Gentlemen's Grooming - Wet-shaving, Facial Hair, and Beyond

[Jaybar]

So wet shaving looks like a great investment if you shave clean, but is it worthwhile for those that do little shaving to clean up their beards? I shave once every two days but it's only to clean up my neckline and cheeks. Was thinking about safety razors but these single blades are real tempting. Saw some posts earlier about similar advice but it seemed people were more interested in frequency of shaves.

[Mazmaz]

I've been contemplating getting something for my face, cause it feels kinda oily later in the day and my pores or kind of obvious I guess? I don't know how to explain it, but you can see all the pores on my nose and some on my cheeks and stuff. I've always thought it was ugly, but I guess you can only see it if you are a foot away from me or so. Anyone have any suggestion for a brand of something to use?

One thing to keep in mind is that you can't make pores smaller, only make their appearance less prominent. I'm in the same exact boat, and the best advice I can give is to do full skin care. You'll need to use face wash 1-2 times per day, as well as moisturize every time you use face wash. You'll also need to use a facial scrub once or twice a week in the shower. Also, don't pick at your face or pop zits. These are what I use:

http://www.kiehls.com/Facial-Fuel-En...efault,pd.html
http://www.kiehls.com/Facial-Fuel-En...sers-pre-shave
http://www.neutrogena.com/product/ne...ortby=ourPicks

Also, read this guide:
http://www.blacklapel.com/thecompass...in-care-guide/

[Mazmaz]

Gentlemen, inc hairstyle post.

First of all, a guide for you if you have no idea what you're doing: http://www.blacklapel.com/thecompass...-hair-product/

I personally have fine, wavy hair that's a bit thin in front, with an oval-ish face. I recently changed hairstylist and starting parting my hair on the left, which helps give a fuller look to the hair, and a nicer wave. Currently growing the front a bit more to see what I can do with it. I use this:

Spoiler: show

Even though it says clay, it's lighter than clay, as well as more permeable/less hold. It also has a slight shine instead of a matte finish, which I really enjoy. It's kinda the perfect balance between looking like dull hair and greasy hair. I've been thinking about trying pomade, but not too sure. I'll have to see after I finish with this one.

Spoiler: show

What type of hair/face do you have? What do you use? I'd love to hear about any products that give a nice, slight shine. Tips, questions, comments always welcome.

[Kalmado]

So wet shaving looks like a great investment if you shave clean, but is it worthwhile for those that do little shaving to clean up their beards? I shave once every two days but it's only to clean up my neckline and cheeks. Was thinking about safety razors but these single blades are real tempting. Saw some posts earlier about similar advice but it seemed people were more interested in frequency of shaves.

I'm keeping the same style of facial hair as you currently and I change my blade every 2 shaves. Keep in mind I have sensitive skin and it's in my best interest to change blades often. At this point, it's not about the money it's about how I look after the shave and how my face feels. I don't think I'll ever go back to using cartridge blades and gel/foam in a can.

[Kalmado]

What type of hair/face do you have? What do you use? I'd love to hear about any products that give a nice, slight shine. Tips, questions, comments always welcome.

I have super thick hair. Unless I want to look like a raggamuffin I need to get my hair cut every 6 weeks. I opt for the "messy" style when I do need to fix my hair. To keep it in place I use store brand styling glue. It does what I need it to do and I've always had nice things said about my hair. If I needed to fix my hair on a regular basis I'd opt for a better quality product.

[Cliron]

Someone on Facebook just posted this. I've never actually seen anyone with a monkey-tail beard in real life but I could see all the hipsters in Williamsburg eating this up.

http://www.geekologie.com/2011/04/al...tail-beard.php

[Abandon]

nignogs have been trending towards waves. Easy to do, just gotta commit the time/effort to not be a lazy fuck. One thing most don't realize/do, WASH/CONDITIONER YOUR FUCKING HAIR. Any shampoo/conditioner works, as long as it's not one of those combo joints. I tend to switch brands to keep my hair guessing and see what I like. I'll post what i use later, currently at work and completely forgot. Also, and my real niggas know what's up here, hit up one of those little tins for hair grease. Which color tin is dependent on how rough/wavy your hair is. I use either an orange tin (my hair is a direct descendent of shaka zulu, my shit is real) or a blue plastic.. tin... that i use. Best to apply right out of the shower. Don't completely dry your hair first, leave it damp when you put it in. rub it in all much as you can, and brush your hair in the direction it grows. After a while, you'll train your hair to go in that direction, and in ~a week, you'll start to see waves. niggas like Rich need not apply, you got that pretty west indian hair, shit straight as fuck in comparison. No waves for you, nyukka.

If you really wanna keep your shit and go for the sea sickness, use wave caps and doo-rags when you sleep.

[Ghost_Wheel22]

Almost as good as

Spoiler: show

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...he-nipples.jpg

And glad to know I'm now a hipster for owning a few nice badger brushes. I used silvertip before it was cool!

[Abandon]

lol

[Mazmaz]

How do you guys approach trimming your beard? I've been trying to use my Norelco to get a nice stubble going. but even when I use the lowest possible setting (less than 1mm), I feel as though my stubble is too long and not less than 1mm. Do you do anything to get a closer trim? I've been going into the trim completely dry. Should I be doing something else? Or is it pretty much the machine?

[Abandon]

brush, razor and after shave balm arrived. no cream, fucking rage.

[Kalmado]

How do you guys approach trimming your beard? I've been trying to use my Norelco to get a nice stubble going. but even when I use the lowest possible setting (less than 1mm), I feel as though my stubble is too long and not less than 1mm. Do you do anything to get a closer trim? I've been going into the trim completely dry. Should I be doing something else? Or is it pretty much the machine?

I use a norelco grooming trimmer with guard and just wet my face. I go very slow so the hair doesn't pull. I noticed if I use the lowest guard it takes almost all of the hair away but if I use the other one I have to do multiple passes to get a good trim. With my norelco I can't get a "stuble" look.

[Mazmaz]

brush, razor and after shave balm arrived. no cream, fucking rage.

Where did you order from and what did you order?

I use a norelco grooming trimmer with guard and just wet my face. I go very slow so the hair doesn't pull. I noticed if I use the lowest guard it takes almost all of the hair away but if I use the other one I have to do multiple passes to get a good trim. With my norelco I can't get a "stuble" look.

So you trim with it while your face is wet..?

[Kalmado]

So you trim with it while your face is wet..?

Yeah right out of the shower. My face isn't sopping wet, but damp. I received my Proraso shave soap today. Stuff is money. Best $10 I've spent in a long time.

[Mazmaz]

Doesn't the hair get clogged up onto the blades if it's wet?

[Kalmado]

Not mine. I just rinse as I go.

[Mazmaz]

Wait, you're using one of these? Cause the manual said to not get it wet/rinse with water lol

[Kalmado]

Na mine is different. Just some $20 job I bought awhile ago. It's not even on that website but it's a norelco.

[Abandon]

Where did you order from and what did you order?

I got everything from Amazon, no shit. Cream got here yesterday, and I just finished. Holy fuckballs, my face feels amazing, and this is easily the closest shave i've had in years. I have a badger brush made by Escali, Taylor of the Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream, safety razor made by Merkur Solingen, and for aftershave, using Nivea's Sensitive Post Shave Balm. I'm telling you, I feel so much better and look younger. Thanks for this thread, lol

[Abandon]

The entire process took me about 30 minutes, but as you said, I was trying not to off myself and bleed out all over the place, and it was hella fun. Strongly recommend it. Good way to spend a Saturday afternoon after a softball tournament, and before duty until 2300 -_-