Guide to Looking Good
1. Be prepared!
Shaving first thing in the morning might seem like a good idea but thanks to an accumulation of fluid overnight skin tends to be puffy and swollen on waking so give it time to settle before you start shaving and you'll get much better results (and be in a better state to wield a blade!).
Begin by washing thoroughly with plenty of warm water and Clinique's Liquid Face Wash Regular Strength. Or apply a little Face Scrub over the beard area. Not only will this get skin clean and prevent your razor from clogging up, it'll remove any grease from your stubble too, enabling it to absorb water more efficiently. Believe it or not, stubble can be as tough as copper wire of a similar thickness but after just two minutes of being wet, the force needed to cut it is reduced by up to 70%. That's why washing first is so important.
2. Cushion the blows.
Shaving gels and creams are essential for providing a cushion between your skin and the razor but proper coverage is key to their success. So apply a little M Shave Aloe Gel into the palm of your hand, along with some warm water, and rub together to create a rich lather. Or, if you have particularly tough stubble, try the extra-lubricating Cream Shave. Then apply to warm, damp skin and massage in using gentle circular motions to help lift the hairs in readiness for cutting. Using a traditional shaving brush gives even better results but don't worry if you haven't got one - fingers do the job almost as well.
Then start your shave using short, gentle strokes, shaving in the direction of hair growth. Use your fingertips to feel your way and to stretch the skin directly in front of the razor. Never go against the grain or you'll just irritate the skin and cause snagging.
Once you've finished shaving and your face is still wet, use your fingertips to check for any bits you may have missed - it's much easier to spot them when your skin's still damp. Then, rinse your face thoroughly with cool, running water to close pores and remove any shaving residues. Finish off by patting skin dry with a towel - never rub as this can irritate that delicate freshly-shaved skin.
3. Revitalise and repair.
Since shaving removes several layers of skin cells and your razor leaves tiny microscopic nicks as it passes over ridges in the skin's surface it's little wonder that skin sometimes becomes a little irritated. That's why post-shave protection it absolutely essential. Clinique's Post Shave Healer is specially formulated to calm freshly-shaven skin, reduce redness, re-moisturise skin and help kick-start its natural repair process. Simply massage into the area you've just shaved. And with that done, your perfect shave is complete!
Did you know...
Over a lifetime, the average man will shave approximately 20,000 times, removing over 27 feet of whiskers. Most of us will spend a whopping 138 days of our lives in front of a mirror, shaving!
Tip of the month:
Since the toughest whiskers tend to be found on the chin and around the lips always leave these bits 'til last - that way they'll have had more time to soften. You can make things ever easier by using Post Shave Soother (Beard Control Formula) after shaving. Over time it helps make beard hair softer and finer - and easier to cut!
For last month's Grooming Guide click here
Q. What's the best way to prevent razor burn?
A. If you follow my three-point routine you'll certainly minimise the risk of the dreaded 'redneck'. But any shave is only as good as the razor you use and with blunt blades one of the biggest causes of razor burn, it pays to make sure yours are in tip-top condition. Always replace blades as soon as they begin to dull and never try to clean them with towels or toothbrushes or you'll just damage the fine shaving edge. Instead rinse the razor thoroughly during - and after - each shave, shake off any excess water and store upright, allowing water to drain away from the blade.
