Five BEAST. - Approved Tips For A Better Shave

Of all the things we subject our faces to – sun damage, pollution, alcohol – repeatedly dragging a sharp piece of metal over its delicate surface is perhaps one of the most damaging. In fact, without the proper technique, a razor is nothing short of a torture instrument as far as your skin is concerned. Fortunately, there are a few shaving tips and tricks used by the most well-groomed men (or really, just those without a neck full of razor bumps) to get a close, smooth, and irritation-free finish. If you want a great shave, this is how you do it.

Scrub Up First

The perfect shave begins long before you start wielding a blade. Exfoliating helps prevent ingrown hairs by removing dead cells and other gunk that can block regrowth from breaking through the skin's surface. It also lifts the hairs away from the face, resulting in a more even cut, and reduces the chance of razor bumps. Do this with warm water, which relaxes the skin and opens the pores. If you're the unlucky owner of sensitive skin, choose a product designed specifically for your overdramatic epidermis, such as Murdock's Facial Scrub with jojoba oil.

Apply An Oil

As any frequent pub quiz winner will tell you, facial hair has a similar tensile strength to copper wire, making it notoriously tough to remove smoothly. Softening the protein in the hair makes it easier to slice through, which is why experts recommend starting your shave with a warm shower or by holding a hot towel to your face. A quality shave oil, like Recipe For Men's botanical-rich formula, can also help and has the added benefit of acting as a barrier between your skin and the blade to reduce friction and shaving rash. 

Lighten Up, Will You?

Different strokes for different folks, they say. Not when it comes to shaving. An almost universal mistake men make in the bathroom is applying too much pressure with their razor. Though you might be tempted to press down hard to get each and every hair, doing so creates an uneven the skin surface, because you're creating dimples where the blade falls. That makes it prime time for nicks and even missed patches. So lighten up, will you? 

Show Your Razor Some Respect

Unless you're the kind of masochist who thinks wiping a cocktail of dead skin, hair clippings, and bacteria over his face sounds appealing, it's worth swotting up on some shave hygiene. To avoid risking a fungal infection, safety razor blades should be replaced every two to three shaves and cartridge blades every six to eight. After each use, rinse your razor well with warm water, pat it dry with a towel, and stash it upright in a ventilated space to avoid the blades rusting.

Prioritise The Post-Shave

A rapid once over with a dull blade isn't the only thing that can wreak havoc on your face. You know that sting that occurs when you slap on your aftershave? That's alcohol. While it might have antiseptic properties, it also damages your skin's natural protective barrier. Instead, use a product like Baxter of California's After Shave Balm, which contains aloe vera and tea tree to reduce redness and shaving rash.