Last week I wrote about the 7 Steps to the Perfect Shower. Consider this the sequel.

Required Materials

• Badger-hair Brush
• Weighted Razor Handle
• Shaving Soap or Cream (not Gilette!)
• Pre-shave Oil
• Moisturizer

Step 1: Apply Pre-shave Oil (optional)

Pre-shave oil “softens the beard and prepares the skin for a close and comfortable shave without leaving an oily residue”. It’s “ideal for men with sensitive skin, ingrown hair, razor burn or tough beard.”

Product of choice: Art of Shaving Pre-Shave Oil

Step 2: Wet Brush and Lather Soap

Wet your brush with hot water. If you’re using the soap, then brush the soap in a circular motion until you build up a nice lather — then do the same on desired shaving area. If you’re using a cream, apply the cream to the center of the wet brush then build the lather on your face.

Using a badger hair brush is important because generates a rich and warm lather, soften and lifts the beard, open pores, and brings sufficient water to the skin and gently exfoliates.

NOTE: Drug store products like Gilette contain chemicals that dry out and can possibly irritate your skin. It’s always best to stick with a product that contains natural elements.

Product of choice: Art of Shaving Sandlewood Shaving Soap and Crabtree & Evelyn Bader Hair Brush

Step 3: Shave

Here you want to get a close shave with as little strokes as possible. This is where the weighted handle comes into play. Think of your razor as a fine tool. When you hold a drug store brand razor, it’s light, and you have to press harder to get a close shave — resulting in razor burn and irritation. I see it similar to a pool cue. When you have weight, you have stroke, and it allows for a closer, more solid shave. You have to feel it to believe it.

To the right, I’ve posted a picture of an Art of Shaving razor. While it runs for $100, it’s worth every penny and you’ll have it for up to a lifetime.

These razors work with any Gilette Mach 3 razor head. They also have models to support the 5-blade Gilette Fusion blades.

Product of choice: Art of Shaving Ivory and Nickel-plated Razor

Step 4: Rinse and Moisturize

After the shave, your skin may still be a little dry and it is always best to revitalize it with some moisture. Here, I go back to the wonder Facial Fuel products by Kiehl’s. Facial Fuel’s provides a burst of energy and refreshment with their entire product line. This is the cherry on top. The menthol inside will help close up those pores after a close hot water shave, which helps prevent in-grown hairs and dirt from getting in there.

Product of choice: Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Moisturizer

Step 5: Feel Like a New Man

Follow up the Perfect Shower with The Perfect Shave and you will feel so fresh and so clean clean every day!

Share your shaving experiences below in the comment box.

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