How do you shave with a straight razor?? Every time I do, I get a bad shave, and my face is a bloody mess.?

Answer 1

I switched to a straight razor a few months ago and I wouldn't go back now. Better shave, better control, in some ways its easier now, around the nose etc, to have a finer instrument.

First off, do the 'prep' work well. Warm towels, make sure the hairs are soft and moist, work up a good lather with a shaving brush, and give the face a good brushing to get the lather into the hairs.

I trust your razor is sharp, you'll actually rip yourself up with a dull one.

Next ... I assume you roughly know how to hold the blade. Its opened to about 300 degrees. If you're right handed, right side of your face is the easiest. Now, ANGLE. For some reason when I started, I had it in my head that I'd cut myself less having the blade at 90 degrees to my skin, and just sort of 'scrape' with it. NOT TRUE. Get that blade at more like 30 degrees. If its too flat to your skin, it just won't catch the hair, better to start too parallel, and ease towards perpendicular.

Be careful to NOT slice with the blade. No sawing motion. Move the blade pretty much at 90 degrees to the edge of the blade. Light pressure, obviously. Relax, go slow.

Chin is the toughest spot I find, though I'm getting better. The dimple under the nose is actually much easier with a straight razor - its the one spot where you bring the blade in at close to 90 degrees, touch down, and almost scoop till its at the preferred angle.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Step One: Buy a triple, or better yet, 4-blade razor.

Step Two: Run hot water in the sink and splash your face several times with hot (not scalding hot) water. This opens the pores and preps your skin for shaving.

Step Three: Lather up using a rich shaving cream that contains moisturizers and aloe.

Step Four: Pulling skin on cheek taut with left hand, shave using gentle upward strokes. Rinse razor after one or two strokes.

Step Five: When you're finished, make sure you didn't miss any spots. Rinse with cool water -- this closes pores and lessens stinging from razor irritation.

Answer 3

Witch hazel, it is a tonic you're able to purchase it at drug shops and stuff purely use a cotton ball and be conscious it some cases an afternoon. additionally some tips once you're shaving 'down there' use an exfoliator first. The rinse, use a moisturizing cleansing soap and then rinse, use a moisturizing shave gel and popular continually shave interior the path your hair is turning out to be, rinse the shaver each and each time you run the shaver for the time of your pores and skin, however the main needed difficulty of all is to in basic terms remember to apply an extremely sparkling, new shaver. An previous, worn down shaver will reason bumps and ingrown hairs ouch! :/ once you run the shaver downwards interior the path your hair is turning out to be then you definately can run the shaver upwards to get a closer shave. I honestly have even used hair conditioner down there to shave till now. wish I helped.

Answer 4

Some of us have multiple grain directions with our facial hair, I suggest that you use a disposable razor with the lubricating pads on them for sensative skin and use a shaving gel, NOT a cream.And shave with the grain not against it.That means shaving in differant directions all over your face.

Answer 5

1. You should always use shaving cream or shaving gel.
2. Try a disposable razer for while; that might work better for you. (And you can use it more than once.)
3. Warm and wet your face first with warm or reasonably hot running water (before the shave or gel).
4. Don't dig into your face with the razer; overall use short strokes.

Answer 6

easy , you dont!
especially if you end up looking like something out of a horror movie!
go buy yourself a twin blade, gillette , shick quattro or some shiit.
straight razors are pretty cool (old school) but people usually practice with shaving cream on a balloon.

Answer 7

Do not put pressure on the razor. Just hold it lightly and let it glide over your skin. Pressure is what can cut the bejeesus out of you.

Answer 8

Not to be stupid, but why do it then? Why not use an electric razor?