Nothing beats that fresh feeling you get after a smooth, close shave. A decent shave doesn’t need to be rocket science, and it certainly shouldn’t mean you’re spending ages in the bathroom. You don’t need any fancy tools; just an exfoliating face wash, a decent razor (of course), shave gel, and something nice and soothing for afterwards. Here’s how to shave your face like a pro:
Step 1 – Scrub up
You may be tempted to just lather up and go, but if you really want to get the best shave possible you should always start by washing your face with a decent exfoliating face wash.
As with all skincare products, we like to keep things natural, so do avoid anything with harsh artificial chemicals, as they tend to upset the skin.
You may be tempted to just lather up and go, but if you really want to get the best shave possible you should always start by washing your face with a decent exfoliating face wash.
As with all skincare products, we prefer to keep things natural, so do avoid anything with harsh artificial chemicals as they tend to upset the skin.
Steam is also a key starting point for getting the best shave. It gets the hairs nice and soft so they’re easier to cut. You could go for a hot towel over the face, but to be honest, we think that’s a bit of a faff. Jumping in a steamy shower before your shave does the trick just fine, plus you can wash your face whilst you’re in there to save you messing around over the sink. If you haven’t got time for a shower beforehand (we won’t judge), not to worry, just make sure you’re using warm water when you wash your face.
Next, you’ll need to apply your shave gel. There isn’t really a wrong way to do this so we won’t go on too much; just make sure you’ve got a decent coating (without making yourself look like Father Christmas), and again, avoid anything with harsh chemicals. Cheap shaving foams (the ones in a can) may feel like they’re giving you a lot of protection, but the “foam” usually comes from SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate), which is known to be bad for humans, and for the environment, so do avoid if you can!
Step 2 – Shave Smarter
Ok, so now you’re all prepped and ready for the big moment… But before you go any further, stop for a second and think about when you last changed the blades on your razor. No matter how well you do everything else, you’re never going to get the best shave using old blades. As a guide, we recommend changing your blade weekly if you’re a regular shaver, or fortnightly if you don’t shave so often.
Ok, so now you’re all prepped and ready for the big moment… But before you go any further, stop for a second and think about when you last changed the blades on your razor. No matter how well you do everything else, you’re never going to get the best shave using old blades. As a guide, we recommend changing your blade weekly if you’re a regular shaver, or fortnightly if you don’t shave so often.
In order to minimise irritation and prevent razor burn, always shave with the grain (the direction that the hair naturally grows). If you’re not sure, we’ve written another article that should help you out. It’s important to keep pressure to a minimum. You might think that pressing down harder gives you a closer result, but to get the best shave, use short, light strokes. This is the main reason why our handles are heavier than most other brands; the extra weight gives you more control of the razor, so you’re less likely to push down hard on your skin. It’s simple, but it works a treat.
After you’ve finished with the razor, be sure to wash off any excess shave gel before you go ahead and dry your face. Give the blades a good rinse, and carefully dry them with a towel before you put it away – this will help to keep your blades in the best nick, ready for your next shave.
Step 3 – Repair & Restore
Don’t dash off just yet, it’s time for some post-shave care to help soothe the skin and preserve that just-shaved smoothness. We recommend using a post-shave tonic to kill any bacteria and soothe the skin. Our gösta tonic comes in a handy spray bottle, so it literally takes seconds to apply, and the difference it can make to your skin really is huge. In fact, we love it so much, we’ve gone and written an entire article about it. Finish off by applying a quality moisturiser to lock in some goodness, and avoid that “tight” feeling you sometimes get after shaving. We know we’ve banged on a lot about natural ingredients, but this is particularly important with your post-shave care. Your skin will be feeling pretty vulnerable after you’ve run a sharp blade across it, so, you know the score by now, avoid those harsh chemicals and experience the best shave ever.
