For as long as I can remember, I've seen my grandfather and father shave their beards. Both with different methods, methods that I usually use since I started shaving and that I had never compared. Until today!
In my father's case, he used shaving foam on a daily basis. Yes, he shaved every day, just before going to work, as you can see, it is not a custom that I have inherited.
In my case, I prefer to let it grow and then cut it completely or reduce it a little with the electric machine, depending on the occasion 😊
So, on one half of the face, I'm going to be using shaving foam. This more specifically, is from the Farmatodo brand, without a doubt and from my point of view, one of the best brands in the country.
This is because Farmatodo is a national pharmaceutical network, which means that they focus more on ensuring the quality of the products they manufacture than on the advertising applied to them.
The steps to follow for shaving foam are quite simple.
With the face already wet, we apply the product creating a consistent layer throughout the area and then proceed to shave 😊
Now, how do you feel?
Well, being mint, you feel a little burning when shaving, although it disappears quickly. It's a sensation similar to when you apply menthol gel to an injured muscle.
In terms of practicality, it is easy to store and the container does not leak, nor can it be broken by a drop. So that's a point in favor if you have to travel outside the city 😊
Now, there's a big downside that becomes noticeable as soon as you start shaving. And it is that, it dissolves very quickly, although it remains on the skin for a long time, it does not penetrate sufficiently and with a few drops of water, it ends up being removed. So you have to be constantly applying more
After 20 minutes, a little redness is noticeable. I do not know if this is due to the mint that the product brings or is due to some pass of the razor without having foam on the face. Like I said, it falls off too easily.
A couple of hours later..
As I write the post, I touch my face and I feel softness, the skin feels moisturized and the redness has already disappeared.
I couldn't say when it disappeared, since I started doing chores at home and I didn't notice 😊
On the other hand, there is my grandfather's method, which only used soap. He normally used common bath soap or a blue soap, which here in Venezuela is used to wash babies' clothes, it is a soap without flavorings and a little creamier to the touch.
So, on my other half of my face, I'm going to use bath soap, since that's what I have on hand. What I do have to say is that this soap has just been opened and will be stored and destined only for shaving.
They should avoid using the soap in the shower or that we use to wash our hands, since although it is soap, it is still an object that is usually exposed, receiving microparticles that are in the environment.
The process is basically the same, moisten the area and then apply an even layer with your hand, to later shave.
Now, how do you feel?
Well, if you can see in the second image of the collage, at the moment of passing the razor, the soap has practically disappeared. What would make you think that it would be a rough sensation when shaving, although I already tell you no, quite the opposite.
While the soap suds seem to have disappeared, they simply dried or were absorbed, causing the wet razor to lather up again, making the razor glide much smoother.
The disadvantage and as a way to get something bad out of it, the truth. It is that, the soapy sensation, makes the hairs stick to the razor, which makes it cost a little more to clean it after each pass.
Although, it is to get something negative out of him and level the playing field. I'm using the cheapest soap I could find, so using a better one might change that.
15 minutes later, I don't notice any redness and the skin feels quite soft to the touch. Although, unlike the foam, the soap does not leave such a fresh aroma, which as I say, are things that could be improved if I had bought a better quality soap.
A couple of hours later..
Again, while writing the post, I touch my face to see if there is any change. And yes, it does feel a bit dry, not enough to worry about, but a noticeable difference from the foam side.
There is still no redness or irritation of any kind, simply dryness to the touch, which again can be attributed to the low quality of the soap 😊
Finally, this is extremely important. DO NOT reuse razors!
The reason is simple, no matter how much we wash them, we will not be able to remove all the residue that remains between the blades. Then those residues will remain there, gathering bacteria that in the next shave, could and will be harmful to our skin.
As a final tip
Buy disposable razors, preferably those made for women, as they are sharper and more ergonomic.
If you have thin hair, use 3 blades and if, like me, you have very thick hair, use 2 blades, since it is easier to clean between passes.
And seriously, after using it, throw it away. If you want, you can use it to shave your whole body to get the most out of it and you won't feel like wasting your money. Although, they only cost 0.35$ 😊