This was a tough one for me... remember a few months ago when I was growing my beard in for the winter?
Yeah, then this day comes along.
In all honesty, I'm starting a new job and wanted to look clean cut (and maybe a tad younger...) for the first day, which is tomorrow. So really, shaving the beard off wasn't all bad.
Still, I like my beard. I usually have one from September through May or even
June. I only shave in the summer because it gets too hot. The beard keeps my face warm throughout the long, cold Michigan winters, and frankly, I like the way it looks a lot better. Also, I'm too lazy to shave most of the time.
So I set about gathering all the things I would need. Shaving cream, razor, aftershave, and a whole pile of determination.
I don't like my aftershave. It's Old Spice, and while I thought it smelled good when I bought it last year, I've since come to the conclusion that it makes me smell like an old college professor who never has a date because he's, "married to his work."
Whatever that means.
I slapped on some shave gel, which is a bit of a process when you have a beard that you're taking off exclusively with a razor.
After the whole face was covered, I made sure my neck was done too, then washed off my hands. You don't want hands covered in shaving cream when you're trying to handle a razor.
Nothing left to do from there but start shaving. So I did.
I discovered after finishing the right side that this was going to take too long. I washed off the shaving cream, busted out my beard trimmer and hacked that sucker away. Then I put the shaving cream BACK on, and shaved what was left away.
I ended up not using my aftershave. I used my cologne instead, which is Eau Fraiche, by Gianni Versace. Much better smelling on me, and achieves pretty much the same effect.
Yeah, then this day comes along.
In all honesty, I'm starting a new job and wanted to look clean cut (and maybe a tad younger...) for the first day, which is tomorrow. So really, shaving the beard off wasn't all bad.
Still, I like my beard. I usually have one from September through May or even
June. I only shave in the summer because it gets too hot. The beard keeps my face warm throughout the long, cold Michigan winters, and frankly, I like the way it looks a lot better. Also, I'm too lazy to shave most of the time.
 |
| Look at that handsome devil! |
So I set about gathering all the things I would need. Shaving cream, razor, aftershave, and a whole pile of determination.
 |
| Okay Jake, you can do this. It's just a beard. You can always grow it back... |
 |
| Smells like desperation! |
Whatever that means.
 |
| The tools of beard removal. Yes, that Edge Gel is for sensitive skin. What? I can't be sensitive? |
I slapped on some shave gel, which is a bit of a process when you have a beard that you're taking off exclusively with a razor.
 |
| This apparently takes a lot of concentration. |
After the whole face was covered, I made sure my neck was done too, then washed off my hands. You don't want hands covered in shaving cream when you're trying to handle a razor.
 |
| I'm pretty sure I saw the face of Jesus in the shaving cream on my left hand... |
Nothing left to do from there but start shaving. So I did.
 |
| Never has two months of hard work literally gone down the drain so quickly. |
I discovered after finishing the right side that this was going to take too long. I washed off the shaving cream, busted out my beard trimmer and hacked that sucker away. Then I put the shaving cream BACK on, and shaved what was left away.
Should have thought of that in the first place.
I wasn't long before my face was smooth and... well, it was smooth. You could see a lot more of it though, and that's usually not a good thing with me. Oh, okay, I'm not a totally ugly dude, but I still like the way I look with the beard better than not. However, sacrifices must be made in the name of bloggitude sometimes!
 |
| Shaving turns me into a smarmy jerk-face, obviously. |
I ended up not using my aftershave. I used my cologne instead, which is Eau Fraiche, by Gianni Versace. Much better smelling on me, and achieves pretty much the same effect.
Big thanks to Lauren for coming out to take pictures for me. Stay tuned for more! I've got another post in the works, and I'm planning more for later this month... you didn't think I'd let Halloween go by without a post, did you?
See you next time!
