An electric razor is convenient but not nearly as thorough as the ancient technique ofwet shaving . Wet shaving literally means that you shave your face 'wet', so with water. But it also requires a bit more knowledge. Knowledge that we hope to pass on to you on this day. Time for a step-by-step plan, a crash course in 'how to shave', a great enrichment of your shaving routine and perhaps even your life. Okay, that might be going a bit far, but we are real 'wet-shave' fanatics! Enjoy your step-by-step plan and ultimately enjoy your shave.
Why wet shave?
We will briefly list it for you. There are many reasons to leave your electrical appliance in the closet. Read the main reasons below.
- Reduces discomforts such as ingrown hairs and razor burn
- Much cheaper in the long run
- Hairs are cut shorter so you don't have to shave as often
- A smoother shave than with an electric appliance
One reason many men stick with their shaver is that it is (or seems) easier than a wet shave. But trust us, once you know the steps, it's a piece of cake.
Step 1: Cleanse your face
Clean and relaxed skin is essential for a good shave. So first take a nice shower and let the steam from the shower do its job. Your pores will open and your skin will become nice and smooth. Clean your face with a good cleanser , then all dead skin cells will be removed from your skin. That way you will reduce the chance of ingrown hairs .
Don't have time to shower? No problem. Use a washcloth or towel with warm water and place it on your face for about 2 to 3 minutes. The heat does its job, just like the steam from the shower.
Step 2: Wet your beard or mustache
When you wet your beard or mustache, they will be easier to shave. So wash these hairy friends in the shower too. It is even better to wash them with a good beard shampoo or beard conditioner . Then you make the hair softer and therefore it will be easier to shave it. The blade will feel less resistance and therefore it will be easier for you to shave more precisely.
Step 3: Use a shaving product
Time for a good shaving product. In this the choice is a bit up to you and your preferences. There are quite a fewdifferences between a shaving soap, cream, oil, gel and foam . It takes a while to find the product that suits you best.
Shaving soap
A fine shaving soap is always good. Beat it in a shaving bowl with a shaving brush until you create a rich lather. Apply the foam to your beard or mustache with circular movements of the shaving brush . Let this absorb for a while so that you give the beard hairs the chance to become even smoother and softer. A shaving soap often consists of extremely fine and natural ingredients that will nourish and soften your skin.
shaving cream
You apply a shaving cream in the same way as a shaving soap, but it lathers a little more easily and will be easier to clean. So the use is somewhat simplified. A shaving cream often contains different types of ingredients than a shaving soap and slightly less natural formulas. Therefore, take a look at your own preferences.
Shaving foam
If you want to go for pure convenience, go for shaving cream . Directly from the spray can on your skin and shave! Of course, a shaving cream does not contain the nourishing ingredients that a shaving soap does, but it is nice and easy for a quick shave.
It is also useful to use a pre-shave before shaving with men. A pre shave will put a kind of layer over your skin that protects your skin and makes your beard hairs a bit extra soft.
Step 4: Use a good razor
Perhaps the most important step if you are wondering how to shave. A good razor is the basis! No matter how well you follow all the other steps, a dull razor can throw a lot of spanner in the works. A dull razor is the main culprit behind ingrown hairs, razor bumps, razor burn and irritation. So you don't want all of them. You know your razor is dull when it no longer glides smoothly over your skin.
Which razor is the best to use?
You need to find out which razor is best for you . You can choose from the safety razor , shavette and the cartridge razor . They all have pros and cons so that's why you need to find out which one is right for you.
Benefits of a safety razor:
- Incredibly smooth shave
- Prevents inconveniences such as ingrown hair and skin irritation
- Much more comfortable shaving than with a cartridge razor
- Suitable for men with sensitive skin
- In the long run a lot cheaper than a cartridge razor
- Better for the environment
Benefits of a shavette:
- Super smooth shave
- Blades are easy to change
- Cheaper than a cartridge razor in the long run
- Prevents inconveniences such as ingrown hair and skin irritation
- It just looks really cool
Advantages of a cartridge razor:
- Comfortable grip due to the rubber lining
- Shaving is very easy
- Low maintenance
- You won't get razor burn easily
Step 5: Start shaving
Now that you've done all the preparation and bought the right shaving products / razor, it's time for the real work. Time to shave! You may be wondering at this point "how do you shave with a razor?" To do this in a good way, we have listed some tips for you.
Tips & tricks
- Go with the hair direction. With a sharp razor you will still cut the hairs very short. When you go against the direction of the hair, you greatly increase the risk of skin irritation and ingrown hair. So don't! And certainly not necessary with a sharp razor.
- Pull your skin taut during your shave. This ensures that the hairs can be cut even shorter. Pull your skin taut with your free hand and let the razor smoothly follow your skin.
- Don't press too hard! This is not necessary at all if you have a sharp knife. You will only irritate your skin the harder you press. Let the blade do its job.
- Clean your blade with water while shaving. This way you remove the shaved hairs from your knife and you will work with a clean razor with every stroke.
Step 6: Close your pores
When you're done shaving your face, rinse your face again. This way you rinse the hair and the shaving product off your skin. Rinse your face with cold water or use a washcloth with cold water to close your pores again. In this way, shaving irritations are prevented.
Step 7: Take care of your skin
When you have cooled your skin with cold water, you can finish your shaving routine with a good aftershave or aftershave balm . This will provide extra cooling for your skin and give you a boost after your shave. An aftershave also has a disinfecting effect and will therefore prevent irritations.
So, now that you have your complete step-by-step plan, you can start with the start of your most comfortable shave! This is how most barbers work, so basically you give yourself a professional shave without spending a lot of money time and time again. If you still have questions, for example about products, please know that you can always contact us. That's what Friends Are For. You know where to find us!
Be your own barber!
Your friends, The Alpha Men