Are you Shaving Wrong? 6-Step Guide to Shaving with Safety Razors

Grooming yourself with a safety razor can be challenging, and if you are getting yourself cut, you’re most likely shaving the wrong way.

It may look simple and easy, but in reality, shaving with a safety razor has a whole lot of intricacies that are easy to overlook. As opposed to the run-of-the-mill multi-blade disposable razor, working with safety razors is much more of an art form that calls for adequate preparation.

If you’re tired of putting yourself at risk of looking like you got mauled by a panther and simply desire the best finish every time you need to shave, here’s a six-step guide on shaving safely with a safety razor—smooth and accident-free, guaranteed:

Step #1: Prepare your skin

We can’t emphasise this enough: not preparing your skin before shaving with a safety razor is a recipe for disaster.

Prepare your skin by washing it thoroughly with a cleanser, exfoliating it, and applying shaving cream. If you’re pressed for time, however, then you can streamline the process by doing the prep process after taking a nice hot shower so that all you’ll need to do is apply shaving cream.

Step #2: Swap out your old blade for a fresh one

It goes without saying that a fresh blade always makes for a fresh shave—especially in the case of using safety razors. Sure, it might seem scary at first to stare right into the shiny and sharp edge of a fresh blade, but you’re more likely to cut yourself up with a dull one.

Step #3: Let the razor blade do the work when you shave

One of the biggest problems that most men have when working with a safety razor is that they press hard the same way they would with a disposable razor. Unless you’re keen on looking like an extra for a slasher flick, we recommend that you let the blade do the work. Don’t push the blade into your skin and opt for a gentle touch that lets your blade do most of the work of shaving instead.

Step #4: Exercise patience and use short strokes

Another crucial mistake that most people make when they work with safety razors is that they start from one end and work all the way to the other with one long stroke. Doing so almost always results in nicks and a half-baked shave. To ensure that you’re getting every spot on your face evenly, move with short strokes by depending on the flick of your wrist for coverage instead of moving the safety razor with your whole arm.

Step #5: Start shaving along the grain, then re-lather and go against the grain on the same spot

Notice which direction your beard hair grows, then follow this two-part sequence when shaving with a safety razor:

1. Start off by shaving along the grain on the first short pass
2. Once you’ve covered all the desired areas on your face by shaving along the grain, re-lather your mug and shave in the opposite direction for a smooth second pass

Step #6: Rinse and treat with aftershave balm

Once you’ve achieved the desired finish after your first and second passes, the final step is to rinse your face with cold water to close your pores and prevent other debris from getting stuck in them to avoid ingrown hairs. Afterwards, pat your face dry with a soft towel and apply a serving of aftershave balm to keep the finish nice and smooth. If you don’t have an aftershave balm yet, check out Cut Throat Club and order one ASAP.

Final words

As the wise say: “The only time shaving with a safety razor can be difficult is if you’re simply unaware of the intricacies of the craft or are just plain ignorant about the process.” By closely following this six-step guide, you’ll be able to shave safely and smoothly with the help of a safety razor in no time—avoiding any risk of cutting or nicking yourself!

If you’re looking for a safety razor, get in touch with us today! We’re happy to help.