Agree with all the safety razor peeps here. I use a long handle Merkur with Feather blades. My brush is a silvertip badger hair that's fairly flexible, which is good for shaving creams. I pretty much exclusively use Taylor of Old Bond Avocado shaving cream, such good stuff. I use the Art of Shaving Lavender After Shave Balm (you can get it cheaper at skinstore.com), which doesn't smell much, but helps w/ any irritation. I actually enjoy shaving now and look forward to it. I currently have a thick beard for the winter, but still shave my neck and cheeks.