COMPLETE beginning to end shaving technique - whats your modus operandi?

Nick the Knife

Krill Enabler
Grand Society
Joined
Sep 4, 2012
Location
Coffs Harbour, NSW
Gents,

I just thought it would be interesting to get a feel on what our esteemed members' complete shaving techniques are. By this I mean for your average/normal shave what are the steps/workflow you go through in order to get those perfect results.

I think this might be handy both for new users but also for others to possibly pick up/refine their current technique/workflow as there's some great information out there amongst our brilliant members.

To keep it digestible probably best to try to sequence in basic chronological order & approach via point format. I'll be the first sucker to jump in, rest assure it's very bog standard so prolly now gems of knowledge in there but I'm sure ya'll have some (I'm pretty sure Drubbing uses blue metal/gravel as a post-shave balm & that RM has some top secret materials he applies to his face/blades that he's testing for NASA!)

  • I'll generally always shave AFTER a shower, but if I can't do this I'll soak a washer in hot water and apply it to my face for several minutes to wet/soak the hair. I'll reapply hot water to the washer throughout the process to get best results but a shower is superior IMHO.
  • I'll wash my face with a face wash or regular soap to remove any sebaceous oils which can make a lather harder to build. Just super fast, nothing fancy needed.
  • At this point or beforehand I'll either wet or soak my chosen brush (I have 3 in active use that I rotate on a single use each to allow full drying between uses). I only use warm water for this - just enough to cover 3/4 of the bristles. Sometimes I won't soak if I want a more 'scritchy' exfoliation.
  • At the same junction I'll also place a splash of water over the surface of the shaving soap I'm to use (I generally always use hard soaps which I have in small plastic tubs). This is to soften the surface to allow easier brush loading.
  • I'll check my blade & razor combo - generally this will be fine as I tend to change OLD/used blades out when I've had the previous shave and feel that they've been sufficiently used/don't have another nice shave in them e.g generally ~3-4 shaves.
  • I'll run hot water into the basin, splash on my face and remove some of the water from my brush (this is adjusted depending on the soap I'm using - some like an extra dry brush - others prefer a bit left in)
  • WIll then load the brush - how many swirls depends on the softness/nature of the soap. A few times I'll give the brush a gentle push down to flatten the bristles and get the soap right into the core of it.
  • I then apply this to my face - I'm looking to spread it evenly across my entire face rather than form the lather at this point.
  • Will then proceed to build the lather - circular movements across the face usually doing in several sections (haha don't try and do one big one! Great advice eh?)
  • I'll add water gradually along the way...sometimes I'll dip the tip of the brush into the water - othertimes I'll press the brush tip on my chin (making a little well in the centre of it) and will drip some water into it from dipping my hand into the basin. Again spread this ALL OVER my face so that I don't overly dilute the lather in one section.
  • Generally takes ~1-2min to get the right lather I'm after. Ideally I'm NOT chasing a BIG LATHER but rather something thick & rich with a very tight bubble (no bubble bath type stuff!)
  • Once I've built the lather I'll change from a circular moition to more of a 'painting' movement to apply it evenly over my face.
  • I'll then do the first pass, which is always WTG (make sure you know the unique direction of hairs on your face/neck - a newbie should always do a 'map' of this to help)
  • Before I take ANY strokes I'll dip my razor into the hot water for 5-10secs to heat it up. Its only ~50 degrees so not scalding.
  • I first do both cheeks, then my neck, I leave the tougher hairs on my chin/mouth area and upper lip for last - but do complete WTG pass on all....obviously washing off razor regularly.
  • I'll reapply some more lather for the first pass if I need to - often around my jawline and neck this will be needed. To be honest I generally 'top up' the lather just before I do each section so its as fresh/ready as can be...e.g both cheeks, neck, chin/lip.
  • WIll rinse off using the warm/soapy basin water - sometimes I'll leave it after 1 pass (Merkur Slant is quite good enough for this) - but generally I'll either do another complete pass or atleast a partial one around my chin/jawline.
  • Leaving my face wet I'll repply the lather - depending on how much lather I have in the brush I might pait it on or have to rebuild it a little (generally the former).
  • I'll then do ATG/XTG strokes depdning on how close a shave I need. Sometimes I'll use a 2nd razor (generally something mild for this - so kind of the 'Thomas technique')
  • Oh also for the LAST PASS I'll try and handsqueeze all the last of the lather out of the brush and hand apply that to my face - this is the best stuff so don't waste it!
  • Rinse off face and brush in the basin water - let this out deperately trying to send as much hair down as possible.
  • I then rinse my face with cold water - then gently touch dry my face with a towel.
  • If I've any cuts/weepers I'll apply an alum to stem the bleeding.
  • Depending on how my skin is feeling I'll sometimes apply a witchhazel based toner (generally I only do this if its feeling a little prickly)
  • Finally I'll apply a moisturiser (I don't have any specialist shaving ones so whatever the missus is using) - I make sure I rub this in with strokes that are WTG to avoid upsetting the skin.
  • Then its clean up time...rinse razor under tap, unscrew a little, shake water out - blow excess water off and maybe a quick towel wipe - put on window sill on side to dry (removing blade if it's kaput - I put them in an empty vitamin jar with a cut in the plastic lid, toss it when full)....brush is rinsed, shaken out and tips gently dried on a towel...its then put on my stand at the back so it's at the back of the rotation....soap is left open and set aside to dry.
  • Maybe apply some cologne but thats it. :)

Gee seems like a lot but the whole thing is pretty quick these days. Ummm no real secrets there but just focus on a good lather......and don't let your mind wander too much when shaving or shave too fast or you'll end up getting a cut and feeling stupid.....oh and ALWAYS listen to your skin, sometimes I just won't be able to do a 2nd pass even if I want to, so never push ahead if your skin is saying not to......is all pretty straight forward.

Haha feel free to keep yours a LOT shorter, I'm just a weirdo. :)
 
.........shorter.......

That I can do...


  • Shower
  • Hang around to wait for mirror to clear
  • Splash some hot water on face
  • Dip brush in hot water
  • Make lather on face either from stick or tub
  • WTG pass
  • Apply lather
  • XTG pass
  • Apply lather to areas above the cheek line and do ATG pass
  • Wash face with hot then cold water
  • Apply alum
  • Clean up sink, put gear away, shake brush, dry on towel and stash away for drying
  • Wash face with hot water and dry
  • Apply ASB
  • Bob's your uncle
 
I don't see the point in shaving after I shower as I generally need another shower when I am finished. I have tried showering after and didn't notice much difference really.

My last few shaves I have been shaving *in* the shower without the aid of a mirror.
The last time I got a bit carried away and did a little section against the grain on my neck and have suffered the consequencies for not remembering my facemap, but other than that I haven't noticed any real difference in however I do it.

Generally One WTG, and one in each XTG direction, with a slight ATG action on the last XTG if I can be bothered.
Otherwise it is 1 WTG and one XTG.
and 50-50 on if I bother with AS.

There is no such thing as cold water up here now unless I grab it from the fridge.
 
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I actually am fairly basic.

  • Shower.
  • In most cases scrub my face with a exfoliation towel and wash with Loreal Men's facewash stuff.
  • Dry myself off except face.
  • Splash hot water
  • * Lather up - starting in a bowl usually
  • Once ready to apply lather, splash hot water again
  • Apply lather
  • Shave! WTG first, then WTG/XTG second.
  • XTG touchups
  • Wash off
  • If going for the Alum, apply now. Wait 30 seconds then towel off - not rinsed off.
  • If going for AS/ASB, apply now with face towelled off by still dampish. Helps the product to spread.
  • Wash out bowl/brush etc and go about my day.
 
I can't shave without showering first.
This list assumes a blade is already to go in my razor - I don't think I need to make it a point.

1. Shower
2. Exfoliate with Lucky Tiger or Triumph and Disaster Face Scrub. I don't open/close the pores because that's a myth perpetrated by the cosmetics industry to sell junk.
3. Run some hot water in the sink.
4. Dip my brush but I don't soak it or immerse it in the hot water.
5. Dollop of cream on the tips.
6. Face lather.
7. Shave WTG then dip tips of the brush in water to reactivate the lather and cover again then shave XTG.
8. Comment on how sexy I look and call the bewildered Mrs Jug to come in and look at my shaven face.
9. Rinse face, brush and razor with water to get any cream off.
10. Dry face
11. Apply Cologne to base of neck, behind ears and wrists.
12. .........
13. Profit!
 
Wow everyone's pretty 'vanilla' so far......I'm just waiting for someone to toss that changeup in there. I'm sure Glen will have some special 'ye olde school' move to put all all in our places e.g tie an onion to your belt and place ear of bat and nose of newt in scuttle and boil until a west wind blows!
 
Wow everyone's pretty 'vanilla' so far......I'm just waiting for someone to toss that changeup in there. I'm sure Glen will have some special 'ye olde school' move to put all all in our places e.g tie an onion to your belt and place ear of bat and nose of newt in scuttle and boil until a west wind blows!

Oh, didn't I mention that I tip a dollop of cream on the tip of my nose, then lather up in concentric circles until my left elbow touches my right knee innapropriately. After which I hop on my left leg until the brush has reached its apogee from my left buttock. I then shave freehand using my blade of choice, until I pass out from a lack of oxygen to the brain caused by bloodloss.

The alum or AS tends to sting a little after that.
 
Wow everyone's pretty 'vanilla' so far......I'm just waiting for someone to toss that changeup in there. I'm sure Glen will have some special 'ye olde school' move to put all all in our places e.g tie an onion to your belt and place ear of bat and nose of newt in scuttle and boil until a west wind blows!

It's shaving, not open heart surgery!
 
Ok for all you young whippersnappers out there:
1. Turn on hot water
2. When water hot put in plug.
3. Turn off hot water.
4, Grab brush (nearest will do) and wet.
5. Wet face.
6 Apply soap or cream.
6, Lather.
7 Apply razor to face and rmove lather and whiskers.
8. When lather removed run hand over face.
9 If only a few stubbly bits - reapply razor.
10. If lots of stubbly bits re-lather go to 7.
11. Wipe bits of lather from face and nostrils.
12. Done

here you go Nick real old school.
Wet Lather, Shave
 
OMG!!!! Wet, Lather, Shave. Gleno's Method.

Even I would not claim rights to this as a method. It is done out of necessity as I can only stand at the sink for a finite amount of time. (Although I have to say some of these methods sound a little Marco ish)
 
You want to know Mark (co)'s secrets?


  1. Shower
  2. Dry off
  3. Put on jocks (sharp objects and some body parts don't mix)
  4. Fill sink with hot water
  5. Fill old Spice cup and put selected brush for the day in cup to soak
  6. Comb hair
  7. Apply deodorant (brush now has a little moment to soak)
  8. Choose soap/cream for the day
  9. Splash some hot water on face
  10. If using stick soap apply to face
  11. Grab brush and flick off excess water
  12. If using tub swirl brush around tub until loaded
  13. Face lather
  14. North - South pass
  15. South - North pass
  16. Jawline pass
  17. Rinse all in cold water
  18. Towel dry face
  19. Apply after shave
  20. Clean up sink, put gear away, shake brush and stick back in rotation on the vanity
  21. Admire the result (optional)

Pretty vanilla
 
Ok for all you young whippersnappers out there:
1. Turn on hot water
2. When water hot put in plug.
3. Turn off hot water.
4, Grab brush (nearest will do) and wet.
5. Wet face.
6 Apply soap or cream.
6, Lather.
7 Apply razor to face and rmove lather and whiskers.
8. When lather removed run hand over face.
9 If only a few stubbly bits - reapply razor.
10. If lots of stubbly bits re-lather go to 7.
11. Wipe bits of lather from face and nostrils.
12. Done

here you go Nick real old school.
Wet Lather, Shave

Aye. That then splash on some pleasant-smelling aftershave, pick up the stick and start fending off the ladies.... then wake up and do all but the last two for real.
 
I've been shaving before a shower recently and getting really good results. My routine is as follows.
-Rinse face thoroughly with warm water.
-Face lather soap of choice (may or may not include a preshave cream and/or drop or two of glycerine).
-Rub lather into stubble with fingers for a minute or two.
-Thoroughly rinse lather off face.
-Lather up again (again may or may not include preshave cream and/or glycerine).
-Shave with, across and against the grain (obviously lathering up and rinsing between passes, might be a clean up pass too, if necessary).
-Final rinse with cool, not cold, water.
-Witch hazel splash.
-AS splash.
-Moisturiser.

Getting really nice shaves with this method :)
 
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