A good shave is an art. If you're ready to shave for the first time, or if you've shaved for years but aren't sure you're doing it right, knowing how to prepare your face, shave right, and care for your skin will help you shave cleanly and effectively..
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare the Face
Step 1. Choose an appropriate razor
You should take into account the hardness of your beard hair, skin type, preferred method of shaving and other details when choosing a razor. Generally speaking, for men with a full beard and sensitive skin, it is a good idea to use a traditional multi-blade razor.
- Electric razors are comfortable and fast, require less preparation than traditional razors and are gentler on sensitive skin. For some types of hair, however, they do not allow for an even shave. Traditional razors work well on all skin and hair types.
- People whose shaving causes ingrown hair can use special razors, dedicated to men with hard hair. These razors do not cut the hair too low, so that it does not become incarnate during regrowth. For the treatment of ingrown hair, treatments before shaving and aftershave, as well as gel and talc, can also be useful.
- If you have acne and need to shave an area, try an electric razor and a safety razor to see which one causes you less discomfort. When using a safety razor, soften your hair with warm soapy water and then shave as gently as possible.
Step 2. Have your shaving kit ready, clean and sharp
Shaving with a dull razor can cause cuts and irritate the skin a lot. Only shave with sharp, clean razors.
Before shaving, it is a common practice to fill the sink with clean cold water to rinse the blade. If you use hot water the blade will expand and become less sharp, so use only cold water
Step 3. First, trim your beard
If you have a long beard, it is important to use an electric beard trimmer or scissors to shorten the hair as much as possible before using the razor. Electric beard trimmers are ideal for this purpose. Remove the guide comb and trim the entire beard.
Never apply lather to a long beard to shave it with a razor. This method would be extremely painful and ineffective
Step 4. Wash your face with an exfoliating cream
To prepare your skin for shaving, it's a good idea to clean it as well as possible to avoid infections and irritation. Use a good natural exfoliant for your face and wash off with warm soapy water. Use a towel to blot yourself.
Step 5. Apply beard oil
This oil is used to nourish the skin and lubricate the razor as it flows over your face. It is a different product from shaving cream. Put a few drops of oil on the palm of your hand and rub it on your beard before applying the shaving cream and a warm cloth, to allow the razor to glide on the skin even more evenly and comfortably. This will help reduce irritation.
Step 6. Warm the pores
Traditionally, barbershops covered customers' faces with warm cloths to open pores and soften beard hair for a cleaner, more comfortable shave. Today, some people use warm towels to reproduce the same effect. The heat and humidity will help soften your beard (if you have one) and lift the hair, as well as open the pores.
Be careful that the water is not too hot. Hot water makes the skin more elastic and absorbs its moisture. You should use a warm, but not hot, towel
Step 7. Use a brush to apply shaving cream if possible
While it may seem like an ancient custom, applying the cream with a brush will help further soften the beard and exfoliate the skin. It also helps remove hair from the blades as you shave.
- If you've run out of shaving cream, gel, or foam, use a shaving conditioner or oil. Let the lubricant sit on your face for a minute to amplify its effects. Avoid using soap, as it can leave residue on the blade, blunting it and causing rust even on stainless steels. If you have no other choice, you can use a liquid soap, even if they have a different formula.
- Natural shaving creams are preferable to those based on glycerin or gel, which have a tendency to dry out the skin and irritate it. Look for shaving creams made only with natural oils and other products for a better, more comfortable shave.
Part 2 of 3: Shaving
Step 1. Start shaving with your pores still open and warm
When you're done washing your face, you should start shaving right away before your pores have a chance to close and while your skin is still damp. This is the best way to get the cleanest, most comfortable shave possible. Don't wait while you complete other morning rituals. Shave immediately.
Step 2. Use your free hand to stretch the skin
Hold the razor with your dominant hand and use the other to stretch the skin and create a smooth surface. This is especially useful when sparse difficult parts, such as the part between the nose and mouth and the line of the jaw.
Step 3. Shave in the direction of the hair
Run your hand through your beard hair. One direction will raise them, while the other will lower them. You will need to shave in the second direction. Keep the flat of the blade almost parallel to your face to remove most of the hair.
Use short, light downward motions as you shave to keep sliding the blade over the oil and cut the hair smoothly
Step 4. Shave every little section completely before moving on
Shaving should be a slow, comfortable and thorough operation. It's not something you should rush to while driving to work. Start with one side of your face and work your way slowly to the other, shaving small sections at a time and completely eliminating any hair present. You'll save time if you shave right now.
Step 5. Rinse the blade often
Shake the razor in the sink filled with water and tap it against the side of the sink to free it of hair. This is especially important with multi-blade razors, which will otherwise lose effectiveness.
Step 6. Rinse your face with warm water
Run your fingers over your face to find areas where there is still hair. Look for spots you missed near the sideburns, around the mouth, and near the nostrils.
Apply the shaving cream and gently pass the blade over the area with the hair perpendicular to the hair, but not against the grain. Pay close attention to the hair on the neck and jaw, which generally does not grow directly up or down, but in many different directions, which you may not trim with simple up or down movements
Part 3 of 3: Finishing the Shave
Step 1. Rinse your face with fresh water and pat dry with a clean towel
Applying cold water as soon as possible after shaving is the best way to close pores. Cold water also helps close cuts and stop bleeding.
If you have cut yourself, you can apply witch hazel to relieve pain and prevent irritation. Finally, apply wet paper towels to the cuts that are still bleeding
Step 2. Apply alcohol-free aftershave balm
Aftershave balms with aloe or tea tree oil can help prevent dry skin and irritation. Use all-natural products to keep your skin hydrated and healthy by applying a small amount and spreading it all over.
Remember the scene from Mom I Missed the Plane, where Kevin puts aftershave on his face and screams? Exactly. It burns. But only if the aftershave is alcohol-based. It is important to avoid aftershaves that contain alcohol, which can dry out the skin and irritate the face
Step 3. Clean the tools you use to shave
Rinse and dry your tools well, and store them in a dry place. Clean tools will introduce fewer bacteria and infections into your open, freshly shaved pores. Change blades when required. Dull blades will irritate your skin a lot and cause burns.
Step 4. Shave often for beautiful skin
Shaving once every two or three days can help prevent hair from thickening and making the next shave more irritating. The more often you shave, the better the quality of your shaves, and the better your skin will be: by shaving you remove dead skin and prevent clogging of pores, especially if you take care of your hygiene after shaving.
Purchase a hemostat if you have a tendency to cut yourself. When using a hemostat, just wet it and wipe it over the cut area. The pencil material will tighten the blood vessels near the cut and prevent more blood from escaping
Advice
- If you use a mirror to shave in the shower, put some shampoo on the mirror to prevent misting from steam.
- If you have a very thick beard, you can use a hot compress to soften it as well as take a hot shower before shaving. Change the blades if necessary, as they will dull much faster than if you had a thin beard.
- Some men prefer to wash their faces and even shave in the shower. The steam from the shower prepares the face and beard, and the force of the water that rinses the face relieves any small cuts. Try this method to see if it's right for you, although not having a mirror can make it difficult.
- Some people are better able to shave using only a regular sharp razor and hot water running over their face, such as in the shower, than when they use soap, oil or shaving creams.
- The strokes of the razor should be straight, with the blade perpendicular to its direction. Since the blade is sharp, moving the blade parallel to the skin will cause cuts.
- With a towel over your head, place your face over a sink or pot filled with hot water, for a facial sauna. Do this for 10 minutes before shaving. You will be surprised how much this ploy can prevent burns and cuts.
- Make sure the razor blade meets your skin at an angle of 45 ° or less. Cuts occur when the blade is held too wide an angle against the skin. It should run on your skin and you shouldn't be able to feel it.
- You should probably avoid boar bristle shaving brushes if your skin is sensitive or oily. There are many shaving creams on the market; choose one that you like and that is suitable for your skin type. Beaver bristles are ideal for shaving brushes. You can also use a soft makeup brush if your skin is extremely sensitive, but if your skin is sensitive to that extent, you will probably need to use an electric razor.
Warnings
- Look out for natural bumps in the skin, such as moles and Adam's apple.
- Avoid shaving against the grain if you can, as this causes the hair to be blunt, which can lead to ingrown hairs and other complications. If you HAVE to shave against the grain (whatever the reason), start shaving in the direction of the hair, then reapply the shaving cream before shaving against the grain.
