Wet Shave vs. Electric – Which Provides A Closer Shave?

It’s true, you may save a few minutes by using an electric razor and yes you can also use this method while riding down the road, but it’s a fact that a wet blade gives the closest shave and that’s what we’re all looking for. A closer shave will, of course, cut the beard nearer to the skin, which will extend the time until you need to shave again.

A wet shave gives you more effective shaves and better looking skin. The hot water opens the pores of your skin, relaxes your facial muscles, and softens your whiskers for more effective cutting. The key to proper wet shaving is keeping your face as moist as possible at all times during the shave. Always shave right after (or even during) a hot shower. When you get out don’t dry your face or open the door to let the steam out. You want to keep all that good moisture around. You will marvel at how much closer and more comfortable shaving can be!

If you’re running late and have to use an electric razor there are a few products available to help you achieve a closer shave.

Creams vs. Gels

When it comes to deciding what shaving products to purchase it’s not as easy as grabbing the first thing you see or running out to get a new product you just saw on a commercial. Along with good technique, the shaving products you use can have a huge impact on the quality of your shaving experience. Therefore, if you strive to get the best shave possible it is imperative that you research the products and understand what you are using before you scrape a razor across your skin. This article will arm you with some basic knowledge of the essential difference between shaving creams and shaving gels or foams.

Shaving Creams

Creams offer the best and most effective products for achieving a good shave.

Lathering Cream (Foreman preferred product)

A lathering shaving cream provides the best protection and ultimately the most comfortable shave because it incorporates the use of water to create lather, which also provides moisture for your skin. Other essential elements of good shaving products are fat content and glycerin for the best possible lubrication and protection. Most high quality lathering creams will contain between 30 and 50 percent fat, as well as glycerin, which toughen the walls of the bubbles, allowing the cream to build a smooth, rich lather. The glycerin also acts as a humectant to lock in water and hydrate the skin.

These creams can be applied with the fingers or a good shaving brush. We recommend using the brush because it will provide a better lather and will also raise whiskers off your face, preparing them for cutting.

Non-lathering Cream

These creams are meant to be applied using the fingers and do not require the use of water, providing ease of use. There are many products like this that offer a good shave and some guys prefer a non-lathering cream because they can more easily see where they have already shaved. However, the lack of water and the application method do not offer the same hydration and whisker raising benefits achieved with a lathering cream and a shaving brush. We suggest you keep both kinds on hand to address your different shaving situations (relaxing home shave vs. quick gym/travel shave).

Shaving Gels

Aerosol shaving gels or foams are by far the most popular product available. Not because they work better, because they are easy to use and find. Gels and foams provide a handful of lather at the press of a button, but it’s the quality of the lather, not the quantity that is important. What really matters is what is going on at the interface between skin and shaving cream. Most gels and foams use gas to produce their foam. The gas (isobutane or propane) is compressed to liquid form and mixed in with the shaving substance. Then, when it is removed from the container at the touch of a button the pressure reduction allows it to move back into a gas state, providing the foaming action. Although what comes out of the can may appear fluffy and rich, it is mostly gas that provides no protection when you scrape a razor across your skin.

Choose your shaving products wisely… it will make all the difference!

How to Achieve The Perfect Wet Shave

Most men tend to view shaving as a pain in the face! That type of attitude can lead to careless cuts, riveting razor burn, and infectious ingrown hairs. It just doesn’t have to be that way! Take a minute to think about what you are doing when you shave… you are scraping an extremely sharp blade across your skin in an effort to remove the hair growing out! That canNOT be good for you if you are doing it wrong. However, doing it right can lead to the perfect shave every time.

As anyone who’s ever had a professional barber shave knows, with right tools and methods, shaving can easily go from a daily hassle to a daily indulgence. We are here to make sure you are equipped with both to re-create that barber experience at home.

First things first, always shave after (or during) a nice warm shower. Water hydrates the skin to ensure the blade will glide smoothly over the surface being shaved. Warm water dilates the blood vessels on the skin’s surface, which in turn opens and relaxes pores and makes the hair follicle more pliable. Therefore, the soft hair will bend as the razor passes and allow the hair to be cut at a better angle… achieving a closer shave. There are several face cleansers available that will help you clean the “canvas” you will be working on.

Prep

There is only one thing to say here. Pre-shave Oil! Pre-shave oils are an essential part of achieving the perfect shave. They work to protect the skin and soften the beard. You don’t need much. A couple drops should do (about the size of a nickel). Rub the oil between your hands to warm it up then massage it into the beard using upward motions to lift the whiskers off your face. After you finish, wash your hands to remove the residue before picking up your razor.

Lather Up!

This is where the fun part of the perfect shave begins. First, make sure you have a high quality shaving cream. Preferably one with a high fat and glycerin content, which make for good lather and protection. You can certainly use your fingers, but we strongly suggest a high-quality badger-hair brush. Wet the tip of the brush with some warm water and, using two fingers, embed a small amount of shaving cream into the center of the brush. Give it a couple seconds to let the warm water heat up the cream. Then, work up a good lather by rubbing the brush in circular motions all over the beard. Once you look sufficiently like Old St. Nick… you are ready to shave.

Shave

Warm the blade with some hot water to make sure it is ready for action. You don’t have to start in any one location, but it’s generally easier to start from the outside and work to the inside. Go WITH the grain and don’t apply too much pressure to keep from over irritating the skin. Razor strokes should generally be about two inches in length. Rinse the blade with hot water between strokes to keep it warm and free of shave gunk.

For an extra close shave, you can re-lather and go at it again using either a sideways motion or against the grain stroke, depending on the sensitivity of your skin. You don’t have to worry about getting ingrown hairs at this point because the hair has already been trimmed back and will not tuck up under the skin.

Here’s the last little secret of the perfect shave… rinse thoroughly with COLD water. The first splash might be a little shocking, but after the initial chill the cool water will soothe any irritation, close pores, and refresh the skin.

Moisturize

Okay, so you just scraped a small layer of skin off your face. What next? Add back a little moisture and nourishment to regenerate the skin. A nice alcohol-free antiseptic misting toner (we like hydrosol rose water) works wonders to soothe and invigorate when the skin is freshly shaven. Follow with patting on a thin layer of aftershave balm to complete the process.

Congratulations… you are now a shaving guru!