Using a safety razor does not differ much from using a traditional multi-blade razor. However, it is essential to know and master the shaving ritual that corresponds to the use of this type of razor, so that it is as effective and comfortable as possible.
A PRIVILEGED MOMENT FOR MAN
PREPARING FOR A TRADITIONAL SHAVE
The safety razor has a clean blade adapted to your skin and hair type for a clean cut of hair, without snagging or irritation.
The cotton shaving towel to help you prepare your skin before shaving. This towel will also clean your face and tighten skin pores after shaving.
The shaving brush which will allow you to create a beautiful protective foam in a shaving bowl using a shaving soap. You can also use our beard oil which will allow it to glide more easily on your skin.
The ideal face & beard gel-cream to calm razor burn, treat any micro-cuts and moisturize the skin.
The implantation of your beard must be known to you. Take the time to study the direction of your beard before using your razor. Not all of your facial hair grows in the same direction, and that matters.
Preparing the skin considerably avoids the risk of irritation and cuts linked to the passage of the blade. An exfoliation allows you to eliminate dead cells by rubbing and thus obtain clearer, softer skin with a regular texture. This gesture helps stimulate cell regeneration and slow down skin aging. The pores of the skin are unclogged, which promotes the evacuation of sebum and reduces the appearance of blackheads, pimples and ingrown hairs which are obstacles to shaving. Our mineralizing exfoliating mask , composed of white clay and volcanic sand, allows you to gently perform this exfoliation once or twice a week, depending on your skin type . We recommend exfoliating the day before shaving to give the skin time to rest.
A damp hair, ideally after a hot shower (which allows the pores to open and the hair to soften), makes trimming the beard easier. Proper soaping using our foam cleanser (normal mixer skin with an oily tendency) or our cream cleanser (skin with a tendency to dry skin) will allow you, thanks to their richness in natural glycerin, to preserve the hydrolipidic film and therefore not dry out the skin. . A shaving towel, soaked in hot water and applied for a few minutes to the areas to be shaved, is an alternative if you don't have time for a shower.
Finally, using a shaving brush allows you to obtain a firm and creamy foam which will improve the glide of the blade on the skin. Its use will also provide a delicate massage of the skin which will help the hairs to stand up. After soaking your shaving brush in hot water to fill it with water, drain the excess water and load the shaving brush with soap. With skill and a good dosage of water, proceed to assemble it in a shaving bowl to obtain a creamy and protective foam. Be careful, it is not the thickness of the foam that gives a better shave, but rather its quality. It should look like whipped cream: no bubbles, and it fits in your hand when you turn it over. Then apply the mousse to your face, spreading it generously. Start by making circular movements, taking care not to crush the tuft, and finish with horizontal and vertical movements (brush strokes) in order to flatten the foam on the surface to be shaved. Passing in the direction of the hair and against the grain will allow the badger to deposit foam on and between each hair.
If you prefer shaving oil , take two or three drops using the glass pipette, spread and massage over the entire beard to soften the hair and allow a cleaner, risk-free cut.
THE SHAVING RITUAL
A perfect shave is usually done in several passes . The first step is to shave in the direction of the hair. Hair growth is different in every man. Be sure to respect the 30° angle and make small movements without pressing to allow your razor to glide efficiently. The weight of your razor should do most of the work and if you feel like you always have to push down to get a good shave, check to see if the blade is dull or opt for a heavier razor. Avoid repeated passes over a small area as the skin may quickly no longer be protected by the foam and will begin to heat up, causing redness and irritation.
Certain parts of the face have folds and wrinkles. Be sure to stretch your skin to provide a smooth surface for the blade to pass through. Particular attention must be paid to the neck because the hair in this area does not generally all grow in the same direction and because there are many folds. The neck and certain parts of the face such as the underside of the lips or the jaw line are considered problem areas where cuts, irritations and where hair tends to become ingrown frequently occur. Take the time to shave these parts and don't hesitate to add foam if you need to make several passes. Remember to regularly soak the razor head in hot water to remove excess foam and dislodge hairs and other dirt stuck in it . This ensures that the head is not obstructed and that the blade cuts the hair properly. Be careful not to tap the razor against the edge of the sink! A bad habit to avoid which risks rendering your razor unusable and damaging your sink.
Once the first pass has been completed, it is time to tackle the second pass which will allow the hair to be refined before the grand finale. Although this step is optional, it is still recommended if you have a rough beard. Moisten your face with warm water and apply a new layer of foam. Proceed as for the first step but instead of shaving in the direction of the hair , present the blade so that it is placed perpendicular to the direction in which your beard hair is growing.
The last pass is always the riskiest because the blade attacks the hair head-on. Before applying a new layer of foam, do not hesitate to give your face a final splash of hot water. After applying the layer of foam, shave against the direction of the hair growth, being very careful. Pull your skin tightly so that the surface is as smooth as possible. Pulling the skin will also help straighten the hair in order to shave it as close as possible to the skin. Remember that each pass of the blade increases your chances of cutting yourself and irritating your skin . If you notice when passing the blade that the hair is pulled out and not shaved, we recommend that you do not force it. An imperfect shave is sometimes preferable to damaged skin! And don't worry, the gesture and comfort will come quickly with experience.
After three passes, there may still be a few small tufts of hair that have courageously resisted the passage of the blade. Splash a final splash of hot water on your face and study the terrain carefully in search of the last pockets of resistance. Avoid areas heated by shaving and shave off the last tufts by making very small touch-ups. Go gently and preferably add a little foam to properly lubricate the area to be shaved.
AFTER SHAVING
After shaving, applying the moisturizing face & beard gel-cream helps soothe the skin and reduce irritation while hydrating the skin and preventing dehydration. Rinsing your face with cold water or using a soaked towel will help get rid of foam and hair residue, but will also tighten the pores of the skin and calm razor burn. If you notice small spots of blood or microcuts, passing a moistened alum stone is very effective in stopping small bleeding and avoiding infections thanks to its astringent, bactericidal and hemostatic properties. Be careful, the tingling sensation can be quite strong and sensitive skin can do with rinsing with cold water. We also recommend that you only use 100% natural alum which you will find under the name Potassium Alum. Choosing such a stone guarantees you optimal quality of care. For some, alcohol solutions cause redness and dry skin. It is therefore preferable to do without it. So place a warm towel on your face for a few seconds before applying a small amount of balm or cream to the most sensitive areas.
As you can notice, the after-shave ceremony is very personal and each person will follow their own ritual based on their experience or the advice of a professional.
The final step in shaving is to thoroughly clean your razor and shaving brush and ensure that all accessories are properly stored until the next shave. Cleaning the safety razor, the blade and the shaving brush after each use will not only optimize their lifespan but also prevent the accumulation of dirt and bacteria for a hygienic shave.
You now know the secrets of the centuries-old art of old-fashioned shaving. All that remains is to grab your safety razor and follow our advice to get a close shave that will give you great satisfaction.