The Ultimate Guide To Shaving

Going Deep Into Shaving

In life, you can pick up a coffee at a fast-food restaurant or you could go deeper into coffee and try out a variety of beans at a local cafe.  You could go to a big sporting goods store to get sneakers or you could go deeper and go to a store where you get personalized attention for a sneaker that fits your feet the best.  Shaving can be a hassle as part of a monotonous morning routine but just like coffee, sneakers, and so much more we can go deeper with shaving. As most men that shave do it at least a few times a week, we forget that shaving can be relaxing!  However, we will be going deeper on how to enhance your shaving experience as we have done the hard research for you and figured out how to get the best shave you can at home. Unless you are retired or have a lot of free time, you will probably not do this every day but, this is a great way to help you feel exceptional after a long week or before that big event.

Getting Steamy

Put down that razor!  Before you start your actual shave, you need to prepare your face so you can have the most comfortable experience possible.  That starts with softening the hairs on your face and opening your pores. That can be done with two methods with the first being a hot shower.  Just make sure to not ruin all of this by putting a cold towel on your face when drying off. The second method is with a hot towel which can be the favorite part for many of an old-school barbershop shave.  For this, you can run your towel or washcloth under some hot water and then put it in the microwave for around 30 seconds. Another option is to heat up the water in a tea kettle and pour it over the towel however, make sure to let it cool for a few seconds.  

The Pregame (or Preshave) Show

Now that your pores are opened it is time to make sure your razor has a nice surface to glide over.  One option that you can add to the preshave is our Formula 5 Oil. If you have sensitive skin, a good oil can make shaving all the easier by softening both your skin and your scruff. Additionally, the oil provides even more lubrication for your razor than using shave cream alone. The result is a smoother shave with less irritation. Formula 5 spreads on evenly, smells great and leaves your face feeling healthy and hydrated post-shave.

Getting Razor Sharp

It is now time to get your razor ready.  If you are looking for a new razor or want to figure out what is best for you, we recommend our blog entitled “How to Choose the Right Razor For You.”  Regardless of what razor you use, it is important to make sure your razor is ready for optimal use.  This may involve changing your razor blade(s). Depending on the kind of razor you use will ultimately decide when you need to change your blade as you may need to change it as often as every three shaves but other blades can go 10 shaves or more.  However, if you are unsure of when to change blades, some telltale signs are if you feel tugging or your shave isn’t comfortable, or worst of all, you notice some rust.

Lather Up!

You have officially reached the final step before you put a bunch of sharp metal to some of the most sensitive skin on your body!  Shave cream is an interesting topic. There are shaving gels that once activated turn into the cream and there are shaving creams that come out of cans which is what many consumers may think of.  We think you can do better as there are higher quality shave creams that can transform your shave and bring it to a new level. 

Smooth Shaving From Here

Now it is time for the part that requires the most skill, the actual shave.  Regardless of what kind of razor you use, do not apply a lot of pressure. If your blade(s) are in proper working order it will just require a light touch to the skin and nothing more than that.  To make sure every part of your face gets the same treatment, after every two or three strokes, rinse off your blade so excess shave cream and facial hair doesn’t get in the way. Start with the sideburns and gradually work your way down until you are at the chin, which typically has the toughest hairs.  

After you have shaved once you have the option of shaving a second time, this time across the grain or against the grain.  A lot of times you will only hear people say to shave again against the grain which is problematic. For those with sensitive skin or curly hair, this can cause irritation and razor bumps which are certainly not what you want when having a relaxing shave. 

If you feel the need to make a second pass but have suffered from irritation in the past, a nice compromise is to shave across the grain. This is not completely against the grain but still makes your shave closer than just going with the grain.  If you cut yourself at all during this process, we recommend using a styptic pencil. Styptic pencils are great for any small cuts or nicks as you simply apply it onto the cut and with its anti-hemorrhagic properties, it will help stop bleeding.

Cold Towel Time!!!

Unless you put a gash in your face while shaving, this is part of the experience is probably the worst but it is ultimately worth it!  The insane shock that you feel from having something freezing put on your warm and tender skin means the towel is doing its job. Mainly, the purpose of the cold towel is to close the pores of your skin.  What this does is prevent any gunk from entering your skin that can make you feel dirty but also potentially give you an infection. Another added benefit is it will tighten up your skin which ultimately makes your skin look clean and fresh.

The After Party

We have almost reached the finale of this epic shaving experience as now it is time for aftershave!  When it comes to aftershave, we’re not talking about the stuff that some guys rub together in their hands before putting it on where it is filled with alcohol creating a burning feeling like no other.  We are talking about the exquisite cool feeling that our Aftershave Cloths provide.  These are made with witch hazel, tea tree, bergamot, eucalyptus, and sage which create the ultimate soothing experience after a shave.  Our Aftershave cloths are individually wrapped and contain the perfect amount of liquid so you aren’t selling yourself short of aftershave or using too much for your own good.  After using this, you will feel clean, refreshed, and ready to take on the day! 

It All Comes Down To This

So, it has been a long but rewarding road and now you are at the final step in the ultimate guide to shaving and to seize the day, you need to protect your face and all the work you just put into it.  That is why we recommend for men to start using daily face moisturizers.

Take On The World!

You will surely feel refreshed, relaxed, but also confident and ready to take on any problem that comes your way after following the steps in our ultimate shave guide.  As we said, you probably won’t have the time to do this every day, but if you need a quick escape during the weekend, this will help you feel your best. So with so many fanatics going deep into just about everything, why not go deeper into shaving?