Getting the perfect shave is no small feat. There’s a seemingly endless supply of products, tools, and techniques out there, and razor burn, cuts, and skin irritation constantly threaten to ruin your day. However, it is possible to achieve that Don Draper glow through a careful, considered approach and a repeatable routine.

Now, our shaving game may be on point and we truly are great at shaving. But if your shaving experience is anything short of orgasmic and if you can feel some prickly stubble here and there, chances are you are not doing things right. 

Here are some shaving tips for men how to be pro at it.

Warm and soften the skin

“The preparation steps are just as important as the actual shave,” says Mark Bustos, a renowned stylist at Ammon Carver studio in New York and co-owner of the Silver Vine Room salon in Summit, New Jersey.

Like all great things of aesthetic value, shaving your face also involves some prep. Remember, we are talking about shaving like a pro so that you can get the closest, finest and best shave of your life, all on your own.

Wash the face first with hot water or drape a hot towel over your face to open the pores, loosen hairs, and make it easier for a razor to glide and shave. This helps prevent irritation and ingrown hairs.

Foam, Soap, Cream or Gel

Now, before you reach for the shaving brush, you need to pick between a shaving foam, gel, cream or soap. A shaving foam is the easiest to use of the lot – all you need to do is simply spray some foam on your fingers and spread it across the area that you want to shape. Because you are using your fingers straight away, you can shape the foam into the shape of the beard that you want to shave it in. However, shaving foams are not as cost-effective as one might think and often irritate the skin. Shaving gels and creams usually have a longer shelf life and are the best way to go forward, provided you have don’t have a major skin issue. Shaving soaps are the best option if you want to customise your lathering agent. Not only you can make one on your own at home, you can buy one from a store and add some essential oils that help you with your skin concern.

Lather

Once you have picked what lathering agent you would like to use, lather up using a good, hair based shaving brush. If you can afford one, we suggest that you get a badger hair or fox hair shaving brush. They are expensive, but they will last you a lifetime. Moreover, they always feel brand new, be it your 1st shave, or your 1000th. If you are looking for a budget option, try one that uses camel hair or horsehair. At all costs, try to avoid the ones with plastic bristles as they tend to get a little rough after two or three shaves. Also, they tend to be a little harsh on the skin, especially if your skin is prone to acne and zits. Wetten the shaving brush and spread the lathering agent all over the area that you want to shave. Even if you are using a shaving foam, try to spread it around using a shaving brush, as using your fingers to do so is not efficient at all. Try to move around in a circular motion, first working on your cheeks, followed by the chin and the throat.

Go with the grain

Some experts refuse to shave against the grain of the facial hair. Others say it’s fine as long as you shave with the grain first.

“A lot of men make the mistake of shaving against the grain right off the bat,” notes Brinckerhoff. “While it does get closer to the skin, there is potential for irritation and ingrown hairs. It’s easier to get a nice smooth shave by starting with the grain, and then, if a second pass is needed, you can go against the grain with a bit more ease.”

Pelser agrees. “Shaving in the opposite direction of the way the hair grows risks a cut,” he says. Ultimately, going against the grain shouldn’t be a problem as long as you don’t do it on the first pass. If you do opt for a second pass against the grain, pull the skin tight to create tension for a closer shave.

Stroke Action

Now comes the main action. Although using a straight razor is the best option, go for one that you are most comfortable with. But do remember, the more blades that your razor has, the more the chances of getting a razor burn. The first blade of a multiblade razor cuts off a significant portion of the hair, while the ones in the middle, tug the hair follicle a little so that the last blade can go for deeper down the shaft. A multiblade razor  will give you a closer and finer shave on the first stroke itself, but at the risk of ingrown hairs and a little irritation. One thing that you need to ensure that you always shave in the direction of the grain, i.e., never go against the direction the hair grows. Also, after each stroke wash your razor with warm water, as it allows the blade to glide smoothly on your skin, without any resistance. One final thing to take care of is to never exert too much pressure on your skin with the razor. Ideally, your razor should just glide across your skin.

Clean Up

Once you are done with the initial shave, wipe your face with a wet towelette, that has been drenched in some camphor infused warm water. For a more orgasmic experience, simply place the towelette on your face and let it rest for a minute or two. You can also add a few drops of your aftershave to the water. After you have wiped your face, run your fingers gently across the face to see if you have had a close shave or if you want to go for another shaving cycle. If you find the result satisfactory, wipe your face for one final time, removing all lather and residual scum from your face. If you plan to use an alum, simply dampen your face and rub the piece of alum on your skin. Splash your face with some cold water and wipe it off with a soft towel.

Post Shave Rituals

This is the part where you tie off everything in a nice little bow and give everything the final, finer touches. Take some aftershave lotion on your palms and rub them together. Now dab your palms all over the area where you shaved. Remember not to rub the aftershave in, as it may irritate the skin. Once you are done with the aftershave, use a good moisturiser to seal everything. Use a post shave cream if you feel a little fancy, although a regular moisturiser also works just fine.

Thanks for reading!!