Ask Aaron Q/A: Top shaving tips for an irritation free shave
Jose a Diaz Ocasio, from Puerto Rico, asks:
“I want to get a clean close shave every time I shave. So I was wondering if you can provide me with some useful shaving tips for a clean close shave?”
Shaving should be a pleasure and not a chore
AARON SAYS
“Mr. Ocasio,
I’ve written several articles on this subject, but will try to condense them into a concise answer for you. First make sure you start with a clean well hydrated face. Then shave with a good sharp blade using a good hydrating cream, and I recommend applying a layer of shaving oil first before applying the shaving cream. Once you begin shaving shave first with the direction of growth, then across, then against to get a very close shave. Use some stretching techniques to help get the skin surface as flat as possible. There is a lot more detail and technique that could be gone into, but using these tips should help improve your smooth shaves a lot!
Happy 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
US man shaves beard after waiting 10 years for Osama bin Laden’s capture or death
An American high school teacher, who grew his beard for nearly ten years, has finally shaved it off following the death of Osama bin Laden.
Gary Weddle, 50, made a vow on 11 September 2001 to stay unshaven until Osama, the Al Qaeda leader, was captured or killed.
He grew the beard to remind his pupils of America’s most deadly terror attack.
Weddle, of East Wenatchee, Washington, was working in the garden on Sunday when a work colleague phoned to tell him that bin Laden, dubbed the “world’s most wanted terrorist”, had been killed by American soldiers in Pakistan.
On hearing the news, Weddle reached for his razor and scissors, with the momentous occasion witnessed by his delighted and relieved wife and close friends.
“I spent my first five minutes crying and then I couldn’t get it off fast enough,” Gary told The Daily Astorian newspaper.
The infamous al-Qaeda terrorist attack occurred on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington on September 11, 2001, killing around 3,000 people.
I wonder what razor he used?
Ask Aaron Q&A: I keep cutting myself, am I using the right double edge razor blade?
“I bought a Parker 82R Super HeavyWeight Butterfly Open Safety Razor along with Feather Hi-Stainless Double Edged Razor Blades and to be completely honest have stopped using it after about 6 or more shaves due to the amount of cuts under neck and at corner of mouth. Am I using the correct blade? Why is this happening (I was so disappointed I now use a 150.00 Braun series 9 electric but would love to have carried on using a proper razor, and have always been a wet shaver since 16 so 24 yrs now,” asks Paul Ewing, from the UK.
AARON SAYS
“Mr. Ewing,
Thanks for your question! If you are relatively new to wet shaving I suspect the Feather blades are the culprit. The Parker is a good razor, but the Feathers are extremely sharp and have the reputation of being called “ninjas” on wetshaving forums because of their sharpness. They are great blades but can very unforgiving especially to the beginner. I suggest finding some other blades such as Derbys, Gillettes, or Israelis to use for now. Once you have more experience under your belt revisit the Feathers, they might become your favorite blade!
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: Should you ever have a days rest from shaving to give the skin time to recover?
“Should you ever have a days rest from shaving to give the skin time to recover, from being over shaved?” asks David Parker, from the UK.
AARON SAYS
“Mr. Parker, Thank you for your question! In short, yes! If your skin is burned and irritated from an overly aggressive or bad shave experience I certainly recommend giving it time to rest, regenerate and heal. I don’t think it’s necessary to rest the skin if you are not experiencing problems, but certainly do give it some time to rest if you are experiencing discomfort.
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: Any tips you could give about shaving the neck and lower neck area?
“Aaron, Any tips you could give be about shaving the neck and lower neck area? Even after plenty of wetting and preparation, I still get cut. I use Proraso pre and Proraso shaving cream. I use feather blades,a Merkur 38C Barberpole and a Simpsons Chubby shaving brush,” asks David Robin, from the UK.
AARON SAYS
“Mr. Robin, The next toughest area for men to shave after the mustache area is the lower neck and Adam’s Apple area. Since you have good products and a good preparation routine (because good prep is KEY!) try a couple of the following things. Pay special attention to your blade angle, try locking you wrist and moving you arm from the elbow or shoulder. If you aren’t sure of the direction of hair growth, let the hair down in this area grow out for a couple of days. (Over the weekend is great if you don’t work weekends.) Hair growth patterns can change drastically in a short area and going against the grain at the wrong time can cause cuts and skipping. Also try stretching the skin to shift the skin into a flatter surface area.
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
Clean-shaven men have better job prospects, study shows
I read a very interesting article today on SeeJackShop.com that says that well-groomed guys have much better job prospects.
The article cites a survey where 90 per cent of HR professionals said being well groomed is more important than a firm handshake when it comes time for a job interview.
Going for an job interview? Make sure you look smart and professional
“How you look has a direct impact on how you feel, your confidence and self-esteem,” said Mark Jeffries, business consultant, communications expert and author.
“This is as true for guys actively seeking a job as it is for those who are currently employed and seek a competitive advantage. At the same time, seemingly small details, like a clean shave or a great-fitting - but not necessarily expensive suit- send important visual cues to others about your professionalism and confidence.”
That survey, conducted for Milford-based razor maker Schick by US market research company StrategyOne, found that men who shave at least five times a week are having sex 15.5 times per month, compared to 7.8 times for unshaven men.
So men, get out your razors and quick as it would appear that keeping yourself clean-shaven is the key to a successful career and love life.
Ask Mantic Q&A #8 & 9: Grain Shaving & Women’s Shaving
American wet shaving guru Mantic has been taking part in a Question and Answer session with Shaving Shack visitors.
The veteran of the BadgerAndBlade and ShaveMyFace forums has been offering his expert advice on variety of shaving topics, including slant razor shaving, brush break-in, passes, runny lather and suitable brush types.
Today Mantic answers another two great questions in theYoutuve video below.
Jason asks: “When is the right time to start shaving against the grain? I have been wet shaving for about three years now and double edge shaving for the past two. I have a great routine down, and I am using very good products.”
And Maureen asks: “I know these are really men’s shaving products - but can women use them to shave their sensitive area’s? Opposed to the sometimes painful waxing procedure?”
Mantic will be answering his final question early next week, so please check back.
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.
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.
Well-groomed men get more bedroom action, study finds
Men, get out your razors and quick. A new study has revealed men who shave regularly have twice as much sex as those that don’t.
Well-groomed males have more sex
The survey, conducted for Milford-based razor maker Schick by US market research company StrategyOne, found that men who shave at least five times a week are having sex 15.5 times per month, compared to 7.8 times for unshaven men.
The latest study also reveals that well-groomed males are also happier with life, more outgoing and sociable and much more likely to report living their dreams.
According to the survey, men who shave five times a week are twice as likely to have a job as those who shave twice a week, and far less likely to live with their parents.
Three-quarters of women also agree that a cleanly-shaven man is more of a turn-on because they see such men as having a higher self-awareness, deeper commitment and greater comfort with themselves.
The Shaving Shack offers men a new approach to grooming. We stock a no-nonsense range of top quality products designed for Real Men, direct to your door.
Shaving brushes, razors, creams and shaving sets to suit every budget…and regular shoppers get even better value with our Shave Points Discounts!
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