Shaving, Wet shave vs electric

I bought my last batch quite a few years ago but at that time each blade was paper wrapped, packed in cardboard cartons of 5, which were in a cellophane-wrapped larger carton. Can't guarantee that it's the same now, but the pictures look the same at least.

Posting to say I love all things Barrister and Mann, particularly the Seville line. Citrus and herbs is as good as it gets really

Me. I have this problem in spades. If I dont get a shave right I have ingrowing hairs and even abscesses within days. I have a genetic quirk that means instead of one hair in each follicle I have between 2 and 6!

The only thing that works for me is to properly steam and soak my face for a good few minutes before shaving. And I mean properly steam it. In terms of the shave itself I have to use a DE blade as any Gillette style lift and cut blades just send stubble under the skin. I also use King of shaves oil and a Gillette gel on top of that. Lube is key. Oh and change your blade every two shaves.

I have tried so many things and this is what works for me. If I dont allow my shave to take nearly ten minutes, all bets are off.

I have used Skin Doctors' Ingrow Go in the past, not for very long. It's not very pleasant to use (it's isopropyl alcohol-based, disc brake cleaner basically...) but was efficient when I needed it.

Of course as @Stonehedge illustrated technique is also key.

Polsilver and Gillette Platinum come in paper packaging too. If you come across any NOS Gillette Bleue Extra please let me know...

Thanks I have been getting the best results with a brain foil razor as opposed to DE blade, but that might be down to my terrible technique. Will give the steaming a try, but god this is frustrating. I am 33 and it looks like I am still having acne breakouts...

Thanks will look it up. I have been using copious amounts of rubbing alcohol to keep the blades and razor clean but not used on the skin itself.

In my desperation I have even thought about buying depilatory cream but I am scared of burning my face hehe

I've got a bottle of 99% isopropyl...might give it a lash ;)

I hear you. I'm the same at 39.

Steaming does work really well for me....hope it helps you.

I actually think I tried similar products to no avail... wish I could just grow a proper beard but sadly not follically blessed in that area

Thanks, hope so too!
I am definitely not trying any more antibiotics, which is what most gps and dermatologists suggest. Didn’t do anything for me except make me feel terrible

I used to use a combination of Feather razors, skin prep, almond shave cream and Kiehl's anti-bump post shave stuff. This was after I swore off the Braun razors after some bad experiences.

I took the plunge on a Philips electric shaver out of frustration. Holy shit. Life changing. Wish I had done it years ago.

They do a money back guarantee thing too which makes it easier to try it out.

From looking at what I have lying around Dorco and Treet also come in card as do most Gillette ones.

will do - little google task for monday, thanks

I used to get bumps, ingrowing hairs, razor rash etc.

Completely solved it by switching to straight razor shaving.

It's a commitment, but it works (for me) and is very enjoyable. I haven't shaved with anything else for nearly a decade. (Except once on holiday in an emergency. It was awful.)

Added bonus, it's a hobby and you can buy beautiful razors.

Also, as far as I am concerned, it's cool as fuck.

Lube is key.

Sniggers....

Anyway. Any recommendations for a styptic pencil?

As they are mostly a much of a muchness I'm looking for ease of use and storage for a overnight bag.

Much of a muchness. Boots do them IIRC.

styptic pencil?

I use a blue Nix one.

It's the 2nd styptic pencil I've had. Exactly the same as my previous from a different brand. Both came in a hard plastic lip balm style tube.

Astra Superior Platinum are the best I've found. Feathers I thought were almost too sharp for me.

I preferred Astra but when I ran out, I only had Feathers left and I take it all back. First time I used them I was a little inexperienced with my DE razor.

Now I've got used to it I'd say the Feathers are far better than anything else. I do still cut myself from time to time, mainly not concentrating though...

As someone who is still new to it all, I've put the Feathers aside from the sample box. Enjoying Gillette 7o Clocks right now

Proraso Shave Cut Healing Gel is great, I don't bother with anything else now. It's only 10ml too.

Feather do a very cheap plastic razor that is super mild and unsurprisingly is great with their blades.

What price range Phillips makes sense, I know from Braun that the entry class shavers are pretty crappy?

I haven't tried a shaver for 15 or more years but they used to be terrible for ingrowing hairs. I would have been better off dry shaving with a bic compared to the cheapo ones I tried back then!

What's the secret?