If you're looking for a smoother, more economical, and eco-friendly shave experience, then a safety razor might be just what you need. They are an excellent alternative to disposable razors, but using one does require a bit of practice and technique. In this beginner's guide, we'll take you through everything you need to know about using a safety razor.
Choosing a Safety Razor
When choosing a safety razor, there are a few things to consider. The weight, material, and efficiency or aggressiveness are the top considerations. The aggressiveness of the razor head can impact how comfortable a shave is. The efficiency will define how close of a shave you get. It's essential to find the right balance of efficiency and comfort for your skin. At Carbon Shaving Co. we offer 4 different base plate options to help you find that perfect shave. Our base plates are not aggressive but attempt to find the perfect balance based on your shave preferences. If you are a beginner we recommend the -/Mild or the + base plate.
Choosing the Right Razor Blade
Before you start using a safety razor, it's important to choose the right razor blade. Different razor blades have different sharpness levels, and finding the one that works best for you is essential. You can purchase razor blades at your local drugstore or online. Some popular brands include Feather, Astra, Kai, and Derby. I talk in more detail about blade choice for the Carbon Cx razors here.
Pre-shave Oil
Pre-shave oil is an essential part of the beginners guide to a shaving routine, especially for those with sensitive skin. The oil helps to moisturize the skin and soften the hairs, making it easier to shave. Apply the oil to your face before lathering up with shaving soap. An almond size amount of hair conditioner works fine prior to applying shaving soap as a pre-shave oil.
Shaving Soap
If all you have is your canned shaving cream it will work(with pre-shave oil) but it won’t be optimal, these soaps tend to dry your skin out but some folks love the convenience. Choosing the right shaving soap is essential to getting the best shave possible with your safety razor. A good shaving soap can help lubricate your skin, protect it from irritation, and help your razor glide smoothly across your face. With so many different types of shaving soap available, it can be challenging to know where to start. In this beginner's guide, we'll take you through everything you need to know about choosing the right shaving soap for your safety razor.
Shaving Soap Ingredients:
The ingredients in shaving soap can make a big difference in how it performs. Look for shaving soaps that contain natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or glycerin. These ingredients can help moisturize and soothe your skin, making it easier to shave.
Shaving Soap Lather:
A good shaving soap should produce a rich, creamy lather that can help lubricate your skin and protect it from irritation. Look for shaving soap or shaving cream that are easy to lather and produce a thick, cushiony foam. You can whip up a lather on your face or you can use a shaving bowl.
Shaving Soap Scent:
Shaving soaps come in various scents, from traditional barbershop scents to more modern and unique fragrances. Choose a scent that appeals to you, but be mindful that some scents may be more irritating to sensitive skin.
Shaving Soap Brands:
Some brands are known for producing high-quality shaving soaps that perform well with safety razors. Look for well-established brands with a good reputation in the shaving community, like Barrister and Mann, Proraso, or Taylor of Old Bond Street are a good start. A lot of artisan soap makers are online and also produce great products with matching aftershaves.
Shaving Soap Price:
Shaving soaps can vary in price, from budget-friendly options to more expensive custom artisan brands. While price isn't always an indicator of quality, it's essential to find a shaving soap that fits within your budget and provides good value for your money.
Choosing the right shaving soap for your safety razor is essential to achieving a smooth, comfortable shave. Look for shaving soaps with natural ingredients, a good lather, a scent you enjoy, and a reputable brand. By experimenting with different shaving soaps, you can find the one that works best for your skin and shaving needs. Soap samples are often available, ask for them!
Shaving Brush
A shaving brush is an essential tool for creating a lather with quality shaving soaps or shaving creams. It also helps to lift hairs off the skin, making it easier to shave. When choosing a shaving brush, look for one made from high-quality materials like badger hair, which is known for its softness and ability to retain water. Synthetic brushes are a better option and offer just as soft of a shave but without killing the poor badgers! Technology has come a long way with synthetic fibers and our now thought to be comparable to some badger brushes. Our shaving knots are hand tied in Germany using synthetic fibers. I talk more here about shaving brushes.
Safety Razor Shaving Techniques
When using a safety razor, the key is to use a light touch and let the weight of the razor do the work. For Carbon Shaving razors holding the razor handle at a 45-degree angle to your skin, this will keep the razor blade at an optimal 27-30 degrees on your skin, then move it in short, smooth strokes, going with the grain of your hair. A well designed razor will intuitively be optimized at a 45 degree handle angle, however some razors work better at a 60 or 30 degree handle angle. Rinse the razor often to prevent clogging and irritation. In your first few shaves you will miss some hair, learn from this. Learn from this, you will need to refine your shaving stroke in these troubled areas. You might need to shave in a different direction compared to the way you used to shave with plastic cartridges. I talk in more depth about shaving techniques in this blog here.
Avoiding Irritation
Shaving with a safety razor correctly will have less irritation compared to a plastic disposable razor and can give you a smoother, closer shave, but it can also cause irritation if you're not careful. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize shaving irritation with a safety razor.
Use a Sharp Blade:
One of the most important things you can do to minimize shaving irritation is to use a sharp blade. A dull blade can tug at your hair and cause irritation, so make sure to change your blade regularly. Some blades will also cause irritation, the Feather blade with its sharpness is notorious for post-shave irritation. Remember this is a key advantage to using a safety razor, the blades are super inexpensive. You will usually get 3-4 good shaves from a decent blade(same is true with a plastic cartridge razor).
Use a Pre-Shave Oil:
Applying a pre-shave oil before you start shaving can help lubricate your skin and make it easier for the razor to glide over your skin. It can also help reduce irritation and redness. A hair conditioner also works well as a pre-shave oil as mentioned above.
Use a Good Shaving Soap:
A high-quality shaving soap can help protect your skin from irritation by providing a good lather and lubrication. Look for a shaving soap that contains natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or glycerin, which can help moisturize and soothe your skin. The canned shaving cream will work but it has a tendency to dry your skin.
Use a Shaving Brush:
Using a shaving brush can help exfoliate your skin and lift your hair, making it easier for the razor to cut the hair cleanly. It can also help distribute the shaving soap evenly and create a good lather. You can create a lather on your face with shaving cream, lather in the shaving soap bowl or have a dedicated lather bowl for whipping up shaving soap into a thick rich lather, either way works.
Use Proper Technique:
Avoid shaving your skin with multiple strokes with out soap, you are better off doing 2-3 passes and re-applying soap in between each pass. Avoid going against the grain on your first pass. Using proper technique when shaving with a safety razor can help minimize irritation. As mentioned make sure to use short, light strokes and avoid applying too much pressure. Shave with the grain of your hair to avoid tugging and irritation.
Rinse and Moisturize:
After shaving, rinse your face with cold water to help close your pores and reduce irritation. Apply a moisturizer or aftershave balm to help soothe your skin and prevent irritation. This is a good test to see how well you shaved, if you feel a sting you need to re-evaluate what you do in that area.
In conclusion, using a Stainless Steel safety razor can provide a smoother, better, more economical, eco-friendly shave experience. Choosing the right razor blade, pre-shave oil, shaving soap, shaving brush, and safety razor can make all the difference. By following the techniques and tips outlined in this guide, you can avoid irritation and achieve a smooth, close shave. I write in more detail about shaving with sensitive skin here. Shaving with a safety razor was done for 100 years before the invention of plastic disposable razors...you will pick it up after a few shaves! It really is a journey...enjoy it!
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