[Help][Question]Shaving.

[Taiyo]

So i'm not sure in which forum to post this but apologies in advance if it's not in the correct one as i'm new here.

So i've been shaving for a long time/using trimmers etc etc
I've tried single handed straight razor/safety razor/normal razors everytime i shave i get nicks no matter what i do, no matter the before/after care. No matter what razor i used.
And if i shave with the grain it doesn't fully remove the hair there's a shadow still left i wanna be able to fully shave without anything appearing which is hard even if i do it against the grain/with both ways in the same session
It just causes nicks if it's against the grain+ it doesn't even fully remove the hair but it's the closest shave to it.

and i'm just lost on what to do at this point i'm thinking about getting a trimmer/machine maybe i have better luck in that department and i'm not even sure which to buy that would give me a full shaven look with no shadow or what not.
And if i shave against the grain the razor becomes rough like it's not sharp enough.

 

[Chris]

Depending on your skin and hair type it may not be possible for you to look completely shaven without the shadow. If you have a very dark-coloured beard it's probably always going to show to some extent.

Shaving with the grain will cut off the hairs at the level of your skin, this is the most comfortable and the easiest on your skin but it won’t get rid of the shadow and you will still feel stubble against the grain. Shaving across the grain will get you closer but won’t eliminate all stubble. For me, this is as far as I can go. Shaving against the grain will remove all feeling of stubble but as the hair is still just under the surface of the skin it's possible you'll still have visible shadow.

Some of us can't shave against the grain, my beard's wiry, shaving against the grain hurts as the hairs get pushed back on themselves before they're cut and it feels like they're being pulled out. The couple of times I have managed it, the baby smooth feeling only lasted about four hours anyway so it wasn't worth it. I have just had to accept that I will never be able to pull off a completely smooth shave.

I'm 99% certain that the trimmer / electric shaver has not been invented that will shave you as close as a blade will. It's a long time since I last tried an electric but the results for me were not as good as shaving with a blade.

If you're getting nicks (small cuts) that's likely down to technique, either wrong angle or too much pressure. What are you using at the moment?

 

[Taiyo]

Depending on your skin and hair type it may not be possible for you to look completely shaven without the shadow. If you have a very dark-coloured beard it's probably always going to show to some extent.

Shaving with the grain will cut off the hairs at the level of your skin, this is the most comfortable and the easiest on your skin but it won’t get rid of the shadow and you will still feel stubble against the grain. Shaving across the grain will get you closer but won’t eliminate all stubble. For me, this is as far as I can go. Shaving against the grain will remove all feeling of stubble but as the hair is still just under the surface of the skin it's possible you'll still have visible shadow.

Some of us can't shave against the grain, my beard's wiry, shaving against the grain hurts as the hairs get pushed back on themselves before they're cut and it feels like they're being pulled out. The couple of times I have managed it, the baby smooth feeling only lasted about four hours anyway so it wasn't worth it. I have just had to accept that I will never be able to pull off a completely smooth shave.

I'm 99% certain that the trimmer / electric shaver has not been invented that will shave you as close as a blade will. It's a long time since I last tried an electric but the results for me were not as good as shaving with a blade.

If you're getting nicks (small cuts) that's likely down to technique, either wrong angle or too much pressure. What are you using at the moment?

In general i've tried everything so if nothing can help with this i'm probably just gonna stick to an electric shaver than 0 nicks and 0 issues.
Oh well. <..> i'm gonna try tanning later to see if it helps or maybe if it's something else.
Cuz i do see people that shave with 0 visible hair after then again i guess genes and what not matter.

 

[Rosseforp]

In general i've tried everything so if nothing can help with this i'm probably just gonna stick to an electric shaver than 0 nicks and 0 issues.
Oh well. <..> i'm gonna try tanning later to see if it helps or maybe if it's something else.
Cuz i do see people that shave with 0 visible hair after then again i guess genes and what not matter.

Hi Taiyo,

We have all experienced nicks and cuts when starting out traditional shaving, some of it is technique, and some of it is the razor. Could you please tell us the names of some of the razors and blades you have tried?
I do use Straight Razors on occasion, but I learned with safety razors first. SR's have a pretty steep learning curve. A Gillette Tech or a Van Der Hagen DE razor is a good place to start, and I find Gillette Platinum blades very forgiving.

I hope this helps,

~doug~

 

[chazt]

@Taiyo , welcome to ATG. The answer is simple. As with any skill, to achieve the ultimate level of competency, one must practice. Whatever hardware you’ve chosen, get to know it as intimately as the palm of your hand. Don’t change things up for at least a month. From your description, it sounds like you might need to work more diligently on prep. Try face lathering for twice as long as you think is necessary and make sure to slowly use plenty of water as you go. You want the brush to raise your whiskers. The extreme hydration will plump the whiskers and make them easier to cut. Keep at it. You will improve. Muscle memory takes time and patience.