Shave That Beard ... It's Too Hot!

Summer is right around the corner and all you men with beards should shave them off!! Let your face breath a little bit or just go for a nice clean look! Men and beards! That is a topic I would like to address today.

You are probably wondering what do I know about men and their beards? Well, being a barber for over 10 years, I have  trimmed, cut off and shaped a lot of beards and goatee's in my day. The other week, when I was at work, I asked 20 guys their shaving techniques ... from shaving creams, to razors, to when and how they shave. I was surprised to find out that almost half of these men shaved in the shower! Some without mirrors.

One of my clients, Rich I., mentioned that he shaves in the shower. I asked him how he keeps his mirror from fogging up and he told me something I never knew. He said, "I rub soap on the mirror and it prevents it from fogging up." I guess that works better than those "non fog" mirrors! 

I realized that a lot of men do not shave with shaving cream and that some don't even use water! All of this shocked me! I couldn't believe that only a very few used shaving cream and that hardly any of them used an after shave or lotion!

What I do know, is that Shick Hydro is the number one men's razor and not one of them use that razor! A lot of men use Gillette razors and Barbosol shaving cream. They also are not willing to change! 

I wanted to let you all know what I feel is the proper way of shaving that beard, whether it be soft, coarse, light dark, thick, thin!

Step 1: Prep.

The first step is very important and is overlooked most of the time. You need to cleanse the face, open pores and soften the skin and to prepare the skin for the smoothest shave, always shave after or at the end of a hot shower. This will soften the beard and open the pores. In a rush? Use a hot towel or splash of hot water!

Always use a high quality shave cream! Stay away from products that contain menthol, which can close your pores and stiffen your beard. (Look for those that are glycerine based) and if you have tough beards or sensitive skin, a Pre Shave Oil may be applied to further soften the beard and reduce razor burn. When applying the shave cream, apply in a circular motion.  This action will help produce a better lather and lift the hairs! 

Step 2: Shave.

Two of the leading causes of in grown hairs and razor burn are poor lubrication and dull blades. Step one provides tips for proper lubrication, but a good blade is also needed to have a close, comfortable shave. I recommend using Schick Hydro 5. Its a 5 blade razor that will give you the closest barber shave! Make sure to always use a sharp blade.

With your free hand, hold the area of skin to be shaved taut and glide the razor gently over your face. Avoid applying pressure, rinse your blade often, and shave with the grain. If you require a closer shave, re-lather and shave lightly against the grain. 

Step 3: Repair and Protect.

After shaving, always close the pores with a rinse of cool water. Gently pat the face dry with a soft cloth and apply a good aftershave or a moisturizing facial lotion with spf. I don't recommend using products that contain alcohol, as they can cause unnecessary drying of the skin. The right aftershave or moisturizing lotion with spf will help promote quicker healing and moisturize the skin.

*There's no magic secret to getting a great shave. Just follow the steps above every morning and put your best face forward.   :)