Northam Saint
Forum GOD!
Simpsons Trafalgar T1 Synthetic Shaving Brush
Simpsons Trafalgar T2 Synthetic Shaving Brush
shavingstation.co.uk
Nice brush at a good price, can’t go wrong with a Simpsons.
Secret Santa sent me one, lovely brush. I’m thinking of having a clear out of my badgers as I don’t really use any of them, I’m a synthetic convert. Also thinking about seeing if Simpsons will do me a Major (travel) in synthetic.Fantastic brushes the Trafalgars for the money.
I’ve been using a face scrub of late that seems to help as well stand the stubble up. I also occasionally use a shave oil, that helps too.For me, brush is the least important part of the shave. It just whips up lather and applies it to your face. The lower priced badgers might not hold together in the long term. A synthetic brush will work out of the box, and does not require soaking. Boar starts out stiff, but will break in and get softer as the hair tips split. Boar and badger must be soaked for a few minutes in water to saturate the bristles.
As for preshave, hydration is the best prep. Shower, face washing to remove dirt and grime. A quality soap or cream will not require any other help. A cheap preshave that I am using in winter is Pears glycerine soap. Rub the bar across the wet face, rub it in just a little to apply evenly, then apply lather. Provides an extra level of glide in dryer conditions. I don't need any preshave in humid summer.
Ah ok, I'll play it safe and stick with one of those established brands then.You can go cheap on a brush but best not go beneath the Yaqi (AliExpress), Omega, Vulfix sort of threshold.
With regard to preshave, you're going to notice a world of difference just going from cans to brush and real soap so I'd try that first before throwing in another preshave step, though there are some products that some might recommend.
I too thought I had sensitive skin, once upon a time, but turns out a brush and soap put paid to that idea. I don't use a preshave but I do shower before shaving.
Sounds like a synthetic brush is probably the best bet for me then, a lot less preparation plus it seems a lot of people have converted to just using those anyway.For me, brush is the least important part of the shave. It just whips up lather and applies it to your face. The lower priced badgers might not hold together in the long term. A synthetic brush will work out of the box, and does not require soaking. Boar starts out stiff, but will break in and get softer as the hair tips split. Boar and badger must be soaked for a few minutes in water to saturate the bristles.
As for preshave, hydration is the best prep. Shower, face washing to remove dirt and grime. A quality soap or cream will not require any other help. A cheap preshave that I am using in winter is Pears glycerine soap. Rub the bar across the wet face, rub it in just a little to apply evenly, then apply lather. Provides an extra level of glide in dryer conditions. I don't need any preshave in humid summer.
Thanks!I’ve popped you over a PM about the OneBlade Core!
A hot shower really is the best preparation to begin with. If you have a couple of days growth and take a shower you will feel how it softens the bristles much more than just wetting the face with water can do. When I was learning to shave with a DE the switch to shaving immediately after showering made a big difference to getting a comfortable shave. Nowadays I can get away without it, but I definitely recommend it when you are learning.With regards to hydration and preshave routines, just before a shave I do wash my face using a facial soap from Clinique, followed by the aforementioned hot sink of water, is that enough to do the trick or will I need to go further than that?
Sadly showering before a shave isn't really practical for me, so if I don't do that perhaps a preshave oil/cream etc. will be more beneficial for me?A hot shower really is the best preparation to begin with. If you have a couple of days growth and take a shower you will feel how it softens the bristles much more than just wetting the face with water can do. When I was learning to shave with a DE the switch to shaving immediately after showering made a big difference to getting a comfortable shave. Nowadays I can get away without it, but I definitely recommend it when you are learning.