Ask Aaron Q&A: How do you achieve the best possible shave?
Darren Edwards, from the UK, asks:
“I recently enjoyed a professional wet shave and have decided to ditch the Gillette M3 Power razor and cheap foams for a decent shave. I’ve just bought a Wilkinson Sword DE razor from boots and some Men-U shaving cream, as well as some balms. What would YOUR recommendation be to achieve the best shave? I’m looking to get the Parker 89R.”
AARON SAYS
“Mr Edwards,
We are so glad you’re taking the plunge into traditional shaving! I like to reduce getting a great shave into three easy steps: Prepare, Shave, Protect. Prepare your face for shaving by taking a shower beforehand and use a good face wash or scrub. Also once you step out of the shower apply a good pre-shave oil. Shave your face by using a good balanced razor, a sharp blade, and a good shaving cream applied with a brush (i.e. Bluebeard’s Revenge, Coates, Trumper’s etc.). Shave in three passes going with, across, and against the grain for a close smooth shave. Remember we are just reducing the beard, not trying to remove it, so just let the razor glide across your face, don’t bear down or put any pressure on it. Protect by rinsing your face first in warm water then cold water. Afterward apply a good after shave balm to help protect and keep your skin smooth and hydrated.
If you will follow this three east steps you will have some of the best shaves ever in no time!.
Smooth shaving! Aaron”
Do you have any burning questions you would like ask our wet shaving expert Aaron Wolfenbarger? CLICK HERE TO ASK AARON YOUR QUESTION
Ask Aaron Q&A: Shaving Those Problem Areas
Graham Beattie, from the UK, asks:
“Hi, I have a real problem in two areas. First, the corners of my mouth, if I don’t shave close enough it still feels stubly, but if I shave it smooth, I often end up bleeding. Second, my addams apple area, it doesn’t matter how many times I go over this, it still feels stubly. Any ideas?”
AARON SAYS
“Mr. Beattie,
These areas often cause problems for many men, so take heart you are not alone! What I suggest is stretching the skin to create a flatter surface. This will cause the hairs to strand more erect allowing them to be more easily cut. For the corners of your mouth, try opening your mouth in a very long “0″ shape. For your Adams Apple pull the skin away from the apple and shave on the side that you are pulling. Also, pay attention to the direction of hair growth. To get a closer shave to against the grain and that will also help the feeling of stubble.
Smooth Shaving!
Aaron”
Do you have any burning questions you would like ask our wet shaving expert Aaron Wolfenbarger? CLICK HERE TO ASK AARON YOUR QUESTION
An easy step-by-step method for getting lather out of shaving cream
One of the most popular wet shaving items is shaving cream. Long a standard of lather making material it is good for the face creating a smooth, slick shave. However, it sometimes can be tricky to lather. Here I hope to give you an easy method that will consistently give you thick, creamy lather from shaving cream.
Use a quality shaving cream like The Bluebeards Revenge
First gather the materials together; I recommend getting a shaving brush, shaving cream, and a sturdy ceramic bowl to whip up the lather in. While showering soak the brush and bowl in warm water. This will help get the bowl hot and prepare the brush for creating lather.
¨ Once ready take about an almond size dollop or an inch long squeeze from a tube and drop it into the empty warm bowl.
¨ Remove the brush from the warm water and gently shake the excess water out of the brush.
¨ Swirl the brush into the cream to start the lather. At this point it will be too thick and cling to the bowl.
¨ Add to the bowl a few drops of water and swirl again. Also use some pumping stokes to help distribute the cream into the core of the brush, where the mixing “magic” happens.
¨ Continue to add a few drops of water every few seconds until lots of lather appears.
¨ When ready, the cream will look like whipped cream or beaten egg whites, creating soft peaks.
There you have it! It may take a couple of times practicing this method to not overshoot the amount of water, making the lather thin and runny. However I am confident by using this method you will be able to generate lots of lather in no time! Until next time, Happy Shaving!
More articles by Aaron Wolfenbarger
How wet shaving can help to reduce acne
Acne is a common part of growing up, affecting around 96 percent of teenagers, while for many men this skin condition also continues into adulthood. For those who are severely affected, it is unlikely that anything other than medication will be of use in treating acne, but wet shaving can still provide a great way of maintaining healthy skin.
If you manage your skin properly it is only natural that your face will start to look and feel fresh and healthy. The formation of acne, which is the result of blockages in follicles, can be made much worse when skin is left oily and clogged with dead skin cells.
Wet shaving can help to reduce acne (if carried out correctly)
The best way to combat this is to take a more careful approach to wet shaving and develop consistent shaving habits. By taking your time when shaving, by allowing the experience to be more of a pleasure than a chore, you will soon notice the effects of clear and great looking skin.
Another cause of acne on the facial area is razor burn, which can be unsightly in its own right. However, you can help to prevent razor burn as well as acne by shaving every day and in the right way. This will mean that your skin (and facial hair) is much easier to maintain.
So, be sure to leave enough time each day to shave, especially after a shower when the skin is less sensitive. You can do this by getting into good habits using hot water and steam to soften the hairs and by massaging latheronto the face. If you have particularly sensitive skin, this will provide it with the moisture it needs and in doing so, helping to reduce and keep away acne.
Shaving myth 2: Do you need to use a lot of foam when shaving?
Over the next few weeks we’re going to debunk some of the myths of wet shaving. In our first shaving myth article we asked the popular question? Is it always necessary to shave downwards, or ‘go with the grain’? Click here to read it.
In our second article on common shaving myths, we explore another frequently asked question: Do you need to use a lot of foam when shaving?
This is asked a lot by men who think that by using more foam, they will benefit from a smoother and more enjoyable shave.
Well, the simple truth is, you don’t. All that using more foam does is to add more product to the skin and thus get in the way of the razor.
The razor’s job is to perform through touching the skin and excess foam just hinders this.
Also, by using products without alcohol or harsh ingredients, it will reduce the chances of you getting any nicks or cuts to the face.
Please check back on Thursday when we take a detailed look at another common wet shaving myth.
If you have a question for our shaving team, please leave a comment below. Happy shaving!!!
Men’s grooming tips: A guide to wet shaving (part 3)
When wet shaving, if you try and follow the tried and tested approach we have been talking about, you are more likely to have a pain-free experience that goes easy on your skin. However, there are a few extra techniques you can use if you are a more experienced shaver, while there is also help out there for blokes with sensitive skin.
Post-shave
Immediately after you have finished shaving you will usually rinse the shaved area with cool water. If you find that this approach frequently leaves you suffering from razor burn and dryness, you can always try a final rinse with hot water instead, before dabbing a cloth soaked with witch hazel across your face.
The British male beauty market is worth £920m
There is also a number of soothing after-shave treatments available to buy which contain aloe to help calm the effects of shaving and alleviate any dryness. These creams, gels, balms and lotions can also encourage the healing of any minor nicks and cuts. You can apply a small amount of lotion evenly onto freshly-shaven skin straight after shaving.
A few final points
While you are shaving it is important to regularly rinse your razor in hot water.
As you become more experienced shaving with the grain, you can always experiment by passing the razor against and across the grain. These techniques are only really advised for those who are skilled at shaving and willing to try different combinations to find out what works best for them.
Everyone’s hair pattern grows differently, therefore it is often only through trial and error that you can determine what gives you a great smooth shave, by finding the right combination of passing the razor that works for you.
The pressure you apply, the amount of lather used and the angle of the razor are other factors that can influence the quality of the shave.
Again, it all depends on your skin, and smoother shaves often come at the expense of skin irritation.
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