Need guidance on shaving.

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Zheng1337

Zheng1337

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GTP_Zheng
Right, well I'm 16, and for about 3 years, I've have sort of a peach-fuzz mustache type thing. Being that I go to Grade 11 next month, I think it's about time that I start shaving. Here is a picture about what I'm talking about.

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In that light, it's not so severe, but believe me, in a different light, it makes me look like a giant creeper. So, basically, I need some help on shaving. You may be asking yourself, "Why don't you ask your dad?" Well, I respond to you saying that he only ever shaves with an electric razor.

I'm aware on two forms of shaving. The quick and simple way using the electric razor, and of course, the barbershop-esque way with the razor and shaving cream. I'm considered using my dad's electric razor, but it's quite old. I'm also worried about getting stubble, as I think that it would really be fitting for a 16 year-old to have stubble.

I could also go with the razor and shaving cream, but the thing about that is, from all the videos on youtube I've seen with people shaving using this method, it's seems that they have very long facial hair. As you can see from the above picture, it's clear that I do not.

And, my third option, and I think this is my best one, I could get the guy who cuts my hair to do it. The last time I mentioned it to him, he was about to use the electric shaver (that you use to shave your head with) to cut my mustache.

Basically, I just need the method that would get this mustache off, with little or no remnants of the mustache. Essentially, a really clean shave.

Help? Thanks in advance.
 
Zheng1337
Basically, I just need the method that would get this mustache off, with little or no remnants of the mustache. Essentially, a really clean shave.
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There is the key point. If you want to shave and not have to again for (at least at your age) a week or so, go with a blade and cream. Even the crappy disposables (Schick ST Twin is my choice (that price is ridiculous, by the way)) and EDGE Pro Gel will do the job. The key is to shave against the grain.

Repeat after me - Against the grain.
 
Well, if you take the plunge and shave it, it's going to grow back slightly thicker gradually anyway. That's what happened to me when I started out, so you'll have to keep the shaving up probably for the rest of your life. :p

It doesn't look all that bad, so just cheap disposable razors should do the job. I don't even use cream - just dab water or some soap onto your face and razor it off. I'd say the electric razor is for much heavier growth, and I wouldn't be happy using someone elses razor anyway...

And yes, against the grain. 10x easier and effective.
 
I just don't like an actual blade to my face... then again. I hate how I can grow what you have in an hr.

Look around at Electric shavers if you're going that route. If I wasn't so cheap I'd get a new one that had higher rpms so it would cut closer. At least that's how I think it goes.
 
G.T
I'd say the electric razor is for much heavier growth
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My "growth" is plenty "heavy" and I can say with no reservations that electrics don't even come close to blades for shave quality, regardless of how thick the beard is.
 
Besides, some people have reservations about putting a handheld weed-whacker to their face. Scares the crap out of me.
 
Oh, and another thing about the electric razors, they make your skin go numb. It's quite wierd.
 
Numb is a bad word, more like RED especially if you are like me and cause of a fast metabolism and hyperthyroidism you get a lot of neck hair, lol.

Jerome
 
A disposable Bic, a splash of water, and 10 seconds is all you'll need to whack that peach fuzz. Repeat as often as necessary.

Don't be knockin' electric razors, people! I prefer being able to shave in 45 seconds over taking a razor blade to my face :p. The closeness is not as good, but since I'll have to do it again the next day anyway, it doesn't matter. I also hate the lingering scent of shaving cream.
 
Either right out of a hot shower, or after washing your face with a hot washcloth, lather up, (I prefer EDGE products also) and
1. swipe one of the double or triple blade disposables (preferably with a pivoting head) across that in a downward direction, carefully.
2. then upward. carefully
3. Rinse razor and tap any excess hair out of the razor, as often as necessary.
4. Then swipe from nose to outer lip edge. crefully.
This should get all the growth, no matter how thick or thin.
5. Then rinse, tap, and rinse again before storing.
Use razor no more than 4 or 5 times before replacing.

As for Electric razors:
Get your own if that is your preference.
Make sure you clean the hair out of it after EVERY shave (that's why the litte brush came with the thing)
Replace blades every 6 months if you shave daily, yearly if you shave 2-3 times a week. They become dull, ineffective and painful to use in that time.

IMHO, DO NOT even consider one of those razors with the circular heads. They do shave, but they sort of rip your hair out by virtue of the blade going in a dime sized circle on your face.
The straight blade travels back and forth on your face and is much gentler.

Time wise I find little difference in using an electric and an "un-powered" razor.
If you clean an electric PROPERLY after each shave, it will take the same amount of time.

On the plus side, the pop up trimmer on most electric razors will trim your beard or mustache down to nearly nothing very nicely.
 
I find the electric shaver is ok for a small growth 1 - 2 days of coarse hair, but it never beats a good wet shave, and is pretty much useless on light hair or longer hair.

I have a wet/dry rechargeable electric that I can use in the shower which is a little better than a regular electric shave, but not great although quick & convenient.

For the less coarse hair you'll have at the moment, the electric shaver isn't going to work very well on it so I'd echo everyone's advice about getting a good 2-or-more blade razor and some shaving foam. With longer growth I usually shave with the grain to remove most of the length and then go over the same patch against the grain to get the best possible close finish.
 
Toronado
Am I the only one who doesn't use shaving cream?
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Apparently so. I've tried on occasion to shave without gel (usually because I ran out) and it hurts like hell. My hair is entirely too course to do that and it just rips them out.
 
After I got some nasty skin irritation, I made sure to use gel. I can't stand cream.

Is it weird that I get a better shave with those really cheap single blade razors than some 2 or even 3 blade razors? :indiff:

I've been shaving for about a year. Kinda after you guys taunted me about the peach fuzz on my lip. :p I'm using Gillette Sensor 3 disposables, they work well.
 
Toronado
Its never bothered me so long as my face is wet when I do it.
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Doesn't matter for me. Wet, dry, fresh out of the shower, etc. Hurts like hell without the gel. ™ :p

*waits for someone to take that out of context...*
TopHat
Is it weird that I get a better shave with those really cheap single blade razors than some 2 or even 3 blade razors?
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I've done blind shave-testing and my wife can't tell the difference between a 2 blade and a 4, even after a week. There's really no point, in my opinion, as far as the shave itself goes, just in how long the razor itself lasts. For me, it comes down to shaves per dollar.
 
I use a five blade razor.. I don't shave often, but I shave when I need to which is good enough for me. I should shave soon actually. Maybe I'll do a before and after picture of my face. That'd be fun.
 
TopHat
Is it weird that I get a better shave with those really cheap single blade razors than some 2 or even 3 blade razors? :indiff:
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I’m almost certain that single blades provide the closest and least “catchy” shave. However, I find that I nick myself on them more often than double blades.
 
Sage
I find that I nick myself on them more often than double blades.
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And in my case, if it has too many blades, like Fusion(four). It's harder to manuever as well.

My choice:

Preparation - Plenty of hot water. If the skin's especially dry or rough, some lotion at least couple of hours before the shave(what a girly wimp!).

Razor - Mach 3

Shaving Gel - Edge Extra Protection

And like TB said, against the grain. Just don't push the razor against your face. :)
 
Sage
I’m almost certain that single blades provide the closest and least “catchy” shave. However, I find that I nick myself on them more often than double blades.
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Ditto. And the single blades are cheaper too.
 
Now I know you ask about shaving, but you mentioned no stubble...ever. Soo, I suggest you go chem warfare on the stuff and get yourself some Veet :D


Gil
Use razor no more than 4 or 5 times before replacing.
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On that crap!? He could go atleast 20 :p
V1P3R
"Blade(S)" doesn't make you cringe... ? Or like the equivalent of fingernails to a chalkboard?
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As said elsewhere, when the alternative is the smaller cousin of a weed whacker/mincing machine, I'll take the small blade any day.
 
Duct tape. Cut a section to mirror the shape of your top lip but extend one edge two or three extra inches to form a tab. Place this length of tape on your top lip and press down firmly leaving the tab section unstuck. Take hold of the tab and pull rapidly in the opposite direction (from right to left if the tab is on the right hand side). It might sting a little at first but it's quick and your hair won't grow back for a good while. If at all.
 
My face is somewhat sensitive. I get my best shave much as Gil describes above, except I actually shave IN the shower. You don't actually need to see what you're doing.

I always use a gel product (Nivea Men for sensitive skin works best for me) and a Gillette Mach 3 Turbo razor. I run my face under the hot water for a minute or two, lather, and shave with the grain (down), rinsing the razor between each stroke. Then I re-lather and shave against the grain (up). I take a third pass over my sideburns sideways, from cheek to ear, but I have a fairly heavy beard.
 
G.T
Well, if you take the plunge and shave it, it's going to grow back slightly thicker gradually anyway.
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Myth.

Duke
My face is somewhat sensitive. I get my best shave much as Gil describes above, except I actually shave IN the shower. You don't actually need to see what you're doing.
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I also shave in the shower (best for keeping your face warm), except that I use a fog-resistant mirror because I shave to clean up my beard, so I need to see what I'm doing.

One more point Zheng, you're going to nic yourself a bit the first time. Don't worry about it. Just put a strip of toilet paper on it until it stops bleeding and move on. You'll get good at it eventually.
 
Danoff
Myth.
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I disagree. One of my bosses never ever shaved his mustache, from puberty until his mid-20s. He was lamenting how weak it was and told me that. I recommended he shave it every day for 6 months and try again. It came in thicker.

I also shave in the shower (best for keeping your face warm), except that I use a fog-resistant mirror because I shave to clean up my beard, so I need to see what I'm doing.
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That's what my left index finger is for.
 
I'd have to disagree also. Apart from me, another guy I know actually kept his "bumfluff" mustache until he was 21-22 years old, then decided to shave it off. He regrets it because it now grows in fast and thicker.
 
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Toronado
Am I the only one who doesn't use shaving cream? I just Mach 3 the crap out of everything when I'm in the shower.
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No. I follow the exact same procedure with the exact same hardware, got tired of playing with the cream and in the army I finally lost the bottle somewhere so that was the end of its use for me. Never looked back.
 

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