Help me get a closer shave, please?

[renegade7]

I can't seem to get it right with my razor. I either have patchy stubble after I shave or this blueish coloration from the bases of the hairs which just looks gross to me.

I am going for a perfectly clean look, that is, no hair whatsoever. I have tried depilatories, I have tried different razors and gels/creams, everything short of plucking each individual hair and nothing works for what I want to get it like. Help?

 

[manic_depressive13]

I believe that bluish colouration is what's visible of the hairs underneath the skin. As you said, short of plucking out each individual hair, or getting laser hair removal, there's nothing you can do about it. You might be able to hide it using foundation if it bothers you that much.

Honestly I thing you're fretting over nothing. A lot of men aren't able to get that perfectly clean look. I don't think it looks gross at all.

 

[OneCatch]

Help?

Judging from your post you've probably tried it, but shave 'against the grain'. Less ingrown hairs, cleaner shave.
But use the blade lightly - so you can just about feel the width of the blade on the skin, but not that it presses into the skin. Against the grain you don't need much pressure because the hairs should lift up anyway.

Also, try immersing your face in comfortable-but-hot water before shaving - it makes the hairs more pliable. I actually don't use gel at all, I just shave in the shower. Not that you really needed to know that.


Anyway, if that doesn't work, you're down to plucking or laser treatment.
For the love of god, don't try waxing it - there'a youtube vid of someone trying it and failing miserably and painfully.

 

[Mersadeon]

Sometimes, an electric razor can help. Sure, those often don't get a close shave, but it really depends on your skin and beard. So, if you have a friend with one, ask him to try it out.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Sometimes, an electric razor can help. Sure, those often don't get a close shave, but it really depends on your skin and beard. So, if you have a friend with one, ask him to try it out.

I was going to say this. I used to be terrible at shaving, so someone bought me one to stop me looking terrible (just to be annoying, a few months after I decided I liked having a light stubble so I went out and bought myself a beard trimmer). It's much, much easier to get a very close shave without slicing half of your face off. Although I'm not sure you'll be able to get rid of absolutely all signs of facial hair, you might just have to live with it.

 

[White Lightning]

If you cut off your face, the hair can't grow. Too extreme? perhaps, but remember chicks dig scars.

 

[Glongpre]

Help?

Judging from your post you've probably tried it, but shave 'against the grain'. Less ingrown hairs, cleaner shave.
But use the blade lightly - so you can just about feel the width of the blade on the skin, but not that it presses into the skin. Against the grain you don't need much pressure because the hairs should lift up anyway.

Really? I get way more ingrown hairs by shaving against the grain. I shave with the grain and it is much better.

 

[OneCatch]

Help?

Judging from your post you've probably tried it, but shave 'against the grain'. Less ingrown hairs, cleaner shave.
But use the blade lightly - so you can just about feel the width of the blade on the skin, but not that it presses into the skin. Against the grain you don't need much pressure because the hairs should lift up anyway.

Really? I get way more ingrown hairs by shaving against the grain. I shave with the grain and it is much better.

Must depend on what kind of hair you have or something - I used to get horrendous ingrown hairs shaving with the grain.

 

[Glongpre]

Really? I get way more ingrown hairs by shaving against the grain. I shave with the grain and it is much better.

Must depend on what kind of hair you have or something - I used to get horrendous ingrown hairs shaving with the grain.

Sure they just weren't zits? I mean, it seems you should get more ingrown hairs the shorter you cut it.

 

[OneCatch]

Really? I get way more ingrown hairs by shaving against the grain. I shave with the grain and it is much better.

Must depend on what kind of hair you have or something - I used to get horrendous ingrown hairs shaving with the grain.

Sure they just weren't zits? I mean, it seems you should get more ingrown hairs the shorter you cut it.

Yep, completely - used to have to get the hairs out from under the skin.
Why would going with the grain make more ingrown ones - it's pushing down on the hair rather than lifting it up.

 

[Jux]

I can't seem to get it right with my razor. I either have patchy stubble after I shave or this blueish coloration from the bases of the hairs which just looks gross to me.

I am going for a perfectly clean look, that is, no hair whatsoever. I have tried depilatories, I have tried different razors and gels/creams, everything short of plucking each individual hair and nothing works for what I want to get it like. Help?

A few things you can do: Take a washcloth, soak it in hot water, and apply to your face for a few minutes before starting. Make sure you apply gel/cream correctly. Keep your razor sharp. Do your first two passes with the grain, and if you want something really close, go against the grain for the last pass. Also remember the grain changes on different parts of your face. Use a non alchohol based aftershave, something with a moisturizer is good.

The bumps and ingrown hairs is most likely a result of you using a razor too many times and it just being dull.