I've got a unique question for all of you guys out there. A friend at work told me that black guys don't use Norelco electric shaving razors. I thought this was odd. A few weeks ago, I purchased a Norelco shaver but then took it back the next day, never used it at all. The price of the shaver was what made me return it, it was $75. That's a bit much for something that just takes hair off of your face. This friend told me Norelco's are made for white men. He says black guys use beard and mustache trimmers to shave if they don't use the shaving cream and blade method. He says, that's why you never see black guys in Norelco shaving commercials. Personally, I don't like the cream and blade method, I prefer electric shaving. My question is, are there any black guys out there like myself who use electric razors such as Norelco and if so, how is the shave? I guess any type of electrical razor is going to have some sort of impact on a persons face, whether it be irritation or no effect at all. I know there is probably a difference between the skin types of white and black guys and this would effect how shaving effects the skin type. If there is anyone that has any ideas or thoughts to express on this subject, please do, I would greatly appreciate it. I hope no one takes offense to this message I have written. I just would like to have some answers. It's kind of hard to go up to people and ask them what type of shaving methods they use whether it be a friend or just a stranger in general. Maybe, just maybe, I can get some response from this topic.
Alan, I personally use a combination of both methods. When I am in a hurry or in the field (Army) I use the electric razor. On a everyday basis I may elect to use the cream and razor method. I personally have the Norelco with the cream inside of the shaver. The lotion is not worth buying due to the cost and it goes really fast. I resent the fact that Norelco's are only for white men, I find it to be a great shaver. If you happen to get razor bumps while shaving, a pharmacist has recommended the following: Combine Seabreeze and Witch Hazel into a container and use it as additional after shave. Also remember to remove the ingrown hairs with a pair of tweezers. Good Luck
Alan, I hope you read this message because I have the answer. Black men don't use Norelco razors because those razors cut below the skin. This cause's trouble for Black men because there hair is natural curly and strong and will grow into there skin.
Fat Jake, This post hasn't seen a response in about a month. Thanks for the reply. This board seems much slower than the main credit board, but that's to be expected. By any chance, would you happen to be speaking from experience? If so, what type of shaving methods do you use? It's kind of hard to ask guys that face to face because it's such an awkward issue to talk about it seems. It's much easier to gain knowledge on-line, in my opinion. Although, I don't have a problem with razor bumps and things of the like, I don't want to start any problems. I would like to keep a clean looking face and neck for my entire life span. I thought straight razors were the culprit. Now you saw electric razors are not good either. What else is there, mustache and beard trimmers? I don't like straight razors anymore because I cut myself one time, and from that point I stopped. I use this battery powered mustache and beard trimmer right now and it works great although it doesn't give a very good shave most times, very uneven at times.
Actually I'm not speaking from experience. It's just something I always wondered from the first time I saw an electric BLACK MANS SHAVER. Someone gave my the skinny on it. I think I was a teen. Anyway I use Mach 3, it's a triple blade straight razor... kinda hard to cut yourself with in my opinion. If I had my way I'd force the companies to create a quality single blade model.
I've found it difficult to find any razor that shaves smooth. I've tried the Mache and the claim that you only need the one stroke because it has three blades doesn't hold water for me. I've tried electric razors, straight razors, disposable razors, single, double, triple blades and nothing seems to work. I even try to shave in the shower with hot water flowing while I shave. With the grain, against the grain even tried sideways and always have to go over my face more than once. And oh yes the Mach can cut you ... so sorry if I'm unable to provide any tips but as you can see I'm in some search of some myself.
Black men use a special shaving cream that works without a razor. It's called a depilatory. There are several brands available but Magic Shave is probably the most well known. Because Magic works without a razor, the curly hair isn't sharpened and can't curl back into the skin. Whether a black man needs to use Magic depends on the texture of his facial hair. If the texture is curly and stiff, he'll probably use Magic. If it isn't he can use other products.
I am looking for something else for my husband to use. He currently uses beard trimmers/clippers. I would like to get him to try the Norelco or something similar that gets a close shave. I would like to hear from more of you that have actually tried one of the 'alternatives'.
It has been my experience that most black men use clippers/beard trimmers to shave and it gets pretty close...only if you use the good clippers. The Conair ones aren't going to do the trick. You have to go to a professional beauty supply store and a good set of clippers are at least $75 and up.
I agree. I am one of those that moved from razor and shaving cream to Norelco. It didn't completely solve the problem but the bumps definitely reduced. I use the Norleco model that lifts up your hair like a vacuum) whilst cutting. Essentially, what's going on is that the hair follicle is pulled out from the skin and cut, and then it falls back below the skin surface to give the soughted "close shaven" appearance. Figured out later that for us Black men, this is not what we want if we have fairly curly and thick hair. I find some men, mixed mostly, get a clean shave and have no problems, probably because their hair doesn't curl that much(?) I have asked as many people as I can. No real consistent solution. I concluded that each individual has to find one that works for them, any solution doesn't seem to apply to all the varying types of black men's faces. You almost have to avoid a close shave to be happy. I am staying with this $100 only because it cost so much. I am happy with the few bumps for now.
I think the hardest part about electric shavers is switching from one type of shaving method (razor and cream) to another (electric) because your face will take some time to get used to it. I actually started using my Norelco since I was 17 or 18 so the transition was painless for me because my facial hair was still developing. The problem for me now is that if I use a blade (even Mach 3), I'll probably cut myself. My face got so used to the electric shaving method that a regular razor wont cut my beard unless I put more pressure and this would lead to multiple cuts. So, I think that if anyone starts out with an electric razor in their teens, they'll be fine later on because their face got accustomed to it.
Asked a salesperson for clinique for men and she said pretty much the same thing. The face seems to adjust to the method used. A changeover might take longer to adjust to the longer you wait in life. It was upond graduating from my proverty stricken college years that I made the transition and I remember it got a lot worse before it got a lot better. My opininion, go electrical as soon as your budget allows.
Re: Norelco Shavers For White Men O I haven't visisited this site in months so I decided to pay it a visit today. I can't believe that it has been over six months and my original post is still being replied on. I guess it was a pretty good topic. To this very day, I still have not decided what route I'm going to take on this but from the latest posts, it seems like since I'm fairly young, I better go ahead and start shaving with the electric razors. A few months ago, I acquired a room mate and he has a Norelco he uses on a daily basis. Every few days or so, when he's not around, I use his Norelco to see how it cuts my facial hair. It seems to be working well. He has the model that has the stationary heads, the "Micro Action" series. I like the "Reflex Action" series though because it follows your face with its spring-like movement. I'll probaby end up buying one within the next few weeks or so because it seems to be cutting rather well with absolutely no irritation and the shave is fairly close unlike the current beard trimmer that I use that is loud, cuts uneven and just hurts and scratches your skin when you use it to shave. I guess I'll go with the flow on this one and start from a young age and let my face grow accustomed to it over the years and hopefully, everything willl turn out well.
Imo In my experience Electric shavers do not shave close as disposables. If you do use a disposable there is a big difference between the cheap BIC and the expensive Brands. A BIC will get the job done, but they leave rough spots and tend to knick and cut the skin. After 1 or 2 uses, the less of a clean shave you get. When I switched from the cheap disposables to a Gillette Sensor razor, I was in heaven. The razor moved smothy across my skin and I didn't have to be as careful, because the blade was sharper. I didn't have anymore rough spots and cuts where drastically reduced. This Razor left my skin feeling like my pre whisker days. If money is not a factor and you want a 1st Class shave, take a step up to the Gillette Fusion Razor. This is the Rolls Royce of disposable blades. I shave my head and this razor gave me the easiest head shave since i began shaving my head 6 years ago, not to mention the best face shave ever. The only have 2 problems with this Blade. 1- The cost about $11 for a pack of four. 2- with the wide 4 blade razor, trimming the moustach is difficult. Even though the cost is high the blade remains sharp for about 1 week of everyday use. So $11 will give you 1 month of bumpless shaves. Money well spent. I found that NOT scraping the Razor across your face and gliding it gently across your face reduces bumps. Also not Shaving for a few days bring on the ingrowns. Bottom line, Shave frequently and avoid cheap disposables and you will have the Honeys rubbing your face more often.
