7 steps to the perfect shave

7 Steps to the perfect shave

A metrosexual man is defined by a clean image. For young men, I suggest a shave once a day. For men older than 30 or so (this age may vary by race - the test is to feel yourself to see how much hair growth you have after 8 hours of a shave), I suggest twice a day. Shaving not only makes a man look well groomed, but younger, too. When you shave, you’re exfoliating the skin by getting rid of dead cells.

Many men commit common shaving mistakes that contribute to the unhealthy appearance of their skin, like poor preparation, using a dull blade, or shaving with only a thin layer of inexpensive foam. These mistakes can leave you with irritated skin and razor bumps. To avoid these perils, you need to invest in high-quality blades and contemporary shaving gel. Neither will break your bank account and you’ll see a noticeable improvement in the comfort of your shave.

Here are 7 steps to the perfect shave:

Step 1: The wetshave
Fill your bathroom sink about half full with hot tap water. Then, thoroughly soak a thick wash cloth in the water. Wring the cloth out just so it’s not dripping wet. Lean your face over the sink and place the hot cloth on the bearded part of your face. Depending on the coarseness of your whiskers, you may need to resoak the cloth and apply it again. As with the hot towel, steam is the key—it opens pores, which in turn causes whiskers to rise so they’re easier to lop off.

Never use hot water; it dehydrates skin.

Step 2: Cleanse your face
Wash your face with a bar of soap or liquid cleanser. If you shave without washing first, you’ll end up trapping dirt and grime in your pores which will lead to bumps and blemishes.

Step 3: Apply shaving Cream
If you prefer to use a razor over an electric shaver, apply a light layer of shaving cream on your whiskers. Too much cream will only clog your razor! If you’re not in too much of a hurry, let the cream soften your beard for a minute or two. The shaving cream you use should be made especially for your face. That is, if your skin is sensitive, then your cream should be designed to care for sensitive skin, and so on.

Step 4: Razor check
Always check your razor before a shave, Is it clean and sharp? Nicks and cuts are often caused by dull, dirty razor blades. Your choice of razor head should accommodate your face structure. A pivoting head on a razor allows you to shave a contoured face easier than a stationary head. Using a double blade will give a smoother, closer shave because the second blade cuts what the first one misses.

Step 5: Shave
Use one hand to hold your razor while you smooth your skin out ahead of the razor with your other hand. The razor should always be drawn in the same direction that stubble grows. Regularly shaving in this direction lifts whiskers from their pores and prevents ingrown hairs. Begin shaving at the sideburn and work your way down. Save the neck for last—this gives the oil and shaving cream extra time to relax the thicker stubble. Always use long, even strokes, and rinse the blades frequently.

Step 6: Rinse
Once you’re done shaving, rinse off the rest of the shaving cream by splashing cool tap water on the bearded area of your face, the cold water helps close pores and soothes skin. Follow that by patting (don’t wipe) your face dry with a soft, absorbent towel.

Step 7: Apply aftershave
Shaving can be harsh on your skin. The skin on your face is very sensitive, and constant shaving will leave it dry, irritated, and prone to ingrown hairs. An after-shave will soothe the skin and give it a healthy condition.

These 7 steps may add an extra two or three minutes to your preparation time. But your skin will thank you.