The Correct Way to Shave Your Face

How to shave your facial hair and tips for grooming

This might seem like a pretty obvious topic and that everyone already knows this. . . .But, If it was that obvious, why would it be amongst the top 10 "How to's" google searched last year? 

So if you are a young adult learning to shave or have been shaving for decades and wanting to know if you have been doing it right, here is step by step solution to a simple yet important how-to :

Shaving works best in front of  a mirror be sure to use one 

1. Trim your beard with clippers if you are starting off with a longer beard. You can use a standard electric clipper but I must recommend a beard trimmer like philips' Multigroom
   kit. The beard trimmers have adjustable settings for hair length and different clip ons for various grooming styles I use one and it's awesome ! If you are looking for that fashionable stubble and 5'0 clock shadow look this is the only step you will have to follow easy and great.
   
2. Get your face warm and moist. This would be easiest accomplished if you were to start shaving when you come straight out of the shower. If you are not the shave after shower type warm water from the bathroom basin will be fine splash your face with the warm water (not boiling hot water please !) so not too hot.
   
3. (Optional step) Use an Exfoliant face wash or any other facial wash. You can do this with step 2 for better skin care purposes.
4. Have your shaving kit ready! Right after the warm wash. You want to shave when your face is warm and ready otherwise the steps above are useless. Don't give your mane the chance to dry up and pores to close.
   
5. Soak your Razor. If you are using a disposable razor soak it in cold water in the basin , you may  use hot water but (5th grade science alert) metal blades expand in heat leaving your blade less effective.
   
6. Apply some shaving oil first before shaving cream. This step is vital because this is what helps prevent your face from becoming skinned alive or really damaged. If you don't have shaving oil some soap works for me as well (the liquid one not the bar, like your wife said the bar is a bad place to go).
   
7. Apply the shaving cream with a shaving brush. It has a way better effect on your skin than just using your finger tips to do this. If you don't have something like shaving cream or shaving gel, you can use conditioner. I haven't tried it but lots of similar posts recommend this and I don't seethe harm in this.
   
8. Make sure you use a good quality blade. Your beard deserve to be killed in style. The better the blade the better your shave. Keep in mind your the more sensitive your skin the blades of your razor should be more (2,3,4 maybe even 5 blades).
   
9. Remember shave with the grain of your beard. In other words the same way your hair is growing , if the hang downwards you shave downwards. if you you don't do this they will grow back inwards and you ain't shaving jack squat then.
   
10. Pick a side of your face. Start with one side doing little strokes and sections at a time and work your way to the other side. Getting exactly half-way would be a fun time to take a selfie (meaning a picture of yourself).
    
11. Rinse off your face then check and feel for spots you have missed. Don't skip this step and yes its possible to miss you are human after all, find piece and let it go (pun intended). check jawline and neck as well as sideburns and near nostrils
    
12. After touch ups rinse again and then pat-dry your face with a clean soft towel.
    
13. Apply some shaving balm. Use a non-alcoholic balm !! unless you like a furnace face then use a alcohol based balm. There are plenty of good shaving balms out there, find the right one for you.
    
14. Soothe the spots you have nicked or cut by washing it with cold water. The spots that still bleed should have small tissue paper or moist kitchen paper applied to them.
    
15. Buy and use a styptic pencil if you are susceptible to nicks and cuts. If you are using a styptic pencil be sure to wet it and rub over the nick are or cut. The material of the pencil closes off the blood vessels to the nick or cut stopping it from bleeding.
    
    
    
16. Take care of your shaving gear. Rinse off and clean all that needs to be cleaned and store it neatly so that it is ready to go for the next shave session. Clean equipment will ensure you don't get a nasty skin infection.
    

Some useful tips

• You need a good sharp bladed (blades) razor.
• You need a shaving brush, preferably one made of badger’s hair, because that’s the only fiber that will carry water from the sink up to your face to give you the best lather. 
• Remember to shave with the grain !
• Use short strokes.
• If you can feel the razor rubbing against your face your shaving cream has failed its single purpose.
• When shaving with soap use an ivory bar of soap.
• Put a little bit of shampoo on the mirror in the shower if you shave in the shower, this will prevent it from fogging up.
• Shave often to prevent hairs from thickening.

Solution bay recommends these great products:


Nivea For Men 2 In 1 Artic Freeze, After Shave Gel and Moisturizer, 3.3-Ounce (Pack of 2)

Philips Norelco AT810 Powertouch with Aquatec Electric Razor

Deluxe LED Fogless Shower Mirror with Squeegee by ToiletTree Products. Guaranteed Not to Fog, Designed Not to Fall. 20% Larger Than Our #1 Selling Original Mirror.