The Idle Man Presents The Men's Grooming Guide The-Idle-Man-Presents-The-Mens-Grooming-Guide | Page 24

How to Get the Best Shave at Home
A question we often get asked at Pall Mall Barbers is: how do I get a good shave at home? So, we
all sat down for an hour and put our heads together - fusing our collective 140 years’ experience of
barbering - to put together a handy guide for getting that perfect shave at home. Shaving is
something that should be enjoyed, after all – it shouldn’t feel like a chore.
So let’s break the shave down into three sections: pre-shave, shave and post-shave.
Photo Credit: Genius.com
Pre-shave
It’s always best to shave after a shower or hot bath as the hot water opens the pores and softens
the hair on the face, making it easier to shave. While you’re in the shower or bath, make sure to
cleanse your skin - preferably with an exfoliating scrub. This unblocks the pores and encourages
the hairs to stand up. It’ll give you less resistance when shaving, preventing ingrown hairs.
Next, apply a pre-shave oil to help lubricate the skin. This allows your razor to glide with more
ease, and protects the skin from nicks and rashes. Keeping the skin clean and moisturised is as
important as having a close shave, in our opinion.
Finally, press a hot flannel against the face and hold for a minute. This helps soften the bristles,
which decreases drag when shaving. Using a silver tipped badger hair shaving brush, whip your
shaving cream or soap into a thick lather, and apply in circular motions.
Top tip: Try adding a few drops of your pre-shave oil to the shaving cream for an even smoother
shave.
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