So it turns out I’ve been doing it all wrong
Shaving has long been a bugbear of mine (check it out!). I have always assumed that I had been given a special dispensation for just cutting my face to pieces and that there was nothing I could do about it. And I’m not joking here, I am rarely able to shave without coming away with another couple of scars.
This morning just about pushed me over the edge, however. I usually accumulate wounds on my chin, but today I managed to move the razor blade sideways, instead of downwards, which had the effect of giving me two, long, exactly parallel incisions just under my nose. It was surprisingly painless actually, and in all honesty I’m quite pleased since my friend did a similar thing and has a particularly nice scar that I’ve always envied, but it was clear that, no matter how nice the scar might be, this is no way to start the morning off. I simply can’t go on lacerating my face like this. For one thing, I’ve lost enough blood!
As it happens, the solution is quite simple. I just have to stop pushing so hard. That’s really it, I can’t believe it’s that easy. From now on, instead of wielding the razor blade like a knife, sword, lawnmower and dragging it down the side of my head like there’s no tomorrow, I am simply going to hold it lightly between finger and thumb and gently pull it across my skin. I found that that method is actually more effective at removing hair, plus it means that razor burn is a thing of the past.
How can it have taken me so long to discover this?!
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I’ve always marvelled at your shaving inaccuracy. The removal of the mole was an unprecedented day in the history of facial gardening.
How hard exactly are you pressing the razor against your face?? You do use foam, don’t you?
If it’s any consolation, I have three cuts this morning. But only because I put a new blade on last night.
Have you seen those Gillette “fusion” jobbies, with five blades? I’m telling you, give it five years and men will stand against razors the size of doors rubbing their faces along them.
Use that miraculous King of Shaves shaving oil stuff sold in tiny bottles. The bottle lasts for ages so it’s very cost effective but also wonderful because you can see exactly what you’re doing, and it feels and smells nice too (the menthol version). When wet shaving (which I do about 15% of the time) I’ve only ever used it: never used gel or foam, and I’m a very satisfied customer. You just have to make sure to keep your face wet while shaving - or shave immediately after showering.
And, yes, not pressing down will help you a lot. Also, where you find hair grows in a non-down direction (eg just below my Adam’s apple my stubble grows upwards), shave in the same direction as the hair (eg in that spot I also shave upwards).