The benefits of using a pre shave oil when wet shaving
Most modern men do not use pre shave oil. In fact, many of those do not know the benefits of pre shave oil, or why some men use it before shaving. The reality of adding this one simple step to wet shaving is that of better results with a closer, smoother and less irritating shave.
What is pre shave oil?
Taylor of Old Bond Street
A few drops of oil is applied across the surface of damp skin before shaving. It is not rubbed into the skin, instead left to only slightly absorb on its own. Shaving cream or shaving soap is then applied on top of the oil. When the razor glides across the surface of skin, shaving cream and unabsorbed pre shave oil is removed.
There are a multitude of benefits that using this type of oil provides:
Skin moisturization
Preparation of the skin for a closer, smoother shave
Protection of skin against razor blades
Softening of hair, making it easier to cut
Reducing drag of the razor on skin
Decrease of irritation from shaving
Fewer ingrown hairs, nicks and cuts
Reduction of razor burn
Pre-shave oil may be used with safety razors, disposable razor heads or straight edge razors.
Popular Pre-Shave Oil Formulas
While there is an immense variety of pre-shave oils on the market today, several standouts have gained a broad following among men of all ages and skin types.
BAUME.BE
BAUME.BE
BAUME.BE is a product of Belgium. The company’s founder has highly sensitive skin and set out on a quest to develop shaving products that would not irritate his skin, yet would provide a top quality shave. BAUME.BE Pre Shave Gel is alcohol free, smells great and makes skin soft, hydrated and baby smooth.
Col Conk
Col Conk Pre-Shave Oil
The Col Ichabod Conk line of shaving products has a colorful backstory many men love as much as they love the products, themselves. Col Conk Pre-Shave Oil coats and smooths skin by hydrating it before wet shaving, as the perfect primer beneath Col Conk Shave Cream in scents like Rio Grande Lavender.
Taylor of Old Bond Street is a favorite English shaving line. Walking down the streets of merry old England, you would likely encounter more than a few gents scented by Taylor of Old Bond Street’s Sandalwood fragrance, particularly that of the brand’s Pre-Shave Oil.
Regardless of the pre-shave oil you ultimately select, adding this simple step to your wet shave regimen ensures your skin is well hydrated, smooth and closely shaven. The extra effort is something you will certainly appreciate, as the razor glides smoothly and provides fewer cuts, nicks, abrasions and ingrown hairs.
Getting a “classic shave” means stepping away from your quickly executed, disposable razor-quality shave using canned shaving cream. A classic shave is an experience and daily ritual men of many generations have enjoyed. You can enjoy your shave, too. The keys to that lie in having the right implements and knowing how to execute a luxurious shaving experience from start to finish.
What You Will Need for a Classic Shave
For a truly timeless shave, you will need several items:
Once you have these items on hand, fill a sink full of hot water. Ensure it is not scalding, but nicely hot and steamy. The best time to shave is after you have had a hot shower.
While you are filling the sink, allow your shaving brush to soak in the water.
Prepping Your Skin
Berkeley 46 Pure Badger
Splash enough hot water on your freshly showered face to keep it very wet. It is important to ensure your face stays well hydrated and warm throughout the shave.
Take your shaving brush out of the hot water and hold it upside down until all of the excess water has flowed out. Swirl the warm, wet-tipped brush on the surface of the shaving cream in circular motions. Do this until white lather appears. You will need sufficient shaving cream, but not too much. When you have done a few classic shaves, you will know how much cream is right for your shave.
Paint the lather onto your face using an up and down motion. Ensure all of the areas you will be shaving are covered with cream. The layer of shaving cream should be thick and opaque. Put down your shaving brush and replace it in your hand with the razor.
Executing Your Classic Shave
Edwin Jagger 3D Laser Diamond DE3D14BL
Shave in the direction of hair growth. That means you shave with your whiskers, not against them. If you are using a safety razor for the first time, you must remember that safety razors require slow, light-handed application. Do not stroke it heavily across your skin in rapid movements, like you do with a disposable razor. Part of the experience of the classic shave is in appreciating the slow, relaxing movements.
You will need to pay attention to your hair’s growth pattern while shaving to avoid cuts and razor burn. Unlike with a disposable razor, a safety razor requires greater care and attention to the growth patterns. Also remember to rinse your safety razor frequently, between each pass if needed. Your whiskers may require two passes over each area, to ensure a close shave.
After the Shave
Once your shave is complete, rinse your face with cold water. Using cold water closes your facial pores. Pat your face dry with a towel.
Rinse your razor and shaving brush very well to ensure all lather and residue are removed. Shake the shaving brush dry and store it using a shaving brush drip stand. Never store your delicate shaving brush on its side. Bristles need to air dry and this is done by hanging the brush from the drip stand. Properly maintained, your shaving brush can last more than 20 years.
Aftershave Lotion for a perfect classic shave
Finish your classic shave with a non-alcohol after-shave lotion or moisturizer. Moisturizer meant for after your shave will not sting and bring tears to your eyes like traditional after-shave made with alcohol. Follow the methods of wet shaving with the appropriate products listed and you are guaranteed to have a perfect classic shave.
How Shaving With The Grain Just Might Work For You
Many men try to shave against the grain to gain their closest shave. Even though this method cuts the hair as close to the skin as possible, it also causes problems for the skin. Razor bumps, skin irritation and even cuts can result.
About Shaving Against the Grain
Shaving against the grain causes the razor to pull at the hair before cutting it. That is why going against growth pattern produces such a close shave. But this tugging can damage hair and skin. It causes those ingrown hairs and razor bumps, resulting in swelling and redness on your face that you can probably happily live without.
Many men have skin that does fine with shaving against the growth pattern. But others suffer from it and have to make the choice between a really close shave today with those red bumps tomorrow, or shaving with growth as nature and invention intended.
If you are not an adrenaline junkie and want to focus on shaving with the grain, don’t fret. You can still get a very close shave through this method. The trick is just in knowing how.
Shaving with the Grain: How to Get Your Closest Shave
To get your best shave with the grain, you will first need to obtain a double-edged safety razor. There are a multitude of these to choose from at The Original Shave Company. It is just a matter of choosing the right one for your grip and style.
Edwin Jagger DE3D14BL
Safety razors are not dragged across skin. Unlike disposable razors from the grocery store, these razors are designed to glide across your skin. This provides a great shave without razor bumps and irritation that multi-blade cartridge razors can cause.
One thing you have to remember with a safety razor is that you must change the blades frequently enough to keep them sharp. Many people overuse throwaway cartridge razors by bearing down harder on the skin, but that will not work with safety razors.
The next step is to determine which direction your hairs are growing. When you have a slight outgrowth or five o’clock shadow, run your hand across your face to note this growth direction. You need to do this for all areas of your face like your cheeks, jawline, under your nose, chin and neck, as hair does not grow in one direction throughout your entire face. Mentally “map” your growth in your mind, so you know the pattern when shaving cream is covering your skin. Eventually, this mapping will become second nature to you and you will not have to think about it each time you are shaving with the grain.
Taylor of Old Bond Street
To start shaving with the grain, first use warm water to wash your face and open your pores. A nice, warm shower can be great for this. Apply pre-shave oil, gel or lotion to moisturize and protect your skin while softening facial hair.
Apply shaving cream to your face, preferably using a badger hair brush. Then, with your hair growth map in mind, gently glide the safety razor over your skin. Rinse the razor or flip to the other side for a second pass on each pathway through the shaving cream. Remember to go slowly when shaving with the grain and not bear down. When your shave is completed, use a quality after shave lotion to protect and moisturize your skin.
Remember that if you want to obtain the closest shave and don’t want to shave often, going against the grain might be the best way for you to go. However, this is not recommended for those with sensitive skin because it will produce results that could irritate and cut your skin.
Merkur Solingen is a German manufacturer of high quality razors under both the Merkur and DOVO brands. The company has produced razors and other personal care implements since 1906. The Solingen-based manufacturer is known for its high quality metal crafting and balanced ergonomic designs.
Choosing Your Own Merkur Safety Razor
Merkur Razors
When selecting your ideal safety razor, there are a multitude of options to consider. Most first-time safety razor shoppers go through several blade types before finding their own perfect fit, so you can expect a bit of trial and error in the beginning of your wet shaving experience.
These handsome German razors are differentiated by size, comb type, construction type and whether the razor is fixed or adjustable. These are all facets you will explore as you select and use your safety razor. If one razor does not quite fill the bill or seems to leave room for improvement in your wet shaving process, simply try a model with alternative attributes.
Solingen manufactured razors include these specific variations:
Handle length
Two or three piece construction
Closed comb with safety bar or open comb with teeth
Adjustable or fixed razor type
Aspects of the brand’s razors that are consistent from item to item include:
Other brand highlights that are helpful in selection of your perfect wet shaving razor include:
Three fixed position head types
Three adjustable head types
Three piece razors can be customized with varied head pieces and handles
One of the mistakes new wet shavers make with this brand’s models is that of not correctly tightening the blade into place. This failure is usually learned through trial-and-error. If the blade is not held tightly in position, there is up-and-down movement of the blade during shaving. The result is catching of facial skin between the blade and its guard, causing cuts. Fingers are also easily cut when replacing blades. All in all, these types of razors require a learning curve for blade replacement, but are worth the effort once a quality shave is performed.
Shaving with a Merkur Safety Razor
There are a multitude of considerations when first shaving with a razor of this quality and type. First, it is important to slow down your shave and take your time to learn how to properly use a safety razor. You cannot briskly shave with a safety razor like you do with a plastic disposable. You will tear your face up and cause major skin irritation.
When shaving with a double-edged razor, use only very light hand pressure. Novices tend to press down too much, as they do with a disposable head razor. It is important to let the razor’s own weight cut whiskers. Your hand is only meant to guide the razor’s direction.
Shaving with the grain of hair growth is safest, particularly for new safety razor users. Once you are acquainted with your razor and want a better shave, you can execute a three-pass shaving process. The three-pass method includes first shaving with the grain of growth, then reapplying shaving cream and shaving across hair growth patterns. For the third pass, reapply shaving cream and shave against the grain of hair growth. This three-pass wet shaving method obviously takes longer than a regular one-pass shave. But for special occasions or when you have time, the three-pass method using Merkur razors will never disappoint.
