Every day I need to shave. In summer I may grow a small goatee or similar but I still need to shave the rest of my face and neck or I just look and feel scruffy.
It's a huge, boring, time wasting, chore....
A few months ago I began to reconsider. Could I make a virtue out of this daily necessity? Make it a bit of 'me' time perhaps at the start of the day. Then I came across the tweet that referred to a thread in a cycling forum all about the search for the elusive 'best' razor. Everyone's face is different so there are many different opinions. I've used a Remington Titanium Microfoil Electric Razor in the past, and a cheap Wilkinson Sword Double Edged (DE) safety razor, and packs of Bic Disposables, and, more recently, the ubiquitous Gillette Mach 3. All left me unsatisfied and with razor burn, ingrown hairs, nicks and soreness.
Then I discovered where I was going wrong. Not so much the wrong razor, though that was a factor, as the wrong technique, and, alongside poor technique, not seeing shaving as simply one step in a process of skincare. For Christmas I was treated, and it is a real, albeit fairly expensive, treat, to a new DE safety razor; the Merkur Futur seen above. A gorgeous, tactile, well engineered, made in Germany, hefty lump of a DE safety razor. I went for the satin finish one but they come polished as well for those that like that kind of finish.
A bit of web surfing suggested a few steps were necessary to using it for a great shave.
First, study your face in some detail and work up a mental map of the grain of your beard and then, never, ever, shave across the grain. Go with the flow.
Second, buy yourself some decent shaving / skincare products. A decent moisturising face wash, a good quality shaving cream and a good brush to apply it with, a good quality post shave balm and a clean new face flannel/towel. A good magnifying shaving mirror is also must if you want a good finish.
Here is 'System Greg' in its current form. Remember everything is provisional folks. I do the deed after taking a shower...
Wet your face with warm water.
Wash your face using a moisturising pre-shave face wash, NOT soap which will just dry your skin out, using a circular motion to lift the stubble and then rinse it with warm water.
Run your clean face flannel under a hot tap, only you can judge how hot is too hot btw, squeeze it out and apply the hot towel to your face for 30 seconds or so holding it in place over your stubble. This opens the pores, so they release the stubble, and makes for a smooth finish.
Splash some more water on your face and apply some shaving cream. Work it into the stubble and to a good lather with circular motions of a wet brush. You may dip the brush in water as often as you like.
Take your razor, with a good sharp blade, and shave using ONE pass, in smooth strokes following the grain of your beard.
Rinse the blade after each stroke - I spin the razor round to balance out the wear on the two blades.
When done have a good look in the mirror, did you miss any bits? If so dab your brush on the affected place and shave it. Don't ever, ever, ever put the blade to skin that doesn't have anything on it, that blade need lubrication.
Done? Good, rinse your face with cool water to close the pores and dab it, not rub it, dry with towel.
Apply some post-shave balm to the whole face. Stand back and admire your handiwork
Want to smell good? Be a girly-man not a macho-fool and apply the after shave you were given behind your ears and on the back of your neck. Theses hot spots will make it release it's aroma more than well enough. Better still stick to cologne, eau de toillette versions of your favourite fragrances and steer clear of aftershave entirely. Remember that stuff is mainly alcohol and whilst this can be good on the inside it isn't great on your outside.
You're done. Face the day knowing you look well groomed, clean shaven and smell good.
Part II coming soon... What products exactly.....?
Great post, have you seen my safety razor and shaving products at http://www.goodfella.com
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