The best shaving routines have the key essentials - facial cleanser, shaving cream, aftershave and sharp razor. If you’d like to make it a bit more luxurious, you can also add a pre-shave oil and post-shave balm into the routine too.
If you’re new to the world of shaving, we’ve created a basic 6-step shaving guide below to help you get started with your routine.
1. Start with a facial cleanser for a clean base
For the best shave, preparation and starting on clean skin is key. Begin by washing your face with a gentle facial cleanser, like the Baxter of California Daily Face Wash. This will remove any dirt, debris and dead skin that may impact your razor blade when shaving. It also preps and softens facial hair, making it easier to shave and reducing the need for multiple razor passes.
When cleansing your face and washing off, make sure you’re using warm water as this will help open up the pores. If your skin is oily or suffers from flaking, you may want to consider a cleanser with exfoliating acids in them, like the Anthony Glycolic Facial Cleanser.
Facial cleanser recommendations:
- Triumph & Disaster Ritual Face Cleanser
- Anthony Algae Facial Cleanser
- Jackson Miles Fig & Cedar Daily Face Cleanser
2. Apply your pre-shave oil if desired
Pre-shave oils are purely optional. It adds an extra layer of nourishment and protection to the skin prior to shaving, in addition to your shaving cream. What’s great is it only takes about a minute to apply to your face due to its light fluid texture.
Add a few drops into the palm of your hand, rub together and spread the product to the areas of your face that you’ll be shaving. Spend some time massaging it into the skin, as this will actually help soften your facial hair, making it easier to shave. Allow it to sit on the skin for about 30 seconds before moving onto your shaving cream.
Pre-Shave oil recommendations:
- e-Shave Lavender Pre-Shave Oil
- Razor MD Sandalwood Pre Shave Oil
- Truefitt & Hill Ultimate Comfort Pre-Shave Oil
3. Lather up your shaving cream and apply
Out of all the shaving products for men out there, shaving cream is an absolute essential. Without it, you’re opening your skin up to irritations like ingrown hairs, razor burn, nicks and cuts. Before shaving, you should always spend time lathering up and apply a quality shaving cream to your facial hairs.
A good shaving cream lather will have a slightly thick, cushion-like texture to it. When applied to your skin and facial hair, it will act as a protective barrier while helping the razor smoothly glide across the skin. Moreover, shaving cream will also greatly reduce the chances of nicks, cuts, razor burn and skin irritation.
To create the perfect lather, use a shaving brush. Dampen the bristles with lukewarm water, grab a small dollop of cream and with your shaving bowl, use circular motions to create a thick lather. Once you’re satisfied with it, generously apply the lather all over your chin, cheeks and neck. Feel free to be generous with how much you apply!
Shaving cream recommendations:
- Baxter of California On The Go Super Close Shave Formula
- Proraso Azur Lime Pre Shave Cream
- Taylor of Old Bond Street Jermyn St Sensitive Shaving Cream
4. Start shaving with your razor
Now comes the hard part — actually shaving with your razor. To get the best experience and reduce the likelihood of cuts and nicks, below are key points to remember:
1. Never shave against the grain. Examine which way your facial hair is growing and shave in the same direction of it. Shaving against it will only create razor bumps and ingrown hairs.
2. Don’t apply too much pressure. Let the razor blade do most of the work. If you’re using a safety razor, the weight of the razor will naturally apply the pressure. Too much pressure will make your skin’s surface uneven, making it harder to have a consistent shave.
3. If using a safety razor, ensure your razor is at a 45 degree angle, so the blade can effectively cut facial hairs.
4. Avoid multiple passes in one area, if possible. Stick to one pass to reduce irritation. If you want a closer shave, re-apply more shaving cream then repeat another pass.
5. Always rinse after every stroke. This keeps the blades sharp and will prevent razor burn.
Razor recommendations:
- Feather Double Edged Wet Shaving Set
- Bolin Webb R1 Mach3 Razor
- Merkur 23C Safety Razor Long Handle Chrome
5. Use a post-shave balm or aftershave balm for men
After shaving and rinsing off, your skin may feel dry, tight and raw. This is where post-shave balms or aftershave balms come to the rescue. Many of them contain soothing ingredients like tea tree oil, cooling menthol and glycerin. These balms work to repair, moisturise and soothe the skin and in doing so, can prevent skin irritations and redness.
Applying them is easy as well — simply take a small amount and massage into the areas that were shaved. Finish by gently patting the skin so the product can efficiently absorb and work its reparative magic.
Shave balm recommendations:
- Proraso After Shave Balm Cypress and Vetiver
- Truefitt & Hill 1805 Aftershave Balm
- Cella Aftershave Balm
6. Store your razor and shaving products properly
Now that you’ve finished shaving, ensure you take good care of your products. For facial cleansers, pre-shave oil, shaving cream and aftershave balms, store them in a cool, dry place ideally away from excessive sunlight.
As for your razor blades and shaving bowl, never leave them wet. Leaving your razor wet can actually dull and rust the blades, leading to an infection if you use it on skin the next time. When drying the razor after using it, use a razor holder or stand so the head faces down and dries properly.
Get the best shaving products for men from Man Perfected
Hopefully this article has provided you with a solid framework to get you started on your shaving journey. If you’d like to see the full range of shaving products Man Perfected has on offer, you can find them all here.
