Wetshaving - isn't all shaving wet? Somewhat. Wetshaving is how barbers used to get the ultrasmooth shave of legends. The secret isn't more blades and more canned goo but a single wicked edge. Shaving is 50+ days of a woman's life and 85+ for a man's. Do you want to spend that time hating or enjoying what you are doing? The better way is wetshaving; come and see what "they" didn't want you to know.
Shave butter vs shave soap?
I had thought about learning to shave with a safety razor for a couple years. When the pandemic hit, I thought it was a perfect time to learn.
I have been using shave butter, because on an academic level, it makes more sense to me to use a lubricant that adds oils instead of one that dries up your face. However, in 99.9% or the posts I read, people are raving about the greatness of shaving soap.
If I shave because I have to, not because I enjoy the act, is shave soap really that much better? Can anyone put into words why?
I enjoy the convenience of butter: not only is it faster and easier than soap, but since it doesn't lather you can see exactly what you're shaving.
So, am I being absurd? Am I missing something? Or is it just personal preference?
I think it comes down to a lot of different factors. The biggest factor being personal preference which can really change from person to person. In my experience the artisan soaps I use to shave give me a lot more control over the thickness of the lather, how slick I can make it, and how much I want to generate. I find I personally get better shave with a soap over a cream and they tend to leave my face feeling a lot better afterwards.
A lot of the artisan soaps use higher quality oils and ingredients and I think that also adds to the appeal for a lot of people. Maybe consider getting a soap and trying it out a few times and comparing the experience of both for your face.
A lot of the shave butter stuff is mass produced. Artisan soaps are small batch for quality control and because it’s often just 1 or several people making it in a kitchen or lab. I would go artisan soap any day for superior shaves.
It's just preference.
I like soap because I'm not in a hurry, I like all the different scents, and I enjoy supporting small businesses. Plus they all just feel better on my face. Whipping up a lather with a brush is a very zen thing for me as well.
The only thing I think that cream is better for is speed. Other than that, soap wins in every category.
If you shave because you have to and get 0 enjoyment out of it then go with the cheapest product that will do the job.
Artisan soaps have incredible scents which is already half the fun. Yes there are some that just smell good but there are others that transport you into a specific memory and gives you the joy of reliving that period in your life for 20 mins.
If you haven't tried some of the artisanal shave soaps, you're potentially missing something. I personally got an acceptable shave with a single blade cartridge and hair conditioner; but my enjoyment and objective quality are so so so much better with a DE and the soap (currently Chiseled Face). Try some samples from Maggards or Stirling; if it's not enough of an improvement, then go back. It's all about what works for you.
You'd think that the butter adds oil and the soap dries up your face. Psyche. A lot of the artisan soaps have a lot of oils/butters that feels great on the face without drying it up.
Also, having a creamy lather helps me shave easier because I know where I shaved. If I have invisible butter on my face, it's easy to over-shave and get more irritations.
It's a personal preference but for me, I see a lot more benefits for artisan shaving soaps over shaving butter.
Shave butter doesn't have the same slickness and a good shave soap does have nourishing oils/properties. The post shave is way better imo. As for the finer details like shaping up a mustache/side burns use your finger to put a little soap around the edge where you want to shave. It'll be thin enough for you to see exactly what your doing without sacrifice of slickness. If you watch some videos of barbers giving a shave and shape you'll see what I mean.
On an academic level (insert relevant bioscience PhD here), lubrication is only half of the requirements. The other is hydration which is essential, as it weakens the stubble considerably. Shaving soap gives you both.