Shaving at Burning Man
Hot towel 101
Ingredients:
One dark colored towel of suitable size for face wrap
One zip-lock bag of suitable size, 2.5 gallon recommended
Water
Recipe:
Apply enough water to dark colors towel to reach desired wetness.
Insert wet towel into zip-lock bag, neatly folded and seal bag.
Place bag with towel in full sun and wait untill desired temperature is reached or untill bag explodes.
Enjoy your hot wet towel.
Ingredients:
One dark colored towel of suitable size for face wrap
One zip-lock bag of suitable size, 2.5 gallon recommended
Water
Recipe:
Apply enough water to dark colors towel to reach desired wetness.
Insert wet towel into zip-lock bag, neatly folded and seal bag.
Place bag with towel in full sun and wait untill desired temperature is reached or untill bag explodes.
Enjoy your hot wet towel.
- dragonpilot
- Posts: 1648
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Norelco rechargeable...triple heads. Best electric I've ever owned. I get 7-10 shaves out of it per charge.
They need to be used a few times to condition your facial skin to it. I also always use a preshave lotion that sets up the beard, lubes the skin, cutting screen glides over the skin smoothly.
They need to be used a few times to condition your facial skin to it. I also always use a preshave lotion that sets up the beard, lubes the skin, cutting screen glides over the skin smoothly.
Don't bore your friends with all your troubles. Tell your enemies instead, for they will delight in hearing about them.
- Ugly Dougly
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- theCryptofishist
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- Fire_Moose
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Ok...come on. This isn't the friggin surface of the moon here.
You can figure out how to do it.
I have the same itch problem....I can go a bit longer though...about a week. Then the itch starts.
The good thing is, the itch PASSES.
So, a handy thing to do would be to start a couple weeks before playa and stop shaving at home. (You can test this easily and always shave before leaving for BM and go back to your shaving plan.)
What you want to do is step up your facial care. Wash with water and a gentle cleanser morning and night. I like to soften it with a hot washcloth, then actually scrub a bit down to the roots.
The key is then to get out of the shower and apply a moisturizer to the beareded area. Even better is to put some on right before bed. Get it in good down near the roots, etc.
The beard is irritating the skin a bit, but is also preventing you from exfoliating the skin. Shavng actually removes a layer of skin each time and is why your face feels so "fresh."
Any good face moisturizer works, but the ones meant for post shaving do a really good job. Your growing in beard will likely be soft instead of scratchy as well.
Doing this, the itch phase generally will pass in a couple days. Don't get me wrong, you aren't going to have a Mr. French looking beard by then, but it will simply stop itching.
You can figure out how to do it.
I have the same itch problem....I can go a bit longer though...about a week. Then the itch starts.
The good thing is, the itch PASSES.
So, a handy thing to do would be to start a couple weeks before playa and stop shaving at home. (You can test this easily and always shave before leaving for BM and go back to your shaving plan.)
What you want to do is step up your facial care. Wash with water and a gentle cleanser morning and night. I like to soften it with a hot washcloth, then actually scrub a bit down to the roots.
The key is then to get out of the shower and apply a moisturizer to the beareded area. Even better is to put some on right before bed. Get it in good down near the roots, etc.
The beard is irritating the skin a bit, but is also preventing you from exfoliating the skin. Shavng actually removes a layer of skin each time and is why your face feels so "fresh."
Any good face moisturizer works, but the ones meant for post shaving do a really good job. Your growing in beard will likely be soft instead of scratchy as well.
Doing this, the itch phase generally will pass in a couple days. Don't get me wrong, you aren't going to have a Mr. French looking beard by then, but it will simply stop itching.
The fox provides for himself, but God provides for the lion - W. Blake (attribution corrected)
i did just this but got my stove confiscated airport security. that was the coolest little stove too...trystanthegypsy wrote:Ye--e-e-e-s but not the fuel. You should be able to buy it in Reno. Supposedly you can't bring it if it's ever had fuel in it, but just make sure it's burned off.Raven9940 wrote:Do they let you bring backpacking stoves in checked luggage?
i think you can take certain steps to keep this from happening to you:
- don't say you are going camping
- don't have the misfortune of having your luggage sent through with oversized luggage, where it will be x-rayed before being loaded on the plane.
i put my stove right plain on top in my rubbermaid bin, so that i could easily pull it out and say, look! no fuel bottle! but in fact, that was the last time i ever saw my indestructible single burner white gas stove which would have outlasted me, had it not been confiscated by airport security. OH and no hot water for burning man : (
for me and my true love will never meet again
- StevenGoodman
- Posts: 474
- Joined: Sun Dec 18, 2005 11:52 pm
- Location: Top Secret - be eaten after entering
I shave every few days at Burning Man. A few things:
Don't wait too many days, it gets much harder.
Wash the playa off really well before you start. It will clog a multi-blade really fast.
You don't need much water, and it doesn't need to be hot.
A little shaving cream and a cup of water is enough.
Pay attention to keep the blade from getting clogged.
I also bring my trimmer. If I wait too many days I use it to trim down to an easier length.
Also, depending on my shower setup, I use the used shower water to shave; since the shave water will quickly be playa and shaving cream water, I figure starting with playa water is fine!
Martini Steve
Don't wait too many days, it gets much harder.
Wash the playa off really well before you start. It will clog a multi-blade really fast.
You don't need much water, and it doesn't need to be hot.
A little shaving cream and a cup of water is enough.
Pay attention to keep the blade from getting clogged.
I also bring my trimmer. If I wait too many days I use it to trim down to an easier length.
Also, depending on my shower setup, I use the used shower water to shave; since the shave water will quickly be playa and shaving cream water, I figure starting with playa water is fine!
Martini Steve
Playawaste Raiders and Megaton Bar and Grill
Shaving on the Playa is quite simple. I have a tin cup that I fill 2/3 full with warm water (I leave a couple gallon jugs of water in my tent, trust me, they will be warm by noon). Anyhow, I have shaving cream in a tube. I just dip my fingers in the water, get my face moist and apply the shaving cream. It helps to have a small travel mirror to see whats happening. I shave normally, rinsing off razor as required. When done, I get a washcloth moist and wipe face clean (I have also used the wipes made for removing makeup, they are easy on the skin). I dump my cup into the evaporation pond and wipe the cup out with a piece of paper towel. then I spray a little vinegar in the cup to sanitize it. Vola, clean shaven...
The tube shaving cream works pretty good, you only need a dab to do your whole face. I could shave twice a day and still have stubble, so I know how you feel
Last year I went native and didn't shave for the whole two weeks I took for the burn. It was only itchy for about a day, franky the playa is way to distracting to worry about minor things like this anyhow...
You are going to have a blast!!!
Rice
The tube shaving cream works pretty good, you only need a dab to do your whole face. I could shave twice a day and still have stubble, so I know how you feel

Last year I went native and didn't shave for the whole two weeks I took for the burn. It was only itchy for about a day, franky the playa is way to distracting to worry about minor things like this anyhow...
You are going to have a blast!!!
Rice
- Raven9940
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 4:55 pm
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- Location: Brooklyn, NY
- Contact:
FYI: I bought some of that sea to summit travel shaving cream and tried it out. Don't use that!
It's basically a soap that dried on my face before I got the razor wet. Now I've got crazy razor burn.
Seems like the two best options are either get an electric razor and use it weeks in advance to get the face ready, or just bring whatever you usually shave with and sacrifice some water.
It's basically a soap that dried on my face before I got the razor wet. Now I've got crazy razor burn.
Seems like the two best options are either get an electric razor and use it weeks in advance to get the face ready, or just bring whatever you usually shave with and sacrifice some water.
- trystanthegypsy
- Posts: 269
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2009 11:01 am
- Location: the frozen North (edmonton, Canada)
I can't wax! My skin is too sensitive, I just get crazy red bumps the day after and ingrowns after that.jella wrote:awww just wax it hehe.
Highly recommended for the ladies ....no fuss no muss no hair moop.
aww that sucks! you win some, you lose some with airport security.jpx wrote: i did just this but got my stove confiscated airport security. that was the coolest little stove too...
However, I do know you can get cheap little ones for under $30 ($40 with a couple fuel bottles) at most camping stores. And whoever said the trangea alcohol ones was bang on too, they definitely work pretty well. You can make one out of a beer can too heh heh heh
- professorzed
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:04 am
- Location: Hamilton, Ontario
Shaving
I used to shave every day. Then I grew a goatee, and eventually a full beard.
The thing about growing a beard is that the itching [i]eventually[/i] STOPS. This usually happens after two or three days. The reason a new beard itches so much is because the short little whiskers curve back against your skin. When the whiskers get long enough, your beard doesn't itch anymore.
Beards would be preferable to bare skin in the harsh environment of the playa. They would help protect your face from the sun, wind and weather.
However, as someone mentioned before, [b]NEET[/b] will [i]melt [/i]the hair right off your face and keep it off for a week. It's kind of like an acid that completely burns your hair off your face by the roots. It hurts like hell, but with one application your shaving problem is solved for the week.
I suppose having your face [b]waxed[/b] in Reno is an option, too.
When I was in the military, we were told to shave with [b]NOXZEMA[/b] instead of shaving cream.
Why? The pressurized canisters of shaving cream would explode at high altitudes on board a plane, creating a horrible mess. A soldier was expected to be able to be transported overseas with kit ready within 6-12 hours, as well as be clean shaven.
The advantage of using NOXZEMA to shave with is that it's also useful for soothing a sunburn as well. You are bound to run into someone that will have a sunburn out there, hopefully not yourself.
With Noxema, no water is necessary. You are also applying moisturizer to your skin when you shave, which is recommended anyways. You can use it on your dry, chapped hands too. You would still have to deal with the shaving scum, but there would be a lot less of it, and you'd have to deal with that anyways.
Soap cakes are similar to Noxzema, (non-pressurized) except that you'd need a shaving brush and have to add a little water to build up a lather. You'd probably have to keep the cake in a container such as a (steel) coffee cup with a lid. Also, it's not a moisturizer like Noxzema is.
Strait razors are like the 'Rolls Royce' of razors. If you can properly sharpen it yourself, and use the leather strop properly, then you will have a razor which shaves closer than any other razor in the world. Like Rolls Royces they are expensive, but they are also a lifetime investment.
The worst thing about strait razors is that when you cut yourself, you [b]REALLY[/b] cut yourself. Lots of blood, possible infection. That's pretty much the whole reason that they lost popularity to the 'new and improved' [i]safety razors[/i] that we use today.
If you use a strait razor, you'd better get a styptic pencil as well to close up any shaving wounds. These things hurt like the dickens. Otherwise, strait razors, shaving brushes and a soap cake would be the perfect accoutrement for a 'Steampunk' sort of costume. Don't forget your top hat and walking stick!
In the middle ages, only Lords and Kings were permitted to have beards due to the 'Sumptory laws'. The common men were expected to shave, but blades were very expensive. The steel that they used was quite primitive too ('bog' steel), so it wasn't really sharp enough to shave with either.
What they did was [i]rub the whiskers off their face with a [b]pumice stone[/b][/i]. I think that the Ancient Romans did this as well. You can buy a pumice stone at a drugstore for rubbing callouses off feet, so like Noxzema it serves a dual purpose.
There is also [b]NO[/b] shaving scum to deal with, and [b]NO[/b] water is needed.
Don't expect a very close shave with a pumice stone. Basically it will take your face down to the level of 3 o'clock shadow/ sandpaper. You might have to do this twice a day. The itching will stop though.
The thing about growing a beard is that the itching [i]eventually[/i] STOPS. This usually happens after two or three days. The reason a new beard itches so much is because the short little whiskers curve back against your skin. When the whiskers get long enough, your beard doesn't itch anymore.
Beards would be preferable to bare skin in the harsh environment of the playa. They would help protect your face from the sun, wind and weather.
However, as someone mentioned before, [b]NEET[/b] will [i]melt [/i]the hair right off your face and keep it off for a week. It's kind of like an acid that completely burns your hair off your face by the roots. It hurts like hell, but with one application your shaving problem is solved for the week.
I suppose having your face [b]waxed[/b] in Reno is an option, too.
When I was in the military, we were told to shave with [b]NOXZEMA[/b] instead of shaving cream.
Why? The pressurized canisters of shaving cream would explode at high altitudes on board a plane, creating a horrible mess. A soldier was expected to be able to be transported overseas with kit ready within 6-12 hours, as well as be clean shaven.
The advantage of using NOXZEMA to shave with is that it's also useful for soothing a sunburn as well. You are bound to run into someone that will have a sunburn out there, hopefully not yourself.
With Noxema, no water is necessary. You are also applying moisturizer to your skin when you shave, which is recommended anyways. You can use it on your dry, chapped hands too. You would still have to deal with the shaving scum, but there would be a lot less of it, and you'd have to deal with that anyways.
Soap cakes are similar to Noxzema, (non-pressurized) except that you'd need a shaving brush and have to add a little water to build up a lather. You'd probably have to keep the cake in a container such as a (steel) coffee cup with a lid. Also, it's not a moisturizer like Noxzema is.
Strait razors are like the 'Rolls Royce' of razors. If you can properly sharpen it yourself, and use the leather strop properly, then you will have a razor which shaves closer than any other razor in the world. Like Rolls Royces they are expensive, but they are also a lifetime investment.
The worst thing about strait razors is that when you cut yourself, you [b]REALLY[/b] cut yourself. Lots of blood, possible infection. That's pretty much the whole reason that they lost popularity to the 'new and improved' [i]safety razors[/i] that we use today.
If you use a strait razor, you'd better get a styptic pencil as well to close up any shaving wounds. These things hurt like the dickens. Otherwise, strait razors, shaving brushes and a soap cake would be the perfect accoutrement for a 'Steampunk' sort of costume. Don't forget your top hat and walking stick!
In the middle ages, only Lords and Kings were permitted to have beards due to the 'Sumptory laws'. The common men were expected to shave, but blades were very expensive. The steel that they used was quite primitive too ('bog' steel), so it wasn't really sharp enough to shave with either.
What they did was [i]rub the whiskers off their face with a [b]pumice stone[/b][/i]. I think that the Ancient Romans did this as well. You can buy a pumice stone at a drugstore for rubbing callouses off feet, so like Noxzema it serves a dual purpose.
There is also [b]NO[/b] shaving scum to deal with, and [b]NO[/b] water is needed.
Don't expect a very close shave with a pumice stone. Basically it will take your face down to the level of 3 o'clock shadow/ sandpaper. You might have to do this twice a day. The itching will stop though.
- theCryptofishist
- Posts: 40313
- Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:28 am
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Well, at least we know how the professor got his name...
Plus, any morning that has a post mentioning sumptuary laws, is a good morning.
Plus, any morning that has a post mentioning sumptuary laws, is a good morning.
The Lady with a Lamprey
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
- theCryptofishist
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- mudpuppy000
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- Elderberry
- Moderator
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Usually just shave in the shower.
JK
JK
JK

http://www.mudskippercafe.com
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle.
Then I realized that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me

http://www.mudskippercafe.com
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle.
Then I realized that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me
- Sail Man
- Posts: 4523
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- Location: 20 Minutes into the Future
[quote="robotland"]Since I usually wear a kilt, I only have to go up to the knees!
Thrift stores are great places to find Norelco-and-similar multihead shavers. I have an ancient two-"C"-cell travel shaver that was AWESOME, but that finally died beyond my capacity to resurrect. (*mourning*)[/quote]
Remind me to check for accuracy in a few days
Thrift stores are great places to find Norelco-and-similar multihead shavers. I have an ancient two-"C"-cell travel shaver that was AWESOME, but that finally died beyond my capacity to resurrect. (*mourning*)[/quote]
Remind me to check for accuracy in a few days

Excuse me Ma'am, your going to feel a small prick.
_______________________________________
Algorithms never survive the first thirty seconds of patient contact
_______________________________________
Algorithms never survive the first thirty seconds of patient contact
- theCryptofishist
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- oneeyeddick
- Posts: 5592
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- Location: Probably in your pants
Re: Shaving at Burning Man
I love using a double edge 'safety' razor because my multiblades clog. Shaving with cold water works fine for me.
My friend used a straight razor at the last burn to good effect. I can never get mine sharp enough though.
For a stove, I often camp elsewhere with a 'penny stove'. They're pretty elegant and work well for my purposes and I don't usually cook on the playa.
My friend used a straight razor at the last burn to good effect. I can never get mine sharp enough though.
For a stove, I often camp elsewhere with a 'penny stove'. They're pretty elegant and work well for my purposes and I don't usually cook on the playa.
- Dr. Pyro
- Posts: 4750
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Re: Shaving at Burning Man
...way to pull out of the past a nine-year-old archived thread...