DaveWave94

04.11.2025 Zingari/MMOC combo

• Brush: RazoRock Beehive 28 mm
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE
• Lather: Zingari Man - The Rambler
• Post-Shave: OAM - Dolce Vita ASB gel
• Fragrance: Versace Eros Flame EdP (since the morning)
• Passes & Info: 1 pass on the head, 2 on the face around the moustache. While the shave itself was ok, the post-shave feel and results say that my skin didn't like it: redness/razor burn on the cheeks and at the back of my head, plus a weird feeling of increased skin tension?

Today I took inspiration from @PorkButtsNTaters666@sub.wetshaving.social and used a ZM soap together with the MMOC. I already thought yesterday that the amount of stubble around the stache would probably be better suited to an OC razor and a good skin food soap like ZM should really help with this aggressive razor...

... or so I thought. While the shave itself was really going well, I paid the price for my skin's dislike of the current weather conditions. I usually never get razor burn in the cheek area and was really slow and careful with the MMOC stroke. My only explanation is being outside in the cold wind thanks to my nicotine addiction. But actually, my face was probably better off than the head. The MMOC is not really good for head shaving, a task much better suited to my 1912 or the Flying Wing/Bullet Tip. As for improvements in face shaving technique: I found it's really crucial to get a nice area of contact with GEM-type SE razors, so I pulled the skin tight like I was using a shavette. I think this helped to avoid more irritation than the razor burn, as there was only one tiny little bloody spot right next to the moustache. I got a really sick burn from the ASB gel though, and that stuff is alcohol free so... Perhaps my technique still sucks. 🤷🏻‍♂️

03.11.2025 Mammoth Monday Mood

• Brush: RazoRock Beehive 28 mm
• Razor: Leaf Thorn
• Blade: Derby Premium half-DE
• Lather: House of Mammoth - (Mood) Indigo
• Post-Shave: Zingari Man - The Master, recovery splash; Natura Siberica moisturiser
• Fragrance: Versace Eros Flame EdP
• Passes & Info: 1-pass head shave, no problems or irritation. Just a really comfortable shave.

I've done this shave before we had a staff meeting at my workplace. Boring, tedious stuff but at least I smelt good. Just did the dome as the weather hasn't been kind to my face lately and I want to try with the MMOC tomorrow. At least if there're no other negative factors coming up.

My tub of this nice smokey blueberry scent still says "Mood Indigo", so it was before any legal trouble with another brand. Names aren't as important as a good smelling product with a great performance though, and this is definitely given here. Don't let the blueberry fool you, this isn't a gourmand. It's a really great blend of different scents in a solid soap base. Anyway, have a nice Monday!

01.11.2025 - Moustache November

• Brush: RazoRock Beehive 28 mm
• Razor: RazoRock Cyber Medium w/ Superknurl handle
• Blade: BIC Chrome Platinum
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Tobacconist
• Post-Shave: OAM - Oli del benessere sensitive skin toner; Alterra Men sensitive ASB
• Passes & Info: 2 passes on both dome and face (minus the 'stache area). A few blood spots all around due to a new blade and some redness on the neck again. OK shave.

Damn folks, it's already November. Time flies by, right?

Anyway, I picked yet another mild razor and good soap to dial my technique for face shaving in again. I used a fresh BIC blade though and they're unusually keen out of the box. A few blood spots were there on my head and face - can't really call them nicks or weepers since a) I don't feel them, they just appear and b) they stop bleeding after rinsing with cold water or using an aftershave toner.

I also have to admit that I still struggle with technique. Especially with missing certain spots - once I put my glasses back on, I actually had to get a few missed hairs under my jawbone. There's also the fact that I have a resting five o'clock shadow due to my pale skin and dark facial hair. Which actually doesn't bother me, since it looks kinda cool. The downside is that I often have to rely on feel for a close shave, much like for my head shaves. In general though, I enjoy trying something new. I don't expect to be able to do daily face shaves, but at least every other day should be possible.

Hope y'all have a great weekend!

too spooky for me

It's less spooky but more gory atm. But it does something that few horror games manage: the atmosphere makes me uncomfortable and I move around very carefully. A lot of modern horror (movies and games) relies too much on overusing jumpscares or gross-out gore, but as Stephen King said this is the cheapest kind of scare. This remake actually manages to build up a dreadful atmosphere with zombies - in other games, a low level enemy to mow down.

new Guild Wars 2 expansion

That was never really my genre tbh, I actually often avoid massive time sink games like RPGs with complex skill trees etc., because I never finished those. As far as (Dark) Fantasy goes, I also play the Heretic + Hexen Remaster, but some would argue that's more of a "boomer shooter" despite the setting of the story.

I have a few days off in a row, thankfully. Work has gotten really stressful lately.

Yesterday I got myself the Resident Evil 2 Remake in a digital sale and I must say, I'm pleasantly surprised. Third person survival horror games can work really well and since I was too young to experience the original, it's a really good way to get into the series. I also plan to devote more time to other hobbies now that my retraining is finished and I can focus on other things.

31.10.2025 - Night of the Living Moustache

• Brush: RazoRock Beehive 28 mm
• Razor: Stando Perun
• Blade: BIC Chrome Platinum
• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Samhain
• Post-Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Samhain AS; OAM - Dolce Vita ASB gel
• Passes & Info: 1 pass on the dome, 2 on the face (minus the upper lip). Minor irritation on the neck and chin, otherwise great quality shave!

First things first: Happy Halloween to y'all! 🎃

Today it was finally time to get rid of the circle beard and embrace the moustache lifestyle again. Honestly, it feels good despite the fact that I trimmed the 'stache short too, to see what I can achieve throughout November. It's just 3 mm now, but already looks ok. No soul patch, just a Chevron.

As for the shave, I was curious how it'd feel to shave my chin for the first time in months (perhaps even years?). Especially since this time, I went without a soul patch and had to shave directly below the lip. Surprisingly, it went quite well! I got Samhain into a really slick state today with lots of hydration. This helped massively. Also, the Perun is a mild razor that doesn't sacrifice efficiency for comfort. Sure, I didn't get a super smooth finish right away, but it's a good starting point. Just a few tiny blood spots on my chin and on the neck, but I really expected worse.

As for Samhain, can't think of anything better to use for Halloween. It's masculine but has this interesting pumpkin note and an aura of mystery around it. It's a bittersweet scent in the sense that I won't be able to get any more, since SW has closed down this year. The scent notes are nicely balanced: earthy and fruit-like pumpkin, floral and smokey tobacco, strong boozy bourbon whiskey and the warm sandalwood. SW's signature was that they often incorporated unusual notes into their products, like "mildew", "dirt" or "wet stone". A lot of petrichor/dark notes. Here, you wonder how one can make pumpkins smell so good! I also like the name, as it pays homage to the pre-commercialised, Celtic origins of Halloween (pronounced Saw-ween or Saw-whyn). For me, every season can be spooky and hauntingly beautiful, but this Samhain shave is still the only Halloween celebration I do every year.

And for a final little extra: my favourite dark ambient label, Cryo Chamber, put out a really fitting mix a few days ago. Check it out here

Definitely! Despite the melancholic tune, it has a really catchy and memorable rhythm.

🎃👍🏻

I personally think of something way less cool or wholesome when I read that acronym, but that Blue Oyster Cult song is a true classic. 👍🏻

29.10.2025

• Brush: TGS Galaxy 26 mm
• Razor: Stando Perun
• Blade: BIC Chrome Platinum
• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Samhain
• Post-Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Samhain AS; Alterra Men sensitive ASB
• Passes & Info: 3-pass face shave. Very rare occurrence for me. A few tiny blood spots on the neck and chin, but otherwise a really close and comfortable shave!

So I did a head shave earlier before my late shift, also with Samhain but just WTG with a cartridge razor since I was already running late.

Work was really exhausting, so I looked forward to yet another great scented shave with one of my favourite soaps ever. This is a proper return of Witchcrafts Wednesday, as I haven't had a 3-pass shave in ages! The Perun made short work of all the stubble around my circle beard, but honestly I'm glad once it's moustache season in November. Not the biggest fan of doing the contour lines over and over until it's finally right...

Turns out the most problematic thing isn't ATG for me, but XTG. At least that was the least comfortable pass and the one where blood spots started to appear in two different spots. No big deal, as the shave was really comfortable everywhere else. But this is worth keeping in mind. I want to use my "Moustache November" to gain more proficiency at shaving my face (except the upper lip and maybe soul patch area) and I look forward to it. Should be fun in an otherwise gloomy month. Have a good time!

Thanks for the info! Doesn't sound like a permanent thing unfortunately, but at least Samhain is somehow kept alive. It's such a beautiful autumn blend and was one of my first american artisan soaps (back when it was still hard to get them in the EU). So I've got fond memories connected to it. Gonna use it tomorrow!

[...] the upcoming BaM release

Did I miss something? Is there actually hope that Samhain isn't dead?! 🤞🏻