Ask Aaron Q/A: Top shaving tips for the top lip and under the chin
Kevin Spanner, from the USA, asks:
“Hi, can you describe your top lip and under chin routine? I’m having difficulty in those areas thanks.”
AARON SAYS
“Mr. Spanner,
Well, honestly I sport a Van Dyke, so I rarely shave those areas. However, when I do here is what I do. I prep the whole area as usual but on each pass of the upper lip make sure to stretch the upper lip as much as possible, and instead of going directly against the grain go slightly angled. So if north is fully against the grain go northeast or northwest. For the chin tilt your head up, stretching the skin, as well as draw your lower lip into you mouth. This also flattens your chin making it easier to shave. I hope these help!
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: Do you have any tips on how to get as close a shave as possible?
“Do you have any tips on how to get as close a shave as possible?” asks Simon Buckland.
AARON SAYS:
“Use quality products that give a smooth, slick shave. If you have not already done so switch to using a safety razor. A safety razor allows you to control the angle of the blade giving you as close a shave as you want. Shave in three passes; first going with the direction of hair growth, the next going across, and the last going against the direction of hair growth. This will give you the closest shave for an incredibly smooth feeling.”
Do you have any burning questions you would like ask our wet shaving expert Aaron Wolfenbarger? CLICK HERE TO ASK AARON YOUR QUESTION
Ask Mantic Q&A #2&3: Brush Break-In & Types
In May, we managed to get a Question and Answer session with American wet shaving legend Mantic, a veteran of the BadgerAndBlade and ShaveMyFace forums.
The session proved very popular, with lots of excellent entries being submitted. We cherry picked the very best ones and sent them onto the wet shaving guru.
The first question Mantic answered was: “Why do I on occasion find that the lather from a soap is fine on the first pass, really creamy and slick, but when I start to apply with the brush for subsequent passes, it has turned airy and foamy? It is with soaps that I have had good results from before too.” You can watch his detailed answer by clicking here.
Today Mantic answers two more questions.
David asked: “It is assumed that boar shaving brushes need to be broken in. Do badger brushes also improve after a break-in period? I have read occasional mentions of this but have seen no definite discussion on the shave forums.”
And Kevin wanted to know: “Not having much experience with different brushes, is there a particular type of brush that I should use with soaps or creams? Boar hair brushes, or badger hair brushes?”
You can watch Mantic answer both of these questions in the video below.
Ask Mantic Q&A #1: Runny Lather
In May, we managed to get a Question and Answer session with double edge shaving guru Mantic, a veteran of the BadgerAndBlade and ShaveMyFace forums.
The session proved very popular, with lots of entries coming in. We cherry picked the best ones and sent them onto the US wet shaving expert.
And the first question comes from Tony, he asked: “Why do I on occasion find that the lather from a soap is fine on the first pass, really creamy and slick, but when I start to apply with the brush for subsequent passes, it has turned airy and foamy? It is with soaps that I have had good results from before too.”
Mantic has put together a superb video clip (see below) answering this excellent question.
And to spice things up we offered a prize of a puck of Mitchell’s Wool Fat (worth £4.99) for every question that gets published, so Tony expect your puck to arrive very soon!!
The best question overall will receive an additional tub of Truefitt & Hill 1805 Shave Cream (worth £14.99).
Please check back very soon for the second question in the Ask Mantic series.
How to shave without getting razor bumps or ingrown hair
Razor bumps and ingrown hair is a problem faced by many men who wet shave. It can become irritating to keep on experiencing an adverse reaction from shaving, especially when you know that this method is ultimately giving you better results than any other method you have tried in the past.
Make sure that you razor blade is in optimum condition
The best way to overcome the inflammatory reaction to the condition, pseudofolliculitis barbae or “barber’s itch” as it is commonly known is to look at ways to prevent and minimise the effect of ingrown hairs in the first place. Once these unsightly bumps are present on the face, it is easy to aggravate the situation and make it worse.
One easy solution may be to just let the hair grow, but this is not always practical, especially those professionals who need to keep their beard well groomed for their job. However, you could try shaving every other day to see if this improves the situation. Here are a few tips to help you counter this common issue.
Make sure that the razor blade is in optimum condition and not well worn as this can affect the effects of wet shaving on the skin. Try shaving with the grain, in downward strokes.
One lesser acknowledged fact ignored by many men who use a straight razor, is that a shaving brush can become a pivotal tool in wet shaving. If you wish to reduce the number of ingrown hairs on the face as well as the chances of getting any nicks or cuts, you should consider preparing using a shaving brush. This will help to lift the hairs effectively from the face.
The products you use before and after shaving can impact on this situation. Using a facial scrub before shaving can also help to raise the hairs from under the skin. The shaving soap can have an effect on skin irritation, so make sure you choose one accordingly, and ensure it is suitable for your unique skin type.
Shaving myth 3: Should I use the same brand for all my shaving products?
In our latest article on common shaving myths, we ask the question: Should I use the same brand for all my shaving products?
The simple answer to this popular question is no, there is no rule about sticking to one particular brand. In fact, it is more interesting to create a cocktail of products through trying out different ones from each brand. As long as the product is quality, then you should have no problems mixing and matching.
Missed the first two shaving myths? We have already looked into the following:
Is it always necessary to shave downwards, or ‘go with the grain’? and
Do you need to use a lot of foam when shaving?
Please check back on Monday when we take a look at another common wet shaving myth.
Wet shaving tips for men – How to get the best wet shave (Part 2)
If you have purchased a cut-throat or safety razor but are still not 100% when using it, then the following advice may be of some use to you. There may be a number of wet shaving techniques out there that experienced shavers will swear by, but the basic principles are still generally the same. A wet shave can be divided into; pre-shave, shave and post-shave.
DR Harris Marlborough Shaving Cream Bowl (150g)
Pre-shave
The key to an effective shave is to prepare well beforehand. Firstly, you will need to soften the bristles, opening up the pores of the skin. This can be achieved by having a hot bath or shower, but if you do not have the time, you can always make use of a warm or hot flannel. Preparing in this way will increase the chances of a painless shave. If you have particularly sensitive skin or a heavy beard, it may be worth purchasing pre-shave oil and lubricate your whiskers with just a small amount, before the next stage of the process.
Shave
You now need to lather and massage your choice of shaving cream or soap into your stubble or beard. You need to do this thoroughly, so it is best to invest in a decent shaving brush.
When you are ready to begin; slowly, and remembering to use short strokes, shave with the grain. By shaving in the same direction as the hair growth, especially when fairly new to wet shaving, you are minimising the chances of causing razor burn, redness and rashes on the skin. The neck area is particularly sensitive and should be treated with due care.
In the third and final article on this subject, to be published on Wednesday 5 May, we will take a look at some more techniques you can use when wet shaving, along with post-shave advice.
Missed part 1? Here it is > Simple shaving tips for the perfect wet shave (Part 1)
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