Shaving is an everyday (or perhaps less frequent) task that’s typically performed with little forethought. However, it can be transformed into a morning ritual that leaves you energized and looking like a million bucks.
Historians tell us that man first began grooming himself 100,000 years ago by using clam shells like tweezers to remove unwanted hairs. About 40,000 years later, a caveman named Og realized that he could sharpen the clam shells or use stone knives to shave, representing a huge step in facial grooming.
Archeologists have found brass razors in Egyptian tombs dating back to about 1500 B.C., and Alexander the Great is credited with having his soldiers shave their faces, in order to give the enemy one less way to grab them in battle. Shaving was forbidden in Turkey until Suleyman the Magnificent rose to power in 1520; soon thereafter, barbers pioneered a method of removing hairs by using a strand of thread that closed over the hair, allowing it to be plucked out.
The English firm of Sheffield is credited with creating the first steel-edged straight razors in 1680, which served as the most commonly used shaving tool until the stamped steel safety razor was invented around 1901 by an American named King Camp Gillette. The safety razor soon became wildly popular, aided, no doubt, by the fact that it was issued to American soldiers in both world wars.
In the 1970s, disposable razors with replaceable, disposable cartridges were introduced and now represent the most widely used shaving implements.
For many, acquiring shaving skills begins at puberty, hopefully under the watchful eyes of an experienced mentor such as a father or older brother standing by with a styptic pencil.
Of the two shaving methods, wet and dry, there are steps to take well before the razor approaches skin. Our focus is on wet shaving and how it can easily become an involved process, but here’s a fast overview of dry shaving preparation: Make sure the skin and the razor are both as dry as possible, and use a pre-shave powder or lotion that dries the skin and helps to ensure hairs stand up for best cutting results.
For many, the process of wet shaving consists of splashing the face with warm water, applying a layer of shaving foam from a can, and then running a disposable razor over the areas to be shaved. This works, but for many it leaves a bit to be desired. A “proper” wet shave has multiple steps, all working together to achieve a great shave.
To ensure the closest, most comfortable shave, the skin needs to be prepared, and the razor needs to be as sharp as possible. Let’s start with the skin, which needs to be as moist as possible to provide lubrication for the passing blade. Shaving right after a hot shower is a good way to begin the moisturizing process. The skin needs to be clean, which is best accomplished with a soap made for facial skin, as opposed to bath and body bars that can remove natural oils and overly dry the skin. Using hot water opens pores, softens the tough outer layer of hair, and helps to remove dead skin. The trick is to do all this gently, without a washcloth that can irritate the skin. To do it right, wash your face well and then wrap it in a towel soaked in hot water for about 30 seconds. An easier option is to apply some hair conditioner to your face as you leave the shower.
Next, choose your weapon. Technology has provided many options when it comes to wet shaving. The options include the safety razor, cartridge-style multi-razor blades, or a straight razor. The straight razor is a bit of a paradox, preferred by barbers and assassins, both of whom may refer to it as a cutthroat razor. Unlike a cartridge system that can actually recede a bit under the skin, leading to bumps and ingrown hairs, a straight razor cuts the hairs at the surface for an extremely smooth, irritation-free experience.
Lather up!
