Most of us probably do not have time for this most of the time; we shave and would rather be done with it so we can do something else. This is mainly what electric and multi-blade planers are for.
You can simply work faster and without much finesse and get the shave done pretty quickly. If you are used to safety planes, they also go very fast, but they require more concentration than the others.
The shave is not always in the planer but in the whole experience from preparation to completion. If you want, you can shave completely dry and with a mora knife, even if this is not something we recommend.
Below is a guide on how to make your shave a ritual or experience and not just a must, and it will mainly concern safety razors, although it is just as well to use a multi-razor or razor.
Washing
First and importantly, you should cleanse or at least moisten your face. Do not use soap that can dry out; only lukewarm water is enough. Do not use too hot water; hot water damages the skin and removes the natural oils found on the face, which makes shaving more uncomfortable.
Shaving Brush
If you have a shaving brush, which we recommend, heat it in water that is not too hot, just above lukewarm. This is so that it can be heated and absorb some water. If you use too hot water, there is a risk that the glue to the brush will come loose.
Rakolja
Use a shaving oil; this is not a must; as I said, you can shave with a mora knife if you want, but shaving oil gives you a softer and more comfortable shave.
Work the oil into the entire area to be shaved, it gives the razor better glide, but if you have a multi-blade razor, you should use a thin oil so that it does not get stuck between the blades, but it is a bit of a petite because multi-blade razors often have to be cleaned often—stump length. Shaving oil is especially good if, for example, you have run out of new leaves and what you use has some shaving behind it.
Leaf Replacement
This leads us to the next point: to change blades if it feels like it is resisting or getting stuck. When it comes to safety razors, you have around 4-6 shaves before you should change, multi-blade razors usually handle significantly more, but preferably you should always have a sharp razor blade if you want to avoid irritation and ingrown hairs.
Shaving Foam
Now it’s time for shaving foam! Line foam moisturizes, softens, and sets the beard hair up before shaving and is definitely something you should use. You may either apply it straight to your face or lather it up in a cup with your shaving brush.
A shaving brush is not a must, but it makes the distribution and application better; plus, it feels good on the skin and ensures that the lather is applied better in the hair roots.
Take the brush and lather up the lather, then brush it out in circles or strokes over the face. You want an even and thin layer so that it is not in the way of the planer but helps it. This is a major problem with multi-blade razors, but you really do not need much shaving foam to cover your face.
Shave
Time to shave. Multi-blade planers are almost always pivotable in the head, and then you do not have to think so much about the angle, but it is a little more important when it comes to safety planers.
Approximately a 30-degree angle is what applies, and you have to adjust this yourself, but it is intuitive, and often the comb/plate will give you a good indication of how you can hold the planer.
That said, however, just for ease, do not make pulls longer than 5cm; instead, make extremely little pulls for optimal results, swap sides frequently, and clean after both sides have been utilized.
With a multi-blade planer, you should also make small strokes and often wash to avoid hair getting stuck and the shaving becoming stained and having to be repeated.
Stretch the Skin
It is good to stretch the skin slightly with your hand that does not hold the planer for a smoother surface under, for example, the chin, but try not to stretch too much.
If you stretch hard, which you like, then the risk is greater than exposing parts of the beard hair that are otherwise covered by skin, and you can then get ingrown hairs.
In most places on the faces, not even pressure needs to be applied, and with just a little stretch, the razor will easily be pulled over the skin and cut the hair.
Repeat
Depending on how much effort and resources you have, you can shave multiple times to attain an ideal outcome and the true clean-shaven sensation.
Once is enough if you have done everything properly, but two or even three times gives a better and more lasting result. Shave with the hair first for the first time and then shave against the hair. Be sure to lather your face in between each time.
Finish Words
When you feel clear, you can, with lukewarm water, wash your face and take one last splash of cold water to close the pores on your face. When you feel tired, “pat” / wade dry and do not dry yourself normally (i.e., pull the towel over the skin).
Then apply an essential oil, emollient lotion, or balm to replenish the skin oils that you have shaved off along with your hair. Do not use alcohol-based aftershave or the like; this will cause the skin to shrink and dry out.
If you still want to use perfume or aftershave with fragrance, use it where you have not shaved, for example, closer to the collarbones or neck.
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