The first step is the prep. Guys, take a relaxing hot shower before shaving. Let the hot water envelop your face and open your pores. This is a great way to have some “alone” time, when you can just think and unwind.

The second step is the pre-shave, use a pre-shave oil which will moisten the skin and loosen the beard before shaving. This also helps the razor glide better over the beard, thus reducing redness.

After letting the pre-shave oil soak into your beard for about 60 seconds, you’re now ready to get started shaving. Dip the badger hair shave brush into shave cream and begin to apply shave cream to your beard.  The badger brush will help reduce the amount of shave cream used and at same time, penetrate the beard much deeper. Let shave cream sit on face for 60 seconds and then you are ready to shave.

TIP: Always shave with the grain, which means, the way your beard hair grows naturally. If you are looking for a closer shave, you can go over the same areas again with the grain. If you shave against the grain, you run the risk of causing irritation or red bumps.  Once done, rinse off your face with luke warm water to help close any cuts. Pat your face dry with a clean towel and rinse off your razor.

For the post shave, using an alcohol-free, post shave solution will calm your beard and help minimize any cuts or redness. TIP: If you still have bleeding, use a styptic pencil on cut to close it up and begin healing process. TIP: If you have redness and have a hot date or somewhere to be, put some Visine eye drops on a cotton pad and apply to redness. The same properties in Visine that reduce redness in one’s eyes also reduce redness on skin.

Lastly, it’s important to apply an oil-free moisturizer to your entire face, to reduce any dryness and to moisten the skin. Some guys tend to have oily skin, or what girls refer to as the “shiny” face.  In order to avoid this, choose oil-free products that will eliminate the “shiny” appearance.

Check out Razor MD products for all your shaving needs, a cut above the rest!

As a woman, I understand the focus and following of why men shave with a straight razor. A man’s face is what a woman first notices. (Well, unless you’re at the beach or pool).

So let’s get down to the basics of shaving with a straight razor.

The essentials:

1. A straight razor that is shave ready
2. Shaving soap/cream (to a lather)
3. Shaving brush (the most recommended is a badger hair)
4. A leather strop.

It is important that you make sure your skin is shave ready. Yes, gentlemen there is a lot of prep when it comes to a straight razor shave!

Before you begin make sure that you have all the tools at your fingertips for easy use and better focus. Get a cup or a bowl ready with steaming hot water and allow your brush to soak in it.

While your brush is soaking you need to open up the pores of your skin on your face, thus allowing your facial hair to soften. (Facial hair is notoriously coarser than all other hair on your body). To do this run a towel under hot water and apply it to your face until the towel cools. This can be repeated if necessary, or desired.

Immediately after removing the towel apply the shaving soap/cream in a circular motion to your face. Make sure a thick layer of lather is applied.

While the shaving soap/cream is on your face, strop your razor one last time. You want to use a leather strop running the blade along it. I recommend that you do somewhere between 30 and 60 passes in a fast motion with light pressure for optimum results.

If your face is no longer moist make sure you reapply the shaving soap/cream (so blade is not getting caught or skipping due to the soap drying).

After you have re-lathered, if necessary, stretch the area of skin you are shaving so it is tight and then apply the straight razor at a 20-degree angle. For each pass you will start with short strokes moving on to long ones. For optimum results I recommend that you do three passes, but it is not necessary if time is a factor.

For the first pass you will always start with the growth direction of your facial hair.

For the second pass re-apply the shaving soap/cream and go sideways with the grain of your face. (Obviously there will be areas of your face and neck that this will not be possible, therefore skip this pass for these areas).

The third and final pass is the most dangerous and you should be very careful when completing it. For this final step you are going to go against the grain of your facial hair (yes, up). (Be especially careful around your nose, ears, etc.).

After you have completed all three passes you are done. Rinse your face off with cold water (versus the hot) to close up your pores.

These are the basics of a straight razor shave. Remember guys just like Julia Roberts said in Pretty Woman, “I don’t kiss on the mouth its too personal,” your face is the most personal part of your body to a woman. The more time and attention you give to your face, the more attractive and appealing you become. Trust me!

One final note, once you have mastered the straight razor shave. Teach the woman in your life. Because lets face it; there is nothing sexier than having your woman getting exactly what she wants.

Badger hair has been a major industry of China for many years. China exports badger hair to shaving brush manufacturers in other countries and sells badger meat in their markets. Therefore, the badger population is carefully watched. Badger hair is more expensive due to the higher cost of removing the hair from the badger. The different grades of badger hair are pure, best, super, and silver tip.

Pure badger hair is firmer and coarser than the other grades of badger hair. This grade works well to remove dead skin cells from the skin before shaving. Pure badger hair ranges in color from light tan to almost black with some silver. Best badger hair is finer and more flexible. This hair is slightly longer in length than pure badger hair and lighter in color. Super badger hair is softer on the skin. This grade has slightly grayish-white tips and is often mistaken for the silver tip grade. Shaving brushes made from this grade are more expensive. Silver tip badger hair is the most expensive and rarest of badger hair. This grade is extremely soft and has white tips.

Boar bristles are also used to make shaving brushes. Boar hair is stiffer and less expensive than badger hair. Synthetic materials such as nylon are also used for shaving brushes. This is also much less expensive than badger hair.

Depending on the grade of bristles and the material of the handle, shaving brushes range in price from $5 to over $1,000. Shaving brushes can be purchased in local department stores, drug stores, beauty supply stores, and barber shops. Better quality shaving brushes can be purchased online from manufacturers all across the world.

Utilizing a shaving brush is more beneficial and favorable than using a razor with shaving cream. The motion to use the shaving brush softens and lifts the facial hair. Applying shaving cream mats or unevenly raises facial hair. A multiple-blade razor is needed when using shaving cream whereas only a straight razor is needed when using a shaving brush.

Shaving brushes are important to any male shaving set. A good shaving brush can dictate neatness and cleanliness, while at the same time be merciful to those men with sensitive facial skin. It’s size in comparison with the kit is also an important consideration. A few more qualities to be on the look out for are quality-made craftsmanship, allergen concerns, and size dimension.

When buying a shaving set price is almost always imperative. Most shaving sets men buy to do their mirror-trim ritual, include a mug, shaving soap, safety razor, and, of course the shaving brush-the pinnacle effect of an entire sets’ price tag. The value of the shave brush is dictated by it’s bristle type. Prices can range from a synthetic 5 dollar dabber to a costly 1,000 dollar Cadillac-parallel-handled shave brush. This, in turn, will decide the difference in how much you will decisively pay for the entire shaving set and additional accessories.

The shaving soap should adhere to the user’s skin needs. Different skin types for different men require a variety of shaving creams and razors. Sensitive skin requires more moisturizer containing lotions prior to shaving, and less of a bite when sterilizing skin due to the shave afterwards. The razor should be of multi-blade form, because the more each blade achieves in removing facial hair on the first stroke, leaves less chance in having to do the same areas again, which can undesirably cause common rashes and bumps.

Lastly, and a luxury more than anything, is the shaving mug. Unless it’s gold plated or made of gold itself, I wouldn’t worry you and state it will make your set pricey. It won’t, and it’s attributes excel in hard slog habits when traveling. This is the hard-working still anchor of the shaving set. Depending on how you shave, when traveling, it can be very worthy and a great shaving aid.

On a final note, easy storage and nifty traveling abilities of your shaving set are equally important as the price. You can buy a good, low-cost shaving set with a handy shave brush and store it most conveniently for years and years of business trips and never undergo any type of difficulty with your 20 dollar brush. On the other hand, if you’re fortunate enough to afford a pricy brush, you may find the most expensive bristles cost you the most time consuming grief.

Step 1: Trimming
The first thing you will want to do once you decide to keep a shave head is to purchase a good quality trimmer. This usually costs under $100, and will last for years. Set the trimmer on the shortest setting possible, and remove the guard if needed. Beginning at the nape of your neck, guide the trimmer over your scalp to the front of your head. Make sure you trim your neck, sideburns, and around your ears as well. You will want to trim your hair as short until it is stubble. There is no need to attempt a perfectly even cut, just a short one. After you have trimmed, run your hands over your head to check for any spots you missed and trim as needed.

Step 2: Prepping
You will want to make sure your hair is soft prior to shaving. To do this, stand in the shower and get your hair as wet as possible with the water being as hot as you can tolerate it. You can also wet a towel with warm water, wring it, and then wrap on your head for a couple of minutes. This will prevent ingrown hairs and razor bumps.

Step 3: Shaving
Once you have softened your hair it is time to begin shaving. Liberally apply shaving gel to your head and allow it to penetrate for a few moments. Place the blade of your razor against your scalp and shave in the direction of hair growth, starting with the softest and lightest hair first. Take your time and use even and slow strokes with the razor. To avoid irritation and nicks, pass over your scalp only once. Rinse your blade in between passes to remove hair and shave gel. Once you have finished shaving, wipe your head with a cool towel to remove excess hair and shaving gel. You will want to apply lotions that contain Aloe and Vitamin E. your fresh shave head to prevent irritation and to protect the newly exposed skin. You can also use after shave products, but avoid ones that contain alcohol. While going outdoors, apply a SPF15 based moisturizer to your head.

What does it do?

A shaving brush is much more than a stick with whiskers. A solid brush is made from genuine badger whiskers. Cheaper alternatives come from boar hair. Once you dip your brush in hot water and mix with shaving cream, an interesting thing happens. The brush mixes the shaving cream and water to create a thick lather that not only covers your face, but exfoliates and removes dead skin. The badger hair lifts your facial hair and suspends it in the thick lather giving you the closest shave of your life. The suspended hair is sliced by your razor at a closer distance that you would without using a brush.

How much does it cost?

A badger shaving brush runs you anywhere from $15 to $600. The large difference in price is due to the amount of badger hair on the brush and the method of production. You don’t need expenses badger shaving brushes to get the job done. More expensive brushes tend to retain more water and produce more lather. The difference is negligible.

How do I use it?

To offset the difference in price simply shave a small section at a time. For instance, lather your right cheek with your shaving brush and concentrate your efforts on one area. When you’re done, simply wipe the finished area and move on to a new area of your face.

Final thoughts

Take your shave to the next level and invest in a badger shaving brush. A solid brush will increase the amount of lather you produce and give you a close, smooth shave. Save money by purchasing an average costing brush. Make up for the difference by shaving small areas at a time. Remember, the details are what make the man.