How To Shave Like a Pro, Men and Women

9 Steps to the Perfect Shave for Men and Women

Shaving is a pain. All the work followed by razor burn and irritated skin kinda makes a girl want go hippy and settle on a bearded man.... Thankfully it doesn't have to be this way! When you shave the right way with the right products you can get the right result!

Step 1-Wash

Men, you need to wash your face before you shave. It’s not a 2 for 1 deal. Women should start with a cody wash before shaving legs and underarms. Matter of fact, cleanse two times if you can! Why? This initial step prevents infection in case you nick yourself…not that you ever would;) The goal is to shave with open, clean pores. On shaving day, you may want to wash with a rough exfoliating face wash and use a luffa on your body. These better prepare your skin and beard for shaving because they slough off old skin cells that often clog and become infected.

Step 2- Soften the Hair

Ladies typically shave in the warmth of the shower but men need to create the same effect before shaving. Soak a washcloth in warm water and hold it on your face for 30 seconds. Why? The heat softens and loosens the hair so it doesn’t get irritated when you go to remove it.

Dermalogica Soothing Shave Cream

Step 3- Apply Shaving Cream

Use shaving cream! A good one! Spread the product in upward circular motions evenly covering the area you are shaving. Why? Shaving cream does three things for you: protects the skin, lifts the hair to get a closer shave, and extends the life of your razor by protecting the blade. Try Dermalogica Soothing Shave Cream. ($17). It works great and is fragrance free. Men love Bioelemnets Perfect Shave ($25.50) because it protects against nicks and razor burn on all beard types. I love Rhonda Allison's RAW Abyssine Shaving Gel ($22) because it is a glycerin-based gel rather than foam or soap, which can cause dryness.

Step 4- Don't Go Cheap on Your Razor

Check the blades! Don’t use an old, dull razor. Make sure the blades are new or in good condition. There are a zillion types of razors. Use the type and kind that works best for you. Why? Dull razors rip skin and cut hair unevenly. You end up with more irritation, razor burn, and usually have to shave the same area more than once.

Step 5- Go With the Grain

No matter which body part you are working on you always want to shave with the grain, not against. If it's your legs, start at the ankle and work your way up the leg in smooth, even strokes. Same goes for the armpits. When shaving a beard, start at the top of the growth line and work your way down to the jaw-line in even, long strokes. For under your chin and neck, start at the bottom and work your way up. If you have trouble smoothing your neck, pull the skin down with your opposite hand to make it tight. For your upper lip, stretch it over your front teeth to tighten the skin. Why? Shaving against the grain is the best way to give yourself ingrown hairs and inflamed, irritated skin.

Step 6- Rinse Your Razor

Rinse your razor after EVERY stroke. Yep, every stroke. Why? I know it’s annoying but if you don’t, you run the risk of having to shave the same areas twice because a dirty blade can’t reach the hair. Shaving over and over leads to irritation. ..so really, you are saving time in the long run.

Step 7- Touch- ups

Wash any excess shaving cream off with warm water and look for places you missed. Why? Because you probably missed some places...duh

Step 8-After Care

Women, always apply a good body lotion right after you finish showering while pores are open. I'm really into Epicuren After Bath Moisturizer French Lavender ($9.32)because it has a clean, calming scent and hydrates like no other! Men- You aren't finished yet big boy! After shaving, use a moisturizing toner with vitamins and aloe. No more pulling out grandpa’s alcohol based aftershave. Why? Alcohol dries your skin out and the goal is to moisturize. Try Dermalogica Post Shave Balm ($23). It has green tea, tomato, rosemary and sunscreen for extra protection! If you prefer a spray, GM Collin After Shave Cooling Mist ($32) is an awesome fast-acting, hydrating option.

Step 9- MOST IMPORTANT STEP

This step applies to the men- clean the freaking sink! Don’t leave your nasty hairs all over the counter, either. Kindly rinse and dry the area:) Why? You want to avoid harmful damages inflicted by the lady in your life. Plus, you have a higher chance of getting lucky later if you do this. Promise.

There you have it! If you follow this routine you can kiss bumps, red marks, and painful irritations goodbye. …But like anything else, you have to actually do it to get the results;) No lazy shavers!!

Hope this helps, click here to call or email me with questions!

From so many requests, I have developed a special page on my shopping cart site skincarebyalana.com with a special page set aside to help with shaving, click here to see it.