Barbershops are vital as a result of skilled groomers are caring for your wants—they’re chopping your hair, styling your beard, and supplying you with the right shave. Nonetheless, it may be a prolonged course of as a result of it’s important to e book the appointment, drive to the situation, and wait your flip (you realize all too properly how typically retailers face delays).
The primary two issues listed above will almost definitely require assist until you’re an knowledgeable. However for the final one—shaving—going to a barbershop isn’t mandatory. In actual fact, you’ll be able to nonetheless get that good shave with out leaving your house, and we’ll inform you how.
Collect Your Instruments
Shaving is a activity that wants preparation and focus since you don’t need there to be any accidents all through the method. So it’s greatest to have your whole instruments prepared beforehand to make sure you’re not interrupting the session with lots of motion. Right here are some things you’ll want:
- A straight razor
- Exfoliating cream
- Pre-shave oil
- A scorching towel
- Shaving bowel
- Brush
Upon getting these things, attempt to arrange them within the order they’ll be used for higher effectivity whereas shaving.
Break Out the Scorching Towel
If you happen to’ve ever gotten a shave on the barbershop, one of many first issues they do is place a scorching towel over your face. Its objective is to calm down your pores and skin and open your pores, so there’s much less irritation throughout shaving. Often, barbers escape the tongs and take a towel out of a machine often called a “towel hotter.”
However if you happen to don’t have one, you’ll be able to place a towel below scorching water or place a moist towel within the microwave for about 30 seconds. If you wish to create a spa-like expertise as some barbershops do, you’ll be able to add just a few drops of important oils—like eucalyptus—to the towel. Afterward, place the towel in your pores and skin for a couple of minutes till it begins cooling. Earlier than taking it off, gently rub your pores and skin with it to make your beard hair rise up.
If you happen to’re pressed for time, you can too take a scorching bathe. The steam from the water can have the identical impact as a scorching towel, with out the additional step.
Put together Your Pores and skin
After warming up your face, now it’s time to prep it for shaving. Earlier than making use of anything:
- Use an exfoliating cream to take away any impurities out of your pores and skin
- Apply it in small circles after which rinse with heat water to maintain your pores open; utilizing chilly water will shut your pores and hinder your shave
- Apply pre-shave oil to lubricate your hair and improve the straight razor glide throughout the shave
As soon as that’s carried out, subsequent is making a lather along with your favourite shaving cream. Place an honest quantity within the bowl with some water and blend till it has your most well-liked consistency. Then utilizing your brush, apply the cream to your pores and skin utilizing small round motions. It helps elevate your hairs, making them simpler to shave.
You will have seen folks use their fingers to use shaving cream. However this isn’t the very best methodology as a result of your fingers carry micro organism, and so they gained’t make it simpler for the straight razor to do its job.
Shaving Time
As soon as your beard resembles that of Santa Claus, it’s time to begin shaving. For the barber-like expertise, a straight razor will get the job carried out. However if you happen to don’t suppose you’ve gotten the steadiest hand, you can too use a security razor. Whatever the razor you select, shaving is all about angles—the higher the angle, the better it’s to get a great shave.
It’s greatest to carry the razor at a 30-degree angle to keep away from chopping your self. Upon getting the right angle, slowly work the blade by way of the cream and pull your pores and skin along with your offhand. It will increase pores and skin rigidity so you may get a detailed shave. It could assist if you happen to shaved with the grain and used quick strokes to restrict the looks of razor bumps and pores and skin irritation.
Time to Clear
Now that you just’ve completed shaving and have the baby-smooth feeling, your face will want some reduction. It’s greatest to make use of a chilly compress or a splash of chilly water to shut your pores and forestall additional irritation.
Then you’ll be able to apply some aftershave to assist your pores and skin really feel contemporary. Be certain to take action all through the week to maintain irritation at bay.
Get the Excellent Barbershop Shave With These Ideas
Who mentioned you want a barbershop to get the right shave? Whereas it’s a fantastic choice, chances are you’ll not have the time to attend an appointment. As an alternative, escape your straight razor and observe our suggestions above to provide your self the very best shave potential with out having to spend a dime.
