Barbershop Shave Prep

[MrPeterno3]

When I try this, the towel cools off after like 30 seconds. Do you re-heat it, or just leave it on cool?

[mantic59]

@MrPeterno3 Just leave it on cool, you should be OK. But if the shave is difficult try re-soaking the towel briefly and put it back on again. You will just have to experiment to see what works best for you.

[Cheeser281]

@mantic59 Have you tried barbasol shaving cream?

[mantic59]

@Cheeser281 yes but I do not care for it. It does not lubricate my face well.

[koncreteliquids]

I just wish my facial hair was as light as his... I've tried everything I can come across including paying a barber in NYC and Dallas to straight razor me... With a OTC multi-blade razor I have a shadow in about 45m-1h, the professional straight razor shaves took almost 2 hours before I looked like I had what most consider to be a "5'oclock shadow"

[soldierofapocalypse]

Mantic59, I've noticed that you don't use a pre-shave oil. Any reason?

[mantic59]

@soldierofapocalypse I think pre-shave oils are largely unnecessary if you prepare your face well (like with barbershop prep) and use decent products.

[SuperSpitt81]

Apparently, none of you have very good hearing. Notice he said that it's referred to as "Kyle's Prep" ON THE SHAVING FORUMS FOR THE MEMBER WHO INTRODUCED EVERYONE TO IT. Even at the beginning of the video, he said "Barbers who know what they're doing will..." implying that he knows barbers have been doing this for quite some time. Common sense folks, it's free.

[summerease]

Kyle's prep! This video's halarious

[submission123456]

dude could probably grow a good lookin beard

[Akhmedov2020]

the girl in the end got me going

[salazch12]

I get the towel as hot as I can stand it, but after about 45 seconds to a minute it cools down so its not hot anymore. How do you manage to keep it hot for 3 minutes?

[mantic59]

@salazch12 just briefly dip it in the water again briefly.

[mrdecaf]

If you used preshave oil, when would you use it before doing the Kyle's method? I use the art of shaving preshave oil i saw on one of your clips. Is it wise to thoroughly wash face, apply preshave oil, apply hot towel for 3 mins, then lather or?

[mantic59]

@mrdecaf no, do kyle's prep first then apply oil. Apply oil just before applying lather to shave.

[tehfear]

Is this a substitution for a warm shower by any chance?

[mantic59]

@tehfear yes i use it as a substitute for a shower prep.

[w0033944]

Here's a video of a barber in Dublin using this method:

watch?v=vY46z9I90p0&feature=re­lated

[ceeIoc]

So I took the plunge and just ordered a Merkur 34C. Im planning to also buy a brush and shave soap. Ive narrowed it down to the following: proraso, colonel conk, or tabac. Which would you recommend?

[mantic59]

@ceeIoc if you don't mind the smell of tobacco then Tabac will probably perform the best of the 3. Otherwise Proraso then Conk.

[gianki83]

Hi, about the soap prep: the barber in Vegas didn't tell that they do not recommend it?

And my personal point of view: I would understand if you use a pre-shave cream, (like Proraso) but not the soap, because soap lather tend to act like hair gel, it harden the beard, or not?

[mantic59]

@gianki83 the barber said it was fine as long as you rinsed it off before building lather; don't lather on top of it.

[vthomlinson]

kyle's prep? comeon! barber's have been doing this for years and all of a sudden some guy named kyle comes along and you name it after him?

[datsomedimsum]

@vthomlinson He did not name it after him, he clearly states that at the forums it might be called that way, Kyle from Badger and Blade made everyone AWARE of it. Kyle never said he INVENTED it, nor does Mantic.

I understand where you're coming from, and credit to where credit is due,

I just think you are misinterpreting this however.

[vthomlinson]

@datsomedimsum ok.. maybe i was feeling bitter when i posted that.. sorry kyle. shave on.

[juufa72]

I find that cold water shaving is a better shave for me. Hot water / towel dries out my skin. Nice videos, nevertheless.

[abiss86]

Can we make a cocktail: first shaving oil (without washing) - upon it shaving foam/cream? Or first shave oil, wash it down, and then foam/cream?

It is recommended? :D

[mantic59]

@abiss86 I know that some people do this with Pacific Shave Oil. I do not know about other other oils.

[cookiejest]

it fills me with confidence that people take small things such as shaving so seriously for some reason...

[salazch12]

Ive microwaved my towel and got it as hot as I can stand it, but it only stays hot on my face for about 30 - 40 seconds. How do you manage to leave it for 3 min and keep it hot?

[GallowayJesse]

Kyle's prep is the real deal. Makes a huge difference.

[jerryx2000]

which brush do u recommend

[mantic59]

jerryx2000- see my shaving brush basics video.

[MetalFusion337]

Id like to be entered in the Contest Please!! Thanks!

[nomissimon21]

Just love that barber smiling

[mrichman]

Is there any advantage to a double-edge or safety razor versus a straight razor? I'm sure they call it "safety" for a reason, but I'm sure there's more to it. I'm 36 years old, have a heavy beard, and sensitive skin. I only shave twice a week, and use the Mach 3 or Fusion blades. They give a crappy shave for the price, and I've recently gone back to cheapo disposables. If you rinse after each pass, you can get a decent shave, but you can still feel the hysteresis (hack & chop).

[mantic59]

A straight razor can give a superior shave but it takes more time and skill to maintain and shave with. I suggest you try a double-edge razor first as it provides many of the benefits of a straight razor without all the hassle.

[0Idskool]

Hi, how do you feel about shaving cream, and how about aftershave. I like the old stuff, but people keep telling me it's actually not good for my face. Thanks

[MacPr0xnxx0]

where can i buy one of those brushes?

[dobka]

ebay why of course ;)

[mantic59]

MacPr0xnxx0- There are a number of online vendors, including QEDUSA, emsplace, and classicshaving to name just a few.

[MacPr0xnxx0]

thank-you i will check those places you listed

[mantic59]

Brizzle909- some general advice: fewer blades are better, be sure your face is well prepared, shave gently, rinse with warm water instead of cold after the shave. Try wiping the area with a cotton pad soaked with witch hazel then rinsing with tepid water before applying aftershave splash (avoid heavy balms).

[7671lisalisa]

is that you on that video because when i shave

i do a coat of lather and put a hot cloth with shaving cream.

[Brizzle909]

Im not sure why but im only 15 and every time im done shaving the next day my face will break out with zits in the area i shaved; why is this and how can it be stopped?

[qwer938]

Also experienced the same problem. May I ask what shaving cream/gel and blade you are using?

[TheCosmicFrog]

Hey. I notice that I get zits around areas that I have to swipe at more than once or twice, especially around the sides of my chin, below my lips. I believe it is caused by ingrown hairs more than anything else. I just invested in a tweezers to yank out any ingrowing hairs :)

[bluefoxicy]

You won't like this.

Wet your face when done, and apply a wetted alum block. If your face is a little razor burned THIS WILL HURT. Wait 2 minutes, rinse it off. The razor burn goes away.

Also as of note, the alum is horribly toxic to bacteria and will destroy them by cytolysis; if you get zits after that, your face simply needs more scrubbing with an exfoliating cream or something... you're not clean.

[iamthepanda1]

get a straight razor, they are somewhat harder but they are really really fun.

idk bout you but im in my teens and got a straight razor for the economical benefits and its great. at first you spend quite some cash getting all the equipment like the razor itself, honing stone, strop and the lather and whatever else you would like to buy.

but in the long run ive gotten wayyy better shaves then regular razor blade razors and since i started no redness or bumps. i have gotten a few nicks

[iamthepanda1]

under my nose but thats cause i have difficulty getting a steep enough angle and on the rest of your face is fairly easy to learn.

another benefit is that its fun honing and stroping the blade. made me want to open up a barbershop a couple times lol

[CoffeeAddict20]

Once again THANK YOU VERY MUCH. This is the best I've ever done before shaving. My skin was 100% free of any razor burn or irritation; no nicks nor cuts, even against the grain :D

[obesejim]

Why not shave in the shower?

I've been doing that for ~3 years, and its excellent.

[yahoochiewatchie]

just done drop your straight razor!

[hjbit]

much of it is genetic yes. i know ppl who could shave 3 times a day and they still look like fred flintstone. some ppl have thicker spots than others.....my grandpa shaved every day...he was clean all over except the mustache area...he always had a mustache shadow, but using good techniques still reduce it a lot.

[IsaakHunt]

I always thought people with darker, thicker hair have more problems with visible shadows. Two friends of mine experience such problems, one has Italian ancestors, the other guy Turkish has Turkish ancestors. Both have that problem. I for myself have brown, thin hair and my beard is almost invisible.

I think even a lot of movie stars have a visible beard line. They just put on a really heavy coat of make-up to hide it.

[440940]

Some men don't have a shade after they shave; you can't see the beard line on their faces. But you can see it on me, unfortunately. Is it genetic? What makes the difference? Details, please.

[ABL36]

what was with that retarted girl at the end looking like a gorilla? lolol

[VirtRampage]

i know right

[manfredoxyz]

I thouht you was gonna do an aftershave video??? I been waitig for so long now...

[bull0292]

I remember seeing my step-father doing this years ago. I tried it and have to admit the old man knew what he was doing! Thanks for helping to bring back some of the art of shaving mantic!

[rdangelo]

So I tried this with some Nancy Boy cream and a one day old Israeli blade in my Merkur HD. Inexplicably crappy, stubbly shave with three passes and one hideous gash on my left chin. Then a day of not shaving. The next time it was the same damn blade and some Musgo Real over T&H oil, and I'm smooth as a nectarine with no blood. Go figure...

[WesMantO0th]

THIS GUY PWNS AT SHAVING

[ajikirih]

great as always. will give it a try.

[fishrman23]

Another great video, I am anxious to give this a try tomorrow morning.

Thanks again.

[bbon162]

Another great tip. Your videos (and the message boards) have led me to a great way of shaving!

[skatazis]

mantic I've tried this many times but the towel gets cold after 1 minute or less (I moisten the towel and then I'm using the microwaves). So it doesn't have any effect on me

[mantic59]

skatazis- That's OK, its probably just your face getting used to the heat. If you want you can quickly dip the towel back into the hot water and re-apply.

[gzephier]

this absolutely worked for me. thanx mantic once again, cant wait 4 the next video u post....

[donutzone281]

good idea, gonna try this. thanks for posting.

[b33p]

Must start doing this.

[TVgoggles]

This prep allows me to shave everyday with little irritation... hot towel is a must for me.

[spikerztuber]

gonna give this a try today- thanks!!

[Imasofat]

I love the feel of a hot rag on my morning face. I love the feel of a sun soaked sexy beach.

[mantic59]

Imasofat- So you're not going to grow back your beard after all?

[Imasofat]

I want to, but right now I'm thinking of waiting until the fall. I must get one of those brushes like you're using!

[moumou360]

can't shave without it. Showers got nothing on this method.

[flipzout100]

And the girl at the end is promoting the use of plenty of water...lol

[datsomedimsum]

@flipzout100 No plenty of lubrication XD

[davevt04]

sweet tip! 5 stars.

[NalaNosivad]

You know, this does actually make sense. I'll be trying this tomorrow.

[ttciii]

I love this prep. It made a huge difference to the quality of my shaves.