re: Mens shaving and grooming thread. Update post DE shave #1.

Also of note after shaving you should leave your razor blade in rubbing alcohol this preserves the blade, eliminates bacteria and decreases your risk for bumps with the next shave.

I switched back in the summer. Great decision. I finally convinced my brother to switch. I think it's going good for him

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Have not noticed a thread like this in a while.

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There have been 2-3 in the last month or so. Not saying this in a 'Germans' way but in an 'if you search a little more diligently, you may find some info that doesn't surface in this one' way.

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Wondering about your set ups.

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Merkur 38c, The Art of Shaving Sampler Badger Brush, Taylor of Old Street Bond Sandalwood cream, pre-shave oil is just plain coconut oil (microwaved the 'can' of if, transferred it to an old Coke bottle that was cleaned out, throw it on the floor of the shower, and when I get out the shower, it's liquid), an old, antique shaving mug from my great-grandmother's house (nothing special about it other than sentimental value, really) and my current aftershaves are both lotion-variety. One is American somethingorother, and the other is the Paris for Men from Bath and Body works (both were gifts. My favorite after shave ever is actually the Electric Blue variety of Skin Bracer, which is very cheap and available at Wal Mart and your local pharmacy, grocery store...stuff is cheap and everywhere).

working through a sampler pack of blades currently. If I would rank them, they would go: Astra Stainless > Astra super chrome ~ shark super chrome > Merkur (blade that came with razor, not the handle...the handle is awesome) >>>>> Shark stainless (maybe it was a single bad blade, but it freaking ate me up. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I haven't used a second out of the pack yet).

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And if any of you know of places in Houston to buy these things?

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Best I can say here is that Amazon delivers to Houston. I've bought almost exclusively off of Amazon, exception of the coconut oil (Sam's) and after shaves (which are everywhere, though someone will likely try to convince you there are better ones than my $4 bottle of Skin Bracer. I'm not too proud to use cheap stuff. Lots of people that shave cannot necessarily say ( or admit ) the same). Check out the Badger and Blade or Art of Shaving forums for people who have suggestions in the Houston area; you'll probably have better luck there.


And lastly,

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dollar shave club blades.

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They sell Dorco razors at a markup. If you stick with DSC, cancel your subscription and just buy from Dorco.

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Where does one go to buy this stuff? Walgreens or something?

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I do my shopping at shavenation.com. The guy who owns it does a bunch of youtube vids on how to do a proper wet shave and he seems like a cool dude so I gibe him my business. There are some other online shops and of course amazon. You can also go to The Art of Shaving at the Mall of Louisiana but they are expensive and don't have as wide a selection IMO.

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. The high-end shaving cream is what will never happen. I'll stick with hating it before I spend $25 on a little bottle of shaving cream.

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It is worth it. You will spend the same or near the same in 5-7 cans of gel. You will be amazed how little if the cream from the tub you need to more than cover your face.

If you just scoop out a handful of Taylor and slather it straight on your face you will be there 30 mins rinsing off lather. It will just keep lathering when water hits it.

I went overboard and have 3 flavors of Taylor. I am more than set for a year.

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I went overboard and have 3 flavors of Taylor.

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What's your favorite scent? I have the sandlewood and I'm not to impressed.

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Maybe I should try it in the tube? Seems like it doesn't lather very well compared to TOBS.

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I think there is no difference in product?? Like a draft or can of beer.

But for entry level folks it is good. It is only 9-10 bucks a tube.

BTW when I say Proraso I am really using C.O. Bigelow. You can buy it at any bath and body works. I don't know if there is any difference in products or is it just the name stamped on the tube.

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Still use regular cheap shaving cream bc I refuse to spend 25 dollars on shaving cream.

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I was given a can of Barbasol when I was traveling and forgot my regular Gilette cream and the hotel's complimentary stuff was cheap. I was surprised at how awesome it was (despite everything about the way it looks making me think it would be crappy). It's funny now to read and see all the people who spend so much on this stuff to say the same (though very few stick with canned stuff).

Regardless, this $15 can has lasted about 3 months thus far. I am likely 1/2-2/3 through with it. this brush has a 4.5 star rating (of 5) out of ~1500 reviews. It's $13. The break even point is probably 6 months on this set vs Fusion. The brush will be replaced in over 5 years if I had to guess. Again, I'll be switching to a synthetic because they really don't break down/rot/smell over time (and we are talking several years here, not a few weeks or months. I'm probably 6 months in and don't have any of the aforementioned problems with probably the cheapest badger brush on the market). People complain that they don't work the same and you need to re-learn how to lather and that they work really well once you learn to use them. So, for someone just starting, it's a pretty good way to start (probably won't ever need to replace it).

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What's your favorite scent? I have the sandlewood and I'm not to impressed.

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I am also not impressed with the scent. My next one will probably be the eucalyptus proraso. I will also probably grab a lavender or lemon TOBS as well when I order. and a small pack of Feather razors. I just can't see myself liking a blade more than the Astra stainless. Super sharp, last super long, and just do a great job.