Tanupreet KaurSeptember 10, 2024

The classic clean-shaven look never goes out of style. It’s been around for decades and still turns heads. It literally means complete surrender – no stubble, no trimmed beard; just a clean and smooth face. And, to ace the clean-shaven look, you need the right partners, organically formulated shaving foam, and a sensitive-on-the-skin razor. However, following the correct shaving steps, holding the razor at a right angle and the way you glide the razor to get the closest clean shave are some things you should keep in mind. Let’s get down to the business now! 5 steps to get close & smooth shave - The Clean Shave Cheat Sheet Before diving into how to get a clean-shaven look, let’s first jot down what all you’ll need to get started: High-quality Razor: It's the razor that gets the (shaving) job done, so it is the most important part of the paraphernalia. Choose a cartridge razor with sharp blades (dull ones will cause tugs and pulls while gliding), a pivoting head (to adjust as per the contours of your face) and a good lubricating strip (for the extra cushion of safety) Remember, the number of blades on your razor is directly proportional to the closeness of shave you'll experience. You have options from 3 blades to 6 blades. Pick the one you're most comfortable with. Pre-shave Scrub: A pre-shave scrub physically opens up the pores of your skin and exfoliates it by removing all impurities and dead skin cells stuck inside. This allows more of the hair to be exposed for shaving, thus resulting in a closer shave. Shaving Foam: A shaving foam works like a lubricant in the process of shaving, protecting the skin from the razor by creating a layer of protection between the blades and the skin. It also softens the hair strands, so it is easier to cut them. Choose one that is formulated with natural ingredients and is suitable for your skin type. Post-shave Balm: After the process of shaving, your face loses moisture on the top layer of the skin, and also undergoes minor cuts and inflammation. It is quite normal and is mostly not even visible to the normal eye. But a good post-shave balm replenishes that moisture loss and disinfects the cuts, at the same time calming the skin down, making you feel comfortable. Choose a post-shave balm without alcohol so that your skin doesn't burn. Clean Towel: Use a towel that you can simply dab on your face to dry it and not rub. And, most importantly - PATIENCE! (The more you have, the better it will be) Now you’re ready to experience your cleanest shave ever in the easiest way! It’s Time To Prep Up #STEP 1: Prep your facial hair by taking a shower or using a warm towel to soften your facial hair and open up the pores. Use a pre-shave scrub to exfoliate the skin and prevent any ingrown hair after the shave. This will also improve the effectiveness of your razor, as no dead skin cells will clog its blades while shaving. Pro Tip: Trim down your beard if it is longer than 6mm to avoid tugs and pulls while shaving. #STEP 2: Now take some shaving foam, and apply on the area you want to shave. This will ensure smoother glides and minimize the chance of razor burns, tugs and pulls, and a lot of discomfort. It not only acts as a protective barrier while shaving but also lubricates the surface for smooth and frictionless moves. Even after shaving, it leaves your skin moisturized, preventing dryness, redness, and irritation. Shave Off Effortlessly #STEP 3: Now take your razor and rinse it under water for a few seconds to activate the lubricating strip. Hold the razor comfortably and start shaving with short and gentle strokes in the direction of hair growth. With a good razor, you won’t have to go over the same area multiple times. Rinse your blade after every few strokes to clean up the buildup of hair and shaving foam. Pro Tip: Add more life to your razor by using a RAZOR SHARPENER if you feel the blades are getting dull. Post-Shave Pampering #STEP 4: After the shave, rinse your face with cool water to remove hair debris and the remains of shaving foam. This will also help close the pores on your skin and keep impurities at bay. Pat it dry with a clean towel (don’t rub). #STEP 5: Finish it off by gently massaging a soothing alcohol-free post-shave balm on your skin, to hydrate and free it from after-shave irritation and redness. Balm’s soothing and cooling vibe restores and repairs your skin so that it can groove and blossom like a flower. Explore organically formulated shaving essentials HERE. Top 5 Shaving Tips For Clean And Close Shave For a comfortable shave, always use a clean and sharp razor. To avoid irritation, don’t put too much pressure on the razor. Prevent nicks and cuts by not rushing through the process. To maintain the sharpness of your razor blades, use a razor sharpener. To find all your shaving essentials, keep a shaving stand to store them all. Pro Tip: Use a razor for sensitive skin if you have skin sensitivity. The secret is to shave smarter and not harder Remember, the perfect shave isn't just about technique - it's also about timing and frequency. Most guys find that shaving every 2-3 days gives the best results. It allows your skin to recover and prevents excessive irritation. But when to shave is the most debatable question that has been going on for years. Many men swear by their morning shave routine and consider it part of a wake-up routine that helps them feel refreshed and ready for the day. As your face tends to be a bit puffy in the morning due to fluid accumulation overnight, this extra plumpness can make it easy to go for a closer shave. Your facial hair also absorbs moisture while you sleep, making it softer and easier to shave in the morning. On the other side, evening shaves have their own benefits. Shaving at night gives your skin time to recover any irritation or redness to subside before you face the world. You're likely to be less rushed in the evening, allowing for a more careful, thorough shave. Read more: How To Shave With A Safety Razor – A Comprehensive Guide While personal preference plays a big role, research in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science indicates that skin tends to be most sensitive in the morning, particularly for those with dry or sensitive skin types. So, the best time to shave depends on various factors like skin type, hair growth rate, daily routine, and personal preference - there's no one-routine-fits-all. It is more than just timing - it's about understanding your skin, using the right techniques, and finding what works best for you. However, whenever you shave, don't forget to hydrate your skin, use sharp blades, shave in the direction of hair growth, and always follow up with a moisturizer to protect your skin. DID YOU KNOW? The average man will spend about 3,350 hours of his life shaving. That's nearly 140 days! So why not make those hours count? Explore: Shaving Kits For Beginners & Pro Shavers Your next cleanest shave is just a few steps away! There you have it - the simple and easy guide to the closest, cleanest, and smoothest shave ever. With these tips and tricks at your fingertips, you’re good to go forth and conquer the world of clean shaves. Your face (and maybe that special someone) will thank you! Practice makes a man perfect, so don't get discouraged if your first attempt isn't magazine-cover-worthy.

Priyank SharmaMay 20, 2024

For generations, the safety razor reigned supreme, offering a close, comfortable shave. In recent decades, cartridge razors promised convenience, but often at the cost of irritation and a less satisfying shave experience. However, we have recently witnessed a resurgence of traditional wet shaving, thereby paving the way for the comeback of a Safety Razor. But the question of the hour is, “How do you use it?” “Are there special techniques involved?” With proper knowledge and a little practice, you can master the art of “barber-shop quality” shaving at home, saving money and time. This guide will explore all the details about shaving with a safety razor for beginners. Your Safety Razor Essentials Before you plunge headfirst into knowing how to shave with a safety razor, it's vital to get the essentials in order. Here’s what you need: For the razor When talking about safety razors, the classic option that’s been revered for decades is the Double-Edged (DE) razor. The characteristic of this razor is it features a single, replaceable blade between two guard plates. Safety razors like DE razors are designed, so the exposed blade comes in contact with the facial hair, trimming it down, while the guard plates prevent risks of cutting the skin. As for the materials, safety razors are available in brass, titanium, and stainless steel options. For the blade When you pick up a safety razor, you’ll need good-quality, sharp-edged DE blades to ensure a clean shave without interruptions in the middle. Usually, for beginners, start with the featherweight or milder blade until you get the hang of it. For the accessory items Using a safety razor involves the “wet shaving” technique, so you’d need shaving cream/foam, a shaving brush, and a bowl/mug. You might consider investing in a styptic pencil to prevent the risks of minor nicks and cuts on the skin. Pre-Shaving Guidelines To be fair, shaving, especially wet shaving, using a safety razor, isn’t a simple and direct process. You have to build up the rhythm to reach the finale. Think of it as a quick warm-up before the actual sprint. A Proper Pre-Shaving Ritual also softens your beard for a smoother glide of the razor and prepares your skin for a close and comfortable shave. Here’s what you need to prioritise: Warm Shower or Wash your Face Before the actual shave, it's vital that you clean your face with warm water to open the pores and soften your beard. To prevent ingrown hair or infection risks, clean the face with some face wash to get rid of the dirt and oil. Apply a Pre-Shave Oil This is an optional step you might consider doing for smoother results. Especially great for people with coarse or rough beards or dry skin, the application of pre-shave oil softens the beard and moisturises it. The extra lubrication usually produces a cleaner shave without roughness on the underlying skin. Lather Up The most crucial shaving step with a safety razor is lathering up the skin with a Shaving Cream/Foam/Soap. The steps are simple: Wet your shaving brush with some normal or lukewarm water. You can apply the shaving foam on the beard or lather the brush with it. Apply the lather on the face in a uniform and circular motion. Let the lather sit briefly or directly shave the beard using the safety razor. More on that in the next section. How to Shave Face Using a Safety Razor? This is likely what landed you here on this page, so let us get things in order and break down the individual steps for better understanding: The Angle When using a safety razor to shave your facial hair, the angle you hold the razor makes all the difference. The ideal is holding it at a 30-degree angle to your face. For visuals, imagine that you are resting the flat edge of the handle on the face, and the blade part of the razor is slightly bent forward for a smoother glide. Short Strokes, Light Pressure Unlike the Standard Cartridge Razors, safety razors aren’t meant to be used with heavy pressure. Instead, you need to move the blades in the direction of your facial hair growth in gentle strokes. Ideally, use 1-2 inch strokes and shave with the grain (direction in which your hair grows). Doing this for the first pass ensures a cleaner shave without inflicting unnecessary irritation on the skin. Stretch and Shave For the nooks and crevices where a direct glide of the razor isn’t possible, you need to stretch your skin taut and then apply the razor. This explains why it's vital to shave in front of a mirror for better visibility. Second and Third Pass Depending on the coarseness of your beard, you can consider a second and third pass with the safety razor. This cleans up the edges well, making your skin smooth and “bump-free”.Usually, when it's your second pass, tilt the Razor at a 90-degree angle to your first pass. This should cover the sensitive areas that weren’t covered in the first pass. Rinse and Pat Dry Once you've shaved, the last step is to rinse your face to remove any remnant shaving cream or foam. Use cold water in this step to also close the pores on the skin. After-Shave Ritual Proper aftercare after shaving soothes irritated skin and moisturises it. You can opt for an alum block or an aftershave to tap on the skin lightly to soothe the irritation. Follow it up with your regular moisturiser. This replenishes the moisture and leaves the skin feeling comfortable. These shaving tips for men are paramount in maintaining the optimal quality of facial hair without dryness or damage. Checkout a Post Shave Balm that soothes the skin after every shave. Final Words Shaving with a safety razor is a skill that takes practice and patience. Don't get discouraged if you don't achieve a perfect shave immediately. With time and proper technique, you'll master the art of the shave and experience a smoother, more comfortable shave than ever before. Ready to get your hands on all the Shaving Goodies and Essentials? Explore Bombay Shaving Company for all your shaving and men’s grooming needs!

Siddharth JoshiFebruary 12, 2024

Shaving is probably one of the greatest inventions of the human race. I know, it sounds weird to think of shaving as an invention at all. But the plain truth is, like all great inventions, it was born out of a necessity to avoid infections, lice and other forms of microorganisms from growing on the skin under the thick cover of a beard. This was one of the first things our early ancestors adapted to in the process of getting civilized. So, if you’re coming of age and have a growth of hair on your face, it is a good idea to know how to shave, even if you wish to grow a beard in the long run. Summary of How to Shave:1. Everything That You Need2. Preparation For The Skin3. Lathering Up With Lubrication4. Shaving With The Razor5. Post Shave Care Step 1: Everything That You Need The first step is to identify and gather all the right tools you’d require to shave. Here’s an easy checklist: Good Quality Razor: As a beginner go for a razor with three basic qualities – multiple blades (it should be a cartridge razor with 3 blades or above), a pivot head (it allows the cartridge to move up and down, making it easier and safer to navigate on the face), and a good lubricating strip (preferably made with skin-friendly natural ingredients like aloe vera, Moroccan Argan oil and Vitamin C) Face Wash: A clean skin is always better prepared to shave Shaving Cream/Foam: A shaving cream or foam acts as a lubricant on the skin so that the razor can glide smoothly on the face. It also makes the hair strands on the skin soft and hence easier to cut. Aftershave: No matter what you’ve seen people do, don’t go for alcohol-based aftershave lotions. They are nothing more than colognes and sting on the face upon application. Choose a good post-shave balm that soothes the skin after you’ve freshly shaved it. Soft Towel: Pick a towel that is made of soft cotton for gentle dabbing after rinsing your face post shaving. Bonus point: Keep a pre-shave scrub handy if your skin is not sensitive or acne prone. This helps open up the pores of the skin and allows better and softer shaves. Step 2: Prepare Your Skin Directly jumping into the process of shaving is never a good idea. Think of it as a well strategised simulation which will perform as per your preparation. Here’s how to prepare your skin for shaving: Soften The Beard: As an early-shaver your beard may not be as hard as your older counterparts, but its composition is the same. So, the softer the strands, the easier it is to shave. Either take a shower before shaving or use a warm towel to soften your hair. Cleanse The Skin: Use a gentle, preferably charcoal-based, cleanser to wash your face. This helps remove the dirt and oil from your face and hair that can build up on the razor, making it difficult to shave. Exfoliate (only if you don’t have pimples or acne): Using a pre-shave scrub removes dead skin cells from your face - a process commonly called exfoliation. It also opens up your skin’s pores and exposes more hair than otherwise, ensuring a closer and easier shave. Step 3: Lather Up with a Foam or Cream This is the first real step of shaving that involves a lot of lather or foam. The reason I’m listing out these two as two different things is because they really are different from each other. You’ll see how. This step is important because the lather on your face acts as a lubricant that allows the razor to glide smoothly on your face without any friction, hence making the process safer and easier to perform. Now, the question is: How is Shaving Foam different from Shaving Cream? In short, the purpose of both these products is the same, but the difference in application and usage attributes unique benefits to them. Shaving Cream: This comes in a typical toothpaste-like tube that contains a concentrated form of the lathering agent. You are required to apply a small quantity of this on the part you wish to shave on your face and then build the lather by using a wet shaving brush. This adds another step of massaging your face to your shaving ritual and the bristles of the brush also help the hair to raise better for a smoother cut. But the flip side is that this is more time taking and can get messy for an untrained hand. Shaving Foam: This has gained maximum popularity in the last decade as it saves time, is less messy and is a quick solution to shaving without using any extra tool like a shaving brush or cup to mix create lather. All you need to do is shake the shaving foam can well and spray the desired amount of foam in your hand. This is followed by directly applying the foam on your moist face, while massaging it briskly. Step 4: Shave With The Razor I haven’t forgotten my grammar lessons, and there’s a reason why the headline says ‘the’ razor instead of ‘a’. Just because you’ve prepped up well doesn’t mean you can get away with using any razor available. After all, this is the most important step in the whole process of shaving and you need to give it maximum thought. This is how to pick the right razor: Make sure that the blades are sharp. Dull blades can actually make you prone to getting nicks and cuts, while you can also experience tugging and pulling of the hair when you glide the razor on your face. So, use a fresh razor and not someone else’s used razor. Make sure your razor has a lubricating strip. A lubricating strip is the rubber-like strip sitting at the top of your razor cartridge. Its sole purpose is to provide an extra cushion to your skin as it goes under sharp blades. Additionally, it also lubricates the skin so your skin doesn’t dry out with the removal of essential oils while shaving. Look for ingredients like Aloe Vera, Moroccan Argan Oil and Vitamin E in the lubricating strip to add a skincare benefit to shaving. Make sure your razor has a pivot head. This is extremely important for beginners, as you have not yet developed a method to shave your face. So, every time you glide the razor on the contours of your face, the razor will also move up and down along, making it safer. Once you’ve got the right razor, shaving is not a rocket science limited for a chosen few. With patience in the beginning, you can master the art of using a razor in just a couple of times. THIS IS HOW TO SHAVE: Hold the razor firmly in your primary hand, with the blades facing outwards Now put the razor on one side of the cheek and make a long, smooth glide in the direction of your beard growth Rinse the razor under water after every glide or two Continue on the other side Be extra careful while gliding around the chin as the beard growth is the most dense here, compared to the rest of your face Lift your chin up to continue shaving your neck area, all this while not losing the visuals on a mirror You can go back to a spot if you feel you missed some hair there Rinse your face with regular water There are a few things you should keep in mind while shaving in order to avoid cutting yourself and not getting lost in the way. Do not put too much foam on the face. Applying too much shaving foam on face will clog your razor, so the gaps between the blades will be full of foam instead of the hair it’s supposed to gather Rinse the razor after every glide or two. You need to get rid of all the foam, hair and skin debris (dead skin) caught in the process of shaving, so don’t wait for one side to finish before you rinse. Do not rush. Gliding the razor on your face too fast may end up hurting your skin, causing redness, irritation and even a cut. Do not move or lose focus. With the first few slides when you see that it’s actually very easy to shave, don’t let yourself flow in confidence and take things casually. The cheeks are the easiest to shave, and by the time you reach the more difficult parts like the chin or the jawline or the neck, you don’t want to lower your guard and lose focus. Step 5: Post-Shave Pampering After you’re done shaving your face, wash your face with regular cold water. You may be tempted to do it with warm water if the temperature outside is still chilly but it’s never a good idea to leave your skin pores open after shaving. Cold water closes the pores and keeps all the dust, dirt and impurities outside. Dab your face dry with a soft cotton face towel and proceed to the next step - post-shave pampering. This includes moisturising your face with a post-shave balm. Shaving as a process is bound to dry your skin out as the top most layer is worked upon by a razor that removes all the lose dead skin cells. This step ensures that all the lost moisture is replenished and you don’t feel any tightness due to dehydration. A good post shave balm also disinfects the skin and soothes it with natural ingredients like witch hazel and aloe vera. Gently apply the gel on your face and dab it dry till it gets soaked into the skin on its own. THAT’S A WRAP With a little practice and taking care of all the basic check boxes you can master the art of shaving pretty soon. Just do everything with the right tools and confidence, and figuring out how to shave will prove to be the best discovery you’ve made after puberty. Happy shaving!