How to Shave Properly: Tips for Smooth, Irritation-Free Grooming in a 6 Step Routine

For men, achieving a smooth and irritation-free shave is not just a daily routine; it's a crucial part of personal grooming. Shaving, though seemingly straightforward, demands technique, care, and the right products. Using the correct technique is important for a number of reasons, including:

• Achieving a close and comfortable shave, leaving skin feeling smooth and irritation-free.
• Preventing common shaving issues such as razor burn, ingrown hairs, and nicks or cuts.
• Minimising the risk of post-shave discomfort and maintaining the overall skin health and appearance.

 

Ultimately, mastering the art of shaving can enhance a grooming routine, boost confidence, and contribute to a polished and well-groomed look. This comprehensive guide explores everything needed for shaving, from pre-shave preparation tailored to specific skin types to the art of using the razor correctly. Whether a novice or an experienced shaver seeking to refine their technique, this guide will aid in achieving a confident and comfortable shave, while keeping skin healthy and looking its best.

There are 5 common skin types which may raise challenges when it comes to shaving, which makes it important to acknowledge:

Normal skin: usually the easiest skin to shave

Oily skin: subject to clog pores which can lead to irritation and uneven shave

Dry skin: can be subject to irritation and sensitive to friction

Combination skin: similar to dry skin on the T-Zone, and more oily on the rest of the face.

Sensitive skin: can react negatively to the products, meaning it is better to use products recommended for sensitive skin. 

In order to shave your skin properly, it is important to use the right tools and products. You will need: 

• A good quality razor (for dry to sensitive skin, don’t use more than 3 blades razors, which could intensify the dryness and over-exfoliate the skin)
  
  
• A shaving cream that suits your skin type 
  
  
• An after-shaving balm or cream that suits your skin type
  
  
• A moisturiser 

1. Cleanse

Before shaving, it's crucial to cleanse the skin to remove bacteria that might lead to infection should there be any accidental cuts. Using warm water during cleansing not only relaxes your skin but also opens up your pores, minimising the chances of ingrown hairs and reducing irritation. 

Explore NIVEA range of face wash products to kickstart your pre-shave routine for a refreshed and clean canvas.

3. Apply shaving cream

Shaving cream can help to prevent your skin from getting irritated, but also to get a clean shave effect. For the best possible application, spread the cream, gel or foam in an upward movement. This will help to lift your hair up to shave it off more easily.

NIVEA MEN offers a wide range of shaving creams and gel, for normal to sensitive skin. 

 

4. Start to shave

For a close shave, use small strokes and begin with your cheeks, working way down to your neck - which is the most sensitive part. It may be trickier around your lips and jawline because of the angle. To make it easier, you can puff your cheeks out to make the surface more accessible. Remember to rinse the blade in between the strokes and to shave in the direction your hair grows. This will help to avoid irritation and achieve a cleaner shave.
Once done, rinse your face off with warm water and allow it to air dry before moving on to the next step.
Don’t forget to clean and wipe your razor with a clean cloth, and store it in a dry area after each use. Doing this will prevent bacteria and rust from sticking to the blade, which could be a risk if you ever cut yourself with it.

6. Apply moisturiser 

It is important to apply moisturiser after shaving your beard. When shaving, not only can hair get caught between the blades, but so too can thin layers of dead skin from the top layer of skin. 
This is not harmful to your skin, but shaving makes it more vulnerable to pollutants and bacteria. Applying moisturiser will therefore help to retain hydration in your skin and add a barrier to your skin.

NIVEA MEN offers a range of moisturisers for different skin types and needs. The NIVEA MEN Sensitive Face Moisturiser SPF 15 is an ideal choice for those who experience skin irritation. It’s enriched with soothing Chamomile Extract and skin-strengthening Vitamin E to relieve the five most common signs of skin irritation. 

Humidify your skin: to shave parts of your body, a good first step is to shower with warm water beforehand and exfoliate at the same time. This will help to soften your skin, but also remove dead skin.

Apply shaving cream: you also should use shaving cream, not soap to shave. The latter may have an astringent effect on your skin, drying it out and causing flaky skin.

Shave: contrary to your face, you want to shave against the direction of growth.

Rinse with cool water: when preparing your skin to shave, you want your pores to open, but when it’s done, you want them to close again. Rinsing with cold water will enable the pores to close back up and prevent bacteria from getting in.

Finish with a moisturiser: applying moisturiser will help to avoid the flakiness of your skin. The NIVEA Express Hydration Body Lotion is formulated with NIVEA’s Deep Moisture Serum and sea minerals to protect the skin and provide 48-hour hydration, without leaving behind a greasy appearance.

Find the shape of your beard: If your face is round, a thicker beard can make it look better. If your face is slim, a neater beard style is best. This is especially important as you keep growing your beard through the rest of winter.

Make sure your beard hair is shaved in the same direction: Cut the stray hairs and the ones that are too long based on the beard shape and length that suits your face the most. Remember this, especially if you're growing your beard a bit longer than usual.

Trim your sideburns: get rid of any hairs that show up on your cheeks above your beard's natural line.

Define your neckline: use a razor or a very precise beard trimmer to create a clear neckline for your beard.

Neaten up the area around your lips: ensure that no hairs go over them. Afterwards, be precise when trimming your nostrils as well.

Time and convenience: today's razor technology has made it easy for men to enjoy a speedy shave. You simply need to insert a battery into the electric shaver or remove a disposable cartridge razor from its packaging, and you're ready to start shaving

No need for water or foam: When your hairs are dry, they're stiff, so the razor doesn't touch your skin very closely. This helps prevent ingrown hairs that can turn into razor bumps because the razor doesn't cut the hair beneath your skin.

 

Not very effective: Dry shaving is unlikely to provide you with a close and smooth shave. In fact, when you dry shave, you might find that you need to shave more often because your hair may start showing again by the end of the day.

Skin discomfort:  People with sensitive skin should be cautious about dry shaving. Without any lather to cushion the blade and no water to keep the skin moist, it can become sore and irritated as the blade cuts the hair. Those with dry skin may feel even more discomfort because it won't feel smooth during the entire shaving process.