A close, comfortable shave is mostly about preparation. Follow these five steps for less irritation and a smoother finish.
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Soften the beard
Shave after a warm shower, or press a warm, damp towel to your face for a minute. Heat and moisture soften the hair so it cuts more easily.
Never dry shave — it is the fastest route to razor burn.
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Apply pre-shave oil
Massage a few drops of pre-shave oil into the beard. It lays down a protective layer so the blade glides instead of dragging.
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Lather with a brush
Work shave cream into a warm lather with a brush and paint it on in circles. This lifts each hair away from the skin.
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Shave with the grain
Use short, light strokes in the direction the hair grows. Rinse the blade often and let the razor’s weight do the work — no pressure needed.
For a closer finish, re-lather and do a second pass across the grain, never against it.
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Cool and soothe
Rinse with cool water to settle the skin, pat dry, then massage in a post-shave balm to calm and hydrate.
Repeat daily or every other day, and always store your razor somewhere dry between shaves.
