Use the tips below to ensure a smooth satisfying shave
Pre-shave
Give yourself at least ten minutes before shaving, once you get out of bed in the morning
Wash your face, or cleanse using an exfoliant to remove any dead skin and ensure that you have dampened your face with warm water, before starting to shave. A hot face cloth is ideal for this. Dampening the face has the effect of swelling the shafts of your facial hair, making it easier for the razor to give you a close shave
Always use a shaving brush, soaked in hot water for about 10 seconds, and either place a small touch of shaving cream to centre of the saving brush, or work the brush into your shaving soap. Work up a thick lather in a shaving bowl or mug - this should take about 15 seconds
Using your shaving brush, lather the face in a circular motion. This ensures that you lubricate the skin and get under the beard stubble. To ensure sufficient lather, wet the brush head with more hot water, which when re-applied to the face, will create more lather
The Shave.
Ensure that you use a sharp blade. We recommend Mach 3 blades, both for safety and to ensure a close shave
Do not use the blade for more than 7-8 days
Shave with the grain of the hair on your face. Shaving your beard stubble against the grain can cause redness, razor burn and rashes
Do not pull the skin too tight if you do shave against the grain
Rinse the head of your razor in warm water after every stroke. All razor strokes should be slow and deliberate
After Shave Treatment
After you have finished your shave, rinse your face in cold water and apply an after shave balm or moisturiser, to sooth and protect the face.
Rinse your shaving brush thoroughly in warm water, squeeze the head of the brush gently and then flick it a few times to get rid of excess water. Place your shaving brush on a brush stand, so the water can drip away from the base of the brush hair.
Never - I repeat - never stand your brush on its end, or keep it inside a cupboard or a bag, as the hair on the brush will smell, create mildew and rot.
Kevin Nicholls founder of The Executive Shaving Company provides extensive and essential 'How to Use' guides and information pages allowing you to perfect the ultimate shaving experience. http://www.executive-shaving.co.uk/ gives lots of useful information about the art of traditional shaving.
