What shaving product do you use? aka The DTF Metrosexual Thread

[Hyperplex]

(Yeah, I care about my appearance and use moisturizer and do more than hack at my face while shaving — I am a metrosexual.  )

Like most guys, I used to swear by the many-bladed disposable cartridges like the Mach 3 and now the Gillette Fusion and store-bought shaving foams in a can, but in recent years I have grown to look into the finer products in shaving, like brushes, high quality creams and essential oil after shaves. I currently use Jack Black (not the actor, a non-affiliated company) Beard Lube, which is a non-foaming pre-shave lubricant and shaving cream in one and The Art of Shaving unscented aftershave balm or gel, and both are unbelievable products, albeit a bit more expensive than store brand creams, etc. However, I was still using a Fusion razor (well, cartridges with an Edwin Jagger razor handle given to me as a gift).

The other day, while getting my hair cut, I had my guy shape up my sideburns and he used a shavette (basically a straight razor but instead of a solid steel blade, it has a plastic sleeve that holds half a standard safety razor blade) and recommended I get one myself to maintain precise areas like that. Well, I did, and I have to say, even just shaping it up, it was the cleanest, easiest shave I've ever had. On a bit of a whim, I purchased a safety razor and some blades. I will never use another cartridge razor again! Easiest, cleanest, most comfortable shave ever.

So, now, what shaving products do you use? Are you a metro?

[Phoenix87x]

and



and

Am I metro?

    I'm gonna say yes and no. most of the time, I'll just roll out of bed and go to class, but the second that I start liking a girl in one of my classes then I suddenly become obsessed with my appearance and spend a good 35 minutes getting ready in the morning.

[Hyperplex]

I'm actually kidding with the whole metro deal. Nowadays it is a lot more common for men to care about their appearance, and I think the term is better used humorously than seriously. I take care of my face and care about how I present myself at work and in public, for the most part. I don't think using the most expensive products makes one either better or more "metro." Personally I like trying things and seeing what works the best for me; whatever works best for you is usually the best choice you can make.

[Tick]

and



and

Am I metro?

    I'm gonna say yes and no. most of the time, I'll just roll out of bed and go to class, but the second that I start liking a girl in one of my classes then I suddenly become obsessed with my appearance and spend a good 35 minutes getting ready in the morning.

Wow, same exact razor and shaving cream I use. I only shave my neck. I keep a short beard.

[snapple]

Barbasol. Because they're fucking American and CHEAP.

[Progmetty]

Gillette shaving cream and the Gillette blades, not the disposable ones but the ones you change the head for every two shaves.

[Phoenix87x]

Barbasol. Because they're fucking American and CHEAP.

$1.65 baby. Its the cheapest thing in the cart when I go grocery shopping.

[snapple]

Wow, it's barely over a dollar where I live.

[Hyperplex]

I now have an Edwin Jagger double-edge safety razor ($37 one time purchase) and I use Feather blades ($6.95 for a pack of 10 and they last 8-12 shaves each). Beats the everloving shit out of the Gillette cartridges that cost upwards of $14 for a pack of 4.

As for the cream and aftershave, I have found I prefer paying a little more for a product that takes better care of my face and feels better.

[wolfandwolfandwolf]

Wow, it's barely over a dollar where I live.

[El Barto]

Generally, the cream is more important than the blade.  It's generally recommended that if you're going to improve your shaving situation incrementally, you begin with a brush and a good soap or two, and upgrade from the cartridge razors later.  Simply put, good lubrication/crappy blade is much better than awesome blade/poor lubrication.

My brother turned metrosexual years ago, and collects all of the fine shaving apparatus he can get his hands on.  He tends to pass down lots of it to me.  I've got shave soaps I haven't even tried yet.  My personal preference is for Proraso, which is an Italian shave soap with lots of menthol and eucalyptus.  He recently gave me a tub of Art of Shaving soap which is actually great quality, but smells fairly crappy.

As for the razor, I'm using a Gillette adjustable, gold plated "fat boy,"  opened all the way to 9.  Haven't settled on blades yet.  Still experimenting with hand me downs.  Been using Sharks for a bit, and they're working alright.

If I use a balm afterward, I use the Proraso cream.  Alcohol free and silky smooth.






edit: oh, and as people who've met me will attest, I'm the furthest thing from metrosexual.

[Hyperplex]

I love the Jack Black stuff I have, but I've been curious about trying the Proraso cream.

This is my razor:


And this is the shavette I mentioned in the OP:

[El Barto]

I've got a similar razor (the safety razor), but I don't use it.  My brother gave me about 7 to find one I liked.  Each gives a very different shave.  The two things about the adjustable that I use are that A: it opens at the top so you can clean it easily.  I often go quite a while without shaving, so it's common that I'll have to clean it after every pass.  Having to remove the top piece would be a PITA.  B: the adjustable part of it actually changes the blade's angle of attack.  It's a way of fine-tuning the angle of the blade to fit your technique in how you hold the thing.  You can easily change it to a different setting between shaving your cheeks and under your chin, for example. 

[Hyperplex]

Totally; I looked at a couple butterfly razors when I bought mine and while I loved the ease of changing blades, I preferred the fewer moving parts to have to clean overall. Also, I'm not that keen on an adjustable razor; purely personal preference.

And the shavette is fucking perfect for shaping and tuning specific areas, like my sideburns and edges of my goatee. It offers the same sharpness of the single blade but gives a bit more sight and control.

[lonestar]

Mach 3 and Gillette cream, and I have an electric for the mornings I gotta get it done quick.

[senecadawg2]

[Hyperplex]

Only way to be.

[snapple]

I can never seem the shave the fuzz on the corners above my lip on either side. Any suggestions?

[lonestar]

That shit annoys me too.

[King Postwhore]

No cream at all unless I have to suit up.  Otherwise piping hot water and my Gillette Fusion with the battery for the vibration.  That's it.

[bosk1]

After an earlier version of this thread several years ago, I tried some more expensive supposedly "higher end" stuff from Art of Shaving.  Honestly, I noticed no difference whatsoever (other than the fact that using a brush and shaving soap simply made shaving take LONGER).  I hate shaving with a passion because it's just annoying and time consuming, but necessary.  As far as razors, that is one area where I HAVE seen marked differences.  I had an adjustable years ago, but found I got a better shave and was able to go a bit quicker with a Mach 3.  I eventually upgraded to a Fusion after awhile.  I always thought that having that many blades was just ridiculous.  But then I tried it, and noticed a marked difference.  However, I went back to Mach 3 just because the Mach 3 disposables are so much cheaper than Fusion blades.  Haven't really found anything else that made a difference.  If there is something out there that would really make a marked difference, I'm all ears.  But my experience is that, for the most part, differences are miniscule, if any, and not justified by the marked increase in cost and/or time consumption.

[Phoenix87x]

Bravo sir.

[zerogravityfat]

I use the gilette razor, whatever the latest is, i have an art of shaving beaver brush and i use their sandlewood soap, works out well overall.

[Hyperplex]

I can never seem the shave the fuzz on the corners above my lip on either side. Any suggestions?

lather up and shave with the grain, don't push too hard. Rinse off with hot water, re-lather again and shave across or against the grain. If it still isn't getting cut, try a newer blade. There's no reason why the hair shouldn't cut right off this way.

[Hyperplex]

After an earlier version of this thread several years ago, I tried some more expensive supposedly "higher end" stuff from Art of Shaving.  Honestly, I noticed no difference whatsoever (other than the fact that using a brush and shaving soap simply made shaving take LONGER).  I hate shaving with a passion because it's just annoying and time consuming, but necessary.  As far as razors, that is one area where I HAVE seen marked differences.  I had an adjustable years ago, but found I got a better shave and was able to go a bit quicker with a Mach 3.  I eventually upgraded to a Fusion after awhile.  I always thought that having that many blades was just ridiculous.  But then I tried it, and noticed a marked difference.  However, I went back to Mach 3 just because the Mach 3 disposables are so much cheaper than Fusion blades.  Haven't really found anything else that made a difference.  If there is something out there that would really make a marked difference, I'm all ears.  But my experience is that, for the most part, differences are miniscule, if any, and not justified by the marked increase in cost and/or time consumption.

Like I said, it's all down to personal preference. I have noticed for myself, the higher end creams and aftershaves do make my skin feel better but it's very personal.

I've heard many people swear off cartridge razors forever after shaving with a safety razor. I do agree that straight razors, with the honing, stropping and skill required, are better left for barbers and the true affiçionados. The blades on a safety razor tend to be much sharper and, therefore, cut better, though cartridges are more forgiving. To each his own, definitely.

Also, there are brushless options for shaving creams that still have the essential oils and such in them that protect your skin and afford a smoother shave if it's something one would like to try. Jack Black makes what I use and I know Proraso makes a new brushless shave gel as well.

[hefdaddy42]

I use Edge Gel and Mach 3.  I don't care enough about shaving to try much of anything else.

[bosk1]

I use Edge Gel and Mach 3.  I don't care enough about shaving to try much of anything else.

Costco?

[Sigz]

I'm far too lazy to shave entirely, so I just have a beard trimmer that I use once a week or so and then shave the neckbeard with a Gillette fusion razor and shaving gel. The company I used to work for designed and manufactured the molds that make all the handles and heads for the Fusion razors, so I got a bunch of freebies just sitting around.

[Elite]

Relevant

I just use cheap shaving foam and a regular razor. Works wonders, though I manage to cut myself at least once every three times I shave. I mostly leave some kind of beard though for a couple of days, way too lazy to shave every day.

[wkiml]

No cream at all unless I have to suit up.  Otherwise piping hot water and my Gillette Fusion with the battery for the vibration.  That's it.

No cream here either but some soap or body wash  to lather

[kirksnosehair]

My cousin is one of only 7 people in the world who knows how to fix the machines that make the track III razor blades at the Gillette factory here in Boston.  Consequently, I haven't paid for a razor blade in over a decade. 


For lubrication, I prefer gel to foam:

[El Barto]

My cousin is one of only 7 people in the world who knows how to fix the machines that make the track III razor blades at the Gillette factory here in Boston.  Consequently, I haven't paid for a razor blade in over a decade. 

Interesting.  It wouldn't surprise me if the skill was one of those trade secret things designed to maintain their status.  Like the formula for Coke or KFC. 

Personally, Gillette is a big part of the reason I moved to safety razors.  If a freaking blade actually cost $3 to make, then so be it.  It doesn't.  They're just like printer ink, and that's some bullshit I won't participate in.  Either my boss pays for ink, or I pay the Kinkos a block away 4¢ for theirs.  Likewise, 120 Shark Super blades cost $15, and are immeasurably better than anything Schick or Gillette could ever make.  I don't like spending money on inferior products because the manufacturers all conspire to force me to.

[bosk1]

I would agree with that, except that when you basically have steel wool for facial hair, and single blades don't give you a close shave, you have to make some decisions.  The way I see it, I can either (1) have my face raped by having to make half a dozen passes with a single blade safety razor, or (2) have my wallet raped by Gillette.  Tough choice, but I'll go with #2 to get a decent multi-blade that gets the job done.

[XJDenton]

I wax.

[Dimitrius]

Mach 3 and Gillette cream, and I have an electric for the mornings I gotta get it done quick.

This. Used to have an electric one for the same thing, but it irritated my skin too much so I got rid of it.