How to get the best shave

SHAVING is a daily chore most men have to contend with almost for the rest of their lives. There are no rules about shaving, but there are basic shaving tips that can make it quick and easy. Shaving is more that just picking up a razor and dragging it across your face until the stubble’s gone. A really good shave, requires a little more effort and know-how.

Even if you’ve been shaving for years, you might learn something new about what you need to do to get the best shave possible.

The first rule in shaving is patience. Don’t rush through a shave. A rushed shave is a good way to abuse your face. Rather, spend the necessary time prepping your skin for the razor.

Start by washing your face. Facial cleansers work best because they help soften the protein in the hair. Avoid harsh soaps, and wash away hair-softening oils. Leave the cleanser on your face for one minute before rinsing.

Next, lather up with shaving cream or gel. Choose one labeled “for sensitive skin” if you need it. Then let it sit for two or three minutes. You can comb your hair or brush your teeth to pass the time.
This is an important step that really softens the hair and makes a one-pass shave possible. The longer you let it sit, the better, although spending the time is not always practical.

When you are brushing up the lather, don’t rely on your fingers to lather your shaving cream. Get a brush.

A good brush really pushes the cream into the hair and makes it much easier to shave. Use a badger hair brush to lift the hairs and really coat them with cream.

When it comes to razors, there’s no need to fool with multiblade razors. Multiblade razors are okay, but a single blade will work just as fine. The important thing to keep mind, that the blade you use must be sharp. Discard it if you see a nick in the blade; otherwise, if you shave most days, change blades every week or two.

How often you must change blades is another good reason to stick with inexpensive single blades rather than three- or five-blade razors, which can be quite costly. The more expensive the blade, the less likely you may be to change them as often as you should.