Shaving FAIL...

[April Dawne]

This is starting to bother me more and more. It's a big part of what keeps me full of anxiety about "passing", going to interviews, meeting new people, pretty much just participating in life.

I started shaving (facial hair) around the age of 16-17. I'm now in my early 40's, and as a result I have had plenty of time to try out all sorts of different shavers. My favorite is the Mach III and Gillette Quattro. I generally now shave in two phases; with the blade first as close as I can get, then I "clean up" with a single-foil electric. No matter what I do, or which direction I shave in, there are ALWAYS spots on my throat, especially near the jawline, that I can NEVER get clean. There is ALWAYS visible, picky scratchy hair left no matter how long I spend going over and over the area. I don't know what else to do. I can't afford laser or electro yet. I've heard waxing can be done but again, I have no money as I am still unemployed.

Of course having this visible stubble doesn't feel very feminine if someone were to say, kiss me on the neck or throat, or even touch me there. It's very visible, and even with makeup it only seems to takes a few hours before it is poking through and even pickier. This is probably my greatest source of dysphoria right now. My body is shaping up pretty well, my skin is nice and soft and pink, and I'm getting cleavage. My body hair is slowly disappearing more and more. My face, however, which is of course the most visible part of a person, is giving me a really hard time.

So what do you girls do to get shaved close to the skin? I'm at a loss and completely stressed.

[JungianZoe]

I swear by the Schick Quattro Titanium.  Looks to me from your avatar that you have a pretty pronounced under-jaw (just like me) and the single blade on the backside of the Titanium is SO perfect for getting those hard-to-shave areas.

My usual routine is to go with the grain, then against the grain, then use the single blade on the back of the razor to get any spots that still feel rough, once again going against the grain.  I shave with an aloe shave gel that's amazing for becoming slippery again the moment it gets wet--even after it dries out--and makes my blades last forever.  I've had quite a bit of laser and a few electrolysis sessions, but this routine worked even before hair removal.   Electrics never worked for me... they left me scruffy and made me break out.

[April Dawne]

Thank you Zoë , I will definitely have to try that And yes, my under-jaw area is pretty pronounced and very contoured. Which shave gel do you use? Or are any with aloe good? I usually shave in the shower to save time

[JungianZoe]

I can't speak for any shave gel with aloe, but the kind I use is called Kiss My Face.  I buy it at a local organic food store, but I noticed the other night that it's available at Whole Foods as well.  It's a bit expensive (between $7 to $7.50 a bottle) but you only need one squirt of gel per shave because of how it stays slippery.  That one bottle lasts me six months of daily face shaving, and I also use it every three days for my armpits.  In other words, it costs more per bottle than cans of shaving cream, but lasts so long that you definitely save money over time.

Not only does it make the blades glide like nothing else I've used, the mint-scented variety smells heavenly and doesn't leave any odor after you rinse.  And since I started using it a year ago, my skin has never been this good in my life.   I swear by the stuff.

[April Dawne]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I too only tend to shave underarms every 3-4 days. My legs and other body hair gets mostly epilated, so there is no stubble on my legs, chest, arms, etc., just smooth soft skin.

[Janet_Girl]

I use "Shave Secret" with an electric.  Follow up with a triple blade razor.  Works great and I stay close all day.

[kelly_aus]

I usually shave in the shower to save time

There's part of the problem. Do it in front of a mirror so you can see what you are doing. I'm somewhat of a masochist when it comes to shaving.. I use a straight edge razor, it always gets me nice and smooth. It does require a steady hand and some patience..

[Rosa]

Shower first, then shave. The shower warms your face up and that makes for a better shave.  I tried my brother's Aveno shaving cream (or gel?) for sensitive skin, and I thought it was the smoothest shave I ever got.  Aveno is not cheap, but it may be worth it. 

[Colleen Ireland]

Shower first, then shave. The shower warms your face up and that makes for a better shave.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This.  Plus, I use the Gillette Fusion only.  I've found it's the best for getting ALL the stubble.  I shave with the grain first, then against the grain.  Use the single blade on the back in the small areas, like under the nose.  I use Gillette shave gel, but you might try a moisturizing body wash like Aveeno, or (my favorite) the Satsuma Shower Gel from The Body Shop.  Ultimately, laser is the way to go.  Don't wait too long, the more gray you get, the more electrolysis you'll need (I have a LOT).

[A]

I have this too, and was pretty sad, too, until I had a bright flash in my mind just now: what about those products that makes hair blonde? If we try this on our faces then shave, whatever is left should be invisible, right?

[JungianZoe]

I have this too, and was pretty sad, too, until I had a bright flash in my mind just now: what about those products that makes hair blonde? If we try this on our faces then shave, whatever is left should be invisible, right?

Not necessarily... if you have dark hair, chances are you have dark roots.  Dye would work on the surface, but I'm not sure it'd take care of the bluish hue from what remains under the skin.  Or I could be totally wrong about that.

[Maddie Secutura]

I've been using an epilator + tweezers for about two years, plus I had laser a few years back.  It hurts at first but it's really good at thinning out the hairs.  Mine are super fine, albeit slightly dark, but I have no shadow anymore.

[xxUltraModLadyxx]

actually, i use a venus divine. i just use the same razor i use on every other part of my body. even though i have very sparse facial hair, it's quite dark and coarse like the hair on my scalp. i found it's very important to shave against the directions it grows. my facial hair is quite invisible after shaving, but by the second day after, you can see little stubbies poking out if you look close. i've heard of some women hear talking about dermablend. maybe try that?

[juliekins]

Could you consider starting electro or at least laser?

[spacial]

I was thinking the same as juliekins.

This might just be the reason you need, (to yourself or anyone else), to do some small scale electro.

[Lisbeth]

My preference for facial hair for years has been to use Braun foil shavers (currently a Braun FreeControl 1775, but I believe they no longer make that model). Then I tweeze the hairs it can't seem to get.

I have this too, and was pretty sad, too, until I had a bright flash in my mind just now: what about those products that makes hair blonde? If we try this on our faces then shave, whatever is left should be invisible, right?

Not necessarily... if you have dark hair, chances are you have dark roots.  Dye would work on the surface, but I'm not sure it'd take care of the bluish hue from what remains under the skin.  Or I could be totally wrong about that.

No, not hair dye. Try bleach. I used to use Sally Hansen hair bleach on my arms, and it worked quite well. It should work on your face too.

[JungianZoe]

No, not hair dye. Try bleach. I used to use Sally Hansen hair bleach on my arms, and it worked quite well. It should work on your face too.

I've never heard of such a thing!  Where can one buy it?

[Lisbeth]

I've never heard of such a thing!  Where can one buy it?

I got mine at Walgreens.

http://www.walgreens.com/q/hair-bleach

[A]

Most pharmacies sell that, I think. It's mostly destined to minimize the appearance of arm or body hair in women.

[Padma]

There's one called Jolen that's been around for decades, and is pretty good (my mum used it 40 years ago on her moustache!)