Let me start off by saying that this shaving guide isn’t strictly for beginners. Because when it comes to the art of shaving, many of us are experienced but don’t necessarily have the technique down. A lot of us figured out how to shave through trial and error. Maybe your uncle gave you a few bad shaving tips when you were a teenager. Even if you’re satisfied with your shaves, you might still have a few gaps in your knowledge.
Whether you’re preparing for your first shave or just want to improve your technique, here are the most important shaving tips for a clean, painless shave.
1. Cleanse Your Skin Before You Shave
Even if you’re wet shaving, thoroughly cleansing your skin is necessary if you want a close, even shave. Doing so gets rid of all the dead skin and oils that might get trapped by your shaving razor. Shaving right after you get out of the shower works just as well.
Facial cleansers are a great tool, especially if you’re just learning how to shave, because they soften the hairs enough to help you get a cleaner, easier shave. If you don’t already have a facial cleanser included in your shaving supplies, soap and water is fine, too. But be careful not to use harsh soaps — they’ll dry out your skin and increase the chances of irritation.
2. Use a Shaving Razor With a Sharp Blade
When it comes to learning how to properly shave, using a clean, sharp shaving blade is the way to go.
Sure, you could technically shave with a dull shaving razor. But dull razors mean that you have to apply more pressure to get a close shave, which can easily cause nicks.
If you shave almost every day, consider changing out your shaving blade every week or so, or when you notice the blade becoming dull.
3. Shave in the Direction of Hair Growth
To shave WITH the grain or AGAINST the grain – that is the question!
People are always debating which direction to shave, and it’s no wonder why. Although barbers and dermatologists tend to tell us to shave in the direction of hair growth, shaving against the grain results in a closer shave. So why do the experts recommend the opposite?
The fact is, shaving against the grain drastically increases the chance for razor burn, rashes, and ingrown hairs, especially if you have thick hair.
Does that mean you’re doomed to never have a close shave? Not at all! In fact, you can get satisfying results when you shave in the direction of hair growth — all you have to do is follow the next tip.
4. Use a Good Shaving Cream to Soften Your Skin and Hair
The softer and more moisturized your skin and hair is, the better results you’ll get with your shave — that’s why wet shaving is the preferred method for most men.
Dry skin creates more friction when you shave, making it more likely to become irritated. Shaving creams with toxic chemicals in them, like parabens or SLS, are much more likely to dry out your skin. Check out my Toxic 10 for chemicals to avoid in your shaving cream.
I recommend my Protein+ Shave Cream & HydroDrench Duo. It’ll moisturize your skin at every step to make sure you get the closest shave.
5. Use a Shaving Brush
You’re much more likely to see a shaving brush in a barbershop than in a home. So why use a shaving brush if it’s not necessary?
When you lather up and prepare to shave, a shaving brush is used to evenly work the lather into your hair and skin. This helps you get a clean shave much more easily, and it even exfoliates your skin! Perfect for avoiding shaving bumps and other skin irritations.
No Nicks, No Shaving Bumps, No Problem!
Now that you know how to shave, go on out there and try it! Get a shaving kit if it makes you feel more confident -it’ll be sure to have all the tools you need and more.
Good luck!
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