Overview

There are a million shaving products out there, many of which are of basic quality. The right shave for any individual is going to depend on that individual's skin type and preferences about how a shave should feel. Because the use of specific products is such a subjective issue, this wiki will have nothing to do with particular brands, but will instead focus on general principals for the best, most satisfying shave with a razor.

While the electric razor is seen as beneficial for a variety of reasons--most notably for its gentler treatment of razor bump and ingrown hair-prone faces, and its time-saving bypassing of lubrication in the form of shaving cream--it is largely considered an inferior shave for two reasons: 1) electric shavers generally give a less close shave, and 2) because the dry shave of an electric shaver often also suggests no need for aftershave or moisturization, the the electric shave can leave the skin chapped and dry. This wiki will thus focus on the wet shave with the standard, disposable cartridge razor. The merits of of safety razors versus straight razors versus the variety of disposable cartridge razors--i.e., two blade, three blade, Mach3?, Fusion, etc--is a discussion for another wiki. As far as this wiki is concerned, any razor designed for a wet shave is of equal value.

Materials Needed

1. Hot water

2. A badger hair brush

3. Foaming shaving cream, or shaving soap

4. A razor fitted with sharp blades

5. Aftershave

Step-By-Step Description

1. Wash with Hot Water: Before shaving, expose the skin to hot water, ideally via a hot shower. If this is not possible, wash the face with hot water for at least a couple minutes. Hot water opens the skin's pores, relaxes facial muscles, and creates greater lubrication on the face, allowing the razor blade to more smoothly cross the surface of the face.

2. Use a Shaving Brush: Once the face is hydrated, wet the shaving brush with hot water and dip it into shaving cream, either in your hand or in the tub it comes in. A good brush will hold water, which will mix with the cream to create a rich lather. If using shaving soap, wet the brush and work it into the soap until you form a lather. Brush the lather onto the face with firm strokes. This motion will both exfoliate the skin and help lift whiskers up off of the skin's surface for closer shaving.

3. Shave with the Grain: Once the face and neck are liberally covered, shave with strokes that move in the same direction as the hair is growing out of your face. While shaving against the grain will make for a slightly closer shave, it is also more likely to cause discomfort and the potential for ingrown hairs. Also pay attention to how hair grows in different spots on your face. Most men have facial hair that grows in different directions in different areas of the face; switching up the direction of the razor stroke in different places on the face can make for a more comfortable shave.

4. Clean Up: When finished shaving, rinse the face with cold water, which will help close the skin's pores. Pat the skin dry rather than rubbing it with a towel, which can cause irritation. Also remember to wash the cream out of your brush and shake the excess water out of it, both of which will extend its life, do not store it standing up on its handle. Most manufacturers of badger hair brushes also make stands that allow the brush to hang with the hairs pointing down. This allows any extra water to drain out of the brush and not sit inside the handle, where it will eventually loosen the glue and cause the hairs to fall out.

5. After-Shave: Test out a few aftershave moisturizers and figure out what works best for your skin. Avoid alcohol-based solutions, which will dry out the skin, leaving it irritated and chapped. Look for an aftershave that complements your shaving cream--most quality brands make both.

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