Hi, I wanted a bit of advice as I’m not sure how to do it properly.
When I shave, I either go both ways which causes me to cut myself a lot more, or I go from top to bottom but when doing this, my skin feels lot coarser. Is there a technique I should be using?
No need to do anything the hard way when you’re just starting out. The whole process with prep, safety razors, after care etc can wait. I’d also skip the disposable two blade razors.
Invest in a decent starter set of the modern 4 and 5 blade cartridge razors with the reusable handle and soap strips around the blades. They’re forgiving compared to everything else, which is perfect when you’re learning. Even if you want to try more trendy shaving equipment later, you’ll be grateful to have something fast and foolproof on hand when you’re in a rush!
As for technique tips: Any kind of soap will help the head glide, but obviously shaving cream is made for it. Light pressure is all that’s needed. Let the razor blades do the work.
Stretching the skin taught helps avoid irritation. Shaving with the direction of the hair to start can help your skin and follicles acclimate to the abrasion. Then you can try shaving against when you’re ready.
I’ve read that shaving soaps is more protective and provides lubrication unlike bar soap, I wouldn’t say any soap is suitable, you want to get shaving soap in particular and learn to lather really well (or use shaving cream). I would never use normal soap on the face unless you truly had no alternative, just because you increase risk of cutting yourself and having irritated skin later.
EDIT:
regarding my own shaving advice, I agree with others to use a safety razor, but I’ve had even better results from an old fashioned straight razor - but it comes at the cost of being difficult to learn, easy to cut yourself, and being very dangerous … so I don’t recommend it to anyone, but technically it is a way to get an even closer shave.
I also like to shave using a magnifying mirror so I can see the follicles better and what I’m doing. I take a slow and meticulous method, and only after a long hot shower where the room can trap the heat and moisture for the shave - the skin being warm and moist is crucial as everyone is saying. If I don’t have time for a shower, I wet a rag and put it in the microwave for 30 seconds, and then hold it to my face for a few minutes.
As I mentioned below, sanitize your razor with 70% alcohol - it will help reduce razor burn from bacterial contamination.
If you use a brush to lather, wash out the brush and dry it well (e.g. I like to rub it against a dry towel, so the towel absorbs more of the moisture from the brush) so that the brush lasts longer and doesn’t become a breeding ground for bacteria. Same with your shaving soap puck, make sure it dries out and isn’t left in the shower or someplace wet.
I’m going to reiterate the dissenting advice I offered when this room was empty, knowing my shaving enthusiast homies would soon arrive to suggest beginners should first master the 1904 Gillette special, like we did 😏, and reject the fancy multi-blade magic micro swivel razors with their “industry-leading safety,” “low up-front cost,” and “ease of use.” Because that guy on YT said it was bad skincare with gravitas on loan from Nessun Dorma.
OP asked for beginner tips, how to avoid the random injuries etc. Of course shavers each have their own highly optimized rituals particular to them, which are great to share, and beginners will eventually develop their own as well, but if someone sees us climbing a staircase and asks how to start, if our instinct is “oh easy, just join me on my step” that’s a good sign we need to reflect further on our own learning process.
Do you have a small collection of vintage safety razor handles? Do you have a shelf filled with dusty cigarette boxes of razor brands your skin somehow didn’t like, unless you installed it in a particular deck brass Soviet piece with a butterfly retainer that apparently added the fractional degrees necessary to make the damn Astra blades humane? I bet it was a learning process for you, like the rest of us. When you’re just starting out you’re not optimizing anything at all. Just having a go-to solution that doesn’t leave blood on your shirt is a huge win.
ETA, TLDR: We’re all beginners at something.
to be honest, no - I bought a single straight razor over a decade ago and have always shaved that way … I don’t recommend my way of shaving because it’s needlessly risky, and worked for me because I wanted an extremely close shave (I wonder why my egg ass wanted that, huh), I wanted to never buy another razor (save money and waste), and I was interested in learning - but not everyone feels this way and it’s ok.
I’m not recommending anyone join me on that step, nor do I see it as the obvious or natural progression or optimization.
Besides, these days I actually just use one of those pocket electric razors they sell to cis women to get rid of peach fuzz, but that’s because I’ve had over a year of laser and have very little hair left. I go days without shaving and have no beard shadow anymore.
All this to say, I disagree that any given method is too hard for beginners, since as a beginner I tried and learned it all myself - but I agree that there is a learning curve, I just think it’s fine for OP to be aware of the options and paths they can take if they want to, and to be aware of the respective difficulties of those paths.
Basically I’m not sure with shaving it’s necessary to hold back advice like trying a safety razor because it’s too advanced - it’s not that complicated, and it’s decent advice imo.
But it wasn’t even my advice! I think the razor optimization is a way to get a closer shave, but it’s not even the main point I wanted to get across, which was to start laser ASAP.
EDIT: I feel my response wasn’t affirming enough, I really appreciate the care and compassion you have for OP and the recognition that some techniques or advice may not be easily adapted or applied - overall I think your point is good and worth considering, and I thank you for raising it 💚
Full edit/redaction: 💜 Sorry for late reply. I hadn’t checked OP’s profile and incorrectly assumed they posted here to avoid ftm transphobia. Since I framed my advice specifically for ftm affirmation based on that assumption, it’s not as relevant to OP. Sorry for treating you as a cis aggressor unfairly. Appreciate you.
Attempt at useful advice:
Partner is mtf and totally agrees with you re: the lasers. She usually also discusses hair color as a consideration since hers are dark which increases the effectiveness of each session. Since I like her hair and like when she doesn’t shave, I’m a little biased, but she uses a common brand of articulated cartridge razors that surround the blades with a thick soap block. They seem to make cuts and razor burns impossible. She has only used my safety razors when she was treating keratosis on her shins.
All my best to you and OP