A Better Shave

I discovered Wet Shaving while looking for a way to deal with a tough and troublesome beard. Wet Shaving is not about being snobbish, but about a better shave with less iritation and fewer ingrown hairs. An old style double-edge razor, like Merkur HD, won’t pull the hairs and cut them below the skin level as is the case with multi-blade catridges, taking better care of your skin and your beard. Also, with an old style razor you have the luxury of choosing the sharpness of the blade; so you can find the one that fits you best.

The Shaving Ritual

Shaving used to be a hated task for me. I couldn’t wait until the weekend to skip a couple of days. Now I look forward to this little routine. And why? I’ve replaced aerosol cans and disposable razors with a double edge razor, a good shaving soap and a pure badger shaving brush. Three simple elements that are not only able to give me a bettter shave, but that put together create a moment to unwind and do something for myself that I can enjoy and feel good about.

Elements of a Classic Shave

The secret to wet-shaving is getting yourself a good double-edge razor, shaving soap or cream and a shaving brush. Different people prefer different razors and with time you will find the one that works best for you. For starters a medium size, moderately priced, new razor will do the job.

Buy shaving soap or cream from a reputable seller. When you buy from an old English barbershop with 200 years of experience there’s no way to go wrong. As you develop your preferences you can start to experiment with newer brands. I prefer shaving soaps over creams because they have fewer preservatives and last longer.

The shaving brush is the pivotal element of wet-shaving. So if you get to pick only one outstanding shaving prep, this has got to be it. The brush will massage and exfoliate your skin and the motion required to apply the soap will also lift your hair, preparing if for the shave. For a scrubier feeling try a brush made of pure or best badger, for a soft touch super badger or silver tip will do the trick.

Classic Shaving: Good for You and the Enviroment Too

Wet-shaving also means less waste. Just think about all the non-recycleable plastic that goes into multi-blade cartridges and handles, and the aerosol cans that release harmful by-products into the environment. Switching to old-style shaving props won’t gain you entry into Green Peace by itself, but it is a good start.