Tips For Men To Get The Best Shave

Why does it seem like many men hate shaving, as I know my dad shaved every day with a straight razor? To answer this question, I asked my boyfriend and some of his friends for answers as I wanted more than one perspective. And the conclusion I reached is most men perceived it as a bloody torture chamber. Okay, I am going a bit overboard as all I was thinking when hearing the responses was, guys, try getting a wax for hair removal!

But in all seriousness. The common answers were problems that occurred while shaving or after. Hence I also got with some experts as well to help me better understand the most common shaving problems for men and how to solve them to provide you guys with the best shaving tips.

Don’t Shave First Thing In The Morning
I know what you’re thinking. I only have so much time before I have to be at work, and I am not getting up a few hours prior like you women do to get ready for the day.

Well, calm down as I’m only talking about 10 minutes. When you wake up, your skin is puffy, so you need to let the skin settle a bit if you want fewer nicks. Instead, first thing, drink some coffee!

Common Shaving Problems Men Have
This came with many different suggestions. So I will share a few of them.

First up, those pesky ingrown hairs. The common conclusion from all I spoke with is that some men will have ingrown hairs no matter what they try. My boyfriend will attest to this one!

However, there are some tips you can take to minimize so you can enjoy a more comfortable shave.

How do you treat ingrown hairs from shaving?

It’s All About The Angles When It Comes To Shaving
Understand that hair grows, well, how it wants to. So it is not always consistent; at a 90-degree angle, some like to curl, which makes those bad boys easier to irritate the skin and become ingrown hair. So pay attention.

Directions
Yes, I know men do not need help with directions! However, in shaving, some men do need help with direction. As most think, because they may get a closer shave if you go against it. However you make razor burn or ingrown hairs more likely.

The correct direction to avoid irritation is Shaving With The Grain — that is, in the direction your hair is growing.

Knowledge Is Shower
Yep, a little humor. But the recommended time to shave is when you are in the shower or after, as the warm water will open your pores and create a cleaner surface for shaving.

Cool It Down A Bit
I know this will probably seem hypocritical as I just said a shower. But hot water can over-dry the skin, leading to irritation, including tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin breaking (now you can scream like a girl). So stick with warm on the facial skin.

Soften The Facial Hair
Softening the facial hair for the hairs that tend to curl, can prevent in grown hairs. After soaking in water, your hair swells and softens, allowing your razor blades to cut more easily. And make sure to use a shaving cream to help hold the water on the hair.

How To Safely Use A Razor When Shaving Your Face

Have The Tortoise Mindset When Shaving
Tip 1: Slow And Steady Wins
The guys who suffer from razor burn tend to be the ones who shave at 100mph and who use long, sweeping strokes. To slow things down, you want to shave using short strokes, ideally around 2cm in length.

Tip 2: No Time For A Morning Quickie
Sorry,
no quickies here as another common mistake is a lot of men apply their shaving cream and immediately start shaving. STOP. Instead, take a break for a few minutes to let the shaving cream absorb and soften your facial hair – you don’t want to feel like you’re shaving a porcupine.

Harder Isn’t Better
Boy, can this be a lesson to men with many things. But in the case of shaving, you want to press, not push.

According to the dermatologists and barbers I spoke with, they all agreed that most men think they need to push harder to get a closer shave.

Maybe some got this from dad with older razors, but today’s razors are created to work with minimal pressure. Making it easier to shave with a simple press to keep the blade in proper contact with the skin. SO guys, while we all know you like to be in control, this isn’t the time. Instead, let the blades do their job.

Save The Best For Last
The area around the mouth can be sensitive. By shaving your upper lip and around your mouth at the end of your shave, you will allow the shave gel to soak in longer, further softening your facial hair and making it easier to cut.

Take Your Time With Some Skincare
I know some of you are thinking, Barbie, that’s silly talk, but sarcastically I’m thinking, last I looked, men have skin.

I get it skincare can be overwhelming, so I suggest the crawl, walk, run approach when it comes to self-care beauty essentials. Most men will give up before starting if the regimen is too complex.

It is having the proper mindset, for starters, instead of looking at it as anti-aging and that you “have to” have a skincare routine.

Look at skincare the same way you take care of your car or home, with upkeep and maintenance.

For example, exfoliating. Exfoliants are to skincare what sanders are to spackle on drywall. They clear any debris (dead skin cells and clogged pores), leaving a smoother, softer surface. This will allow you to get a tighter shave, which equals smoother, younger-looking skin.

Moisture, Moisture, Moisture
Shaving can remove more than just hair: it can also remove moisture, leaving the skin feeling tight, dry, and inflamed. After you shave, apply a moisturizing product to replenish moisture in your skin.

Just like protecting a leather coat or the tires of your car. Your skin needs regular protection to keep it looking fresh with a post-shave balm, pre-shave oils, and hydrating shaving gels.

Come Armed With An Arsenal
No firearms here, but rather an arsenal of shaving gear. You do not want to cheap out. Hence investing in a quality razor is a must to avoid nicks, razor burns, and other skin problems.

Blue Shave Club Subscription
Aside from the tips above, the best way to get a close shave is to use a sharp, clean blade or cartridge. And Razor subscription boxes, like The Blue Shave Club, are here to the rescue!

We’ve all been there: You have a drawer full of razors, and none of them seem to do the job. Or, you realize while you are running late for work that you used your last good blade.

A razor subscription, where you get new blades delivered to your door before you run out, is worth signing up for as every man deserves a quality shave, and this set from Blue Shave will provide just that.

Quality Razor Blades
Blue Shave Club’s monthly delivery of a 5-blade replacement cartridge supply allows you to tackle your shave with precision and care. The 5-Blade features a lubrication strip that reduces friction and irritation, specially designed for a precise shave that requires fewer strokes. It also…

• Is excellent for those with longer and thicker hair
• Has sharp and precise blades
• Effortless to rinse and clean
• Offers a slim profile that works well for spots that are harder to shave

Quality Razor Handle
Every blade needs its handle, and the days of gripping a razor and aiming for the best are over. As Blue Shave offers a weighted razor handle with a textured rubber grip, so it doesn’t feel prone to slipping out of your wet hands.

My boyfriend loved the heaviness of the blue shave handle, as it made control much more manageable. The reusable razor handle and the multi-blade razor replacements pivot to shave those delicate and hard-to-reach places above the lip or the edge of a sideburn, allowing for a safe, close finish, even for those with sensitive skin, like him. 

Invest In A Shaving Brush
Your razor deserves the perfect partner, and shaving brushes are the ideal match! They are the best way to make a rich, creamy lather while helping with hair growth in preparation for shaving! Shaving brushes also help exfoliate the skin! See how I snuck some skincare in there?

So no more excuses for running out of quality razors as the blue shave club is here to the rescue. Oh, and you will be doing something good, too, as this subscription has a social mission to support those in blue, our law enforcement. They donate 10% of their proceeds to various law enforcement support groups.

Your Skin May Be Clean And Shaven But Is Your Towel
After shaving your face, it’s best to pat dry with a clean towel, but is your cloth clean? Washcloths can become an ideal nesting place for mildew, bacteria, and more. The last thing you want to do is put this back on your clean, shaved face and opened pores.

Yes, this may seem simple, but you must be using a clean, fresh towel after each shave, as aside from infections and blemishes, bacteria can cause inflammation which too can lead to premature aging!

To Sum It Up
Even if you’ve been shaving for years, what you’ve learned has not been as in-depth as above. But it should be, including the best tools, like a shaving subscription for the perfect shave.

Now’s your chance to play catch up. Ditch the five o’clock shadow for an opportunity to show off a chiseled jaw, and consider these shaving tips for men from Barbie’s Beauty Bits for your best shave yet.