Our guide to the art of wet shaving

How to achieve this…

Today many men regard shaving as a daily chore which must be completed as quickly as possible. This is a pity as the benefits of a good traditional wet shave are many. It exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells and allows the skin to breathe. The method also provides the closest possible shave with lasting results. However, too often the result of an incorrect shave is discomfort in the form of razor-burn, rashes and dry-skin.

Shaving, though, is a daily ritual fraught with difficulties – not least because of the potential for nicks, cuts and razor burn. And while electric shavers might be convenient, they’re often expensive and harsh on the skin, which is why wet shaving is by far the best way to get smooth results. So here are a few simple steps to guarantee you the smoothest – and most comfortable – shave possible, along with a few suggestions for products that can help you upgrade your existing shaving routine.

1. Give your skin time to wake up!
Thanks to an accumulation of fluid skin tends to be puffy first thing in the morning so give it time to settle down before you start shaving and you’ll get better results and less nicks and cuts. By the time you’ve had some breakfast and a coffee you’ll also be more alert – not a bad thing if you’re going to be brandishing a razor.

The key to the perfect shave is preparation. If possible, shave after a shower or apply hot water to the face prior to shaving to soften the beard and open the pores. The best thing you can do is to exfoliate your face prior shaving with our exfoliator.
Although shaving gel may be applied with the fingers, a richer lather is achieved with the use of a good quality shaving brush. The more thorough the lathering process, the better the shave. Use a small amount of the Christian Acuña organic shaving gel and rub onto the wet skin by moving the brush in a circular motion and back and forth over the skin, against the grain of the beard to produce good lather. Spend time on the lathering process, up to 2 or 3 minutes.

2. Try shaving after a shower
Or in it, if you have a steam-free shaving mirror. After just two minutes the warm water and steam will have caused the hairs on your chin to expand – making them softer and much easier to shave. It’s thought that if you wet the hair adequately before shaving the force required to slice them with the razor is reduced by up to 70%. What’s more all that steam and hot water will open your pores, releasing any dirt and grime. Try Christian Acuña Shave Gel smooth, transparent shave gel for a super-close shave and heavy beards, gives a fabulous close shave.

3. Soften up
Ask any grooming expert what the key to a great shave is and they’ll all tell you the same thing: preparation. Rush it and you’ll end up with patchy results and a face that looks like it’s been attacked by Edward Scissorhands. Key to the perfect shave is softening the beard. So even before you touch your razor and begin shaving spend a few minutes preparing your skin and stubble.

For the best results start by washing the face thoroughly using plenty of warm water and a gentle face wash. This is important because you need to remove any grease and grime that might be coating the hairs (and thus preventing water being absorbed properly). It’ll also cleanse the skin of impurities, ensuring the razor glides over it smoothly. It’s a simple step but one that can have a big impact on shaving.

Next you need to choose the right shaving product. Foams, gels, creams, oils and serums all have the same objectives – to create a cushion between your skin and the razor, to prevent bristles from drying out and to ease the shaving process along, reducing the chance of nicks, cuts and irritation. But with so many products to choose from where do you begin? We recommend the best shaving gel and after shave products for men in the market from the Christian Acuña shaving collection.
You can now get this offer when buying the best aftershave and greatest shaving gel in the market for menhere.

Always shave with the lie of the beard, never against. Failure to do this is the major cause of razor burn. Glide the razor gently over the skin, holding the skin taut with the free hand whilst shaving. Keep the razor well rinsed to avoid clogging the blade and apply more water if necessary, not more shaving cream. Repeat the process a second time if necessary. To prevent infection from possible resident bacteria on your blade, apply a few drops of tree tea oil direct onto the blade.

Rinse and flick dry the shaving brush and razor. Shaving brushes should always be allowed to dry naturally, with the hair pointing downward in a suitable stand, to prevent moisture seeping into the base of the brush. Never store a shaving brush in a closed cupboard where mildew may form.

4. Protect and survive
If you’re tempted to apply some bracing aftershave to your freshly shaven skin, don’t. Yes, men have been applying aftershave for years but we now know that they have a drying effect on skin thanks to their high alcohol content. By all means, splash some over your chest or on your neck but not on your face where the skin will still be raw and sensitive from shaving.

Instead, protect the skin with an aftershave balm. Shaving, as a process, is akin to exfoliation – it removes the top layers of skin cells. But since the surface of the skin isn’t completely smooth it also leaves tiny ‘microabrasions’ on the surface as the razor passes over microscopic ridges in the skin. These tiny shaving cuts can cause irritation so protecting the skin is essential. Aftershave balms are designed to soothe any razor burn caused by shaving and to moisturise the skin at the same time. Many, like Christian Acuña Organic Aftershave gel for men also contain ingredients to activate the skin’s natural repair process. Simply apply to your fingertips and gently massage in to the area you’ve just shaved.

And that’s it – the shaving process made simple, comfortable and hopefully enjoyable to boot.

And after applying your favourite moisturiser from our collection you will feel as new. For any questions please email me direct on christian@christianacuna.com and I will be happy to help you with your enquiry.

For more information Join our FACEBOOK Page!

Share