So, you want a clean, close, bloodless shave, eh?

Tired of razor burn and razor bumps?  Dreading the next shave?  Wonder if there’s a proper technique to it?  Need shaving tips?  Man or woman, shaving major tracts of realestate or just the whiskers on your cheeks, there are common questions.  What’s the best razor to use?  For starters, a sharp, clean one.  Keep plenty of refill MACH 3 razor blades on hand to keep it that way.   What’s the difference between a 2 blade disposable and a Gillette MACH 3 razor?  On a 2 blade disposable, the two Sensor Blades combined with the control and maneuverability of an ergonomically designed handle give you precision and convenience.   However, the Gillette MACH3 has 3 blades positioned progressively to extend gradually closer.  So for every stroke you take, it takes three.  We prefer the MACH 3 razors in our household, hands down, man or woman, it does the job well and leaves the blood letting to the barbers of old.   Proper shaving has become a lost art, like those old barbers, and the tradition of passing down the secrets of a clean, close shave stopped abruptly.  Read the shaving tips below to enjoy your shaving ritual, and to keep it bloodless.

The Equipment: The Blade: What’s the difference between a 2 blade disposable and a Gillette MACH 3 razors?  On a 2 blade disposable, the two Sensor Blades combined with the control and maneuverability of an ergonomically designed handle give you precision and convenience.   However, the Gillette MACH3 razor has 3 blades, each MACH3 razor blades positioned progressively to extend gradually closer.  So for every stroke you take, it takes three.  Our choice?  MACH 3 razors.  Keep it sharp, keep it clean.  Have your Gillette MACH 3 blades handy, so you can swap out.

The Brush: If you’ve never used a brush during shaving, you’re in for a treat.   A brush helps hydrate the shaving cream in order to form a thick rich shaving lather.  Using a brush to lather up helps get the shaving cream up under each whisker which results in better, smoother shave.   Plus, it just feels nice on your face, lets, etc. to lather up with a brush.  Brushes are made out of two types of animal hair: boar and badger.   Boar bristles are stiffer than badger bristles and hold less water.   Boar hair brushes are also cheaper.   If you really want to have a nice shaving experience, splurge and buy a badger hair brush.   Badger brushes create more lather and it feels a lot nicer on your face.   We suggest pre-soaking your brush in hot water for better lather and a better shave while you prep your whiskers for the main event.

The Lather: If you’re like the average guy, you’ve probably been getting your shaving cream from a can.   This blue/green, chemically laced goop does nothing for your face and smells like a hospital.   Traditional shave creams and soaps on the other hand are full of natural ingredients that nourish your face and leave you smelling absolutely manly.  While these high quality creams and soaps may cost more than the can stuff, just a dab will create enough lather for you to lather up twice.  We’re fans of www.ShineyGoat.com and their handcrafted soaps.  Whether you choose Goat Milk Soap, Drunken Goat Beer Soap or their Shaving Soaps, these handcrafted soaps do a much better job of lathering you up to do the deed.  Legs or chin whiskers, the natural glycerine is left in this handcrafted soap unlike commercially available bars which are actually a detergent…think degreasers, yikes!

Prep time: Want a clean shave?  You need to start with clean whiskers.   This will get rid of dirt, bacteria, or anything else that can cause infections, or zits on your face.   Shaving zits isnt a good thing.   A clean canvas will also cut down on razor bumps, ladies.  Work this step well and you’ll have less irritation, period.  Start with a shower, if you’re not showering first, at very least wet your whiskers with some hot water.  Remember the old hot towel?  That’s a great way to soften that beard.  Hydration is critical.  Hot water essential, it opens the pores and facilitates a closer shave.  Key shaving tips: minimum of 3 minutes.  HOT water.

Lather up: You’ve pre-soaked your shaving brush.  If you insist on shave cream, take a nickel sized dollop and place in your shave mug.  We like to work the Goat Milk soap at this point, wet your bar or shaving round with a few drops of warm water.  Take you brush in hand and swirl, work the cream or soap until you get a thick lather.  Remember that swirling motion?  Repeat this on your face, applying the lather to your face (or legs) in swirling motions with the brush.  When your face is covered, take a few strokes to even out the lather.

The Main Event: This evolves around one word, Technique. Start with the top section of your beard.  Shave from the top down to the edge of your jaw-line.  Use long, even strokes.  Shave with your MACH 3 Razor DOWNWARD, in the direction your whiskers grow, from sideburns to jaw.  Remember, long and even strokes with your MACH 3 Razor, starting with the grain.   Apply light but firm pressure, pulling skin taught before each stroke.  (Ladies, same advice, follow the direction of hair growth, long even strokes with light pressure, keeping skin taught.)  Next, comes the neck and chin.  To shave under your chin, shave from the bottom of your neck upwards.  This will help prevent razor burn and ingrown hairs.  When shaving under your chin, pull the razor from your throat toward your chin.  Remember that every stroke or two you MUST rince the razor to keep the blades from becoming clogged with hair.  Then, the uppper lip.  Remember the saying “keep a stiff upper lip”?  Yep, do that.   Stretch your lip over your front teeth to tighten the skin and shave downward.  To get this right, pretend you’ve taken out dentures by curling your lip down over your front teeth.  Keep the skin tight and use even pressure.  Key shaving tips: sensitive skin?   Use less pressure, keep the skin taught and let the razor do the work.  Go SLOWLY.  Fast slashing equals razor burn and nicks.

Clinching the Deal: You’re almost finished.  Use warm water to rince off the excess hairs still on your face.  If you missed a section, wet the razor and hit them again.  If your beard is a stubborn one you may need to lather up again and pass the razor over your face once more.  Some men prefer to shave this last time against the grain to get that smooth feel, but be aware that you risk nicks and ingrown hairs.  To avoid irritation, avoid the hack-n-go technique.  Several passes with good lather, a well rinced razor and with the grain will have your face thanking you.

The Skin Bracer: Post-shave, rince your face with some cold water to close the pores.  Treat your skin to a nice aftershave.  Pick a skin bracer that has vitamins and aloe extract over an alcohol-based aftershave.  Alcohol dries your skin.  Apply a light moisturizer after toning to complete your shave.

Enjoy the smootchable face!

Thank you to Brett and Kate McKay and their article “How to Shave Like Your Grandpa” at http://artofmanliness.com for their insight and “How to Shave” by Brennn10 at http://www.instructables.com for their insight and tips.  Also, thank you to www.shineygoat.com for their great soaps, the main stay of the close shaves in our household.