First Line Shave - Life & Death
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.
Hooray for Old Strathcona! ๐ฅณ Very interesting choices this time again. It was difficult to pick just one first spot, so I went by my gut feeling. Now I'm really looking forward to trying MacDuffs soap! The scent description sounds very intriguing already. I love barbershop scents with a unique twist, so this could be right up my alley. Thanks to everyone for voting and to @sahenders@wetshaving.social for nominating the winning soap!
Now I found myself an old wooden lid from a rituals shaving cream and will press the soap into that to simulate loading from a puck - the BVWSC shave can commence soon ๐
And yes, Bud Spencer++ ๐ช๐ป
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!
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 ๐ค
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.
SOTD 03.01.2024
- Prep: warm water
- Razor: RazoRock Hawk V2
- Blade: KAI Captain Pink
- Brush: TGS Galaxy 26 mm
- Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented soap
- Post Shave: Thayer's Aloe Vera toner; Lavera Mikrosilber Creme
Meh head shave. One pass and done, it got way too late anyway.
First I thought that the Hawk with this blade doesn't really work that bad for shaving my head, but after applying the toner I saw a couple red spots of irritation. Thankfully the Lavera cream with micronized silver particles was there to calm the skin down.
First two early shifts at the new nursing home are behind me; so far it's really a different style of working: less rushed, more individual. I still miss my old co-workers, but I actually look forward to what my future assignments there will bring.
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.
SOTD 27.12.2023
- Prep: warm water
- Razor: GEM Micromatic Flying Wing/Bullet Tip gold plated
- Blade: GEM PTFE
- Brush: AP Shave Co. 30 mm Tuxedo Fan w/ black & clear handle
- Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented soap
- Post Shave: Thayer's Aloe Vera toner; Natura Siberica ASB gel
- Fragrance: Bois 1920 - Oro Nero EdP sample
A fast head shave done before today's shift. Just one pass and done!
The real star today was the fragrance sample. It was the second day of wearing it and it immediately reminded me of HAGS Aftermath - which in turn is a homage to Amouage Interlude Man, a great but expensive perfume. Maybe I'll get a full-size one day.
Today I finally finished up the final piece of furniture for the renovation of my hallway (german hallways, especially in apartments like mine, are just small corridors where you leave your shoes, jackets and hats). It's a project that I started during my two weeks of paid leave to stop going insane. Nice to see that even someone like me, who isn't a skilled/talented craftsman, can put some furniture items together without them looking as horrific as Homer Simpson's Barbecue pit ๐
On a more serious note, I should try to take up more hobbies. A lack of social contacts currently tends to pull me down into a negative spiral...
1st choice