Sly Bald Guys' Blog - Head Shaving Tips

What does Whiskey have to do with the pefect shave?

nospam@example.com (Tyler) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:58:53 -0700

THE BOWMORE WAY TO PERFECTION

Often considered as the perfect malt, Bowmore is now is inviting consumers to discover premium experiences with the launch of a unique extension to its website The Bowmore Way.

A series of films illustrating the perfect way to make the most of experiences will feature on www.thebowmoreway.com, with an expert providing a step-by-step guide.

Grandmaster Jacob Aagaard, British Chess Champion shows the Bowmore way to checkmate in just four moves while Maria Soep, the World's Champion Porridge Maker from the Roineabhal Guesthouse in Kilchrenan in the far north of Scotland advises how to cook porridge to perfection.

Other advice includes: how to tie a bow tie; lighting a cigar; shucking an oyster as well as extending consumers whisky knowledge by showing how to cut peat; turn barley and nose whisky.

Glen Moore, Bowmore brand director, said: âThis unique online development allows Bowmore to drive awareness across domestic and international markets. By showing customers the rules of traditional etiquette and how to achieve 100 per cent perfection in every situation, the films emphasise the premium status of the brand and the unique charm of Bowmore products.

Created by Glasgow-based digital design agency, Chunk and filmed by production agency The Gate Films, the films will rotate on a fortnightly basis and are intended to run until the end of 2008.

Bowmore Distillery, home to the original Islay single malt, recently launched an exclusive, limited edition bottle of the legendary Black Bowmore. With only 827 bottles released, the extremely rare 42 years old expression is the oldest Bowmore ever released by the distillery and with a retail price of £2,000 all are expected to be snapped up by whisky collectors and connoisseurs around the world.

In celebration of its release Bowmore is offering web users the opportunity to win a bottle, absolutely free, on their newly revamped website at www.bowmore.com.

For a better head shave just exfoliate

nospam@example.com (Tyler) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:00:00 -0700

One of the known secrets on Sly Bald Guys is that in order to get the best head shave possible it helps to add exfoliating your head to your preshave routine. How do you do this? Well there are two favorite products here that we use. The first product is HeadShed from HeadBlade. HeadShed is my favorite, mostly due to the smell of it. As HeadBlade's website details, it smells like a cross between cookie dough and cocoa butter. To use it, just squeeze a bit into your hand and rub it into your scalp. Rinse after 30 seconds. To learn more about or to buy HeadShed go to HeadBlade.com. You can also buy HeadShed at Sally Beauty Supply.

The second favorite product is St. Ives Apricot Scrub. This product works just the same and just as well as HeadShed, though it has a citrus/apricot smell. St. Ives is available in most drug stores and large stores such as Target and Wal Mart. Though, you might have to come up with an excuse when one of your buddies sees it in your shower.

How to carry on all of your head shaving gear when travelling

nospam@example.com (Tyler) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:14:16 -0700

As some of you have noticed, until yesterday I haven't posted in a couple of weeks. Well, this was due to me travelling for business part of the time while I was absent from the blog. While I was in the Denver airport trying to get through security, it made me realize that I've been thinking of doing a post on "how to carry on all of your head shaving gear while travelling" and now is the time to do it. Here's how:

First off, you need to know the rules. If you haven't travelled in a while, then you probably don't know that you have to separate all of your liquids from your other stuff and put them into on quart (not gallon) sized bag and each liquid item must be in a 3 oz container or less. The TSA outlines this as 3-1-1 as the picture up above details.

Secondly, it is important to separate your razor, blades, and other non liquid items into a separate bag. Remember, you DO NOT need to pull this bag out when going through security. Also, you can bring a safety razor (HeadBlade, Fusion, etc) on the plane with extra blades. Here's what the TSA says about razors in their prohibited items section:

"Razor-Type Blades - such as box cutters, utility knives, razor blades not in a cartridge, but excluding safety razors (must be checked)."

From that line, it's my best guess that straight razors and double edge razors should be checked and you should not attempt to carry them on.

One of the toughest thing about this 3-1-1 rule is that it can often be hard to fit all of the things that you need into 1 quart size bag, so here is a list of all the products that I know of that come in bottles or packages that are 3 oz or less.

Shaving Creams/Oils/Gels

HeadSlick by Headblade - 2 oz
Pacific Shaving Oil - 1/2 oz and 2 oz sizes
Shave Secret Oil - 1 oz
KOS Shave Oil - 1-2 oz
Matte for Men - 2.5 oz

Exfoliating Scrub

HeadShed by HeadBlade - 2 oz
St. Ives Apricot Scrub -1 oz (Found in the travel section of stores like Target)

Lotions

HeadLube Matte or Glossy by HeadBlade - 2 oz
Matte for Men with SPF 25 - 2.5 oz
Neutrogena - 1 oz (If you stay at a DoubleTree they often provide this for free)
Neutrogena with SPF - 1 oz (If you stay at a DoubleTree they often provide this for free)

Bump Control

ClearHead by HeadBlade - 2 oz
TendSkin - 1 oz

One thins you'll notice is that HeadBlade has a product in every category on this list. They actually sell a travel kit that you can buy. The best part is that once you buy it, you can then refill the little bottles with product from your regular sized bottles. Both of Matte for Men's products are also below the 3 oz limit.

By sticking to products on this list or other products that you find that are below the 3 oz limit you should be able to fit all the product you need into the quart size bag. Remember that if you're are going to be somewhere longer than a week it will probably be a good idea to bring larger portions and just check your bag.

How to use the HeadBlade

nospam@example.com (Tyler) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:41:14 -0700

You're all excited because you just got your new HeadBlade, one of the best razors for head shaving. You rip the packaging open, pull that bad boy out and you head to the bathroom to try it out. Then it dawns on you, "How do I use this thing?" All the sudden the blades look enormous, it feels akward, and your knees start shaking in anticipation of what your head might look like when you're done. Relax! It's very easy to use and will provide you one of the best shaves ever, you just need to remember a few simple things.

KEEP PRESSURE OFF OF THE BLADE! - This is in bold and caps because it is the main thing to remember when using the HeadBlade. If you forget everything else that is written here, remember to keep the pressure off of the blade. The blade is sharp and will do the cutting on it's own, so no added pressure is needed. Instead, keep the pressure on your middle finger (this is the finger you should have in the ring) and the finger over the wheels (if you have a sport) or the glider (if you have the classic).
Use long, even strokes - Place the HeadBlade at the beginning of your hairline and glide it over your head, all the way to the end of your hairline. For example, if you start at your forehead you should end up at your neck without ever lifting the blade. Pick up the blade and move it over to the next line of shaving.
Go front to back, then back to front - Or vice versa. The point is to shave your entire head sticking with the same direction, for example from your forehead to your neck, or neck to forehead. Then turn the HeadBlade around and do a second pass in the other direction. This will help you get the smoothest shave possible.
Find the best blade for you - Not everyone is going to love the blade that comes on the HeadBlade and HeadBlade knows this; that's why they have provided an adapter for other blades. There are several blades that you can choose from. HeadBlade Doubles, HeadBlade Triples, Gillette Atra, and Atra knockoffs. These all use the yellow adapter. The other blades that can be used are the Gillette Sensor, Gillette Sensor Excel, and Sensor knockoffs like Personna. These all use the black adapter which should come with the Sport. The double blades from Atra and HeadBlade are loved by many, but have also known to wreak havoc for new users as they tend to be less forgiving than other blades. Give either some triple baldes a try or the Gillette Sensor blades. Just remember that Triples clog easier and may not get as close as double blades.
Rinse Often! - Make sure you rinse your blade out after every stroke. This keep your blade unclogged for the next set of hair that it needs to cut.
Watch the HeadBlade 101 video over at HeadBlade - http://www.headblade.com/headblade-101.html

HeadWash by HeadBlade

nospam@example.com (Tyler) — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 11:25:26 -0700

HeadBlade has recently came out with a new product called HeadWash. What is HeadWash? Consider it shampoo for the guy that doesn't have any hair.

I visited HeadBlade back when they had just finished developing this product and I was lucky enough to get a sample of it prior to it hitting the shelves. It came in handy that evening because I ended up having to stay in LA for a couple more nights unexpectedly and it saved me from having to use hotel soap to wash the dome.

When I first used HeadWash, I was expecting it to have either a menthol smell or be fragrance free since that is what I'm used to with their other products. Upon opening the bottle, I was amazed to find a light and refreshing fragrence that smelled slightly like apple with something in it. I couldn't figure out what that something was until I read the description on HeadBlade's page that it contained apple and cucumber.

After using it, my head felt very clean and refreshing and it didn't dry out my skin at all like some face washes I've tried.

Pros:

Light and refreshing smell
You can order it right along with your other HeadBlade products
Didn't dry out my skin

Cons:

There weren't really any cons unless you aren't an online shopper. Currently HeadWash is only available online.

7 Tips to avoid cutting yourself while shaving

nospam@example.com (Tyler) — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:20:11 -0700

Whether I'm shaving my face or my head I hate when I cut myself shaving and I figure that you probably do also. Here are some tips to help you avoid that dreaded slice into your skin.

1. Use a fresh razor

An old blade will make it harder to shave your hair and will instead rip the hair out. This can cause you to use excess pressure on the blade, thus leading you to cut your skin as well as your hair. Depending on the coarseness of your hair, a razor will on average last between 5 and 7 days. Some guys can go longer with a razor if they have really soft hair, but as a rule, I change my blade every Monday.

2. Moisten the hair

It's best to shave in the shower as it will moisten up the hairs and allow for an easier shave. But if you don't like that idea you can put a hot towel on the stubble to moisten it up.

3. Exfoliate

Exfoliating your face/head will help soften the hair even more, making it easier to shave. Some of the exfoliaters I recommend are HeadShed or St. Ives Apricot Scrub. There are also more expensive brands that you can get as well.

4. Get the right shaving cream, gel, or oil

There have been great advances in shaving creams, gels, and oils to allow for a much slicker shaving surface than the old school shave cream in an aerosol can. The slicker the shaving surface, the less friction the blade will have as it glides across your face or head. The less friction, the less likely that your going to use too much pressure and dig the blade into your skin.

If you're cutting yourself a lot, you may want to consider using both a shaving oil and a cream or gel on top of the oil. This will provide more protection for your skin.

For recommendations on which shaving cream, gel or oil to use, check out the Product Review section.

5. Use long strokes

Using long strokes can help you keep even pressure on the blade versus using short strokes.

6. Let the blade to the work

The main cause of cutting your self is applying too much pressure on the blade. Let the blade do the work. It's better to err on too little pressure than too much as you can always go back for another pass.

7. Concentrate

Try not to day dream when you are shaving. I usually find that I cut myself if I'm day dreaming and not concentrating on what I'm doing.

If you do cut yourself, check out the post on How To Stop The Bleeding.

Enjoy your next shave!

How to stop the bleeding after cutting yourself while shaving

nospam@example.com (Tyler) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 14:41:09 -0700

Whether your shaving your head, face, or other parts of your body, it can be a real pain when you cut yourself. Not only does it hurt, but then you have to figure out how to stop the bleeding. The usual reaction is to grab a tissue and compress the cut with the tissue or tear off a bit to stick on the cut until the bleeding stops. This can work, but who wants to run around with a tissue hanging off their face or head?

Instead, you can use a Styptic Pencil. A styptic or hemostatic pencil is a short stick of medication, usually anhydrous aluminum sulfate (a type of alum) or titanium dioxide, which is used for stanching blood by causing blood vessels to contract at the site of the wound. It looks like a solid white stick of lip stick.

Styptic Pencils are easy to use as you just need to wet it and then apply it to the cut. It will sting a bit, but the bleeding should stop in a matter of seconds.

Styptic Pencils are very inexpensive and can usually be purchased for around $1.50 at the drug store.

If you don't have a Styptic pencil nearby, you can always try putting some cayenne pepper on the wound as people have claimed that this will help stop the bleeding as well.