How to Get a Smooth Shave

Once upon a time, shaving was an art handed down from father to son. This was necessary, as the implements used to shave, the straight razor and later the safety razor, could injure a person fairly severely if they weren't used properly. With two innovations all that changed. Cartridge and disposable razors and canned shaving cream pretty much killed the necessity to teach anyone how to shave.

I am 40 years old, started shaving around 13 and thought I knew what I was doing until a couple of months ago. Not that I've ever been happy with the shave I've gotten, but I've learned to live with it. I didn't like shaving and just assumed with my beard I was doing the best I could. It really never occurred to me to look on the internet for help. Then I started shaving my head. I was irritating my scalp a little, so I went online to see if anyone had any advice, and BAM, I found a load of information, so of it contradicting other, but you should expect that when dealing with information on the internet.

Now everyone is different, everyone has different skin, different hair, different expectations for a shave. There are basically 2 methods of shaving, dry and wet.

Dry shaving generally involves using an electric razor. There are a few non-electric mechanical razors. There are also a few electric razors that can be used wet or dry. My experience with dry shaving is limited to a few electric razors that I have tried. I haven't had good luck with them, burning myself before getting a good shave, so I won't pretend any expertise. Maybe I just haven't found the right razor.

Wet shaving however, I have recently discovered a few things about. Wet shaving involves water, preferably lots of it. Now remember, everyone is different, so everyone needs to experiment to find what does and does not work for him or her. The following should be looked upon as tips or guidelines, not the end all of shaving.

Give yourself plenty of time. One of the reasons we get bad shaves is that we think of shaving as a necessary chore rather than a pleasant part of starting our day. A quick shave is a bad shave.