The Proper Way to Shave
We love to make you look and feel great, and there's no better way to do that than to make sure all your hair is where it should be, and styled in the correct manner.
Many men have grown up not knowing the proper way to shave, or that there is a healthier, eco friendly, and more fun alternative to the multi-blade cartridge razors and aerosol creams. Problems like razor burn/razor bumps, and ingrown hairs are easily avoided if the proper shaving techniques are used. Conventional wet shaving not only provides the closest shave possible, but nothing beats the luxury or pleasure of a hot towel, premium shaving products, and lathering up with a badger hair brush. Here is a great little shaving tutorial from the fellas of Trove General Store that should get you caught up to speed.
They have broken it quite simply down into 10 steps. Let's get started.
STEP 1 / PREPWORK and MATERIALS
STEP 2 / INSPECTION OF HAIR GROWTH DIRECTION
Give yourself a few days without shaving to properly inspect the direction of your hair growth – inspect closely and try to remember where the direction changes. In order to reduce razor burn and ingrown hairs, it’s always best to shave in the direction of the hair growth. While this may not provide the closest shave, it will be far more comfortable and irritation free.
STEP 3 / CLEANSE AND EXFOLIATE
Cleanse skin with a combination of a daily face wash and facial scrub. Scrubs contain granules that exfoliate dead skin, lifting facial hairs, resulting in a smoother more comfortable shave with fewer ingrown hairs. Rinse skin free of product before the next step.
STEP 4 / HOT TOWEL & STEAM
Shave after your shower, or apply a hot washcloth to your beard for at least 30 seconds (the longer the better). Steam softens facial hair making it easier to shave. The effort required to cut hair is reduced by 2/3 when hair is wet. Less effort means less friction, which means more comfort.
STEP 5 / APPLICATION OF SHAVE SOAP/CREAM TO BEARD
The use of a badger hair or boar bristle shave brush will evenly disperse the cream and lift facial hair. Allow shaving cream to sit on the skin for at least 30 seconds to help soften the hair further. No brush? Just use your hands to apply the cream, however results are much better using a brush.
STEP 6 / SIDE BURN & SIDE OF FACE SHAVE
Start shaving the sides of the face first (remember to go in the direction of the hair growth).
Tip: When cutting the side burn, stand up straight… do not lean forward toward your mirror, leaning in will cause you to cut at an angle.
STEP 7 / LIP AND CHIN AREA SHAVE
Shave these difficult areas last, permitting the cream to soften the hair longer.
STEP 8 / NECK – SHAVE IN DIRECTION OF HAIR GROWTH
The neck area tends to be the more problematic for guys. Reason being is that the hair tends to grow in different directions around the Adams apple. This is why inspecting the hair growth is critical to knowing which direction to shave. This may require shaving in 2 or 3 different directions. Master this and you can pretty much say good bye to ingrown hairs and bumps.
STEP 9 / COLD WATER OR COLD TOWEL CLEAN UP
Follow your shave with a splash of cold water or a cold wash cloth to close the pores.
STEP 10 / AFTERSHAVE BALM APPLICATION
Finish by applying a light application of soothing after-shave balm or witch hazel with little or no alcohol. It smells great, doesnt sting, and is very hydrating.
Or for a more "WAKE UP" experience, a quality aftershave does wonders for tightening skin, and soothing minor cut and irritation after shaving.