Did you shave your face today?
I’ve been shaving for a long time.
Puberty came early for me, so shaving become a necessity when I was in the seventh grade. Seriously.
Doing the math, that means I’ve been shaving for about 45 years.
That even makes me raise my eyebrows in disbelief. But, hey, it’s true!
During the last 4-1/2 decades, I’ve tried a lot of shaving products. My dad taught me to shave using Barbasol shaving cream and a razor with some sort of injector-type blade.
It’s been a long time — so I don’t recall the details. Sorry.
Electric shavers — although they seemed like a faster shaving option — never worked for me. My beard grows in several crazy directions. I’ve never found an electric shaver that can handle my face.
Shaving with cream or gel and a twin-blade razor has been my go-to solution for 99% of my shaving time. And it works just fine.
A few years ago I joined the ‘wet shaving’ movement where I used an old-fashioned double-edged blade and a vintage razor. Instead of shaving cream or gel, I used shaving soap. It’s a great way to shave; however, it takes several passes of the blade in different directions to get the close shave that I prefer. And, between all those passes, it’s necessary to lather up with shaving soap again.
It’s too time consuming for me. I’m a morning shaver who shaves before he showers. Wet shaving (I’ve found) is better done after one has showered — as the shower gets your beard softened up and preps it for a much more comfortable shave.
Shaving Today
Now my morning routine consists of a shaving cream and a twin-blade razor. I prefer the simple twin-blade (known as The Humble Twin) version of the Dollar Shave Club. It’s a nice set of sharp blades (and keeps its sharpness for several shaves). The handle is perfectly ergonomic for my hand and the shaving process results in a quick, close, comfortable outcome.
And I like that.
If you’ve not tried the Dollar Shave Club, I highly recommend you give them a shot.
This is the Starter Set:
For just five bucks (shipping is FREE), you can experience the Dollar Shave Club’s great products. A sweet razor handle, blade cartridges, and a tube of their famous Shave Butter. And…a couple bonus items, too!
With Father’s Day coming up this weekend, perhaps someone who loves you will order the set for you.
If not…go ahead and treat yourself.
It’s a small investment for a great shave.
7 Tips for a Better Shave
- Start with a clean, wet face. Be sure you’ve either showered before you shave, or at least washed your face with warm water and soap. Use a facecloth to wake up all those pesky whiskers.
- Add shave cream or gel. You don’t need a deep layer of shaving cream or gel to get a good shave. You just need enough to cover your beard. Make sure to work it into your skin with your fingertips.
- Keep your razor blades clean by running hot water over them. I’m a frugal guy, so I do NOT leave the water running down the drain while I’m shaving. I put a few inches of hot water in the sink basin and swish out my blades every few passes on my face. Clogged-up blades won’t allow the whiskers into the blades. No bueno.
- If you have sideburns, be sure to whisk away enough cream or gel so you can see where you’re shaving.
- Shave in different directions, depending on how your beard grows. Every guy has a different beard pattern, so find out what yours is and attack it appropriately. You’ll want to go with the grain, across the grain, and against the grain to get the closest shave possible. Feel free to add an additional (thin) layer of cream or gel in between those passes.
- When you’re all done, be sure to rinse your face off — a lot. Start with warm water and then cool (or cold) water. Blot your face dry with a clean face towel. Dirty towels spread germs. You don’t want anything to do with that. Especially on your face.
- If you choose to use an aftershave, go easy. Some guys prefer to use an after shave balm. There are a ton of them on the market. Experiment until you find one you like
- BONUS: keep your razor clean and dry in between shaves. Make sure all the hair and shave cream/gel is rinsed out of the blades before you put it away. And, don’t use a towel or paper to dry the blades — that’s a great way to dull them up in a hurry. Place the razor in a cup or drawer that allows air to circulate. Your face will thank you.