Start With No More Than Stubble
If your hair is too long, you’ll experience a lot of razor drag, which will bring on the irritation. That’s not what you want for a smooth, safe shave. If you have more than a few days’ worth of growth, then you might need to start with a beard trim. Yes, it’s an added step but don’t rush the process. Instead, pull out your beard trimmer and buzz the scruff down to a “1” on your guard’s head setting. Or even go guard-free to clean up your stubble and prep it for a proper shave.
Wash Your Face
Washing your face at the start will give you a clean, smooth canvas to work with. You want to rinse away any excess oil or sweat, along with any skin care products you’re currently wearing. Choose a gentle cleanser without any high concentrations of harsh active ingredients (namely, avoid exfoliating acids), so that you don’t agitate the skin before the blade hits your skin. Use warm water to open up the pores and soften the hair to make the shaving process even smoother.
Apply Pre-Shave Oil
If you tend to get irritation from razor drag, try a lubricating pre-shave oil. This creates a thin, protective layer over the top the skin to help the razor glide smoothly. Most also help soften whiskers and nourish the skin to ensure less irritation or nicks. You want to apply it to dried skin, so make sure to fully dry your face after washing. Let the product set on the skin for a minute or two before introducing a blade, so that it can provide the proper nourishment and lubrication.
Apply Your Shaving Gel
The type of shave cream you use is a personal preference, but we do recommend something that doesn’t lather too much. Ideally, you want something that doesn’t totally cover up your whiskers. We’d suggest a translucent gel as opposed to a big foamy cream. That way you don’t go over areas more than you need to, keeping irritation to a minimum. When you apply shave gel, sweep it across the face in an upward motion. This helps lift the hairs up and away from the face, making them easier to catch in the razor—the end result is a smoother, more precise shave.
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