SOTD 24.12.2023

• Prep: warm water
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Flying Wing/Bullet Tip gold plated
• Blade: GEM PTFE
• Brush: RazoRock Beehive 28 mm
• Lather: Noble Otter - Lonestar
• Post Shave: Dick Johnson’s “God Spray”; Natura Siberica ASB gel
• Fragrance: Obvious - Un Oud EdP sample

So either nobody shaved on Christmas or no one has posted yet? Either way, here’s my SOTD from before my late shift:

1 pass head shave with a festive setup. NO Lonestar and festive? Yes, to me it smells like marzipan. Or at least very close to it. A nice comfortable shave.

The EdP sample smells nice, but I haven’t worn it for long before changing into my work clothes. I’ll see how I like this one.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you!

SOTD 01.01.2024

• Prep: warm water
• Razor: RazoRock Gamechanger 0.84 OC
• Blade: Voskhod
• Brush: RazoRock 400 Noir SE
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented soap
• Post Shave: Thayer’s Aloe Vera toner; Aloe Vera moisturiser

First head shave of 2024! 2 passes, WTG and ATG/XTG. No scents, but a very comfortable shave.

I’d like to wish everyone here a happy new year! As for myself, unfortunately not so much happiness… Since it finally sunk in that I will not only leave my old job, but also my most precious favourite colleagues behind there’s not been a single day where I haven’t cried at least once. It’s hard to understand for others - but nursing is one of those professions where you really grow together: you’re working weekends, holidays and different shifts together. You’ll start to know each other very well and you stick together. Hell, 4 of them have grown so close to me that I would consider them a second family… So it’s really hard for me. Even though it’s the right decision, as one of them who was my mentor will also leave the place at the end of January. So the collective would have been broken anyway…

But my heart still aches, even though we will all keep in contact and will hopefully meet up in private. Tomorrow I will have my first early shift at my new nursing home - I try to focus on the positives and will try to present myself as motivated as possible, but currently it’s harsh times for me emotionally. But I refuse to give up - better days will be coming, hopefully soon!

SOTD 28.12.2023

• Prep: warm water
• Razor: Stando Perun
• Blade: BIC Chrome Platinum
• Brush: TGS Galaxy 26 mm
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Cuir et Epices
• Post Shave: Thayer’s Aloe Vera toner; Natura Siberica ASB gel
• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Ombre Leather EdP

Almost forgot to log this shave in all the trouble…

1-pass head shave, very comfortable and warm scents all around. No nicks or any irritation whatsoever. I needed some comfort scents to keep my feelings somehow balanced…

Today I had my final late shift at the old nursing home. It was a very emotional day for me… For 5 years, this was my place of work. First as an OT, now during the retraining to become an RN. I had a lot of good times there, but lately a lot has turned to shit so quitting is the right thing to do. I will miss my favourite colleagues very much; but at least I will keep them as friends and remember the good things we had together.

26.05.2024

• Prep: head and face wash
• Razor: Leaf Thorn (Fig)
• Blade: Derby Premium half DE
• Brush: Omega Roma Colosseo 31 mm
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - The Full Measure of Man
• Post Shave: Moon Soaps Old School balm; moisturiser

Me coming back after a long hiatus is slowly but surely becoming a running gag; so yeah, I did a damn good wetshave again.

2 pass head shave. I underhydrated the lather a tiny bit, but it was still a very comfortable shave. FMoM is truly great, it’s kinda close to HoM Tobacconist which is definitely in my Top 3, so I like it a lot!

After my midterm exams and working for two days, I had some time to recover now and began to engross myself in different creative things: I started seriously learning keyboard and bass guitar (yup, parallel - it’s kinda crazy but it has its benefits already) and took up reading more again since I want to start writing my own stuff. Today I started American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis in english - so far I am fine despite english only being my second language. Did you know that Patrick Bateman recommended lathering with a brush since it lifts beard hair up better? Well, now you know!
I also have tomorrow off so I’ll try to do something cool. Have a great week, folks!

25.04.2024

• Prep: warm water
• Razor: Stando Perun
• Blade: BIC Chrome Platinum
• Brush: AP Shave Co. 30 mm Tuxedo Fan w/ black & clear handle
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Indigo
• Post Shave: Thayer’s Cucumber facial spray; Natura Siberica ASB gel

1 pass head SOTN. I feel like I have to relearn DE safety razors. A couple of spots still feel rough; this was nowhere near a close shave.

Indigo is a good scent. Not as great as Tobacconist, but still good. Quite fitting for my current mood as it’s based on a blues song. The weather is still cold, dark and rainy over here so it also fits that. Funny thing: as I was rinsing the soap out of the tub and tried to shake out the excess water, the whole puck came out and I had to clean it again. Seems like nothing goes quite as planned for me currently…

Onwards to Friday. Since some people seem to dig my song sharing, here’s another one for those of you who bother to read this far: Molchat Doma - Toska

23.04.2024

• Prep: warm water
• Razor: RazoRock Hawk V2
• Blade: KAI Captain Protouch MG
• Brush: RazoRock Beehive 28 mm
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre
• Post Shave: Thayer’s Cucumber facial spray; moisturizer

1-pass plus head SOTN.

Currently the weather puts a lot of additional stress on my skin, as if the normal stress I’ve got every day isn’t enough. Using some skin food like a B+M soap helps to minimize irritation. LGC will always be Cola scented soap to me though 🤔

My mood isn’t the best atm either, but at least I’ve got a few people to talk to. Things should calm down soon.

Meanwhile here’s a song I can really relate to.

20.11.2024 - BVWSC: Travel Edition

• Brush: Omega Roma Colosseo 31 mm
• Razor: Headblade S2 Lunar Eclipse
• Blade: HB 2 cartridge
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Oro Valley sample
• Post-Shave: Capanova Natural aftershave repair balm
• Fragrance: Tom Ford Ombré Leather EdP

2 pass head shave with the Headblade. A very luxurious shave to end a great day for me.

For today’s edition of Buena Vista Wetshaving Social Club, we use Oro Valley by Stirling - a very faithful dupe of Tom Ford Ombré Leather . I was really looking forward to this, as the original TF fragrance is one of my absolute favourites (together with its sibling Tuscan Leather ). OL is more unisex than TL though: it’s the smell of luxurious new car seats made from the finest italian leather. It’s the new leather jacket fresh out of its packaging. In general, it’s a scent of fresh, new luxury items made from leather.

Stirling’s dupe is very faithful and that’s very great. Of course, the base is one of the most often recommended starting points in the hobby and it works fantastic. My only gripe is that Oro Valley is one of the few Stirling Soaps who aren’t available in the EU. Otherwise, it would be totally great to combine with the little travel decant I have of the original TF.

Very busy vacation day for me, first a visit at the Kyffhäuser-Denkmal and then the Panorama museum with a huge 360° painting. This shave topped off a very successful time. Hope you’re all well, happy Hump Day and all that jazz… I’m off to the hotel bar now ✌🏻

26.10.2024 - Saturday Strathcona shenanigans

• Brush: AP Shave Co. black & clear handle w/ 30 mm Tuxedo Fan knot
• Razor: Leaf Thorn
• Blade: snapped KCG
• Lather: MacDuff’s Soap Co. - Old Strathcona (sample)
• Post-Shave: OAM sensitive skin toner; Capanova Natural aftershave repair balm

-> 2 passes on the dome, 1 for the neck and cheek lines. A really great shave!

Hadn’t posted in a while since a few shaves were boring shower shaves with a cartridge. Feels good to use something proper again! I felt in the mood for a barbershop scent, but couldn’t decide - so I used a chunk of the huge sample @sahenders@sub.wetshaving.social graciously provided to us for BVWSC N°2. I lathered it up in a new candle coaster I got myself (the old lid I’ve been using has finally RIP’d). Lo and behold, it worked great. MacDuff’s base is really a treat and gladly I experience no irritation from the Oak moss.

Today’s aftershave balm is a new one I bought on Friday, it’s by a natural cosmetics brand that seems to be on clearance sale. The balm has a gel-like texture and absorbed very quickly. It unfortunately contains alcohol, but also lots of skin food ingredients to balance that out. Only downside is that it makes my dome shine like I polished it, so it’s only getting used for late shaves 😅

I personally got myself a no-name round fogless shower mirror from amazon. It is shatter-proof and has a twist-action suction cup, making it suitable for a lot of different surfaces. Since you seem to be based in the US, this one here seems to be like the one I got. I personally like that you can twist it 360°, personally I use it regularly to trim my beard and occasionally to shave my head.

As someone who suffers a receding hairline since he was 19 and is now 30, shaving my head at 20 was one of the best decisions of my life. It’s mostly a confidence issue, as others have already stated. Look at some bald celebrities like Dwayne Johnson, Patrick Stewart, Jason Statham and so forth… They own their look and they look good. If it’s only a temporary thing for you, know that hair will grow back soon.

How to deal with it?

• Sunburn and skin cancer risk is a big issue. Always use sunblock, I personally prefer spray and gel over cream.
• Headwear is obviously important too for protecting your scalp. Whatever you prefer: caps, bandanas, different hats. Choose one that fits well on your bald head, that means a little smaller than those you used with a full head of hair.
• Exercise is, as someone else already pointed out, very important when you rock a smooth dome. Looking fit and improving your posture can do wonders for your self confidence.
• Accessories and jewelry play a very big role too for bald people. Bracelets, necklaces and big aviator sunglasses usually look great.
• Social: according to a study, fully bald people are usually perceived as taller, more aggressive and dominant than their counterparts. This isn’t only positive as it means a lot of people could feel intimidated by you too. Smiling and a helpful, open-minded attitude do wonders there.

In general: if it’s only for treating a medical issue and therefore temporary, don’t worry too much. You’re so much more than just your hair! And hair will grow back with enough patience.