Styleforum › Forums › Lifestyle › Health & Body › Having a hard time getting a good shave
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Having a hard time getting a good shave

post #1 of 15
4/22/07 at 10:59pm
Thread Starter 
Hi, I'm looking for the expert opinions of you fine people on a problem that's recently come up. I'm having the worst time trying to get a smooth, clean shave on my upper lip. If I only go over once, with the grain, in a couple hours it's grown back and resembles a bad teenage mustache (yeah, ew). However, if I go a second time, even with shaving cream again, against the grain, getting it completely smooth, when all's said and done, it's bright red, and often bleeding from tiny cuts on the edges of the mustache area.

I've tried all different combinations when shaving with my razor (a Gillette Mach 3), and changing the blades often doesn't do it either. Should I switch my razor to something with more blades? Less blades? Or just go electric? I'm getting really tired of having a red mustache
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 15
4/22/07 at 11:39pm
In terms of technique, your only other options are to do multiple passes with the grain, or do an additional pass across (as in perpendicular to) the grain. I think you'll see slight improvement with either of these with minimal increase in discomfort, if any. I personally think the Fusion Power is slightly better in terms of closeness of shave than the Mach 3, but others may disagree. A lot of people will recommend the DE route, but there's definitely a learning curve. In my personal experience the best DE shave isn't any closer than the best multi-blade shave, though the irritation may be less (especially on consecutive days) with an experienced hand.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 15
4/22/07 at 11:49pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely try it in a couple days (let the bumps go down to make sure I don't just reopen the burn). I've looked into double-edged razors, and I'd love to learn, but I'm not sure what a good, relatively inexpensive DE would be. Merkur seems to be a good choice, but they range from 30 to over 100 dollars!
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 15
4/23/07 at 1:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by site4soreIs View Post
Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely try it in a couple days (let the bumps go down to make sure I don't just reopen the burn). I've looked into double-edged razors, and I'd love to learn, but I'm not sure what a good, relatively inexpensive DE would be. Merkur seems to be a good choice, but they range from 30 to over 100 dollars!

If you haven't already, check out badgerandblade.com and shavemyface.com.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 15
4/23/07 at 1:47am
remind me in a week or so when I am back in Vietnam, and I will send you over a 'Gillette Superclick' DE. Little plastic things, cost next to nothing, and shave as well as my Merkur does. Plus they have this really cool how-to-use instructional comic on the back
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 15
4/23/07 at 2:04am
You're probabaly not using enough Lube. Try a nice hot towel, pre-shave oil, then a good amount of cream. You should be good to go.. DON'T RUSH the shave.

G'luck!
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 15
4/23/07 at 10:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tiratela View Post
You're probabaly not using enough Lube
If I had a dol.......dont worry
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 15
4/23/07 at 11:10am
gillete mach III

only for a week!!
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 15
4/23/07 at 2:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by m@T View Post
remind me in a week or so when I am back in Vietnam, and I will send you over a 'Gillette Superclick' DE.

Little plastic things, cost next to nothing, and shave as well as my Merkur does. Plus they have this really cool how-to-use instructional comic on the back

Awesome, thanks a lot, I'll be sure to do that!

Quote:
Originally Posted by tiratela View Post
You're probabaly not using enough Lube. Try a nice hot towel, pre-shave oil, then a good amount of cream. You should be good to go.. DON'T RUSH the shave.

G'luck!
I don't use any pre-shave oil, but I use a decent amount of cream, and when I go back over the upper lip, I reapply some before going against the grain. Is there any oil you could suggest, or are there no huge differences between the kinds?
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 15
4/23/07 at 2:58pm
have you tried an electric razer? also, how fast are you moving the blade? slower is better!
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 15
4/23/07 at 3:27pm
I shave with the grain and across the grain. When I tried against the same thing happened to me. Try across the grain after you go with. It's not a perfect solution but it's something.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 15
4/26/07 at 5:25pm
You could try an exfoliant at night. It could be dryness, sensitivity.... So far, there isn't enough information with which to determine the root of the problem.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 15
4/27/07 at 1:07am
Cross-grain passes are best for upper lip. Against the grain is going to grind you up there, even if the rest of your face can handle an ATG pass. Don't worry about getting a close shave with the initial, with the grain pass, just reduce your stubble. Getting close is better done with your second cross/against the grain pass, and will save you irritation.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 15
4/27/07 at 3:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by javyn View Post
Cross-grain passes are best for upper lip. Against the grain is going to grind you up there, even if the rest of your face can handle an ATG pass. Don't worry about getting a close shave with the initial, with the grain pass, just reduce your stubble. Getting close is better done with your second cross/against the grain pass, and will save you irritation.

+1

Also, IME, a DE, or the two blade (sensor excel) are easier to maneuver in the confined area above the upper lip, allowing a closer shave with less irritation, than the wider Mach 3.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 15
4/30/07 at 3:53pm
One word: Kiehls
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Health & Body
Styleforum › Forums › Lifestyle › Health & Body › Having a hard time getting a good shave