Shaving 101
Many men have spoken of the perks of a proper barber shave and how they wish they could achieve that at home, and I’m here to tell you that you can and it’s easier than you think! On top of giving yourself a more luxurious home treatment we’re also going to discuss why it’s so important to improve your shaving process, and you won’t even need a straight razor.
Let’s begin with some common mistakes I hear about behind the chair; one of the biggest things I hear is not enough (or none at all, eek.) skin prep prior to taking blade to skin. Not only are you not getting a close shave but it’s incredibly detrimental to your skin. A huge part of why barber shaves are so close is the pre-shave process. Multiple hot towels, and in our shop a full facial steam, on top of oils and creams to hydrate the skin are going to make a world of difference to your home shave process.
What hot towels and steam do is apply moist heat to the skin which softens the skin, allows the skin to absorb products such as pre-shave oil or moisturizer easier and also allows the hair to stick out of the follicle more than it normally does when the skin is dry. You are going to get a far closer shave and your skin is going to feel hydrated and healthy afterwards instead of dry and irritated.
Hot towels and even steam are pretty easy to access at home, if you’re planning on shaving in the shower which is honestly your best option you can completely skip the hot towel portion but I do recommend having a fog free mirror mounted somewhere in the shower especially if you keep any type of facial hair so you can maintain clean lines. If going the shower route, however, I do recommend shaving being the last thing before you get out of the shower so that your skin has had maximum time to soften with the heat.
If you are choosing to shave outside of the shower this is where you can get creative by microwaving a damp towel for 30 seconds before putting it on your face. PLEASE NOTE that these towels can come out extremely hot so it's important to always test the hottest part of the towel on your neck before putting it on your entire face. Hot towels are an amazing way to get your skin prepped for a shave but that prep doesn't last forever, that’s why at Ritual Grooming we use a steam machine during every shave service. The steam will help keep your skin prep lasting throughout the shave. Steam machines tend to be very expensive but you can buy a countertop version, this of course is going the extra mile and isn’t necessary.
Equally important is the products used. There are a few key products you should be using and in this order; Pre-shave oil, shaving cream/butter, aftershave/astringent (optional), moisturizer. Many like to use a shave brush and bowl to get a good lather as well as help lift those hairs up and ready for the razor. We at the shop prefer and carry J.S. Sloane’s shave line because it is incredibly hydrating on top of smelling absolutely amazing. Next week we’ll do a full breakdown on skin care including the above listed products.
Happy weekend!