People with facial hair, how do you shave/trim?

[Dystopia]

Recently my girlfriend got me a wetshaving kit with a safety razor, a brush and I got myself a nice shaving cream - I started shaving my face when I was 14 and it still hasn't developed fully but it has grown enough for me to shave daily if I want to maintain the clean shaven look.

When I started shaving I used shaving gel and disposables, then one day my mom got me a Mach 3 and I used it until I ran out of blades - I never bought new ones because of ridiculously overpriced they are, not to mention I like to grow my facial hair for some days (sometimes a week) until I shave and cartridge razor blades get dull and clogged with hairs if I shave a 7 day beard. I got a close shave with disposables as much as I got with the Mach 3, so I used them + shaving gel until about one month ago.

I used to go straight against the grain, a terrible mistake that cost me lots of skin cuts, razor burns, bumps and ingrown hairs. Since I started shaving just with the grain in my first year of college I get a much closer, comfortable shave. I used to do a pass with the grain and a second pass to make sure I got all the hairs (with the grain as well). I prefer bic sensitive single blade razors and I think those are the best disposables on the market considering the price.

Now with a safety razor things have improved a lot, shaving is more enjoyable and doesn't feel like a chore like it used to - I still do two passes on my face, but the second one is across the grain to reduce stubble length - Going against the grain is usually a free ticket to get razor burns as my skin is sensitive. I'm not into the whole addiction of collecting all kinds of razors, brushes, blades, etc, but I do enjoy having the new tools - Blades are super cheap, about 25 cents per blade, and razors can cost some money but will last a lifetime if properly cared for (a good blade can be bought for 30-50 but you can pay more if you want to) - Some brushes are very cheap as well and good quality, and creams are more expensive than shaving gel but since I used less amounts I pay around the same (for the creams). Due to the comfort on my face from shaving with a safety razor I started shaving daily about a month ago and I haven't had any problems - I sometimes give my skin a rest on sundays.

If I even went back to disposables I'd prefer to just use an electric trimmer/shaver - There are some good quality ones even if you pay a significant amount of money and it's very rare to cut yourself. A good option for those who dislike shaving with a razor.

What about you guys?

[brewer]

Electric/Norelco. Not enough hair to fuss about. Shave every other day, maybe. My wife has to sometimes remind me to mow the yard.

[Napoléon]

I use this:

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The Philips QT4015/23.

Up to 20 length settings yo.

[Dystopia]

Napo, Is that a real electric shaver or just a trimmer designed for shortening hairs but not clean shaving?

[Napoléon]

Well I had a 'real' electric shaver before and this does the job just as good as that if I want to. It is just a trimmer though. But to be honest I don't like going clean shaved anymore, it just reveals my many chins.

[TheRealJoeFish]

Yeah I pretty much just use plastic disposables. I shave on average once every two and a half weeks. Like you suggested, Dyst, get everything off with the grain, and then a quick run against the grain to get stubble, especially on my neck. With shaving two or three week beards, the razors don't last more than 2 shaves, but that's fine when you're doing 20 shaves a year

[Dystopia]

Really? If I use disposables on a 2 week beard it will get clogged with hair and I have to use two razors to shave my beard off, and I run the risk of irritating my skin. If you don't have a work requirement to shave, why not just grow it out? I mean, maintaining a beard can be hard for beginners but it's not that hard. I'm not very fond of changing looks quickly, so right now either I shave everyday or grow it and keep the beard.

[Exian]

I go against the grain and only use a single blade. Multi-bladed razors only increase irritation and don't do a better job. There's a limit to how close you can get. I also find that shaving after a hot shower decreases pain and irritation. I use a warm wet towel if I'm shaving without the shower.

[Dystopia]

I agree, more blades does not mean you will get a closer shave, that's why in the disposable market I prefer bics with just one razor - I probably didn't say it in the OP but all safety razors have one blade on each side and straight razors have only one incorporated blade - More blades doesn't equal more quality.

[Tiberius]

I go against the grain and only use a single blade. Multi-bladed razors only increase irritation and don't do a better job. There's a limit to how close you can get. I also find that shaving after a hot shower decreases pain and irritation. I use a warm wet towel if I'm shaving without the shower.

You are supposed to shave with the grain, not against it, which is probably why your skin is irritated. Multi-bladed razors have the extra blades so that you can shave closer to the skin in one stroke.

As for me, I use multi-bladed razors for shaving my neck area in order to create a good neckline for my beard. I also shave my upper cheeks because my beard does not grow very well there. I use an electric beard trimmer to trim the actual beard to a length when I want to keep it short (in the summer), and then for winter I grow it out and use a pair of scissors to shape.