I have a shaving question: How close is close enough? Even when I shave in all directions with multiple passes, I can still feel stubble. Also, my skin is very sensitive, so I cannot shave like that every day. My facial hair is mostly blonde (and getting gradually white), so it is not visible unless someone were to get really close, but I worry about people feeling it if I hug them.
Electrolysis is not an option for financial reasons right now, and laser would not work even if I could afford it.
Any advice on how to deal with this? Or should I just not worry about it. As I said, it is not easily visible.

Thanks,
Paige

Well if its not visible I wouldn't worry too much.

I'm more worried about a guy caressing my face and feeling stubble so ya even though laser has removed most of my hairs I still pull and shave the small blonde ones to make it perfectly smooth.

Save up for laser. Pew pew pew!!!

I still have to get touch ups though:/ and I pluck the white ones too when I see them. I can't imagine plucking an entire face though.

What kind of razor do you use?

I find the multi bladed razors irritate the crap out of my skin.

I use a safety razor. However, I have only just started really, so a close shave is not something I can quite do yet. And with a safety razor, the shaving process can take upwards of 30 mins.

But your skin will love you for it as you use one blade, and its always lathered in shaving cream. Additionally, you will probably end up doing about 3 passes. One with the grain, one across it, and one against it (WTG, XTG, AGT). Lathering each time.

Check out http://www.badgerandblade.com/ for .. like seroius shaving tips!

Also good for legs I know quite a few other women who do this... In fact that's how i found all this information

If you're gonna stick to cartridge razors, some tips that apply to safety razors apply here as well. With a cartridge razor, some pressure should also be applied.. obviously not to the point where you're cutting your face though O_O

• Prep: Take a nice steamy shower
• Make sure to use the hot water to open the pores on your face and soften the hair, some like to use conditioner too
• In the shower still, lather up with a nice shaving cream. I like to use Kiss My Face scentless (note! scented stuff can irritate the skin!) Using KMF it will take a little bit of time (a minute or so, should feel kinda like yogurt and not look so liquidy) to get the lather to a nice consistency
• Shave with the grain
• Rinse face in warm water
• Lather & shave across the grain
• Rinse again
• Lather & shave against
• Get out of the shower after all the shaving, use cold water to close your pores
• Apply a soothing face lotion to re hydrate your face, as shaving generally takes it all away. Stay away from alcohol based stuff.. you know the usual skin care tips
• when you dry your face tap don't wipe/rub

YMMV though.. I find even when i'm being very careful it still is hard for me to shave two days in a row. Partially cuz I rush I need to slow down and follow my own tips hahaha....

I use the Gillette Fusion razor, shave creme and a power brush.  Of course I exfoliate before shaving with hot water, to soften the hair.

Thanks for the replies and tips!

Paige

Use a (good!) electric razor. Much easier on the skin, and it's the only way to get an okay shave. I have never gotten a perfect shave. I gave up on it. You can do the steam stuff and all, but not only is that a pain, it also comes with the possibility of getting cut and shaving your hair. Besides, shaving really close, using a bladed razor, usually (for me, at least) causes awful reactions and a few ingrowns every time.

I think you should go with this for now. I think it's by far the most effort-efficient solution.

Also, you don't have to "afford" electrolysis. You don't need to see it as a big task you have to pay for. You can go gradually. An hour or two a week; it doesn't matter

By the way, I'm a student living with 900 $ a month and I have paid 2600 $ for laser with my savings about a year ago, and I'm going to start electrolysis soon with the ~3000 $ I'll have in stock then. I'm sure you can manage it somehow. If you want to go extreme like me, eat cheap, cancel the TV, tough out your old ugly loose clothes, get rid of your car and seldom go out for fun. Money will pile up! Well, somewhat.

Well the down side with safety Razors is that they take some skill, practice and time. With safety razors (or straight) if you dont respect the blade it wont respect your skin >.< For me safety razors overall will have less irritation than the other methods and i have not had any in-growns. I view the irritation scale some what like this: DE Razor has less irritation than electric shavers and electric has less irritation than cartridge (those multibladed monsters really do a number on your face..)

But that's me. I guess.

I want to try the DE razor.  I guess I have to order one on-line.

I have never bar one time used shaving cream is that odd? The one time I used it I had a reaction but then I was already shaving minus it for years.

Odd? Yes. Wrong? No. If your skin can take it, let it take it.