Perfect Shave Dispatch

How to Make The Perfect Wet Shave

Get a classic shaving is an awesome experience which will leave your face smooth and comfortable.

1. A glycerin based shaving cream
2. A shaving brush (preferably badger hair)
3. A double edged safety or straight razor
4. A mug or bowl to make lather in
5. Non-alcoholic aftershave

To start, warm the face with lots of hot (not scalding) water. I prefer to shave right after a hot shower, just make sure not to dry your face when you get out. Alternatively you can splash hot water over your face or lay a hot towel over your beard like at a classic barber shop.

Next you need to build your lather. Wet your brush thoroughly, shake it off gently so that the brush is still wet, and push dollop of shaving cream about the size of an almond into your mug. Now whisk the shaving cream in the mug using a circular motion for about a minute. Lather should build as your hydrate the shaving cream. It should appear thick and creamy, if it looks dry add a bit more water, but add very little at a time, you don't want to over saturate the lotion.

Now use the brush to apply the lather to your face in a circular motion painting the entire face with a fairly generous layer. When you're done, some up and down stokes will help smooth the lather out into a nice even coat.

Get out your razor and hold it on your skin at a 30-45 degree angle so that the blade gently rests against your face. Without pressing the razor against your face, drag it gently along your beard. You will want to clean the razor out after every few downward stokes.

You should be shaving downward, with the grain. The exact method in which you shave your face will vary from beard to beard based on the direction of the grain of your beard. Learn the direction of the grain of your beard and follow it, as you practice more you will get more acquainted with how best to shave given the lines of your face. Try not to overlap on each stroke with the razor, you are not so much looking to totally eliminate all the hair in one go as you are trying to shorten the beard length over a few consecutive passes.

After each pass wash your face off with hot water and re-lather. That dollop of shaving cream you used to build your lather should produce enough lather for at least 4 passes. After a few downward passes, you may want to shave against the grain for an extremely close shave. Angle the razor upwards and follow the same method of slow gently strokes without pressing down on the razor. I usually do about 3 downward passes, followed by 2 against the grain passes, giving me a shave that is perfectly smooth to the touch in any direction.

After the last pass, splash cool water on your face to close the pores and wash off any remaining lather. Lastly, apply your after shave; perhaps the most enjoyable part of the whole shave.

A traditional wet shave is a fantastic practice that gives you an extremely close shave. Make it a part of your daily routine and you are sure never to regret it and get a perfect shave on your face.