How to Shave

Guide Note

Shaving your face is an important part of male grooming, but it can be a real chore. This guide offers advice and resources to help men learn how to shave, and how get the most out of shaving. With the right approach, getting a good shave can be quick, simple, and usually painless.

Table of Contents

Shaving Tips

  1. A warm shower before or during shaving helps soften your beard and open your pores
  2. Never plug in an electric shaver and hop in the shower
  3. Your face should be wet when shaving with a manual razor
  4. Most electric shavers work best on dry skin
  5. A styptic pencil is the best way to treat a nick or cut
  6. Moisturizer will help prevent your skin from drying out afterwards

Introduction

(Creative Commons photo by Saintbob)
(Creative Commons photo by Saintbob)
  • Every morning, millions of men wake up, stagger into the bathroom, grab any old razor they can find, and shave using cold water and a little bit of lather from some hand soap. They shave quickly and then rush off to work with patches of stubborn fuzz that they missed, a few nasty cuts patched with little wads of bloody paper tissues and a case of razor burn so red and raw that it looks like they lost a fight with a belt sander. And the next day, they go through it all over again!
  • Fortunately, shaving doesn't have to be such an ordeal. With these tips, you should always be able to get a smooth shave without all of the stress.

What You'll Need

  • A shaving razor, either electric, disposable or with replaceable blades
  • A good light source and a mirror (a fogless mirror if you're shaving in the shower)
  • Antibacterial soap
  • Exfoliant (optional)
  • A washcloth or towel
  • Shaving cream
  • Toner containing aloe and vitamins
  • Facial moisturizer

Before You Shave

  • There are several important steps before you can begin actually shaving.
  1. You'll probably have to shop around to find the razor that works best for you.
    • There is a lot of hype about various razors. Manufacturers are constantly announcing exciting breakthroughs in shaving technology, adding more blades and unveiling new configurations.
    • While you do get what you pay for to some extent, you can get perfectly fine shaves from some cheap, disposable razors.
  2. If you have a beard or even just long, thick stubble, you should definitely trim with some small scissors or an electric trimmer before you shave.
    • Attempting to shave facial hair when it's too thick will be quite painful and will clog the razor in a hurry.
    • You also shouldn't attempt to trim with full-size scissors, since they're too clumsy. You'll miss a lot of hair, and you could easily injure yourself.
  3. It's a good idea to take a warm, steamy shower a few minutes before you shave, whether you intend to shave with an electric shaver or a blade.
    • The heat and moisture will help open up your pores and soften the skin and the hairs, which will make shaving easier and help you shave much closer. It will also make it less likely that you'll develop razor burn, pimples or ingrown hairs later.
    • Make sure the water isn't too warm, or it will make your skin slacken.
    • Some men skip the shower and just hold a warm, wet washcloth against their faces for a few minutes, which arguably works just as well.
    • If you do plan to shave with an electric, you should consult its instructions first. Some electric shavers suggest shaving before you shower, when your face is less puffy from the warm water.
  4. Some men use a rough, exfoliating cream before they shave to help prepare their skin.
  5. Make sure you have a good mirror and light source.
    • You want bright, even illumination—not just one strong light from above, since this will leave your neck in shadow. Under less than ideal lights you can be convinced that you've given yourself a fine shave, only to then leave the house and discover that you somehow missed a lone, inch-long hair growing from just below your Adam's apple.

Shaving with a Manual Razor

Using a manual razor. (Creative Commons photo by Chris Gladis)
Using a manual razor. (Creative Commons photo by Chris Gladis)
  1. Decide whether to shave in the shower or at the sink.
    • Cleaning up afterwards will be a lot simpler if you shave in the shower, since you can wash off the last of the shaving cream and send all of those shaved hairs right down the drain. You'll need a special, fogless mirror to shave in the shower, and it can be a challenge to get good lighting.
    • You'll probably get a much better look at yourself (and thus, a much better shave) if you shave at the sink, but of course afterwards you'll be left scrubbing up all of those stray hairs and blobs of shaving cream.
    • For the best aspects of both the shower and the sink, you can do most of your shaving in the shower, move to the sink for the detail work and then move back to the shower to rinse off. Note that if you do shave in the shower, you should take extra care not to waste water.
  2. While your skin is moist, get a ball of shaving cream or gel and apply it to your chin and neck in circular motions.
  3. If you have the time to spare, let the product sit on your face for a minute or so to soften your beard.
  4. Get your razor. Make sure it's a new blade, or at least a blade that is still sharp and not clogged with a lot of old hair.
    • Replace your blade or razor every three shaves or so, more often if you have a very thick beard.
    • Some men find that a razor works better for them after a couple of shaves, because it's more gentle on the skin.
    • A new razor is sharper, and you should always be extra careful with one.
    • Skin will be especially sensitive if you haven't shaved for a while. For the best results, you should shave consistently.
    • For men with a heavy beard and sensitive skin, a multi-bladed razor is usually best.
  5. Begin shaving your cheeks and chin. Shave downwards, with the razor tilted upwards at an angle of 45 degrees or less.
  6. For a closer shave, use your free hand to pull your facial skin so it's taut.
  7. After every stroke, tap your razor out on a rinsible surface and then rinse the razor out.
    • This is an important part of the process, and failing to do it will cause the razor to clog. Don't rush shaving. Always take your time, and be careful.
  8. Don't neglect the area between your lower lip and your chin. With your lips clamped tight, grin so that you stretch this area taut and the razor can pass over a smooth surface.
  9. Move down to your neck.
  10. Shave your upper lip, also using downward strokes, keeping your mouth closed and either stretching your lip down over your teeth or puffing it out slightly with your tongue.
  11. If you're lucky enough to have a relatively thin beard, you might be done shaving at this point. But it's likely you'll still have some more fuzz that needs to be dealt with, so now it's time to go back and shave against the grain in the places where you need it.
    • Some articles about shaving will tell you to never shave your face against the grain, and we can only assume they were written by people who have never been able to grow anything more than peachfuzz. Most of us have to shave against the grain.
    • This is an excellent way to get razor burn, however, so be sure to use a light touch and don't go over the same spot too many times.
    • Individuals who are especially prone to razor burn or bumpy skin can buy special razors.
  12. Rinse off and take a good look at your shave.
    • Be on the lookout for stray hairs along your sideburns, under your nostrils and beneath your Adam's apple.
    • If there are any remaining hairs, sweep over them very gently with the razor, or pluck them with tweezers.

TIP: Even if you decide to grow a beard, you should still do some shaving to look neat. Keep your neck trimmed, and maintain the top of your beard so it doesn't grow too far up your cheeks.

Using an Electric Shaver

Electric shaver head. (Creative Commons photo by Tom Nguyen)
Electric shaver head. (Creative Commons photo by Tom Nguyen)
  • Rather than having a wet shave, you might prefer to use an electric shaver. While you'll get a closer shave with a wet shave (electric razors just glide along the surface of the skin, and do not exfoliate), it's usually much faster and simpler to shave with an electric. You're also much less likely to injure yourself with an electric, and they work much better for men with sensitive skin. Of course, more expensive electrics will generally give you a better shave than the cheaper models.
  1. Before you shave with an electric, be sure to open it up and check the heads.
    • If they need cleaning, use the instructions that came with the razor. If an electric razor clogs it'll be almost useless, and you'll end up raking it across your face until you get bad razor burn.
  2. See the Before You Shave section above for info on showering or soaking your face before shaving with an electric.
    • Make sure your skin is dry before you start shaving, and you're not standing in any puddles. There are some electric razors that are waterproof, but with most models you need to be dry or there is a risk of getting electrocuted. Never use an electric shaver in the shower unless it is waterproof and the instructions specifically say that is safe for shower use.
    • Do not use shaving cream with an electric.
  3. Use the pop-up trimmer, going against the grain of your hair, to thin out most of the fuzz. Then you can use the shaver's blades to smooth everything out.
    • Don't press too hard. You won't get a closer shave, and you'll just irritate your skin. The shaver should always glide along the surface of the skin, so you can barely feel it.
    • Often, with an electric shaver, your face will be left feeling a little scratchy, even when it looks very smooth.
    • Don't worry about trying to get as smooth as you would with a wet shave, or you'll just end up going over the same spots so many times that you'll irritate your skin.
  4. After you've finished most of your shaving, use the pop-up trimmer for shaping sideburns, trimming around moustaches, etc.
    • The trimmer on an electric shaver is extremely handy for this and works better than any other method. If you have a goatee or other facial hair to maintain, you should really consider an electric.
  5. Note that once your skin is used to shaving with an electric, going back to a wet shave can take some adjustment and you should expect some skin irritation. The same can go for switching from manual to electric razors.

After Shaving

  • Now that you've finished shaving, there are a few things you can do to keep your skin looking its best.
  1. After shaving, give your face a very gentle scrub with cool water and an antibacterial soap. This will help prevent pimples.
  2. Now apply a toner, preferably containing aloe and vitamins.
    • This will help close your pores and restore your skin's pH balance. Avoid alcohol-based aftershaves, as these will dry out your skin and can be very irritating to minor cuts.
  3. Apply moisturizer. This is an important part of the process, and without it your skin can be become very dry and ashy. If you have oily skin, you can use an astrigent.
  4. If you got a nick while shaving, dab it with a styptic pencil.
    • Styptic pencils are usually made from anhydrous aluminum sulfate and are great for sealing small cuts, much more effective than trying to plug a small wound with a little bit of toilet paper. They burn slightly going on, but they will usually stop the bleeding in a hurry. Styptic pencils are quite handy to have around for other minor cuts and abrasions as well.
    • Of course, styptic pencils are only appropriate for relatively minor wounds. If you suffer a more serious injury and you can't stop the bleeding, you should seek immediate medical attention.
  5. Always clean your shaving equipment carefully, and store it in a clean, dry place (not inside a cupboard or other tightly enclosed area) to prevent bacterial growth.

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