My son has hit the age when shaving will soon be a part of his routine. We don't know what kind of razor to start with. We were both kind of thinking maybe an electric razor would be a good place to start, but we need some guy opinions. (His dad is not very helpful and would probably just pick whatever was cheapest. He also doesn't live with us and probably won't be showing him how to use it.) What do your husbands and sons use? Is there a kind to avoid? We will have a very busy morning routine and late night school sports, so he would like to get the best shave possible in the shortest amount of time, without cutting himself! Also, is there any kind of skin treatment he should use after shaving? Sorry, but this is new to us. If it were his legs I would know just what to do. Ha-ha!
Thank you for the great answers so far! I never even thought about the electric one encouraging him to shave too high up. I don't want him to have a beard that starts way high up on his cheeks! I think we may try a manual razor and if he doesn't have to do it every day it wouldn't be too bad. Keep the suggestions coming. We want to make a good choice and appreciate all of the help!
My husband likes the Nivea products for men. Both shaving creme/gel and after shave balm (lotion). He has sensitive skin and he can use these fine. :)
He uses a regular razor (disposable with multi blades) and also an electric shaver. It depends on if he is working or on vacation or whatever, what he chooses. And yes, the more you spend (on electric) the better they are.
I think the brand of shave gel I buy for my son is made by Gillette Fusion HydraGel it is for sensitive skin and he really like sit. My son uses an electric razor, he does not like to use a regular razor although he has to for ROTC to get the close shave required.
My husband says a GOOD razor and shaving cream....he says the electric razors will encourage him to shave EVERYWHERE on his face, not just the peach fuzzy areas & if he starts shaving his cheeks now, his beard line will grow higher.
I, of course, have NO idea! LOL
My sons both started out using an electric razor, only using a safety razor for special occasions. My husband uses The Gillette Mach III. He feels that even the best electric razors don't shave close enough. My older son has shaved with a razor since he joined the military. ( in OCS/boot camp they don't allow electric razors.) I have found, with electric razors, how well they work is directly related to how much they cost. You don't necessarily have to buy the most expensive one, but I wouldn't go with the cheapest either. And those blades do need to be replaced periodically ( instruction manual will say how often.). Their are two types of electric shavers... Rotary and foil. Foil works better if you are shaving every single day. Rotary works better on longer hairs, so if you plan on skipping days, rotary would be the better choice. My son uses the norelco one that cleans as it charges. Don't remember the model. You may have guessed that we did a lot of research on razors! :)
If your son decides he would like to use a safety razor, you can Google "how to shave your face" and you will find many tutorials, often with videos.
Good luck!
My husband and son shave the old fashioned way. Each of them have an old fashioned double-edged safety razor, and use a brush to apply shaving soap. My husband switched to the double-edge safety razor because he has sensitive skin and everything else bothered him, even electric razors. He says it is the smoothest shave he's ever had and it never irritates his skin. Our son loves it too. He used the Gillette Mach 3 before, and says this gives him a much better shave and zero irritations.
Initial purchase can be expensive, but will last a lifetime. We paid $50 for the razor, but the rest isn't much. The double-edge blades are around $5 for a package of 10. They last a long time before needing to be changed too. We buy the soap at Walgreens, 2 for $4. The brush was inexpensive at Walgreens too, less than $10 I think.
Here's a link to the double-edge safety razor my husband and son use:
http://www.theartofshaving.com/shop/razors/safety/67003
I know those razors can seem scary, but neither of them have cut themselves using it. My husband nicked his chin with it once, but nothing more than he would get with a disposal. And my son hasn't even nicked himself once.
If you don't want him to get cut.... then get an electric shaver.
And he can shave anywhere.
My husband and I both use schick hydro 5 blade and we love it! If you want to get him something really nice you can try one of those mens shaving stores. The one where I live is called the art of shaving.
My guy has always used a Wahl electric. Without the gaurd it gets pretty close to the skin, and with the gaurd you can pick the length. I use it to clean up the back of his neck too inbetween hair cuts. After he gets it close to his skin he cleans up with a regular razor (mach 5 I think) and shaving cream.
It was about 50 bucks at wal-mart.
I think SS used a Braun electric razor first. He now uses Quattro disposables. He and DH both use electric razors sometimes (DH more than SS...his is a Remington) but find they don't cut close enough all the time so they follow up when necessary with the disposables.
My husband used a Norelco electric for years (from the time he started shaving until around the time we were married). He is, however, very hairy all over and his face is no exception. He did have a bit of trouble with ingrown hairs on his face, I think from the razor, to the point where he'd have more than 1/2 inch of hair buried under the skin and swollen over. Once he switched to a blade he's had no trouble with ingrowns.
I think there is less nicking with an electric, but you get more razor burn and the ingrown risk. Go with a 2 or 3 blade razor if you go that route. The four+ blades sometimes cut you up more if you're not careful and if he's just learning to shave, you might want to minimize that. A little after shave helps soothe the skin, too. My husband and I both use (and like) the Schick Quattro, and don't find that to be too many blades, but the 5 blades was ridiculous. :)
I've never heard that shaving higher encourages higher beard growth before. If he's going to have a lot of facial hair, he'll have it. Personally, I LOVE beards! (My husband shaves in the summer, stinker.)
My son loves the Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor, the manual one, won't use anything else.
My husbands used many types in the past, but he's settled on the Bic disposable razors and he'll most likely recommend the same for our son once he gets there (in a few more years).
My husband and sons all use the Remington titanium MS 280. They don't use any skin treatment (although I wish they would!)
My husband uses a Norelco triple blade classic series... has as long as I've known him (16 yrs) and it does a nice job (he's in the Air Force so he has to shave daily). He used to use the Norelco that squirted out "shaving lotion" but he found it just gunked it up more and stopped using the lotion entirely.
I buy him Neutrogena's Men's Facial Moisturizer and he uses it every now and again in the winter.
id just get him a GOOD razor, electric razors imo dont to anything, id get one with 4/5 blades and just let him know that it needs to be sharp and to soak the razor in hot water while he is putting shaving creame or gel on and to wet the beard before he shaves my boyfriend only has to shave once or twice a week but his hair doesnt grow fast, if he is just starting to shave he prolly will only need to shave every few days depending on how fast his hair grows, and once he gets the hang of it it should only take 10 15 minutes
my husband uses a whal shaver and then cleans up with a regular razor and shave cream.
http://www.amazon.com/Gillette-Fusion-Proglide-Manual-Car...
This one above has always gotten the highest reviews - the Gillette Fusion Proglide (manual or power razor) I would go with manual.
Don't buy some cheapo razors (those blue ones with 50 in a bag - they are guaranteed to nick your son) - go with something that will be pleasant. I bought my son a razor from eShave (the handle) and they fit with the cartridges of the gillette fusion proglide.
DH has really sensitive skin. He uses one of those gillette sensor razors (the one that vibrates) and shaving cream. Afterwards he has to use lotion to keep his face from getting awful razor burn. He likes the Origins Firefighter lotion. It's the only one that works instantly on his face. It's a little expensive, especially for what looks like a small bottle, but lasts a really long time because you really only need a little bit of it at a time.
