We’ve all been there: you pick up your razor for a quick morning freshen up, and end up with an uneven shave and unsightly nicks. It is – irritatingly – a rite of passage that every man goes through. Ted’s Master Barber has shared his top tips on where you might be going wrong when shaving at home, and how to avoid mistakes in future.
1. NOT SOFTENING YOUR FACIAL HAIR FIRST
“The most common mistake that men make when shaving: using their razor before the hair shaft is properly soft and relaxed. When the hairs are still stiff, the blade tugs at the follicles too aggressively from the root, which can cause uneven patches and the dreaded bleeding. This is because you’ve used cold water to prep, rather than hot, or not shaving while fresh out of the shower. At Ted’s Grooming Room, we always indulge our customers with our signature hot towel treatment so the hair is fully supple and a breeze to shave.”
2. USING THE WRONG TYPE OF RAZOR
“We know, razor blades are expensive. So we totally understand why you might pick the cheap ones from the supermarket, rather than investing in a quality shaver. But even though you might be saving the pennies, you’re putting your skin through hell, and will inevitably end up with a poor quality shave. We use a combination of two or three different blades at Ted’s Grooming Room for our Tommy’n’Turkish treatment, for a closer, sharper shave.”
3. RUSHING YOUR SHAVE
“In the age of rushed commutes and portable breakfasts, it’s only natural that your time in the mornings is at a premium. However, rushing your shave is a false economy: to avoid the most common shaving mistakes, just take a little time and a dash of TLC. We recommend you set aside at least six minutes for the perfect shave.
4. NEGLECTING YOUR POST-SHAVE ROUTINE
When shaving, you’re not only dragging a sharp blade across your hair, but your face too, and the stress this causes can result in redness and shaving rashes – particularly for guys that suffer from sensitive skin. In order to calm the irritation, repair your face and keep your skin healthy, we always apply a rich balm immediately after shaving to cool and moisturise. A beard oil is also worth investigating, as it both makes your hair appear more nourished, and tames it to perfection.