of a classic Gillette superspeed, a boar brush and usually a cream from Kiss My Face. Even with this setup, I sometimes get bumps and ingrowns.
my daily shave routine is a hot shower and proraso or noxema as a pre shave. I use one if my rooney brushes with mitchells wool fat or trumper coconut oil shave soap and a edwin jagger razor with merkur blades
then a splash of clubman after and i’m set to start the day. hey, where my coffee?
I like to use a hot washcloth and then lather up with a mug and brush. My usual razor is one of the regular pivoting multi-blades, but when I have time, I use a Rolls safety razor or a straight razor and strop.
I splash my face with hot water for 30 seconds. Then I lather up with Tabac shave soap. I use a badger brush to exfoliate and apply the lather. Then I load up my Merkur razor with a Derby blade or an Israeli Personna. I then use Aqua Velva Ice Blue as my aftershave. This is what works best for me so far.
I use a Venus razor with Aveeno shave cream. I usually shave in the shower for an optimal shave.
I use a boar brush and Williams shave soap. For my shave I use a Parker razor. No aftershaves because they irritate my skin.
Shave after shower or after hot towel. Wash face, keep wet. One of the three T’s cream or tallow soap with C&E Best Badger Brush. Make lather in a mug then work it into face. Vision DE or various vintage Gillette safety razor . Red pack personna or feather blade. Four passes, WTG, XTG, XTG, ATG. BBS!!! Hot water wash, cold water splash, alum block, cold water rince. Aqua Velva or other alcohol after shave, after shave balm after dry down. (It seems normal, till I write it down.)
Best winter shave:
Vulfix #2234 super badger brush. (Blue handle)
Musgo Real Glyce Lime Oil pre shave soap.
Nancy Boy original shaving cream.
Nancy boy aftershave.
Best Summer Shave:
Vulfix #2234 super badger brush. (Blue handle)
Musgo Real Glyce Lime Oil pre shave soap.
Proraso shaving cream.
Geo F. Trumper Coral skin food.
After a shower.
I use a mohle bowl, feather razor, dr harris almond soap and a mohle brush.
I’m currently using a Merkur Progress, an Omega synthetic brush, and Proraso Shaving Cream or Kiss My Face Moisture Shave. Right now I’m using the blades I found at my local Wal-Mart, but they are terrible and am looking for something better that I can get locally.
I usually shave every other day after my shower and do two passes. First a down stroke pass, then a side stroke pass. On special occassions I’ll do a third up stroke pass if I want to be extra smooth. I don’t have any after-shave, but use DHC for Men Soft Lotion for Oily Skin afterwards.
I am a reformed machIII man. I stumbled upon mantic59’s video blog a few months ago, and I am a changed man. I recently purchased a Mercour Progress and other supplies and I am trying to go back to basics-all the way-shaving the way mantic59 showed me. Welp, that’s it!
I use a hot washcloth for a couple minutes and then lather up with Proraso shaving cream, using a Tweezerman brush and small mug. I shave using a Parker DE razor. Re-lather and repeat across the grain, and maybe a third time against the grain. I get a nice close shave. Should there be any nicks, I wet an alum shaving stone and go over my face with that.. stops any bleeding. Would love to try this kit!
I’m pretty relaxed about shaving. Maybe twice or three times a week Ill shave, maybe in the morning, mid-day or evening. When ever it occurs. I like to use a hot towel and then mush up a nice lather with my silver tip brush. I many times I use a fixed head DE razor for pass one. Then Ill touch up with a straight razor as my second pass. That lets me work close with my goatee. I like a soap as opposed to a cream. I’m using and liking Momma Bears soap right now. When I’m done I like a non alcohol base after shave. I’m using a Spanish brand now. Floids I think its called. Also I use 444, a Portages after shave cream.
First I wash my face with Avalon Organics vitamin C face wash. I use a Merkur Futur with merkur blades (yes I know, there ‘may’ be better blades out there) for most of my face. I shave around my goatee using DOVO Shavette again with the merkur blades. For lathering I have some lavender Taylor of Old Bond Street shave soap and a silvertip badger hair brush. After the shave I pass a wet alum block over my face and let it sit while I clean my brush and razor. I then rinse the alum off and apply some Every Man Jack aftershave lotion. I am looking forward to using the Art of Shaving line.
I use a Merkur barberpole slant. ‘Finest’ badger brush and face lather with soap. Generally use Tabac, Kent, or Valobra stick. Thayers witch hazel to finish, occasionally Nivea balm if it’s really cold outside.
I use a Merkur HD razor with Merkur blades, along with an inexpensive Badger hair brush – can’t remember the name. I’m new to wetshaving (two weeks in) and have gleaned this method from the wetshaving forums . . . I haven’t developed a “what works for me method” yet. That said, I soak the brush in hot water while I shower, apply some Proraso pre/post cream, then wrap a hot damp towel around my face while I make the lather. So far, I’ve been using Proraso shaving cream, though I do have some shaving soap which I haven’t tried yet. Producing the approriate lather, shaving in the correct direction(s), and applying little to no pressure on the blade has been a challenge and I scuffed up my neck pretty bad the first few times around, but I’m getting better and now I really love wetshaving! I’ve just been using the Proraso pre/post cream as an aftershave balm.
just recently switched to DE shaving from Mach III. now use a Gillette Fat Boy and am experimenting with blades. The best so far are Feather. Like C&E creams very much, but Proraso is hard to beat.
Look forward to trying new stuff.
For years I have been using a Mach 3 with Tom’s of Maine mint shaving cream. I changed to Molle brushless shave cream which provides a marvelously smooth medium to shave with. Recently I was given a Best Badger brush and a shaving soap which I have been using with a 1959 Gillette super speed but could only find no-name double edge blades. I look forward to using better blades in the future. I finish with splash of Florida water followed by Nivea after shave balm. I have read about the Art of Shaving line and would love to try some of their products.
I wash face and leave wet while I mix lather, either Proraso (Green or White) and / or AOS Sandalwood. Rotate brushes between B&B Essential and Kingsly badger. Two passes WTG and one XTG using Gillette adjustable or black handled SS. Follow up is cold water rinse then Jack Black or L’Oreal after shave balm.
I picked up an old Gillette adjustable razor on eBay a while back, and it has vastly improved my shaving experience. I started wet shaving last year with a Merkur HD and it wasn’t bad. Now I’m still going through lots of different types of razors to see which ones work best and last longest. My shaving cream right now is Proraso repackaged as CO Bigelo from Bath & Body Works, and I use their CO Bigelo Skin Tonic as an aftershave splash. I’m now eager to try out different shaving creams, especially this one!
Use brush and ceramic bowl and merkur slant bar along with Taylor of Old Bond street Avocado and Body shop Aftershave balm. The AOS pack looks good.
My current shave routine is fairly typical wet shaving routine I think. I shower and wash my face thoroughly with a quality face wash, while I am in the shower I am soaking my shaving brush and lather bowl in the sink with hot water. Once I am done with the shower I move on to my favorite part of the day, my shave. I start by loading my brush with the soap or cream I have selected for the day and move to my now nice warm lather bowl. I add ust a bit of hot water to the bowl and start to build the lather, keep adding water a very small amount at a time until you have reached the perfect lather. I swirl some of this perfect lather on my fact with the shaving brush, once I am satisfied with that I select my razor for that day from my small collection of vintage razors. My shave is normally three passes over my face in different directions to ensure I have gotten every whisker. Once done with that I rinse thoroughly with warm and then cold water, smooth on some alum, clean up, rinse with cold again and apply some after shave balm.
I’m still pretty new at wet shaving, about 6 mos now.
I start with a Nancy boy soap on my face in the shower while my Georgetown scuttle and C&E brush are getting soaked in hot water in the sink. Then I work up my lather with either a mama bear soap like Dragon Blood or a good cream like Taylors Avocado. Then a 3 pass shave with my Merkur 38c and usually a Derby or Feather blade and then the alum block. My aftershave is typically C&E Nomad, Nancy Boy Signature, or Aveda
What took me sooo long to learn about wet shaving!
Shower, rub some Lush “Prince” cream in the beard for glide, Nancy Boy shaving cream with a badger brush, use my Dad’s old red SuperSpeed with a Swedish Gillette or Feather blade, and then finish with Prorazo pre/dopo cream.
AoS products are pretty good and their customer service is excellent. My AoS brush broke after 18 months, they replaced it without any problem and even mailed it to me in Norway!
I always shave after a shower. Towards the end of my shower I use conditioner on my beard – recently it has been some nice orange ginger stuff my wife purchased. Then I do not dry my face and migrate over to the sink. I use a synthetic brush (don’t be a hater) because I’m a vegetarian and from my research they have the best of both worlds in regards to water retention and stiffness. I’ve been enjoying the Body Shop’s Shave Cream. It has a nice mellow scent, produces a great lather and is a good bang for the buck. As for a razor I go for the Mekur HD Classic. Yes, there are far more fancy and expensive razor’s out there, but this baby is solid, reliable and very comfortable. I’ve been rotating blades recently to try out a variety. I ice the cake with Burt’s Bee’s aftershave. All natural, no chemicals (just like the shave cream).
I’m thinking I’ll make the switch to a straight edge razor soon for the enjoyment as well as the positive environmental aspects.
I’m fairly new to wetshaving, but it’s quickly become one of the most relaxing parts of my day.
I learned the basics from my barber and picked up a Baxter’s of California kit with badger brush, cream, face wash and balm. The brush seems to be acceptable and the balm is refreshing, but I was dissatisfied with the cream, with which it’s been difficult to produce a satisfying lather, and have been looking at alternatives. I’ve also had a bit of an issue with razor burn, so any tips on how to deal with that would be more than welcome. Naturally, I’d be happy to compare the AoS stuff to the Baxter line in more detail.
Also, does anyone have any recommendations on where to pick up a good vintage razor?
Thanks!
I use a Mergress razor, Polo 8 brush by Simpson, a scuttle by Georgetown Pottery, Taylor of Old Bond St, Mr Taylor’s shave cream or Proraso, Derby blades and Armani Acqua Di Gio after shave balm. I use the Mantic59 3 pass shaving method, I’ve learned a lot from watching his videos. I’m hooked on wet shaving, I also have a Merkur HD, 1955 Gillette, and just bought a vintage Gillette Fat Boy.
I have used AOS for many years. First with a Mac3 than a fusion. Last feb I switched to a Safety Razor.
I’m currently using C.O. Bigelow (aka Proraso) shave cream with a Gillette Super-Speed razor. I finish with Nivea for Men sensitive shave balm.
Currently I use a badger hair brush, Crabtree & Evelyn shave soap (Sandlewood) and either a Merkur adjustable, DE, razor or a Gillette quattro. I like to use the Merkur but sometimes I get in a hurry and use the Gillette. I follow this up with C&E Sandlewood shave lotion.
Im usng a Merkur HD right now, with Proraso cream(C.O. Bigelow variant) and a BK4 brush from Kent. I usually shave after a shower, and lather with a bowl, then i brush it onto my face. I usually go for 2-3 passes, alternating the direction of the cutting.
I use either a Goodfella Razor or Merkur HD with Feather or Derby blades, respectively. My favorite brush is a Shavemac 501, and lately, I prefer Body Shop Maca Root shave cream, which I lather in a bowl. I use Provence Sante aftershave. I usually shave with the grain, then across the grain. I have sensitive skin, so I keep the passes to a minimum and don’t shave against the grain.
Thanks!
I love using my Merkur razor with the vulfix brush and Kiss my face shave cream
I am currently in the transition phase of going from electric shaving to trying traditional wet shaving. I have, so far, experienced good luck with shave kit that I have pieced together but I am still using a multiple bladed razor. I have decided on this route to maintain the use of this multiblade razor for the next month or so, working on my technique. After that, I am looking forward to trying either a Schick Krona or Gillette Tech DE (for their reputation as being a mild razor) for my first single bladed razor.
Shave after a shower using Proraso cream applied with a B&B LE brush. Three passes with a Gillette Tech then a splash of Anthony Logistics Astringent followed with Proraso AS.
I am currenty using almost all of the Art of Shaving products — pre-shave oil, shave cream, after-shave balm, the moisturizer, shampoo and conditioner. I love their products. However, I have used only the unscented and sandalwood and would love to try the lemon version. For the first time today, I even used the company’s after-shave musk and it felt very good.
I intend at some point to go to one of their spa locations for a Royal Shave.
I’m a shower shaver – hence wet.
Gillette power fusion with King of Shaves shaving oil. Oil reapplied for second pass against the grain shave.
Post shave: Nivea extra-soothing balm
I shave in the shower with a Bic and Dove soap
I use the gillete mach 3 power (can’t stand the fusion)… and i use the zirh line (not the new, platinum edition, or whatever its called) i use the face wash, then the pre shaving treatment (this one is amazing and definitely worth it, helps you get right down to the grain)… and followed by the gel, i hate shaving cream, i like to see the hairs as i’m about to take them off hehe…
1) Hot shower
2) fill sink with hot water for brush to soak and add water to shaving mug for soap
3) dump water from mug and remove excess water from brush
4) build up soap(currently conks almond) on brush, then lather directly to face
5) 1 pass WTG, 1 pass XTG E-w, 1 pass XTG W-E
6) clean soap off face with warm water, then splash on cold water
7) use styptic pencil on any cuts, then apply Nivea Aftershave balm.
products used so far..
Soaps/Creams: conks soap, bigelow cream,
Brushes: omega boar brush, tweezerman badger brush, old ever-ready pure badger brush
razors: merkur HD, 1960 Gillette SS
When in high school, I hated shaving! It sucked because it took a long time, I always got cuts, terrible redness and ingrown hairs on my neck were inevitable , and it was expensive.
So what did I do? Well, my freshman year of college (one year ago), I decided i have two optiongs: live with hating shaving, or turn it into a hobby and enjoy it! I’m glad to say I did the latter. Soon I discovered Double Edge razors, and bought a Merkur Futur, I also use Baxters 1.2.3. Skin Care. I have experimented with a number of different scrubs, everything from Baxters to St. Ives to MenScience. Unfortunately, I’m still a college student and don’t have to funds to keep buying some of my favorite and needed products. Shaving cream and a brush are two examples. I use Shave Gel from Gillette, the kind that they give out with the Fusion razor. I don’t use a brush, but have wanted one ever since i got obsessed!
My routine is pretty simple. I shave after a hot shower in the morning, (I scrub 2-3 times a week). I then shave with my Merkur Futur, two passes. Then I splash my face with cold water to close the pores, apply toner, a small amount of AL Ingrown Hair Treatment, and depending on the season, some moisturizer. Thank You!
Face wash, soaked hot towel on face, shave oil, a high quality shave cream in bowl, best large badger brush, Merkur adjustable DE with feather blades, some splashes of cold water, shave relief face tonic, moisturizer. Done and ready for a new day!
The best shave I got so far was:
1) Boil water and pour into a wanna-be-scuttle (one small jar of the size of a mug, that fits in a bowl).
2) Hot shower.
3) C.O. Bigelow green shaving cream on the tip of my Tweezerman’s badger brush.
4) Make lather by allowing 1 drop of tap water every ~5 sec for 1 min. Lather w/o water for another ~2 min.
5) Gillette superspeed 1954 flair tip, with feather blade: 1 WTG, 1 XTG, and 1 ATG.
6) Wash face with warm water, then cold water.
7) SCS Lavander lotion.
Have never used Art of Shaving products (as you can see, I’m on a budget: “scuttle”, $2; brush, $13; shaving cream, $5; razor, $8; blade, $.5; SCS Lavender AS, $10).
Will be delighted to try something from AOS
I use whatever shaving cream my wife buys for me, and I shave once a day, around 5 AM. I lather up, shave, and that’s my entire routine.
This would help my husband with his daily shave. he gets razor burn, ingrown hairs and dry skin I think this product could help save his face daily. thanks for offering it to us
Well I have been experimenting with shaving for awhile now. I am a big fan of the Mach 3 razor combined with traditional wet shaving.
Usually I apply traditional shaving lather using a shaving brush and shaving soap. I began the shave with a mach 3 razor and finish up with a hot shower and a moisturizing aftershave balm.
I would love to invest money to try the 4 Elements of the Perfect Save by Art Of Shaving. I realize that the premise behind shaving is protecting your skin while getting a close and comfortable shave; I am still trying to reach that level of expertise.
Sincerely, nader
I just learned about the art of wetshaving this past summer. I had a surplus of Schick Quattros and Gillette shaving gel which (thankfully) are going to run out soon. For years, I thought my poor results with these products, and my less-than-mediocre shaves (complete with cuts, razor burn, and extereme irritation on the neck) were just a part of life I would have to deal with. After discovering the world of wetshaving (through Mantic59’s youtube videos, and various discussion boards), I have been thinking of several “definitive” wetshaving starter kits. Now if only I could afford the high-end products along with my tuition, textbooks, rent, etc., I’d be set! (but that’s a whole other story…)
Through my research on wetshaving, I have, however, begun to dramatically change my current shaving routine and technique by applying the basic principles of wetshaving to my Schick Quattro and gel. I now only shave after a shower, use conditioner on my beard, and most importantly, shave in beard reduction passes. By using these wetshaving principles with my cartridge routine, I have uncovered a way to maximize my results and get the best shave possible with those products. My shaves are still FAR from being as great as they can be, but those days will eventually come when I finally get my first wetshaving products. I simply cannot wait until the day I can apply my newly acquired skills to an actual traditional wetshave.
I’ve been shaving with a double edge safety razor for quite some time now, and use TAOS cream almost exclusively. I find that for me, along with Feather blades in me 1948 Super Speed, I get the closest most comfortable shave.
I will comment for my boyfriend who uses an electric razor and nothing else
madmerkf at aol dot com
I want–no, I NEED this package! My tough beard is practically begging for the pre-shave oil, and the after-shave balm would go a long way toward making my sensitive skin feel less like the surface of the sun after a shave.
Like many men, I’m a creature of habit. If it works, I tend to keep using it. I’m fairly satisfied with the products I have now, which is why I haven’t tried any Art of Shaving products–yet. If AOS products work well, I’ll probably end up using them for, well, ever (hint, hint).
Anyway, I have a fairly simple routine:
After a hot shower, I use a Vulfix badger hair brush and whip some Truefitt & Hill Shaving Cream into a lather (I occasionally use Proraso in the warmer months because of it’s cooling effect). I shave with either a Merkur HD razor loaded with Derby blades or a Gillette Super Speed with Feather blades. I finish with an ice cold water rinse, then pat dry. I’ll use a dab of lotion (whatever my girlfriend has laying around) if my skin feels particularly dry.
So you see, I need this AOS kit–not only would it improve my shave, I could finally stop smelling like my girlfriend’s lotion.
I’m currently using Old Spice shaving soap, a Merkur HD razor and Merkur or Feather blades, Trumper’s Skin Food (prep) and Curel (post) shave. I’ve got a decent Badger hair brush from Omega (Italy) that does a very credible job of making fine lather. But I try different things. I have a Braun electric shaver I use when really in a hurry, but after I’ve shaved with that thing, the stubble is as thinck as it would be the next morning after a nice wet shave with my Merkur the day before. I.e. UGH! I find wetshaving is relaxing, and enjoyable…
Wetshaving for years, Double edge razors as well as straight razors. Too many products to list! Do love the AOS lemon though!
I shave after a hot shower. I use Burt’s Bees Bay Rum soap applied by a William’s brush. I currently shave with a Gillette Mach3, thought am learning to use a straight.
Have tried many different methods haven’t had much luck. Always get ingrown hairs. Best luck so far with beard trimmer and electra shave. Not a close shave but better with the ingrowns.
Current shave is hot shower followed by boar brush and shave soap and Merkur long handle classic DE razor with Derby blade. After shave is Old Spice.
I usually shave as quick as I can before showering with a Philips Norelco 7110x. I don’t like it and want to learn how to shave with a str8-edge and turn shaving into a self-care experience.
slap on the crap and shave- too many bumps and am tired of the way it cuts and scraps
Being in NZ, I guess I’m not eligible for this give-away, which is a damned shame, but here goes anyway.
I shave every night after a shower using a King Razor I bought for about NZ$5 from a local indian dairy using Indian Gilette blades from the same store. I have a badger brush bought at a cosmetic expo in Hong Kong last year and was given a tub of Taylors of Old Bond Street at the same time (not bad for HK$50!)
I lather in a bowl, slather it on and shave with 3 passes with, cross and against the grain.
I’m more than happy to provide feedback should you take pity on a shaving starved Kiwi, and will also post reviews on my own website http://www.kiwireviews.co.nz
Good shaving products are bloody hard to find in NZ, and so it looks like I will be reliant on importing from USA or Europe.
Rob
I usually shave with a fancy electric braun that does an ok job but I don’t really care for it. I also shave once a week with some Edge gel and a Gillette Fusion razor. I have been wanting to start down the path of higher end shaving care for my face and The Art of Shaving brand has always intrigued me. Either way I’ll probably end up going towards the higher end and adopting either a safety razor approach or go all the way and master the art of straight razor shaving. I like to turn mundane tasks into rituals of manliness and or elegance.
I have a few spike point straight razors that i use at least three or four times a week except when i awaken late, then it is back to that old mach 3. Currently i use Mamabear shave soap and the cheapest boar’s hair brush i could find.
I’d love to try a nicer brush and these products!
I just started with a DE razor and am feeling my way around. Am still testing products so I can (hopefully) settle on a good combination for my shave!
I use a Merkur “Hefty Classic” Safety Razor with Feather blades.
1. Preparation:
1A. Fill mug with hot (not warm) water and let shaving brush soak.
1B. Fill sink with hot (not warm) water and let a medium sized towel soak. Apply to beard, making sure neck, jawline, cheeks, upper lip and chin are all dampened well. When the water in the towel is no longer hot, soak and repeat. Do this for a few minutes at least. It’s easier (and less messy) for me to put my face down right over the sink and pressing the towel up onto my face rather than tilting my head back and letting the towel sit on my face.
1C. Remove brush from mug, empty water from mug, give brush a few strong “flings” to get most, but not all, of the water off of it.
1D. Put a little squirt of Proraso shaving cream (it’s in a tube) into mug and start mixing with brush. For the first minute or so I press the brush down and rotate back and forth clockwise/counter-clockwise. For the next minute I swirl it around.
1E. Apply cream to face with brush in all sorts of motions. Clockwise, counter-clockwise, up, down, left, right. Enjoy the mint smell of Proraso.
2. The shave:
Shave with the grain, trying to use the proper angle on the blade, using the least amount of strokes, and swishing razor in water in sink very often.
2A. Cheeks (downwards)
2B. Upper lip (downwards)
2C. Chin (downwards)
2D. Neck (upwards)
…always keeping skin taut, of course.
2E. (Optional) Rinse face with warm water, re-apply later and shave again except across the grain.
3. Post shave:
3A. Empty sink and gently wipe residue off face with that same towel, using warm water.
3B. Slowly rub ice cube across shaved areas.
3C. Gently apply Dickinsons Original Witch Hazel.
3D. Gently apply Nivea Sensitive Post Shave Balm.
I’ve been using Edge gel and Mach 3s for years – after getting out of the shower. I just recently have been reading about other products, so I ordered some Kiehl’s white eagle and Kiehl’s after-shave balm. I just received them last night and used them for the first time this morning. I didn’t notice a huge difference yet, but I will give it a few days until I have a clear verdict.
I also just recently started shaving my head as well so I wanted to upgrade to better quality shaving products.
As for the razor, I’m still using the Mach 3, but I’m interested in learning more about straight razors and safety razors. Used the Fusion for a while but was no where near the performance of the Mach 3.
I’ve been DE shaving the past 2 months. Initial cost is a little more than purchasing a multi blade kit at the grocery store. I purchased my first Merkur DE razor yesterday and it’s going to take some time to get used to it. I have been using a cheap boar bristle brush and cheap butterfly DE razor. The Merkur blades are much more aggressive so I’m back to square one on using the DE razor. All the years of using the multiblade razor has taught me to press down. Can’t do that with DE razors. I think the thing that is holding me back is getting a decent Badger Hair Brush but the cost of the brush is 50 and upwards. It’ll be worth the price if it improves the lather. I just rewatched some wetshaving vids on youtube and I think my lather isn’t betting hydrated enough. The cool thing about wet shaving is that it’s like pampering myself and my face.
One day, a few years ago, I was getting ready for an important day at work, and found that the can of shaving gel produced nothing but air and noise. In desperation as I looked around the bathroom, my eyes fell on the innocent looking bottle of Eucerin Original Lotion. Thus was born a new bond – my morning ritual of hot water towel, Eucerin, and then a few strokes with the Gillette Mach 3.
It has been a great bond – one that left me greener (no more aerosol cans of gel or shaving cream) without giving me a green face (much smoother shaves, with automatic healing because of the Skin lotion). But the issues I have is the clean-up – the gunk from the lotion + hair is very resistant to flowing away with a hot water flush; and the lack of satisfaction of looking at my lathered mug.
I’m considering a switch to a brush and cream method, and perhaps the oil upfront will adequately (and more?) replace my lotion.
If I win the chance to try out the Art of Shaving, I promise to write in detail of my experience with it.
I’ve been using Gillette Mach 3 for years. Been using Crabtree Evelyn Almond cream for years as well. My wife pushed me into it the cream. Definitely better than anything out of a can. Decided to try a DE razor just like Dad used back in the day. He sent me one of his Gillete Superspeeds along with an old unused blade. First shave was so different than with a multiblade that I never want to go back. Looking to try out some different blades, get a brush and try out some after shave balms. You’ve got to do it every day so why not have a little fun?
I’m a newbie at wetshaving really, having only done it a few months.
Usual Routine
-Nice hot shower. Putting a little conditioner on my beard helps soften hair.
-Shave Secret Oil as a pre-shave. Stuff is dirt cheap, and since I started using it, I’ve had next to no nicks or cuts.
-Lather in the bowl with Tweezerman brush I got for Christmas (prior to that I used a cheap boar hair brush) on a cake of William’s Mug Soap. Again, dirt cheap, but it gets the job done. I want to upgrade to better soaps and creams.
-Shave, three passes and some touch up, with a Mach Three. Again, I want to upgrade to a DE razor, but probably not soon.
-Aftershave, Nivea for Men Soothing Balm.
Always after a shower – put some hair conditioner on my beard for extra softening.
Olive Oil Soap from Marseilles
Hydrolast SHaving Cream from L’Enchante
Shaving Oil from L”enchate
Use AYATE washcloth to stimulate beard
Hi,
I am just starting figure out what shaver I want to get to start out. I think I will probably get a Merkur HD. Now comes the really confusing part, choosing the right products to use.
Right now I use a Mach 3, but I’m sick of the irritation.
I received a merkur DE safety razor and a badger shaving brush for Christmas and Ive really been enjoying the routine alot more as I experiment with mixing my own lather and having no more ingrown hairs is great. I use to have trouble shaving everyday with the mutliblade razors and cheap shaving cream, now I shave everyday of the week as I learn my technique I get better at in unlearning all the bad habits I learned from the multiblade razor and experimenting with diferent shave products has been a nice change from the shaving systems. I would really apreciate trying out the art of shaving products as it looks really high end.
Cheap shaving cream, fusion razor. aghhh time to upgrade and start DE shaving
I usually shave right out of the shower. Using a Gilette Fusion razor right now. I like to have a variety of shaving products around. Right now it’s Jack Black, and — since I just returned from more than three months living in the UK — Boots’ generic shaving gel and balm, which is as good as any brand name gel I’ve tried in the U.S, and Original Source Tea Tree and Mint Gel.
Not using a brush right now, but have a badger-hair brush from the Art of Shaving. (Have used the lemon scent products from AoS and they’re great. Another favorite is Proraso pre-shave, soap and after shave.
In the past have used Proraso pre-shave, soap and gel
I use a nice badger hair bush and a English shaving cream. I place a hot wash cloth on my face for about 3-4 min, then build lather in a bowel. I use a 40’s Super Speed DE razor with Derby blades. I will NEVER go back the shaving with M3’s. The head cost WAY to much money.
Weekdays and Saturday — pre-shower dry shave with Braun 9595 electric shaver. No further treatment.
Most Sundays — in the shower, using Mach 5 with Jack Black Beard Lube. Switched from philosophy The Common Man for a changeup. Post-shower with L’Occitane After Shave Balm.
After showering I use a VDH boar brush and some shave soap to build lather. To shave I use a DE razor (1954 Gillette SuperSpeed) with Feather blades mostly. I usually do a 3 pass shave, with the grain, across the grain, and then finally a pass against the grain. I then rinse with cold water and apply aftershave balm (either EveryManJack or QED). Would love to try out these higher end products though!
Haven’t used a set like this before. My father had one but never used it once I started shaving. Would like to try it out.
After years of simple dry shaving and using various electric razors, I decided to treat my skin a bit better. I 1st started with getting a gillette fusion razor w/ the powered vibration. I then started using some trial samples of shaving cream from various makers such as Shisedo, Lab Series, and TAOS. After a month of trial and error, I decided to buy a starter set of TAOS (unscented). At first I was concerned about having sufficient time shaving, but after my first shave I enjoyed the feel of my skin so much that I didn’t mind an extra couple minutes. My regiment is what is currently recommended by TAOS. After cleaning my face w/ an exfoilating cream in the shower, I apply the shaving oil. Then I apply the shaving cream w/ the provided kit brush. As recommended, I shave twice, once w/ the grain and once against the grain. I find that w/ some practice I can shave pretty quickly without worrying about nicks. Finally, I apply the aftershave balm w/ it’s cooling/soothing properties.
I’m new to DE shaving and don’t have the wide product selection but:
Daily Scrub from Arbonne in the shower
Art of Shaving Sandlewood creme
Tweezerman Badger Brush
Parker 91R DE razor with 7am blades
Neutrogena Balm
Anthony Logistics Toner
Trufitt & Hill Moisturizer
I usually use a hot towel around my face for a few minutes,then lather up my shaving soap. Proceeding carefully,I use my Merkur 38c around my face,keeping away from my handlebar moustache,and making it all baby’s bottom smooth.
Then some after shave balm and off I go.
Handlebar