Slyette in the making (Holla to SlyGirls?)

[Natedawg]

Welcome, gutsy. Nice intro. Always good to have some of the fairer sex here to mix up this sausage party. 
 
It's perfectly normal to slice the noggin when you are new to razor shaving. I know I did. The first time I ever tried, I cut myself so bad, I didn't try again for a few months. The next time, it went much better, and continuously more-so after that. It's definitely worth it to work on getting it right. A great head shave feels AMAZING. Everyone has to start somewhere, and that goes for all things in life.
As for which products work best, it's of course a case of YMMV. I've been using Mach 3 disposables since the beginning, and aside from the aforementioned rough start, I have had no issues.

[Snakehandler]

Welcome to our humble abode. If you use a good razor like a Fusion, Hydro 5 or DG 5 with a good shave gel and babby oil you'll minimize your chances of cutting yourself.

[Slynito]

Wow! You pull off, "The Look" very well. Welcome to the forum. 

[baldjoeg]

Welcome Gutsy Girl. You look great.

[RoWilJr]

Welcome to SBG

[gutsygirl]

Wow, thanks so much for the warm welcome and all the replies!    You folks are awesome! 

I'm returning the electric razor burner to the store I got it from this week.  Obviously I haven't shaved since so things are pretty rough up top, but the irritation in the back is nearly gone now.  I did enjoy the day and a half of smoothness.  I really don't like this "I do not have any hair yet my head is very very rough and sticking to the pillowcase" situation, so it seems to me that I will be happier either shaved entirely smooth with a manual razor of some type or I will need at least 1/16th inch of hair or so.  This in-between isn't working for me.  I think this is 4 days growth at this point.

I know I need to spend more time reading the forums, but could you give me the 25 cent version for baldies 101?  I read about exfoliating and tried to make my own exfoliating scrub today with so-so results.  You see, I have MAJOR food and gluten and outdoor allergies.  I have severe celiac disease and gluten ataxia.  I CANNOT be around gluten...period.  Also nut allergies and lots of other stuff going on.  So many health and beauty products aren't things I can use.  I normally use just a pure glycerin soap for head, body, and face, which has worked well thus far. 

Why do you all exfoliate?
If you had to pick just 1 or 2 common household natural products to use as shave gel/foam/whatever slippery stuff for actual shaving, what would you use?  (Thinking aloe, soap bar, baby oil, etc)?

I've been using witch hazel for years and love it, so plan to stick that for after-shave. 

Oh, and I read that using a razor when you have several days of growth can be a bad idea.  So do you guys use a trimmer without guard to keep it real close to the scalp, then shave if there's a few days between razor shaves? 

Thanks for the help! 

[theebaldguy]

Hi GutsyGirl,

I'm returning the electric razor burner to the store I got it from this week. 

"Electric razor burner" LOL.

The sandpaper feel really is annoying, isn't it?
The only exfoliating I do is what happens by me washing my head in the shower. I don't do any specific routine to exfoliate. For shaving, I've used hair conditioner before. It works really well, and it's cheap. Olive oil or baby oil would probably work fine. Soap will work if you make a lather with it. When I do buy gel, I will sometimes by the unscented ones, but not always.

Yes, trying to shave with a manual blade after several days of growth is not fun. It isn't comfortable, and you'll really gunk up the razor cartridge with all that stubble. You really are better off clipping it as close as you can with an electric trimmer sans guard, then taking the blade to it.

I know the first wet shave is scary, but once you try it, you'll find it gets easier. Take it slow, and careful around the ears! 

[xnewyawka]

Welcome to the forum gutsy, good to have you join us. Hang in there and whatever it takes, keep it shaved. You look great.   

[Slynito]

I've known guys that use hair styling gel...a light oil is good, like tea tree or coconut oil if you like smelling like a macaroon. I use a Panasonic wet/dry LA-63 and have been pleased for years with the results. But of course the closeness doesn't equal sharp steel. Good luck.

 

[warhawk]

Hi G-girl:  Welcome 2 the sly fraternity.  Glad that ya joined us.  You wear the sly well. 

WARHAWK

[theman]

GG, gotta say Looking Good ! 

I am a old man, but I like it !  So you can take that to the bank. 

[gutsygirl]

Slynito, I laughed out loud at the thought of smelling like a macaroon....sounds fairly appealing to me!   Long as I don't also *LOOK* like one!  LOL!

I accomplished my first wet shave tonight.  I was scared, but the Mach 3 worked well once I got the angle and pressure right.  No nicks tonight.    I took my time and I'm really pleased with the results.  I don't like the stubble feeling; much prefer smooth or more hair, but stubble stinketh. 

Thanks for the compliments and encouragement!  I may not live Sly the rest of my life, as I have chosen Sly for medical reasons (severe allergies) but I'm really grateful for an understanding bunch of fellas!    Thanks.

GutsyGirl

[Beardman]

You are most welcome, glad to hear your first experience was a good one 

It doesn't matter how long you stay sly for, just that you have tried it

[Slyfive]

Congrats Gutsy Girl, I hope you enjoy the smoothness. What did you use as shaving cream?

[gutsygirl]

barbasol with aloe