Haven't Used Shaving Cream in Years

[mjones1234]

I'm not sure if this is pretty common, but i haven't paid for shaving cream for years. I just use shampoo or a good lather of soap while in the shower. I'm always clean shaven with no irritation. Just a little tip for those who pay $2-3 a can every few weeks.

[meg_shannon]

I stopped using shaving cream/gel as a teenager. I mostly use soap or body wash, or sometimes hair conditioner.

[WildJager]

Same, but mainly because I travel a lot.  When I do shave with cream, I notice a distinct improvement in comfort.  Especially if I'm at a location where I can't shave in the shower.  Shaving with soap after you skin has dried off slightly is a bit rough.  When I'm really feeling luxurious, I have a jar of old school lather and a straight razor. 

For all of the above, however, the true way to get a comfortable shave is soaking your face with a warm, wet towel.  After your skin is properly moisturized, the lather is relatively trivial. 

I have struggled with the merit of shaving in the shower, however.  The mass amount of warm water to accomplish the deed most likely offsets the minimal cost savings of shaving cream.  I generally consider it a wash on cost effectiveness.

[forummm]

I use water. Haven't bought shaving cream in 20+ years. I also usually use an electric shaver to get most of it first.

[CLB]

I use cold water. I stopped using shaving creams and soaps several years ago. Works for me, but I don't have to shave every day.

[MakingSenseofCents]

I haven't bought shaving cream in years. I always wondered if I was alone! I just use water and some soap.

[Fudge102]

Ahhhhhh!!!!!  I cannot fathom running a blade over the skin with just water!  It's bad enough doing touch ups!  That being said, I have a good ol' badger hair brush and use good ol' shaving soap.  It's like shaving cream but better.  And it's like regular soap but better!

P.s. I laugh when people talk about dollar shave club and all those disposable razors of any kind.  I have a couple of straight razors and a whole package of safety razors.  I can't even thing of the last time I bought a blade of any kind.  Heck, even the safety razors since I still have so many.  Dollar shave club cheap my ass lol!

[turketron]

I've had a beard for the last 10 years so it's been at least that long since I've bought any. I usually just take the guard off my trimmer to do the neckline, and on the handful of occasions (weddings, etc) that have warranted actually using a razor I've just used soap or conditioner.

[MilesTeg]

When all you have is peach fuzz, it's no problem ;)

[Metric Mouse]

I usually dry shave. If you keep your razor sharp it's usually not a big deal. Massive amounts of unruly facial hair are not my specialty, though.

[FIRE me]

I'm not sure if this is pretty common, but i haven't paid for shaving cream for years. I just use shampoo or a good lather of soap while in the shower. I'm always clean shaven with no irritation. Just a little tip for those who pay $2-3 a can every few weeks.

I put the cheapest shampoo that I can find (usually Suave) in a hand soap pump container. I use that for hand washing and as shaving soap. However, I don't shave in the shower. Shaving is easier in front of a mirror.

[FLBiker]

Ahhhhhh!!!!!  I cannot fathom running a blade over the skin with just water!  It's bad enough doing touch ups!  That being said, I have a good ol' badger hair brush and use good ol' shaving soap.  It's like shaving cream but better.  And it's like regular soap but better!

+1  I always hated shaving, then I switched to brush / soap, and it's become something I enjoy.  I spent ~$20 on the brush, and I buy a $3 soap every 6 months or so.  I would buy more soap if I didn't have a beard (I only shave my cheeks and neck).  I need to shave everyday, but with a beard I just shave once a week.  That said, as spring turns to summer, it's about beard-shaving time.

[CowboyAndIndian]

Instead of shaving soap, use hair conditioner.

This provides lubrication for your shave and your skin feels nice after the shave.

[soccerluvof4]

I have a very coarse facial hair and use just water on my neck. I go with the 5 0'clock shadow on my face so pretty much just use my electric shaver once a week, the one I use on my head for haircuts. Been that way seemingly forever. At least 30 years.

[nereo]

honest question:  Is the preference for not using shaving cream because it really saves money, or because it elimates one more product in the bathroom?

when traveling I'll use conditioner and it works ok.  But I buy cans of shaving cream in bulk for $2.25/can , and a can seems to last me several months.  I'm not sure the cost/oz or the cost/shave is any better with my normal conditioner.

[rockstache]

I use baby oil. I only need a couple of drops so it lasts forever, and it makes my skin so soft.

[CLB]

honest question:  Is the preference for not using shaving cream because it really saves money, or because it elimates one more product in the bathroom?

For me, I started shaving without cream as an experiment just to see if it would work for me. It did, and it saves money and eliminates one more product. Win-win, right?

[lizzzi]

In the summer when I'm going bare-legged, I prefer to use a gel type shaving cream in the shower for my legs, as I get a closer de-fuzzing that lasts longer. During the cold months when my legs are more likely to be covered up, I use a girly pink electric razor or conditioner with the store-brand cheap Venus-type razor. A container of shaving cream lasts me forever.

[Mac_MacGyver]

I bought a safety razor and some of the fancy bowl shaving soap back in 2012 all in for about 200 dollars. I still have every last one with years left in them. I probably have enough razors for another 5 years.

[JimLahey]

Got a safety razor almost two years ago. Bought a boar hair brush, a case of Arko shaving soap, and a pack of Astra blades. The razor blades lasted me about a year. A stick of Arko lasts months. So $10 a year for blades is about as frugal as it gets next to having a beard. Like others said I cannot imagine just using water to shave. I would be miserable from the irritation.

[nereo]

honest question:  Is the preference for not using shaving cream because it really saves money, or because it elimates one more product in the bathroom?

For me, I started shaving without cream as an experiment just to see if it would work for me. It did, and it saves money and eliminates one more product. Win-win, right?

I was questioning whether, at 22¢/oz for shaving cream, using conditioner really saves money. It doesn't seem to.
So this would be more of a win-loose, or maybe a win-tie.

[TomTX]

honest question:  Is the preference for not using shaving cream because it really saves money, or because it elimates one more product in the bathroom?

For me, I started shaving without cream as an experiment just to see if it would work for me. It did, and it saves money and eliminates one more product. Win-win, right?

I was questioning whether, at 22¢/oz for shaving cream, using conditioner really saves money. It doesn't seem to.
So this would be more of a win-loose, or maybe a win-tie.

I use free hotel soaps for shaving :D

[brute]

I don't shave. Once a week I'll use my trimmers on my neck, trim down the beard, buzz my hair back down. Works out pretty well.

[Metric Mouse]

honest question:  Is the preference for not using shaving cream because it really saves money, or because it elimates one more product in the bathroom?

when traveling I'll use conditioner and it works ok.  But I buy cans of shaving cream in bulk for $2.25/can , and a can seems to last me several months.  I'm not sure the cost/oz or the cost/shave is any better with my normal conditioner.

I have honestly never considered buying shaving cream in bulk. Thanks for the suggestion.

Personally, I just hate the mess and clean up from shaving cream. It's one less step in my day to just scrape the hair from my face with water and then start my day. I can't imagine getting out a special bar of soap and a magic brush and what not. Maybe I should give it a shot before I judge, but there's so much to do in a day I'd hate to waste more time standing in my bathroom to accomplish the same feat.

[Peacefulwarrior]

I'm not sure if this is pretty common, but i haven't paid for shaving cream for years. I just use shampoo or a good lather of soap while in the shower. I'm always clean shaven with no irritation. Just a little tip for those who pay $2-3 a can every few weeks.

Here shaving cream is more like $10 so will definitely try some of the suggestions in this thread.

[Jupiter]

I'm 22 and I've never used shaving cream in my life. I just wash the area with warm water then put cold water on the blade. Then boom, smooth shave and no pain as long as I do it slowly. I've never had red marks or irritation after shaving and I shave right down to the skin leaving not a single hair visible.

[duckfeetin]

I have super sensitive skin soap dries it out, shampoo causes break outs. I use olive oil! Works wonders with the safety razor.

[JoRocka]

I'll use soap/conditioner/cream- whatever is on sale.
But I cannot just water shave- I get the WORST razor burn on my pits.

My legs seem to be able to take the abuse- but not the pits. Not happening.

[meatface]

I just wet my face with water and use an old-school safety razor with double-edged razor. That's about as cheap and simple as it gets. I have sensitive skin, and you'd be surprised how cream/soap is completely unnecessary.

I may increase badassity in the future by moving from the safety razor to a straight razor or rambo knife.

[BTDretire]

I'm not sure if this is pretty common, but i haven't paid for shaving cream for years. I just use shampoo or a good lather of soap while in the shower. I'm always clean shaven with no irritation. Just a little tip for those who pay $2-3 a can every few weeks.

Here shaving cream is more like $10 so will definitely try some of the suggestions in this thread.

 
Years ago my daughter was using some expensive shaving cream for her legs, I saw Barbasol at the dollar store for, yep $1. I bought it for her. Later I was at Walmart, the regular price was $0.89. :-(
  Then she didn't use it. It ended up leaving a rusty circle where it sat in her shower.
I just use an electric shaver.

[renata ricotta]

I suspect that much of the divide here might be between men and women.  As a woman who shaves her legs in the shower (skin already pretty moist and warm, fine hair on a surface without a lot of complicated angles), there is basically no need for anything more than a thin layer of soap.  I'd be using that soap on my skin regardless to get clean, and I have at least a year's supply of free soap from hotels, because I travel a lot for work. 

Husband, on the other hand, shaves the wiry hair on his face with old-style proraso shaving cream and a safety razor.  Just a tiny bit in a wide mug lathers with a brush into a lot of shaving cream, and the tube lasts months.  The spray can would be a lot less economical, and he'd probably have a lot of razor burn or cuts if he just used soap.

[acroy]

Step out of the hot shower, shave @ sink with hot water & dish soap (the foaming dispensers are awesome).

Been doing this since age 15ish... 25yrs

I get 4-6mo out of disposable razors. Then they start to pull & get uncomfy.

[trollwithamustache]

Add one to the hot water in the shower and no shaving cream list.

[HipGnosis]

Instead of shaving soap, use hair conditioner.

This provides lubrication for your shave and your skin feels nice after the shave.

+ 1    I buy the conditioner at the dollar store

[AM43]

I use shaving cream and spend $6 per year to buy it.
Its not a big expense.
Not sure where savings are by not buying it, but I guess to each his own.

[LovesToTravel]

Just soap and water for me

[MilesTeg]

I'm not sure if this is pretty common, but i haven't paid for shaving cream for years. I just use shampoo or a good lather of soap while in the shower. I'm always clean shaven with no irritation. Just a little tip for those who pay $2-3 a can every few weeks.

Works for those with boyish beards, but not with thick, coarse manliness. ;)

[ditkanate]

I use shaving cream and spend $6 per year to buy it.
Its not a big expense.
Not sure where savings are by not buying it, but I guess to each his own.

yeah i just bought a can at walmart for $.96 and it will last me a few months.  don't see how using anything else (or even nothing - ouch) would save me any money.

[dcheesi]

I shave in the shower, and I just use the same "body wash" gel that I use as soap anyway. I run my head under warm water, lather the soap/gel on my face and let it sit while I clean the rest of me, then shave and rinse. As someone else noted, warm water on face + cold water on blade seems to be key, so I keep a shaving mug on hand just to hold the cold water (filled while waiting for the shower to get hot).

[TheStachery]

I don't see this as badassity.  Shaving cream is really cheap. 

[trollwithamustache]

I don't see this as badassity.  Shaving cream is really cheap.

A lot of soft bearded (hopefully not less manly? IDK :) ) folk just don't need shaving cream. It certainly took me a few years to figure out that society wasn't giving me good advice on this one and isn't that part of bad-assity?

[JG in Hangzhou]

I'm not sure if this is pretty common, but i haven't paid for shaving cream for years. I just use shampoo or a good lather of soap while in the shower. I'm always clean shaven with no irritation. Just a little tip for those who pay $2-3 a can every few weeks.

Works for those with boyish beards, but not with thick, coarse manliness. ;)

I completely disagree...
In my 20's when I was in the Navy, I needed to shave twice a day.  My hair grows fast and its like a wire brush. 
I started shaving in the shower and found that the steam was enough to eliminate the need for shaving cream.  After 20+ years of not using it, I can wash my face and shave with just a razor.  Though the steam from the shower does make it better.

[FrugalFisherman10]

man - I feel like a crazy person now. I use fancy organic jojoba oil on my face before usng a shaving soap, although the soap is likely unnecessary.I didn't know about this 'cold blade' thing? I thought it was all supposed to be hot (face, and blade). I'll have to try that - thinking back actually, my dad probably showed me this, but I went rogue and started using hot water for everything

[TheStachery]

I don't see this as badassity.  Shaving cream is really cheap.

A lot of soft bearded (hopefully not less manly? IDK :) ) folk just don't need shaving cream. It certainly took me a few years to figure out that society wasn't giving me good advice on this one and isn't that part of bad-assity?

Fine, total badass move to shave without shaving cream (tough guy) but financially speaking, meh.   

[nereo]

I'm not sure if this is pretty common, but i haven't paid for shaving cream for years. I just use shampoo or a good lather of soap while in the shower. I'm always clean shaven with no irritation. Just a little tip for those who pay $2-3 a can every few weeks.

Works for those with boyish beards, but not with thick, coarse manliness. ;)

I completely disagree...
In my 20's when I was in the Navy, I needed to shave twice a day.  My hair grows fast and its like a wire brush. 
I started shaving in the shower and found that the steam was enough to eliminate the need for shaving cream.  After 20+ years of not using it, I can wash my face and shave with just a razor.  Though the steam from the shower does make it better.

(sorry, couldn't resist )

[ChipmunkSavings]

I did the reverse. I never used to use shaving cream, shaved in the shower. Decided to try a can that was on sale - it made a world of difference! I feel like it makes the shaving more thorough and comfortable. Losing points in badassity, but I don't think I'll go back on this.

[facepalm]

I bought a safety razor and some of the fancy bowl shaving soap back in 2012 all in for about 200 dollars. I still have every last one with years left in them. I probably have enough razors for another 5 years.

Shaving is one area I refuse to go cheap.

Similar situation here. Before getting serious about ER I had gone hard down the rabbit hole of fancy wet-shaving. I had numerous razors (including straight razors valued in the hundreds), soaps, brushes, and had even gone as far as to stockpile new old stock (NOS) blades such as Personna 74's and Gillette Stainless. You know, the blades your dad shaved with. I finally wised up and sold off all of my NOS blades and collectible razors and with some of the proceeds bought enough blades and soaps to last 20 years or more. The rest went in the bank. I have amortized my shaving cost to around $9 a year.

If you want a good look at how a basic function such as shaving can be turned into an obsession, pay a visit to the Badger and Blade website. I no longer post there, as I'm more interested isn saving money than spending it.

Got a safety razor almost two years ago. Bought a boar hair brush, a case of Arko shaving soap, and a pack of Astra blades. The razor blades lasted me about a year. A stick of Arko lasts months. So $10 a year for blades is about as frugal as it gets next to having a beard. Like others said I cannot imagine just using water to shave. I would be miserable from the irritation.

I like Arko, and am a huge fan of shaving sticks. My personal favorite is Speick, which runs a bit more than Arko. But Arko lasts forever. I also stocked up on La Toja sticks when they were on sale and am probably set for life. I use a cheap synthetic brush and Super Irridium blades and get a far better shave than I ever did with canned goop and multi-bladed razors.

Wet shaving with a single bladed razor can be very Mustachian. Blades run around 10 cents each, actual shaving soap is cheap and lasts longer than the canned crap, and is designed specifically for shaving. Safety razors can be had for $10. In the long fun, shaving with a double edged blade is much more economical than using canned goo and a multi-blade razor.

[aceyou]

I have struggled with the merit of shaving in the shower, however.  The mass amount of warm water to accomplish the deed most likely offsets the minimal cost savings of shaving cream.  I generally consider it a wash on cost effectiveness.

I've thought about this too, probably a wash at best to shave in the shower due to warm water expenses.  My thinking is that I save on shaving cream to spend on the extra minute or two in the hot shower.  I love a nice hot shower:)

[Rocket]

I like to use shaving cream.  I use it sparingly and a can lasts forever.  My razor lasts a long time also.  I prefer it over soap because soap makes a mess and with shaving cream I can clearly see where I've shaved.

[Anon in Alaska]

I'm not clear how anyone can use a can in two - three weeks. They last me at least 18 months, shaving every other day with a thin layer of gel. I'm happy to pay $3 a bottle ($2/year) for this.