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: Can you recommend a razor/blade/cream combo that is geared for leg shaving?
“While I realize all of the virtues of wet shaving my wife has know taken an interest and began experimenting with my kit. Can you recommend a razor/blade combo and cream that she can use that may be more geared for leg shaving?” asks Everett Petronick, from the USA.
AARON SAYS
“Mr Petronick, You are a very lucky man having your wife come on board with you! Many of the products are the same but she might enjoy a floral or rose scented shaving cream to use. A product I do think would be an advantage to your wife would be a long handled safety razor such as the “barberpole” Merkur 38c and 23c razors, the Parker 52 and 96 models, and the vintage Lady Gillette which can be found in second hand shops, and online auction sites sometimes in “New Old Stock or NOS” condition. May you and your wife enjoy,
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 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.
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)
Simple shaving tips for the perfect wet shave (Part 1)
Firstly, you may be wondering: why wet shaving in the first place? As you are probably aware, there are many high-tech electric razors on the market these days, so this would seem like a fairly understandable question to pose. The answer is simple though. If you are looking for a more effective shave that also offers you better looking skin, then wet shaving is the ONLY option available for real men.
Merkur 38C Barberpole
This means that you now need to pick a side between a manual wet shave, or opt for an electric razor. Electric razors may save you time, especially in this fast-paced world we live in, but for quality of shave (and with less irritation) there is no comparison. This is because the hot water will open up the pores of your skin allowing your facial muscles to relax. It also softens your whiskers for a more effective all-round shave.
If you have decided on wet shaving, then welcome to the club. You now need to choose a top quality razor with the sharpest blades. While using a razor, make sure you keep an eye on how the blade is performing as it will need to be replaced from time to time. This will ensure you always benefit from an even shave and less chance of irritation to your face and neck.
No matter what razor you use, and how long you have been shaving for, there are always ways to improve your shaving technique.
In the next article, to be published on Friday 30 April, we will be taking a look at some of these and offer advice on how to get the best out of your shave. So please check back.
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