The Symphony of Shaving Accessories

Technorati Tags: dry shaving, perfect shave, shaving, Wet Shaving

Funny Videos”>
Classic shaving cream prank – Watch more Funny Videos

Shaving Cream and April fool’s Day seems to go together like ham and eggs.  (Do people still eat ham and eggs?).  Anyway.  It seems like 90% of the April Fools jokes revolve around shaving cream in one way or another.  So in the spirit of the day and because there is still time to put one of these in play, I thought I’d list a few.

• Covering the head of a sleeping victim with shaving cream.
• Putting shaving cream in the hand of a sleeper and then tickling their nose.  Makes for a great YouTube vid.
• For the sports minded, shaving cream in the jock strap is always a crowd pleaser
• Fill a folder with shaving cream.  Put the open end under the door of an unsuspecting target and stomp on the cream filled end.
• Fill a school locker with shaving cream.
• Shaving cream in shoes, socks or pockets works well
• A shaving cream pie sure to get a laugh.

In 1978 Australian businessman had long been discussing a plan to tow an iceberg from Antarctica so he could sell ice cubes.  Sydney residents got really excited when on April 1 of that year a barge towed a large white object into the Sydney harbor.  But when it started to rain the “iceberg” quickly dissolved.  It was made of shaving cream and firefighting foam

Did you know? No one really knows how or where April fool’s Day began. On theory suggests that it started with people being confused by the transition to the Gregorian calendar.  Some think that it has something to do with people’s lightheartedness at the start of spring.

So be sure you have plenty of shaving cream and enjoy the day.

Anyone have any other Shaving Cream Pranks they would like to share?

Technorati Tags: April Fool.s Day, Shaving Cream

I recently came across this study and thought that it might be of interest to many of you who experience irritation and/or discomfort when shaving.  A kind of How to Shave. While I had a couple of problems with how the study was conducted (more on that later), the overall conclusions about shaving accessories are certainly worth noting.  The study was conducted by a dermatologist at Wake Forest University, financed by Gillette (ne Proctor and Gamble).

The Study

The study was composed of 40 men who reported that they suffered from sensitive skin and irritation when shaving.  Two shaving regiments were designed.  The first was composed of regular bar soap to clean the face, canned shaving cream for beard prep and a popular razor.  The second was composed of a proprietary pre shave cleanser, a gel type shaving cream, a high end razor and a post shave balm.  The study participants shaved half their face with each shaving regiment for a period of 14 days.  The results of the study showed that the second regiment produced a significantly more comfortable shave.    They based it on three measures: the participant’s reports of less irritation, their skin was more hydrated and when skin samples were examined under a microscope, less flaking was in evidence.

Although I’m neither a demonologist nor a researcher there do appear to be a couple of things about the study that give you pause.  Fact that P&G financed the study.  Different razors were used in the regiments.  The same razor was used throughout the 14 days.  But in spite of these issues the results do pass the basic logic test.  If you prepare you face by cleansing it properly, use  high quality beard softening/ lubrication soap, cream or gel, use a hydrating post shave balm and you employ a high quality, sharp razor you will get a more comfortable shave, guaranteed.

Conclusions

The result of the study clearly demonstrates the following:

• Cleansing the skin prior to shaving removes all the dirt, oils and dead skin cells from around the hair follicle.  This improves the  hair water absorptions properties, i.e. fatting  and softening it up, enabling the razor to cut the hair closer to the skin without excessive tugging and pulling.
• Using a high quality lubricant (cream, soap or gel) will minimize tugging and pulling and will help hold moisture in hair during the shave.
• Along with the beard, skin cells and moisture is removed during the shaving process which can lead to dry irritated skin.  A quality moisturizing balm will assist and re-moisturizing and protecting the skin.

Although significantly increasing the time spent and the expense of your daily shave.  Paying attention to these extra steps will surely ensure that you get the closest most comfortable shave possible.

Technorati Tags: pre shave cleanser, razor, Shaving Accessories, shaving balm, Shaving Cream, shaving gel

What’s the key to a great shave?  Can anyone guess?  Simply put, it all starts with a great lather.  Why? Because the basic function of the lather is to moisten the whiskers and lubricate the face for a nice, smooth razor pull that gets the entire beard quickly and effectively. 

What medium works best?

Opinions differ between the chief shaving accessories contenders: cream, foam, gel or soap.  My personal opinion?  It’s creams and soaps hands down.  With foams and gels you really can’t affect the outcome.  You get simply whatever comes out of the can or tube.   Since creams and soaps need to be whipped into lather, they can be manipulated to deliver the maximum benefit.  Performed correctly a well whipped soap or cream lather can dramatically impact you shave’s comfort and results.

Preparation

The first phase is the warm up.  This is a key step toward enhancing the basic comfort of your shave.  Two basic items need to be warmed in preparation for a shave: the brush and the mug.  Insuring that both are warm, will ultimately result in a warm comfortable lather applied to your face….one of the truly pleasurable aspects of a classic wet shave.   If you use a cream heat the bowl and brush in hot water for 30 seconds, the hotter the better. If you are a soap user and employ the same mug for soap  storage and lather generating, add hot water to the mug  and soak the brush and soap, again for about 30 seconds or so, remember, the hotter the better. Some suggest that the soap be kept in a container other than the one in which it’s lathered but I’m not quite the purest.  Shaving cream users should add a small dab of cream (about the size of a pea) to the warm mug.  

Lathering

After the preparation soak, empty the bowl and shake off the excess water from the brush.  Be sure to give it a good shake.  Too much water in either the bowl or brush will give you a runny lather.  You can always add more water if necessary.  Whip the soap or cream by turning the brush in a rapid circular motion, alternating clockwise and counter clockwise.  Continue this for about 30 seconds or so until the bristle tip of your brush has a ¼” layer of foam, covering it completely, and the lather is stiff enough to come to a nice peak.   If you’re having difficulty getting enough lather, try adding a tiny bit more water to the mug.  A tiny splash will do.

Application

The final step is to apply the lather to the face.  The best results are achieved by rubbing the foam onto the face is a circular motion, again alternating between clockwise and counterclockwise motion.  Work it in.  If you’ve got a warm lather the experience will be worth spending a little time at it. Massaging the lather into the face enhances the beard moisturizing, acts a mild defoliant and opens pours and cleans the skin. Don’t apply the lather in a paint brush fashion you won’t get the in-depth coverage you need for a great shave.  Once that’s accomplished it’s on to the shave.

A good shave starts with a good lather.   I’ve found he best lather comes from a shaving soap or cream.  It takes a bit more time than pressing an aerosol can button but as shaving accessories go the results can’t compare. 

Technorati Tags: brush lather, How to Shave, mug, shaving, Shaving Accessories, Shaving Cream, shaving soap, Wet Shaving

Opti ons, Options, Options.  Sometimes it seems as though  we have too many choices to make, too ma ny decisions on too many issues.  Being a wet shaver offers no respite.  Pre and post shave oils and lotion, type of razor, brand of blades and brush shaving accessories that all require some thought and scrutiny.  Probably one of the most important however is the source of the lather we apply to our face. Although there are a wide variety of brands there are only four basic mediums: Foams, Creams, Gels and Soaps.  Which to Choose? What are their differences? Advantages? Disadvantages?

We’ll not pass judgment on which is the best medium since it’s largely a personal preference issue.  We’ll simply provide some basic information and you can make up your own mind regarding which you prefer.  “One man’s preference, another man’s poison.”

Foams

For this exercise foams are defined as being can contained and aerosol activated. What 2/3 of the shaving population use every day.  Relatively new, they were first introduced in 1949.  Because of their primary advantage, convenience, they meshed well with emerging cultural trends of the 50’s and 60’s.  While canned foam certainly gets you out of the bathroom quickly, there are a couple of downside issues to consider.  Many brands contain significant levels of alcohol.   Alcohol tends to dry skin when is should be hydrated and conditioned. Additionally, the canned foam product contains a good deal of air which negatively  affects its’ ability to adequately suspend your facial hairs upright during the shave.  This ultimately decreases its’ softness and thoroughness and also increases the likelihood that the razor will drag across your skin and ‘burn’ it.

Gels

Gels come in a tube or aerosol can.  They are applied directly to the face and typically remain clear and don’t lather-up upon application.  Herein lays their principal advantage.  They can be useful for those who need to skillfully maneuver around the shave of thier goatee or mustache.  You’ll alwyas be abot to see the hair beneath and avoind trimming too far into your beard.  In addition, for those with easily irritated skin or “problem areas” (due to break-outs, etc.), the gel makes it easier to avoid cutting in affected areas.  Disadvantagre.  Many find them gunky, over reliant on chemicals and harsh on the skin.

Creams

Creams are cross between soaps and gels, and are available in a tube or jar. You can use your fingers to apply it directly to your face and lather up or in conjunction with a brush and/or mug.  They often contain glycerin which helps create a smooth and creamy lather that holds plenty of water and leaves the skin smooth and soft.  Since they need to be lathered, creams lack the convenience of Gels and Foams.

Soaps

Traditional soaps come in a cake form.  They produce a thick, whipped, creamy foam when lathered with a decent shaving brush.   They often contain oils, herbs and plant extracts that not only leave a pleasant fragrance but help hydrate and condition the skin, resulting in a smoother shave.  They may also help with some skin conditions.  Soaps, like creams, require a bit of time to work up lather, so they too rank a bit lower on convenience scale.

So there you have it.  If your shaving accessories preference is convenience the first two are for you.  If you’re looking for a bit more from you daily shave then creams and soaps are it.  Regardless which you chose be sure to look at the ingredient and avoid products that contain harsh chemicals or additives.

Technorati Tags: shaving, shaving accessoires, Shaving Cream, shaving foams, shaving gels, Shaving Mug, shaving soap, Wet Shaving