shaving your chin

It’s the first thing people notice, that wonderful personality of yours. No, it’s that close shave or lack thereof. Whether you desire razor-thin cuts or prefer a bit of stubble, you’re part of an ever-going debate regarding whether to use an electric razor, blade, or a mixture of both to achieve desired results.

Blades

The Dollar Shave Club made a splash with their crafty marketing, introducing regular intervals of disposable blade shipping, so guys don’t have to fret about losing their edge when it comes to a close shave. A ‘wet’ shave combines a blade with some sort of aid, whether gel or cream, to get extra close. Some men swear by gels and creams, which usually take off the outer layer of skin for an exfoliating effect.

Blades sound perfect, so why do alternatives, like rotary and foil electric razors, exist? A number of men experience razor burn and ongoing irritation around the face and neck due to blades. Furthermore, depending on preference, one may prefer the ‘5 o’clock shadow’ look, leaving about a half an inch of stubble.

Today’s razors feature a number of blades (sometimes five or more), so a guy never has to question whether he’ll get extra close. Aside from multiple blades, manufacturers offer bendable and angled heads to accommodate the fussiest of dudes.

Electric Razor

Electric razors offer a quick shave; you don’t need to worry about access to water, cream, a mirror, etc. One simply glides the rotating blades along their face, eliminating stubble and getting at hard-to-reach angles with a flick of the wrist.

There are two schools of electric shaving; you have the rotary blades and the foil. Rotary blades, made popular by leading brands such as Norelco and Remington, feature three circular heads, shaped in a triangle. Foil heads feature several blades, covered by a thin foil exterior draped along top, which makes contact with the skin.

After years of ‘dry shave’ concerns, manufacturers began producing wet/dry electric razors, some injecting gels during operation for a close, razor-like shave. Aside from wet/dry options, electric models allow choosy men to select level of closeness, so you may maintain stubble or a longer, well-kept beard.

The Mix

You could get crafty and buy a mixture of products to satiate your shaving needs. Perhaps you date someone that prefers a close shave, they break your heart, and then you meet a new potential love interest who thinks you look ‘hot’ with a longer trimmed beard. The moral of the story is you have to keep your options open. Get the best electric razor and blades for your immediate needs. So, rather than pledge toward one side or the other, consider buying both blades and a dependable electric razor.

Soap What?

A number of gels, creams, and ointments promise shavers the closest shave possible. However, if you can feel the razor against your skin, the chosen solution has failed you. You need an effortless glide across the face, using short strokes yet feeling no friction between the blade and skin.

You could spend a fortune on the newest gels and creams or give your bar of soap a go. Slippery by nature, soaps help glide blades along the skin and keep the skin moisturized.

Heat

Heat, preferably hot water, opens the pores. It’s best to take a hot shower, leaving a hot cloth over the skin for a moment and then take a shave. While the phrase ‘close shave’ may be misleading, you want your razor to glide across the skin, upending hairs and the exterior of skin, revealing an extremely smooth surface.

Cleaning and Maintenance

When it comes to cleaning and maintenance, electric models require more attendance, whether you’ll need to charge the battery, extract and clean individual blades, or sweep loose hairs away from blades and components.
Of course, you can simply discard blades, and some men prefer disposable razors over pricy name-brand models. If you’re going with an electric, invest in an extra battery for travel and backup convenience. Five o’clock shadow is cool but a quarter before done is not a good look.

Those are the basics, long, and short of shaving. It takes a bit of experience and variety of products to accommodate one’s style and own skin. Some men can’t use blades due to irritation, and others, with allergies to metal, can’t use electric razors.

Good luck as you continue to define ‘the best shave’ as you define it. The good news is there is no shortage of options and products to suit the most economical to the most extravagant shaving experience.

Mark Landis, like most other men, is always searching for a better way to shave. He recently did a search for the best razor and wants to share what he found out.