May 11, 2011 |
A smooth and taut visage is something that we have always strived for. It is the stuff men are made of. Do you really think Bootsy Collins would have given Kenneth Edmonds the moniker “Babyface” if his face had been less than smooth? That Shelia E would have chosen to work with him if every time she ran her fair hand across that youthful flesh it had come away with a serious case of stubble rash? We think not. Since it turns out a flash of peachy cheek gets you places, is more conducive to career advancement than stripping down, it is now the only flesh we plan on flashing this spring and so it must be clean with a healthy sheen and, above all, freshly shaved.
The best method to employ is a wet shave. Ideally you’d get a barber do this. Morning-after shakes and a sharp blade don’t really go hand in hand. However, smoothness requires daily maintenance and who has time to spare for thrice-daily barber visits? Which is why we, as we always do in moments of doubt, have turned to Google and discovered this “how to”, courtesy of long-reigning London barber kings Geo F Trumper.
1. Wash the face with hot water or apply a warm towel.
2. Prepare the face with a glycerine-based gel, moisturiser or “skin food”, massaging against the grain of the beard to help lift the hairs in preparation for the shave.
3. Lather the face with shaving cream, which may be rubbed into the beard with fingers or a shaving brush. When using cream, place a modest amount in the palm of one hand, dip the brush into hot water and, using a circular motion in the palm, build up a rich creamy lather on the brush. Wet the face and, again with a circular motion, apply the lather to the beard, allowing the brush to lift the hairs.
4. Shave using a good blade that has been warmed in the sink or under hot running water; shave the face in the direction of the beard growth, rinsing the blade in hot water frequently. Never shave against the grain of the beard and always use short strokes keeping the blade perfectly horizontal, not turning as it moves around the face. Rinse the face thoroughly with cool water and pat dry with a soft towel.
5. Use an after-shave moisturiser. Products containing alcohol should not be applied to the skin directly after shaving as this may inflame the skin and cause dryness. For best results, cologne and other fragrances should be applied behind the earlobes and on the sides of the neck, not directly on the area that has been shaved.
by Natalie Dembinska
