A vital part of any man’s grooming routine is shaving, but choosing whether to shave wet or dry can be difficult. Read on as I outline the pros and cons of each which should help you make up your mind.
Dry Shaving:
If you want a quick and effortless shave, dry shaving may be the right choice for you. Though it can be as simple as taking a razor to your stubble, I strongly advise against this. Shaving like this leaves your skin feeling raw and can cause unsightly red marks, it is also a lot easier to cut yourself using this method. The best way to dry shave is to use an electric shaver. Electric shavers take the mess out of shaving, saving you a lot of time in your daily routine.
When you first start to use an electric shaver it is likely your skin will become raw and red: Don’t worry. Your skin will take time to get used to this, so if you like this method stick with it, and don’t be tempted to switch techniques repeatedly. The major drawback of electric shavers is the initial price; good electric razors can cost up to £300 (usually from 100-400 US dollars) so it’s worth trying out a cheaper model before deciding on this method.
Wet Shaving:
The greatest advantage of wet shaving is comfort. Dry shaving can leave your skin tender, so if you have sensitive skin, you may want to try wet shaving. Any razor is fine for this, but I would recommend spending a little more to maximise comfort. Cheap razors tend to become blunt quickly, so it can actually save money to invest in a better quality razor to begin with.
English: Shaving cream prepared with a shaving brush. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The perfect shave has three basic components: a good razor, a good brush, and glycerin-based shaving cream or thermo –heating gel. But the biggest difference between wetshaving and the way most us shave today have used a shaving brush. A good badger-hair shaving brush is the most important component in getting the perfect shave. If you don’t want to change your shaving routine, then you should add a good shaving brush to the mix. Many of us have used our fingers to smear cheap shaving gel on our face before the shaving routine. Using a good shaving brush is also the best way to prepare your skin and whiskers for the most comfortable and closest shave.
If you want to keep it simple, just wet your face liberally and shave carefully with the razor; however there is a great range of products that will improve your shave. My routine includes: Thermo-heating gel, shaving cream and moisturiser. The thermo-heating gel is one of my favourite products and the perfect way to start my shave. As you rub it between your hands, it heats up. By applying it to your skin causes the hairs to raise, so they are easier to shave! A quick wash off followed by a liberal application of shaving cream leads to a quick, easy and comfortable shave. Finishing the routine with moisturiser leaves my skin feeling silky smooth and looking healthy.
My routine does take a while which some may see as a negative, but I enjoy taking my time. The whole process feels relaxing; my skin feels smooth and looks fantastic so the end result is well worth the extra effort. Tune in next time for my own wet shave instruction for achieving a perfect shave!
One of my excellent sources for razors, brushes, and high-end shaving cream is Jacks Male Grooming. Jacks Male Grooming provides a friendly service, expert advice, and unbeatable prices keep me coming back to order far more stuff than I’ll ever be able to use in one lifetime.
♔ SGLforMen ♔
