You could be new to shaving or may have already tried your hand on it a couple of times, but kudos to the spirit of upgrading yourself that has brought you here. So, we’ll try to make this as helpful as possible, right from the prep even before opening your Shaving Kit, to what all you’d require to make the experience smooth, and finally how you can spend the rest of your day feeling fresh.

Here’s a checklist for all the early shavers like you.

Check Your Hair Growth Pattern

The early beard is somewhat uneven and patchy. It may not be ‘well-connected’ from one side to the other like a smooth expressway. But hey, this gets better eventually, as you grow more hair with age. To get the correct idea of the direction of your hair growth you need to touch, feel and observe how your hair flows from different sections of your face. Once you have an idea about your hair direction pattern, make sure you always glide your razor in the direction of your hair growth.

Skin Sensitivity

The way your skin reacts to different products changes over time, so this step helps you choose the most suitable products for you as an early shaver. Since you’re just starting to grow your beard, you may see your skin getting a little more sensitive than it used to be. In this case, you should add skin-friendly pre-shaving products that are gentle on your skin and as they reduce the chances of your skin getting burned or red after shaving.

Choose your Razor

Cartridge Razors

A type of razor where the head of the handle can be detached from the handle so it can be replaced with new blades when it gets dull.

Pros

• Easy to use

• Suitable for early shavers

• Gives a decently clean shave

Cons

• Take more effort than other options

• Increased chances of friction

• It needs more cleaning after every stroke

• Cartridges are expensive

Safety Razors

A safety razor is a shaving tool designed for a safer and closer shave while minimising the risk of nicks and cuts. It is designed in a way to give a more controlled and comfortable shaving experience.

Pros

• Fewer strokes

• Gives closer shaves

• Suitable for sensitive skin

• Needs less cleaning of blades during shave

• The blades are not expensive to replace

Cons

• It requires some practise to get a hang of it

• You need to experiment before you find the blade that suits you

Straight Razors

Used by professionals, a straight razor folds back into its handle for easy blade replacement. The blade of a straight razor is made of stainless steel which is incredibly sharp and demands a lot of attention as you shave.

Pros

• Smoother and closer shave

• Gentle on sensitive skin

• Reduced chances of ingrown hair

• Less cost

Cons

• Not suitable for early shavers

• You'll need some time to get a hang of it

Once you have gathered all the tools you need for shaving, the next up is to learn the shaving process from start to finish.

Checklist Before Shaving

Activate the pores

Wash your face with lukewarm to activate your pores before shaving as it softens your hair follicles which makes it easy to get a closer shave without the chances of tugging and pulling your facial hair. Doing this as routine makes shaving easier and more effective.

Tip: Take a shower before shaving, it's equally effective and helps you shave time.

Lather up!!

This is the first line of defence against the nicks and cuts. It adds a layer of protection between your skin and the blade. Lather up in a circular motion with a Shaving Foam of your choice before starting to shave. If you’re a true shaving romantic and prefer to use a shaving cream, use a shaving brush to lather better.

Checklist During Shave

Short Strokes - Slow Glides

As an early shaver you may be tempted to go for faster strokes and get done with shaving quickly. But, avoid that, be patient. Go for short and gentle strokes. The short strokes reduce the chances of cuts, ensuring a smoother and precise shave. Correct methods with an ergonomically designed razor help you achieve that. 

Direction of Shaving

Shaving in the direction of your grain protects your skin from getting burns and ingrown hair. Consider this a thumb rule, if you’re new to shaving you should never shave against the grain. Shaving with grain is more practical and pain-free when compared to shaving against the grain.

The Pressure

Pressing too hard causes razor bumps, and too much pressure increases friction against the hair follicles. Always go with light strokes for a smooth and enjoyable cuts-free shaving experience.

After Shave

Cold Water Face Wash

Now that your razor's job is done, it's time to cool down your skin. Use cold water to wash your face as this helps contracting your pores, minimising the risk of infections and inflammation.  

Post Shave Balm

Post-shave balm helps restore your skin’s moisture and give your skin a refreshing feeling which can occur as a result of the shaving process. Use after every time you shave to keep your skin hydrated.

Extend Your Razor’s Life

Dull blades not only result in an uneven shave, but they are not good for your skin. Ideally, you should replace your razor blades/cartridges after a few uses, and if not that, the other way is to get a Razor Sharpener that increases the life of your blades by up to 30%. First, you save the cartridge money, and second, this is an environmentally conscious choice. 

THAT’S A WRAP

To wrap it up, a shaving checklist works as a way to ensure your grooming experience is easy, comfortable, and painless. A checklist like this works as a guide especially useful if you're new to shaving. Follow the steps, practise along, and eventually you'll get the hang of it. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. If I get nicks and cuts accidentally, how should I treat them?

A. As an early shaver there is a chance you might miss or slip for a few seconds, and that’s when you’ll get those irritating nicks and cuts. A styptic pencil and an alum block can be helpful as an aftershave. 

Q. Are nicks and cuts caused by shaving permanent?

A. The nicks and cuts from shaving are not very prominent. Their appearance will fade after some time. Eventually, they will shrink in size and become barely noticeable.