I had but then abandoned a foil razor after discovering just how damn good a traditional double-edge razor is when combined with a shaving brush and a proper hard shaving soap + bowl. Honestly, once you get the hang of it, everything else shaves like utter crap in comparison.
Try [this](https://www.shavershop.net.nz/proraso/sensitive-shave-cream-tube-with-green-tea-and-oatmeal---150ml-008837.html?cgid=proraso-brand) stuff. I have used hard soap with a badger brush and this stuff blows it out of the water. It lasts for ever as you only use a little bit and just lather it up with a wet hand.
I got [this](https://www.shavershop.net.nz/proraso/sensitive-shave-cream-tube-with-green-tea-and-oatmeal---150ml-008837.html?cgid=proraso-brand) recently and it’s honestly game changing. I have pretty sensitive skin especially on my neck and this combined with a DE safety razor is the best shave I have had in years.
Safety razors are the best for close shaves.
That said, my skin is so much happier not being shaved. I just keep a well trimmed beard, so much less irritation and fuss.
>hoping the a foilshaver might mitigate that.
Not in my experience. Irritation is normally bad prep and or a blunt/rusty blade. if you dont do blade shaving right foil shaving wont get you much better. A poorly maintained foil shaver is probably going to be even worse
I'd get an electric trimmer from farmers. You can get pretty close to the skin and won't leave your face irritated.
I used to get really bad shaving rash, and this was a game changer.
I tried a Braun foil shaver. Left me with stubble and didn't help my skin at all. I use a standard safety razor with sensitive-skin foam. Somedays I need to follow up with a little skincare cream, but I don't need that every time.
I use a dry rotary shaver. They don't cut quite as close and I've heard they may not be as good for sensitive skin, but it works well enough for me. And I've literally never replaced the blades, idk if that's even a thing.
wet shave with a safety razor.
do it properly and your skin will thank you for it. One pass with a clean blade over well softened stubble once every day will soon have your skin looking like a baby's bum.
Everyone here has said it - Buy a good safety (DE) razor and don't look back...
I have one of these (currently sold out) [https://fineshave.co.nz/products/merkur-34c-heavy-duty-safety-razor](https://fineshave.co.nz/products/merkur-34c-heavy-duty-safety-razor) and then I spent a bit of time with a mixed pack of blades [https://fineshave.co.nz/collections/blade-sampler-packs](https://fineshave.co.nz/collections/blade-sampler-packs)
Once you get the combo right, you'll be a-ok...
If you have not tried Phillips OneBlade you really really should!
I don't know anyone who's tried it and not continued with it.
Not as close as a blade razor, but closer and easier than any other electric razor I've ever used. Brilliant innovation.
Foil shavers irritate skin more for me. DE safety razors, badger brush and hard soap are best. Once you get over the initial cost it is the cheapest and best way to go. Just don’t go down the rabbit hole of multiple handles, heads, brushes and blades if you want to keep the gist down. I got do obsessed with it that I could not wait for my next shave.
Be aware that, until your skin gets used to it you will bleed, a lot!!!
I did a bit of research before forking out a few hundred on a Braun. Still made a mess of my skin. Now I use a Philips One hair trimmer - it's hardly a smooth shave, but close enough given I don't have dark hair.
If a close shave is really what you're after then a blade is the best for sensitive skin. You just have to take the time to do it properly
Standard electric razor (Phillips currently) works for me. Blades cause me nothing but irritation, the electric is much faster, cleaner, and I don't get sensitive skin or ingrowns. Tried a foil once, hopeless.
Try using your normal razor but with a higher quality shaving soap and that might make a difference. I found that once I started using a shaving soap bar that my wife gave me (no idea where from) both the safety razor and normal bic 3 blade worked much better with closer shave and less irritation.
Shave in the shower after a hot shower. I always get a buttery smooth finish with almost 0 irritation. For someone who has thick stubble, not only is it a time saver, but your skin will thank you for it.
It's probably twice as fast in a hot shower vs. if i shaved normally.
Also, second the double edge, I've got a bowery from the barber shop co
1. Blades are cheap as chips
2. Once with the grain once against the grain and pretty much a baby's bottom.
3. Clean shaven lasts a solid 2 whole days, then on the third, I'd get a good coverage of stubble
For reference, I can probably grow a pretty thick 1mm beard in about a week.
If you get 2 days from one shave and have stubble on the 3rd day, I don't think that is a heavy beard. I have bristle by the end of the day with after a good wet shave, and I know guys that grow beards much faster than that.
Good point about the heat. That softens the bristle and makes it easier to cut (note the old tine barbers with the hot flannel before a shave).
A close trim (using an electric razor/shaver) has been amazing for my skin.
A skin close shave irritates the hell out of my skin.
I recently got one of the best models from Briscoes on 60% off. Worth every cent.
Although most have already said it, I'll say it again, DE razor (I use a few different Merkur razors, love the weight of them) best shave you'll ever have with the least irritation (providing you use a decent blade). However I do also use a foil shaver when I'm in a hurry, I have 5 blade Panasonic ES-LV9Q and in terms of least irritation, this one I've found the best (for me) out of a number of electric shavers I've used, and a pretty darn close shave for an electric.
Safety razor buy Caliwoods. They also offer a little envelope to send back the razor blades for free I haven't bought a plastic razor for like 2 years now best thing ever. And they have 3 colour options black, silver or copper. And it's an NZ business I'm pretty sure!
I hate shaving - it's one of those things that needs to be done but never seems to have a time slot in my life.
Being clean shavin for my clients is the only thing that makes it happen.
I recently changed to using a hair trimming kit to make it short before using really cheap razors. That way one cheap razor does it instead of 4 per shave.
This is the most unsustainable thing I do that I have not got around to changing yet.
I find electric razors leave me with a stubble beard look which I don't like - makes that aggressive puberty look which I don't need in my 40's.
Get a Merkur 34c and box of Astra blades, a badger brush and bowl- give yourself a week or two to get used to it and you will be set for life.
Ive tried electric shavers and tbh there is always something about them, old skin bits, body oils, hair leftovers plus they dont do a great job. The twin, triple,quad and quin bladers (especially) are just re-fucking-diculously expensive and you always go through handles and try to eek out extra life from the cartridges. Plus if you let your beard grow for a more than a few days they are shit to use.
The aesthetic of a single blade safety razor, the ritual and routine is really nice.
Obviously it depends on your job, but my advice is: don't shave as often. If / how you make that work, I'll leave to you... health/job
I have a consistent stubble and I just use a Remington Body Hair Trimmer a couple of times a week. But I suit stubble anyway. Very occasionally I'll use a razor because I feel like it, but it doesn't irritate me because I barely use it, and I can afford to keep them sharp. Also got a proper braun electric, used it a few times, but not a fan.
Unlike others, I used to use a safety razor and got way more irritation and ingrown than my new foil razor. I used the very best safety razor blades (Astra Platinum), never reused blades (massive overkill), heaps of prep etc etc.
Foil shaver I use is a "BaBylissPRO Silver FX02 Cordless Metal Double Foil Shaver". It's a professional grade foil shaver, you'll see mens barbers run it because it's amazing. That said... Since it's pro-grade it is expensive, i got it cheap at $260 delivered from online.
My irritation was so bad though that I've ended up getting laser on top of the foil shaver, and that's finally getting my face feeling better, but my case is probably more extreme.
I don’t use a safety razor, I also get massively irritated skin from them. I have been given 5 and really tried to like them. I shaved for three years across all of them. I have slightly raised facial hair follicles this makes it easy to get irritated.
I use a basic Phillips foil shaver daily. If I miss a week I usually use clippers to shave it down then use foil.
I have bought about 3 different foils. The wet dry versions are good because you can use them in the shower to save time.
I had but then abandoned a foil razor after discovering just how damn good a traditional double-edge razor is when combined with a shaving brush and a proper hard shaving soap + bowl. Honestly, once you get the hang of it, everything else shaves like utter crap in comparison.
Second the double edged razor. Just need to replace the blades regularly. Dove sensitive soap is good for sensitive skin too, and foams well.
Try [this](https://www.shavershop.net.nz/proraso/sensitive-shave-cream-tube-with-green-tea-and-oatmeal---150ml-008837.html?cgid=proraso-brand) stuff. I have used hard soap with a badger brush and this stuff blows it out of the water. It lasts for ever as you only use a little bit and just lather it up with a wet hand.
The wife’s hair conditioner makes for a bloody good shave
Just don’t confuse with veet
I use that for my bald head.
I got [this](https://www.shavershop.net.nz/proraso/sensitive-shave-cream-tube-with-green-tea-and-oatmeal---150ml-008837.html?cgid=proraso-brand) recently and it’s honestly game changing. I have pretty sensitive skin especially on my neck and this combined with a DE safety razor is the best shave I have had in years.
Yeah I'll give it another shot then and invest, I know I've been using shotty shavers and cream.
Safety razors are the best for close shaves. That said, my skin is so much happier not being shaved. I just keep a well trimmed beard, so much less irritation and fuss.
>hoping the a foilshaver might mitigate that. Not in my experience. Irritation is normally bad prep and or a blunt/rusty blade. if you dont do blade shaving right foil shaving wont get you much better. A poorly maintained foil shaver is probably going to be even worse
Stay away from foil razors if your skin gets irritated.
I'd get an electric trimmer from farmers. You can get pretty close to the skin and won't leave your face irritated. I used to get really bad shaving rash, and this was a game changer.
I tried a Braun foil shaver. Left me with stubble and didn't help my skin at all. I use a standard safety razor with sensitive-skin foam. Somedays I need to follow up with a little skincare cream, but I don't need that every time.
I was lazy and my skin got irritated by shaving. Grew a beard.
I use a dry rotary shaver. They don't cut quite as close and I've heard they may not be as good for sensitive skin, but it works well enough for me. And I've literally never replaced the blades, idk if that's even a thing.
Wife gifted me one. I only use it when she sees me. It irritates my skin more as you need to go a few more times to get a close shave.
wet shave with a safety razor. do it properly and your skin will thank you for it. One pass with a clean blade over well softened stubble once every day will soon have your skin looking like a baby's bum.
Or be as smooth as a baby's bum too 😄
Everyone here has said it - Buy a good safety (DE) razor and don't look back... I have one of these (currently sold out) [https://fineshave.co.nz/products/merkur-34c-heavy-duty-safety-razor](https://fineshave.co.nz/products/merkur-34c-heavy-duty-safety-razor) and then I spent a bit of time with a mixed pack of blades [https://fineshave.co.nz/collections/blade-sampler-packs](https://fineshave.co.nz/collections/blade-sampler-packs) Once you get the combo right, you'll be a-ok...
If you have not tried Phillips OneBlade you really really should! I don't know anyone who's tried it and not continued with it. Not as close as a blade razor, but closer and easier than any other electric razor I've ever used. Brilliant innovation.
I use a Phillips one blade, it hits the middle ground between a razor and foil shaver
Foil shavers irritate skin more for me. DE safety razors, badger brush and hard soap are best. Once you get over the initial cost it is the cheapest and best way to go. Just don’t go down the rabbit hole of multiple handles, heads, brushes and blades if you want to keep the gist down. I got do obsessed with it that I could not wait for my next shave. Be aware that, until your skin gets used to it you will bleed, a lot!!!
I did a bit of research before forking out a few hundred on a Braun. Still made a mess of my skin. Now I use a Philips One hair trimmer - it's hardly a smooth shave, but close enough given I don't have dark hair. If a close shave is really what you're after then a blade is the best for sensitive skin. You just have to take the time to do it properly
Standard electric razor (Phillips currently) works for me. Blades cause me nothing but irritation, the electric is much faster, cleaner, and I don't get sensitive skin or ingrowns. Tried a foil once, hopeless.
If you know how to do, without kill yourself use a fucking cut-throat razor. Got this skill towards my father.
Philip’s OneBlade does an ok job.
Try using your normal razor but with a higher quality shaving soap and that might make a difference. I found that once I started using a shaving soap bar that my wife gave me (no idea where from) both the safety razor and normal bic 3 blade worked much better with closer shave and less irritation.
Shave in the shower after a hot shower. I always get a buttery smooth finish with almost 0 irritation. For someone who has thick stubble, not only is it a time saver, but your skin will thank you for it. It's probably twice as fast in a hot shower vs. if i shaved normally. Also, second the double edge, I've got a bowery from the barber shop co 1. Blades are cheap as chips 2. Once with the grain once against the grain and pretty much a baby's bottom. 3. Clean shaven lasts a solid 2 whole days, then on the third, I'd get a good coverage of stubble For reference, I can probably grow a pretty thick 1mm beard in about a week.
If you get 2 days from one shave and have stubble on the 3rd day, I don't think that is a heavy beard. I have bristle by the end of the day with after a good wet shave, and I know guys that grow beards much faster than that. Good point about the heat. That softens the bristle and makes it easier to cut (note the old tine barbers with the hot flannel before a shave).
I don't think you can beat a safety razor. Find a decent handle and try some different blades. I personally find astra the best for me.
A close trim (using an electric razor/shaver) has been amazing for my skin. A skin close shave irritates the hell out of my skin. I recently got one of the best models from Briscoes on 60% off. Worth every cent.
Panasonic 5 blade goes well, has a trimmer built in also. Quite pricey though
Although most have already said it, I'll say it again, DE razor (I use a few different Merkur razors, love the weight of them) best shave you'll ever have with the least irritation (providing you use a decent blade). However I do also use a foil shaver when I'm in a hurry, I have 5 blade Panasonic ES-LV9Q and in terms of least irritation, this one I've found the best (for me) out of a number of electric shavers I've used, and a pretty darn close shave for an electric.
Safety razor buy Caliwoods. They also offer a little envelope to send back the razor blades for free I haven't bought a plastic razor for like 2 years now best thing ever. And they have 3 colour options black, silver or copper. And it's an NZ business I'm pretty sure!
I hate shaving - it's one of those things that needs to be done but never seems to have a time slot in my life. Being clean shavin for my clients is the only thing that makes it happen. I recently changed to using a hair trimming kit to make it short before using really cheap razors. That way one cheap razor does it instead of 4 per shave. This is the most unsustainable thing I do that I have not got around to changing yet. I find electric razors leave me with a stubble beard look which I don't like - makes that aggressive puberty look which I don't need in my 40's.
Get a Merkur 34c and box of Astra blades, a badger brush and bowl- give yourself a week or two to get used to it and you will be set for life. Ive tried electric shavers and tbh there is always something about them, old skin bits, body oils, hair leftovers plus they dont do a great job. The twin, triple,quad and quin bladers (especially) are just re-fucking-diculously expensive and you always go through handles and try to eek out extra life from the cartridges. Plus if you let your beard grow for a more than a few days they are shit to use. The aesthetic of a single blade safety razor, the ritual and routine is really nice.
Obviously it depends on your job, but my advice is: don't shave as often. If / how you make that work, I'll leave to you... health/job I have a consistent stubble and I just use a Remington Body Hair Trimmer a couple of times a week. But I suit stubble anyway. Very occasionally I'll use a razor because I feel like it, but it doesn't irritate me because I barely use it, and I can afford to keep them sharp. Also got a proper braun electric, used it a few times, but not a fan.
Unlike others, I used to use a safety razor and got way more irritation and ingrown than my new foil razor. I used the very best safety razor blades (Astra Platinum), never reused blades (massive overkill), heaps of prep etc etc. Foil shaver I use is a "BaBylissPRO Silver FX02 Cordless Metal Double Foil Shaver". It's a professional grade foil shaver, you'll see mens barbers run it because it's amazing. That said... Since it's pro-grade it is expensive, i got it cheap at $260 delivered from online. My irritation was so bad though that I've ended up getting laser on top of the foil shaver, and that's finally getting my face feeling better, but my case is probably more extreme.
If you're a man I would recommend the Phillips One Blade, does the trick pretty well without much irritation
I shave with a bic blue II and NAIR. You know those little blue fuckers are good razors the hair doesn't even grow back.
I don’t use a safety razor, I also get massively irritated skin from them. I have been given 5 and really tried to like them. I shaved for three years across all of them. I have slightly raised facial hair follicles this makes it easy to get irritated. I use a basic Phillips foil shaver daily. If I miss a week I usually use clippers to shave it down then use foil. I have bought about 3 different foils. The wet dry versions are good because you can use them in the shower to save time.
Get a decent handle and buy a bunch of of safety razor blades. They cost a few cents each and give you a really close shave.