Truth be told, I've never really thought much about the act of shaving. To me it's simply another chore added to one's already busy and chaotic day. To further segregate myself from the "Real” men, I've been using electric shavers for as long as I can remember… Not just any electric shavers, it's the same shaver I had when I first hit puberty.
It took some nagging from the girlfriend, some “googling” and a couple of youtube videos for me to take a fresh new look on the act of shaving. It’s time I join the Alpha team. For those who are jumping to conclusions about my article, let me reassure you that this is not a piece about how a man changed his life for the better with a razor and his trusty shaving kit. I’d be the last person to write something like that. To be blatantly honest, I still haven’t picked out my very first non-battery operated weapon of choice. I, the voice of the average man, am here to give an account of my new found interest in the craft of shaving.
A proper shave, as I’ve learned, is more so a loyal treatment rather than a daily necessity. It soothes the heart, calms the mind and cleanses the soul. To start, one simply cleans his face of any dirt, sweat and residue by applying soap or any name brand face wash. Once the face is scrubbed and rinsed, gently press a hot semi-moist towel around the facial hair or the entire face for 1-2 minute or until the towel cools down. This procedure will soften the facial hairs and allow the pores on the face to open up and take in fresh oxygen. Once the massage ritual is finished, we move on to the lathering agent. The lathering or lubricating agent (e.g. soap, cream, gel, oil, and fat) acts as a medium between one’s hair and the razor blade; this will help for a smoother and less razor burn shave. Now, it’s worth pointing out that many commercial razor cartridges include a lubricating strip, thus making it convenient for the everyday consumer. With our target area identified and treated with the appropriate lubricant, we now move in for the shave. The act of a proper shave utilizes a single straight edge razor blade rather than today’s multi-blade safety razors sold at your local retail stores (We will explore the world of razor blades in our upcoming articles). Newbies beware; regardless of the razor you are using there is always a chance of getting cut. The best way to prevent such mishaps is to deploy a strategy of “Divide and Conquer”. Start with the outer area of the face and work your way in and note to never apply too much pressure to the blade but rather go with the motion and let gravity do the work. For a cleaner shave, stretch your skin to tighten and maximize surface area. Remember to revisit areas that you might have missed. Remember young grasshopper, one man, one blade, and one stroke at a time. Once the shaving ritual is done, rinse your face with cool water to give it that sense of refreshment. Last, apply aftershave to smooth the area and prevent skin irritation. You are done! Look into the mirror, give yourself a big confident smile - the world awaits!
The next time your wife, girlfriend, or grandma talks about how great of an experience they had at the spa, go ahead, grab your “Men Tool” and go on a pampering experience of your own. A proper shave is just as important as protecting the peace of the universe. Let’s be honest, us men deserve to have a great shave!
by ManPossible
It took some nagging from the girlfriend, some “googling” and a couple of youtube videos for me to take a fresh new look on the act of shaving. It’s time I join the Alpha team. For those who are jumping to conclusions about my article, let me reassure you that this is not a piece about how a man changed his life for the better with a razor and his trusty shaving kit. I’d be the last person to write something like that. To be blatantly honest, I still haven’t picked out my very first non-battery operated weapon of choice. I, the voice of the average man, am here to give an account of my new found interest in the craft of shaving.
A proper shave, as I’ve learned, is more so a loyal treatment rather than a daily necessity. It soothes the heart, calms the mind and cleanses the soul. To start, one simply cleans his face of any dirt, sweat and residue by applying soap or any name brand face wash. Once the face is scrubbed and rinsed, gently press a hot semi-moist towel around the facial hair or the entire face for 1-2 minute or until the towel cools down. This procedure will soften the facial hairs and allow the pores on the face to open up and take in fresh oxygen. Once the massage ritual is finished, we move on to the lathering agent. The lathering or lubricating agent (e.g. soap, cream, gel, oil, and fat) acts as a medium between one’s hair and the razor blade; this will help for a smoother and less razor burn shave. Now, it’s worth pointing out that many commercial razor cartridges include a lubricating strip, thus making it convenient for the everyday consumer. With our target area identified and treated with the appropriate lubricant, we now move in for the shave. The act of a proper shave utilizes a single straight edge razor blade rather than today’s multi-blade safety razors sold at your local retail stores (We will explore the world of razor blades in our upcoming articles). Newbies beware; regardless of the razor you are using there is always a chance of getting cut. The best way to prevent such mishaps is to deploy a strategy of “Divide and Conquer”. Start with the outer area of the face and work your way in and note to never apply too much pressure to the blade but rather go with the motion and let gravity do the work. For a cleaner shave, stretch your skin to tighten and maximize surface area. Remember to revisit areas that you might have missed. Remember young grasshopper, one man, one blade, and one stroke at a time. Once the shaving ritual is done, rinse your face with cool water to give it that sense of refreshment. Last, apply aftershave to smooth the area and prevent skin irritation. You are done! Look into the mirror, give yourself a big confident smile - the world awaits!
The next time your wife, girlfriend, or grandma talks about how great of an experience they had at the spa, go ahead, grab your “Men Tool” and go on a pampering experience of your own. A proper shave is just as important as protecting the peace of the universe. Let’s be honest, us men deserve to have a great shave!
by ManPossible
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