Five O'Clock

Let’s face it: Whether it’s nicks, cuts, ingrown hairs, or razor burn—most of us have experienced some not-so-fun effects from shaving. But don’t go blaming your razor just yet—usually these blunders happen from improper shaving technique. So, we’ve compiled a list of nine easy tips that’ll help you get a smooth shave every time.

Tip #1 – Exfoliate and cleanse before shaving.

Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. Doing this, along with cleansing your face, helps prevent your razor from getting clogged while shaving. You can use an exfoliating Face Wash to do both at once.

Tip #2 – Warm up your face.

Heat opens the pores on your skin, which allows your razor to glide more smoothly. That’s why it’s always best to shave warm skin. To warm up your face, you can either take a hot shower before shaving, or pat your face with a hot, damp towel. That’s all it takes.

Tip #3 – Lather up.

Use a quality Shave Gel or Cream to lather up. This provides two things you need for a smooth shave: hydration and protection. Hydration locks in moisture, making your beard hairs softer and easier to cut through. And the lather forms a thin, cushiony layer of protection between the blades and your skin.

Tip #4 – Use sharp blades.

Butter knives are great for butter. For vegetables? Not so effective. Razor blades work the same way: The sharper your blades, the smoother your shave. That’s why it’s important to swap your blades on a regular basis.

It could be time for a new blade cartridge after as little as three shaves, but the frequency varies between shavers. If you follow every tip on this list, but still get nicks and cuts (or worse: razor burn), then your blades likely aren’t sharp enough. In which case, you should consider a more frequent swap.

Tip #5 – Shave with the grain.

Shaving against the grain will technically give you a closer shave, but it ultimately invites ingrown hairs and razor burn. That’s why we recommend shaving with the grain (the direction of growth), at least on the first pass.

Not sure which way your beard hairs grow? No problem. Wait a couple days after shaving, then run your hand along your face to figure out which way your hair is moving.

Tip #6 – Easy does it.

Pressing down with excess force won’t give you a closer shave—it’ll just create irritation. Remember: We’re shaving with sharp blades—so relax, lighten up, and let your razor do the work.

Tip #7 – Rinse your razor.

It’s good to rinse your razor between each stroke. Not doing so makes it difficult for your razor to cut as more hairs get clogged in the blades with each pass.

Tip #8 – Missed a spot? Lather again.

If you spot an area that needs another pass, don’t dive back in immediately. Dry shaving can lead to nicks and cuts. We don’t want that. To avoid this, simply lather again with Shave Gel or Cream. This will properly prepare your face for a smooth, comfortable stroke.

Tip #9 – Cool and hydrate.

It’s good to close your pores with a splash of cold water after shaving. You’ll also want to apply an alcohol-free aftershave formula. Emphasis on “alcohol-free” (alcohol dries your skin). The objective here is to restore your skin’s moisture, so it’s good to use a hydrating Post-Shave Balm or another type of quality moisturizer.

Follow these tips, and it’s nothing but smooth shaving from here forward.

From experience, we know that how you shave is just as important as what you shave with. If you follow these pointers, we’re confident that you’ll get a close, comfortable shave every time.