Thread: I look like a crook

I've started using a straight a few weeks ago. Ordered a nice Dovo with strop, swapped my Gilette shaving cream by brands like Proraso and Trumpers, ditched the pig-hair brush and ordere me a silvertip, did a lot of reading and watching how-to video's on the web and got myself a good shave (+advice) at a barberhop.

Adviced by some members on this forum I just started doing my first shave with a straight. Right- and left handed. Pre-shaved, lathered-up, post-shaved & cooling down. Besides the fact I still struggle with seeing myself (and the razor) in the mirror I do get my side-burns and cheeks baby-but-smooth. The chin however is still difficult but I really have problems with shaving my upperlip decently. Even after these weeks I always cut myself and the different angles are not helping yet. I dare not to go AtG here... Doesn't feel good, looks worse.

Who can give some extra advice on how to get to a BBS upperlip without altering this area too much?

Many thanks

Just take it slowly and build your confidence/technique over the next few weeks and you should be fine.

If I were you I wouldn't try the 'Fools Pass' just yet. Try going XTG as your technique improves and lower the angle of the razor on your face as you change directions (WTG - two spine widths off your skin, XTG - one and ATG - pretty much flat on the skin).

Also remember that you should be using almost no pressure too.

It will come - with practice

I avoid the fools pass by a wtg, and two across the grain passes. The two across the grain passes are slightly heel leading.

edit... the xtg passes are in opposite directions, L to R then R to L.

Jonathan

Improvement comes with practice -- promise. I generally only do two passes overall. Certainly never XTG on the lips.

You know what I found to REALLY help my upper lip shaving? TIMING!

I lather up my face, and breathe through my nose, while I am doing my cheeks, my neck, my chin... then I do my upper lip. By this time, the lather has begun to dry out, and the shave suddenly is less than pleasing. Once I figured out myown nose air (not HAIR you silly people) was causing the lather to dry out, I changed to doing my lip first, and suddenly it was a better shave.

Thanks Magpie. I will give your advice a try and get rit of the nose(h)air...

@DIYguy: does the upperlip becomes really smooth with 'only' 2 passes WtG?

Originally Posted by Magpie

You know what I found to REALLY help my upper lip shaving? TIMING!

I lather up my face, and breathe through my nose, while I am doing my cheeks, my neck, my chin... then I do my upper lip. By this time, the lather has begun to dry out, and the shave suddenly is less than pleasing. Once I figured out myown nose air (not HAIR you silly people) was causing the lather to dry out, I changed to doing my lip first, and suddenly it was a better shave.

+1 - Moist lather makes for a smooth pass!

Originally Posted by diyguy

Improvement comes with practice -- promise. I generally only do two passes overall. Certainly never XTG on the lips.

I tried this and the reward was a lovely inch long cut, not deep at all, at a 45 degree angle on the lip. WTG now and nicked just under the nostril first go due to too much pressure.

I'm finding you learn your lessons fast here!

EDIT: Spelling

It is not gonna happen overnight nor over a few weeks. All I can tell you is that if you stick with it. and keep reading and watching and practising. YOU WILL BE REWARDED with the best shaves of your life and will be able to enjoy the art for your lifetime and hopefully pass the art onto others!

I still have a hard time with the upper lip and chin with a straight. I read that if you start at the lower third of the chin and work up a third at a time it is easier than starting at the top and going down. I tried it and it helps. But the biggest improvement I experienced on the lip and chin was shaving with a quarter hollow razor. Hollow grounds flex and make these areas harder to shave (longer learning curve). I had no problem with the stiffer razor.

EDIT: Forgot to mention the simplest method, use a DE on the lip and chin. Much faster if you are in a hurry.