Despite the popularity of beards, many of us still love the feel of a completely clean shave, the closer the better. Perfecting the art of the close shave is something our barbers are particularly proud of, and you can always book in for a shave with our team. We’ve put together some tips to achieve the cleanest shave possible at home and make sure you’re using the right products too.
Pre-shave essentials
Prepping for a close shave is vital to ensure your skin is ready and it’s a smooth and quick process. It doesn’t have to be a long and drawn-out procedure, but you should factor in these simple steps:
- Shower or wash in warm water – showering before a shave is perfect for prepping your skin but if you don’t have time, washing your face in warm water is also effective. The heat of the water opens up your pores, and softens your hair and also your skin, getting it ready for a cleaner, closer shave.
- Washing and exfoliation – washing your face and stubble will help to ensure your skin is as ready as can be. Removing dead skin cells through exfoliating will help prepare your skin and ensure dry or flaky skin does not get in the way of your razor.
- Pre-shave products – pre-shave oils and creams aren’t a requirement, but they can be useful when you’re aiming for the closest shave. Your choice of cream or oil will create a slick and smooth surface aiding the razor as it glides across the skin.
Once you’ve fully prepped your skin, you can move on to the shave itself. None of this needs to take too much time and can quickly become part of your regular routine.
During the shave
Now you’re prepped, you can begin shaving, keeping in mind:
- Your choice of razor and blade – a high-quality, well-balanced razor paired with a sharp blade is your best friend for an effective shave. Various types of razors are available at different prices, including double-edge (DE) safety razors, multiple-blade cartridge razors, and straight razors. The variety of blades is extensive, and we recommend you try different razor blades to find the best fit for your skin.
- Shaving brush and soap – Using a shaving brush and the right shaving cream or soap helps during every shave. A shaving brush allows you to whip up a thick, slick, and luxurious lather, while also exfoliating the skin and preparing the facial hairs. The circular motion of the brush helps lift the hairs away from the face, making them easier to cut. Choosing the right shaving cream or soap is equally important; it should create a thick lather that softens the hair, moisturises the skin, and protects it from the blades.
- The perfect shaving technique –we recommend the triple pass technique. Start by lathering with your choice of soap, then shave with the grain. Reapply and shave across the grain. Finally, apply more lather and shave against the grain. Some high-quality soaps can last through multiple passes without needing to re-lather. Shaving in multiple directions ensures you catch every hair at its base, resulting in a clean and close shave. What’s more, your facial hair grows in different directions so you need to pass in different directions to ensure you catch every hair.
Once finished, you should feel refreshed with a smooth, soft complexion thanks to taking time for your shave. Spending a little longer on the task helps to avoid nicks, cuts or irritating your skin through being too rough.
Aftershave essentials
Aftershave balms and creams help to calm your skin after shaving. The process can scrape the top layer of your skin, leading to burning, itching, and rashes. Aftershave products help cool and moisturise the skin, preventing dryness and leaving it feeling soft. Many aftershaves contain astringent and antibacterial properties to prevent infection.
Healing gel is effective for quickly stopping bleeding from minor cuts. It eliminates the need for tissue patches on your face or blood spots on your collar. Using a healing gel gives a neat and professional appearance post-shave, and you can save on the washing as you won’t end up with bloody collars or stains to deal with.
Of course, for the closest and most satisfying shave, we recommend booking in for a traditional hot towel shave at Chaps. The experience is a chance to fully relax and enjoy the closest shave imaginable.
Despite the popularity of beards, many of us still love the feel of a completely clean shave, the closer the better. Perfecting the art of the close shave is something our barbers are particularly proud of, and you can always book in for a shave with our team. We’ve put together some tips to achieve the cleanest shave possible at home and make sure you’re using the right products too.
Pre-shave essentials
Prepping for a close shave is vital to ensure your skin is ready and it’s a smooth and quick process. It doesn’t have to be a long and drawn-out procedure, but you should factor in these simple steps:
- Shower or wash in warm water – showering before a shave is perfect for prepping your skin but if you don’t have time, washing your face in warm water is also effective. The heat of the water opens up your pores, and softens your hair and also your skin, getting it ready for a cleaner, closer shave.
- Washing and exfoliation – washing your face and stubble will help to ensure your skin is as ready as can be. Removing dead skin cells through exfoliating will help prepare your skin and ensure dry or flaky skin does not get in the way of your razor.
- Pre-shave products – pre-shave oils and creams aren’t a requirement, but they can be useful when you’re aiming for the closest shave. Your choice of cream or oil will create a slick and smooth surface aiding the razor as it glides across the skin.
Once you’ve fully prepped your skin, you can move on to the shave itself. None of this needs to take too much time and can quickly become part of your regular routine.
During the shave
Now you’re prepped, you can begin shaving, keeping in mind:
- Your choice of razor and blade – a high-quality, well-balanced razor paired with a sharp blade is your best friend for an effective shave. Various types of razors are available at different prices, including double-edge (DE) safety razors, multiple-blade cartridge razors, and straight razors. The variety of blades is extensive, and we recommend you try different razor blades to find the best fit for your skin.
- Shaving brush and soap – Using a shaving brush and the right shaving cream or soap helps during every shave. A shaving brush allows you to whip up a thick, slick, and luxurious lather, while also exfoliating the skin and preparing the facial hairs. The circular motion of the brush helps lift the hairs away from the face, making them easier to cut. Choosing the right shaving cream or soap is equally important; it should create a thick lather that softens the hair, moisturises the skin, and protects it from the blades.
- The perfect shaving technique –we recommend the triple pass technique. Start by lathering with your choice of soap, then shave with the grain. Reapply and shave across the grain. Finally, apply more lather and shave against the grain. Some high-quality soaps can last through multiple passes without needing to re-lather. Shaving in multiple directions ensures you catch every hair at its base, resulting in a clean and close shave. What’s more, your facial hair grows in different directions so you need to pass in different directions to ensure you catch every hair.
Once finished, you should feel refreshed with a smooth, soft complexion thanks to taking time for your shave. Spending a little longer on the task helps to avoid nicks, cuts or irritating your skin through being too rough.
Aftershave essentials
Aftershave balms and creams help to calm your skin after shaving. The process can scrape the top layer of your skin, leading to burning, itching, and rashes. Aftershave products help cool and moisturise the skin, preventing dryness and leaving it feeling soft. Many aftershaves contain astringent and antibacterial properties to prevent infection.
Healing gel is effective for quickly stopping bleeding from minor cuts. It eliminates the need for tissue patches on your face or blood spots on your collar. Using a healing gel gives a neat and professional appearance post-shave, and you can save on the washing as you won’t end up with bloody collars or stains to deal with.
Of course, for the closest and most satisfying shave, we recommend booking in for a traditional hot towel shave at Chaps. The experience is a chance to fully relax and enjoy the closest shave imaginable.
