One of the keys to a great close shave is to make sure your beard is thoroughly wet. Hair swollen with water becomes quite weak and therefore easier to cut. Showering before shaving is the ideal way to ensure you beard is properly moistened. If a shower is not possible, rinse your face and then apply a warm moistened towel to your face for at least a couple of minutes. This is the technique that barbers use. Never shave cold.
The best shaving creams create a rich creamy lather rather than simply foaming up. The less foam the better. While the primary function of the shaving cream is to lubricate your face so that the razor glides effortlessly across the surface, it also serves to lock moisture into the whiskers, keeping them soft and upright and primed for the cut. The ideal scenario is to leave the shaving cream on your face for at least a minute before you begin cutting.
One of the best tools to achieve an optimum shave is a good shaving brush. Always look for a shaving brush with bristles that have the right balance between softness (to create a rich creamy lather that stays close to the skin) and resistance to raise the beard (making a closer cut easier!)
Apply shaving cream in circular motion ending in an upward stroke to help lift the beard up and away from the face.
Always ensure that the razor blades are sharp as dull blades are traumatic to the skin. Change the blade every three-seven shaves. If the blade becomes dull, ditch it. Always rinse your blade under hot water before you begin to shave and after every few swipes.
