So many years have passed, but we Pakistani men are oblivious of how to
shave well. Shaving here is a rough regimen which whether done
ourselves or by some professional help, is carried out in a cursory
fashion. Whenever we are shaving, we are generally in hurry.
We would rather not spend our time pampering our skin during the
shaving process, but rather become its enemy and in the process end up
with bloody cuts and nicks. What we are not cognizant of is that
shaving is a major face and skin pampering process that helps you look
and feel better and confident. But I guess we are not taught to pamper
ourselves. We would rather worry about reaching the office on time
rather than looking after our skin.
What you use to shave with isn’t as important as
where you shave. The only reason you use shaving cream is to keep your
stubble wet and soft so that the blade can cut it easier, that’s all.
The sooner you can shave after your shower, when your skin and chin are
already soaking with water, the closer your shave will be and the less
likely you’ll cut yourself, as your skin starts to dry out and firm up.
That said, the best place to shave is in the
shower. Invest in one of those shower mirrors (easily available in
various toilet-ware shops), keep your razor next to your shampoo and
after you cleanse and scrub, shave your face when it’s at its wettest.
Yes, you should still use a lather or lotion or they even have shaving
oils now, but the essential lesson here is, the wetter the better.
I don’t use shaving cream, I use shaving soap and
a brush. I like it better because honestly, I live the ceremony.
Wetting the beaver (so to speak) and twirling it in the shaving mug to
capture some lather and then working the brush over my face is fun!
Also, the brush can help work the lather a little better ( or so I tell
myself), and, well, aesthetically the shaving brush and mug looks kind
of cool. I mean what would you rather have, an ugly metal aerosol can
of four-smelling foam, or a manly, masculine, macho shaving mug and
real beaver brush. I’m betting the het’s our there would love to say,
“I shave with beaver:, at any rate.
And another thing, shave with grain of your skin.
Generally that means shave down your cheeks and shave up your neck.
Professional barbers who use sharp straightedge razors will shave
sometime across the neck to catch extra bits and if you are careful,
you can do that too. But do not shave down your neck. You’re almost
guaranteed to cut and nick and bleed.
