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How do you get a perfect shave?

Face it guys, shaving really is an art. It's one of those glorious male rituals whose techniques are handed down from father to son. Unfortunately, as the emphasis on fast, easy, and disposable has become more prevalent, the true art of shaving has been lost somewhere along the way.There's a lot more to shaving than simply dragging a disposable razor across your face in a blind rush to get out the door on time in the morning. Ouch! Now with the growing trend and acceptance of men paying more attention to their grooming habits and skincare, it may actually be time to take a step back to improve your shaving techniques.

The return to the Wetshave:

If you're asking "what is wetshaving," don't worry, it's not rocket science. Wetshaving is exactly what the term implies - keeping your face (or for the ladies, their legs) wet with plenty of hot water before and during the shave. A layer of hot water between your skin and shaving lather allows the blade to skim the surface rather than drag which is the main cause of irritation and shaving bumps. A dry shave technique, which is what you get with many commercial foams or creams, means you are tugging on each hair rather than slicing it. Believe it or not, your dry whiskers are actually tougher than the edge of your razor blade. The tugging and pulling of a dry shave is what contributes to skin irritations. You will always get the most effective shave following a hot shower as hot water opens the pores and softens your beard for better cutting. No time for a shower? Washing your face with the warmest water you can stand for a few minutes will also work.

Tip: Wait approximately 30 minutes after getting up in the morning before you shave. This actually allows the facial muscles, which sag during sleep, to firm up again. This pushes hairs up making them easier to slice rather than pull.

Tools of a good shave:

Again, no rocket science here - there are three basic components to a perfect shave: a good razor, good shaving brush, and a good glycerin shaving soap.If you are not familiar with wetshaving, a shaving brush may sound foreign to you. Please don't think of a shaving brush as a paintbrush for your face or something you will find in your wife's makeup drawer. A good shaving brush is made of badger hair, readily absorbs hot water, and builds a good lather as it skims across your face. It also gently exfoliates your skin, clearing it of dry skin cells and helps lift whiskers to suspend them in the shaving lather. It is the most important tool for getting that perfect shave.

The next tool is the razor, and we are NOT talking DISPOSABLE plastic here. Select the highest quality razor you are comfortable with. Many shaving aficianados feel a razor with a single disposable double-edge blade (we're referrring to a double-edge safety razor) is the only way to go. Multi-blade cartridge razors sometimes cut too aggressively causing whiskers to grow back underneath the skin resulting in ingrown hairs and painful shave bumps. Switching to a double-edge razor and shaving brush to exfoliate and prep the skin will eliminate this problem and give a much closer, more comfortable shave.

Your last tool is your shaving soap. Of course, we recommend a Flower Peddler shaving soap with glyercin and clay for a slick, smooth shave.

The technique:

So now you have the tools, you'll also need a sink of hot (not scalding) water. Let your shaving brush soak in the water as you fill the sink. Begin by wetting your face. Try to keep it hydrated at all times during the shave. Remove your brush from the water, letting the excess drain, and swirl the tip of your brush across the shaving soap until you've created a visible lather. You don't need a lot. With experience you will learn what is the right amount. Now, paint your face up and down with the lather, starting with a small area that you will shave first. You do not need to lather your entire face. Work in small sections. Set your brush down upright on its handle and pick up your razor. If this is your first time using a double-edge razor, remember you glide the razor over your skin slowly and smoothly without pressing down. Multi-blade cartridge razors are more forgiving and actually require you press firmly across your skin. Please keep in mind, that raking harder across your face is not going to result in a closer shave. Use a lighter touch with a double-edge razor and wetshave technique, and you actually will get a closer shave. Don't worry if it takes some time to unlearn some bad habits or if you decide to continue using your multi-blade cartridge razor. Simply adding the shaving brush and shaving soap to your routine will result in a better shave.

Tip: Don't go against nature. Always shave in the direction your whiskers grow, never against the grain.

Begin shaving downward on your face and neck with the direction your whiskers grow. If you feel you absolutely have to get a closer shave, you can lather up again and shave lightly upward. Be aware, this is the primary cause of razor burn and irritation. Continue wetting, lathering, and shaving all sections of your face saving your chin and upper lip area for last. The whiskers on your chin are generally heavier. Finishing this area last allows more time for your beard to soften.

Once you are done shaving, rinse your face with cool water to close the pores. Pat your face dry - don't rub; this contributes to wrinkles. Follow with your favorite Flower Peddler alcohol-free shave balm or moisturizer. Rinse your shaving brush, shake it to dry, and store it on its handle, not lying down. Now look in the mirror and admire that close shave.

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