Master the Art of Shaving by Avoiding these Mistakes

Every lad knows how to shave since we have been handed down razors at the age of 15 max 17 (if not by then, man, we feel sorry for you). But only a few gentleman shavers learn the actual art, which requires more than just lathering up and going with the grain. So, if your attempts at facial hair are potentially painful and end up with unsightly results, then don’t blame the razors or their manufacturers and don’t curse their entire generation. Instead, take a few minutes of your time, read, and avoid some common shaving mistakes.

These mistakes have been understated and overlooked for years. That is why the traditional shaving ritual, which is supposed to be relaxing, turns into an onslaught for most of us. While the fairer sex removes hair with evoked feelings of luxury followed by bubble baths, in contrast, our kind shaves them with feelings of agony followed by sh*t, ahh, and other obscenities.

So, if you are fed up with shaving errors plastered all over your face projecting you as inexperienced and careless, first, let go of your 15-year-old ways. Secondly, to get that suave, urbane appeal and smooth greek god jawline, avoid repeating the errors you already made a thousand times (you most probably don’t even realize you are making them, tchh tchh). Lastly, follow what we have to say without questioning the methods, or you will end with impromptu cuts again (trust us, we learned by experience and don’t wish the same upon you). You can thank us later. 

Presenting you the 12 most common shaving mistakes you should avoid at all costs. Drum roll, please:

Sharing is caring, not here 

We all know the bro code of what’s yours is mine when chaps are staying over. Towel take it, shampoo no problem, soap use it, but two things don’t fit this criteria ‘Toothbrush’ and ‘Razors.’ It’s the law; you never share a razor! It’s not just about getting a perfect shave anymore. It’s much more than that. It’s about your health; shared razors can easily transmit infection and whatnot. 

So, a lesson learned, always be cautious to keep your razors out of reach (not out of sight).

Practice makes perfect, but only if you are practicing correctly

So, if you are questioning yourself and wondering why haven’t you mastered shaving even when have been doing it for weeks, months, years, and probably decades, then you are finally waking up my boy! Rise and shine, and sorry to inform you that you have been doing it wrong the whole time. How do you expect your shave to be perfect if you are buying, using, and storing, the razor kit inaccurately for eternity. We are mentioning below different shaving sins you could be committing. 

So, lesson learned, treat your shaving kits better and show them respect so that they do the same:

No Proper Prep Work, No Results

First thing first, if you think shaving requires no prep work, change your mindset. If you want a chiseled shave like Chris Hemsworth or the stubble shave that matches the likes of David Beckham, then peek in their bathroom closet and look at their preps. 

Why not take a page or two from their book and prepare things beforehand. For example, don’t go shaving at the last minute as haste makes waste. You will end up making one of the common shaving mistakes, thanks to your foggy brain. And you will have no one to blame but yourself while you look at your snipped self in the mirror for the rest of the week. 

So, lesson learned, a nick here and there is bound to happen if you don’t prep up because shaving can’t happen in the nick of time. 

A splash of cold water doesn’t go a long way

Do you shave weekly, monthly? Don’t bother answering; we don’t care. No matter how frequently you shave, what we care about is, do you pay attention to the water splashing aspect of shaving? This may sound petty, but if you wash your face with cold water at the beginning, you are stepping on the wrong foot. You are repeating one of the most common shaving mistakes.

It’s like starting a ritual with a curse instead of a blessing. You might say it’s just water; it doesn’t matter if it’s cold or warm. But my dear fella, it matters; that’s why we are mentioning it here. You don’t realize that cold water keeps your facial pores closed, thus trapping hair follicles, making it impossible for your razors to reach them. Actually, you should be splashing your face in the opposite way you usually do. 

So, lesson learned, bless your shaving ritual with a warm shower, which will open up the pores and give you a better surface for a closer shave.

Uneven shaves aren’t going to make you look rough

We can’t emphasize more the fact that grooming and shaving are nothing less than an art, and even a kid knows that art requires precision. You can just take nibs here and there and expect to get a perfect shave. Mind you, these facial hairs can be tricky, and it takes lots of practice to master the routine. 

Each man fights his own battle depending on hair growth, skin type, ingrown hair, and shaving needs. But one thing is common; uneven cuts don’t suit anyone, even if it’s Tom Cruise himself. Thus it’s essential to know at what length and direction the blade is to be moved in. Any common shaving mistake can easily cost you a nick, razor burn, or even a deep cut if you are unfortunate. In addition, it can also impact your inner skin by setting up unhealthy hair growth habits; thus, avoiding uneven shaves is best for all of us.

So, lesson learned, keep your grooming under control, or your face would look like an unkempt garden within no time. 

Laziness at its peak, leaving razor in the shower

Admit it; we all have been guilty of not only committing this common mistake but repeating it again and again (old habits die hard). It’s not rocket science that water is not a razor’s best friend. Then why take the risk of getting your razor blades covered in rust by leaving them in the shower? The humidity is bound to eat at any blade, no matter how sturdy it is. Even if you clean the rust, it won’t be as good as new. Moreover, using a rusted blade is never a good idea (more details are below). 

So, a lesson learned, no shower area for razors, or they will never be ready for another run. Instead, store them in any dry area (don’t need to tell us where we aren’t going to check)

Giving up too soon, at least keep the new kit for a fortnight

We know you are impatient; 90% of our kind is, so no big deal. But if you are impatient while shaving, you know the results. You can control yourself there, but when it comes to giving more time to a new shaving kit to show its results, this is where most of us fail. We judge it on the first try, which is unethical (razors have feelings too). 

Just kidding, you need to keep using them for at least a fortnight because anything new requires at least 2-3 tries before they can shine. If your first cut hasn’t gone according to the plan, then the solution is not to throw the kit away or bury it deep underneath your pile of mess. Instead, you should show some patience and adjust your regimen.

So, lesson learned, it’s not always the new razor’s fault even if you are pro; give it time to grow on you. 

Overlooking your shaving arsenal, respect to earn respect

Your grooming tools should be the most valuable aspect in your arsenal of toiletries, but unlike your better half, you don’t even give it an ounce of consideration. Alas, it’s not just the razors that make the shaving set (they are strikers, but a striker can’t operate without its mates). There are other key players as well.

Shaving creams

Firstly, there is that shaving cream which you pick with your eyes closed from the supermarket shelves. This is your biggest shaving mistake. You might think the more the foam merrier, but this is where you go wrong. The less the foam, the smoother the shave as foam clogs up your razor. We would advise you to stop using them altogether. Instead, go for lubricants that focus on hydration and at least look at packagings once before adding it to your cart. 

So, lesson learned; it is not just about lathering up!

Razors 

Moving on, here comes the big name, the razors. You can find them anywhere, from big marts to high-end stores, even at a petrol station. But remember, the quality you choose is equivalent to the quality your face gets. Thus instead of picking the one with the lowest tag or buying the one that feels sturdy won’t do the trick (looks can deceive). The solution is to do your research and get the best bang for your buck by browsing online. Choosing the right razor is only the beginning, but it means you are halfway through if done well! 

So, a lesson learned, never underestimate razor shopping. 

Styptic pencils 

No matter how pro you are, never overestimate yourself. Sorry to say, but mistakes are inevitable (hurts your ego). Even when shaving is conducted with precision, there are bound to be some less than perfect days. So the key is to prepare beforehand for such unprecedented events to control the damage. 

A quick fix is to equip yourself with a styptic pencil specifically made for emergency repair work. It contains potassium sulfate, which will aid in clotting and sealing up wounds. Apply it to the affected areas and allow the residue to sit for 15 seconds before rinsing it off. The magical procedure will soothe the razor burns and prevent excessive bleeding from cuts, but it comes at the price of a little stinging. 

So lesson learned, anything is better than sticking tissue paper to your face and aggravating those wounds! 

Shaving against the grain, and all your efforts go down the drain

One of the most common shaving mistakes involves the dilemma between shaving with or against the grain. The rule of thumb is to shave with the grain, and we don’t question it. So if your want to avoid nipping your skin now and then and are tired of tattered patches, stop shaving against the grain. Period.

Oh well, we won’t keep the reason from you. Shaving against the grain doesn’t work like its counterpart because the razor blade causes friction when it works in the opposite direction. This has the potential to rip your skin and is the primary cause of razor burn. Moreover, you won’t end up with a close finite shave as the ingrown hairs can sprout back anytime and haunt you till your next shave.

So, a lesson learned, “map your shave” and do it with the grain, forever and always.

Sheer strength; it’s not your best friend

When it comes to shaving, we don’t know why it becomes a show of muscle? Instead, it should be the opposite. Shaving requires gentle strokes. It’s an art form where less is more applies here perfectly. So, break through the bad habit of applying strength and pressure on your face. It’s not your opponent’s face, so keep it calm and don’t press extremely hard. 

Moreover, you don’t know the power of your blade, and it can show its strength in all the wrong areas if you show yours. When you press hard, the sharp edges can quickly go inside your unbalanced skin surface and give you a gash that will take all that sheer strength away. Thus release that death grip of yours.

So, lesson learned, shaving is meant to be delicate so complete it that way. Be as gentle as possible, and keep those glides nice and flat.

Neglect post-shaving duties and end up with the same mangled up routine 

One of the most common shaving mistakes is to call it quits when the shave is over. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen that way. Removing your hair is a multiple-step process, and shaving is only one step. When you prepped up for it correctly, you should also end it on a high note. For this, you need to pay attention post-shave as well. 

The post-shaving needs, like, aftershave and oil, are often sought as unimportant. However, the truth is they are critical than ever. First, you should apply them after every shave because they help prepare your skin for the next hair removal day. Second, your skins require hydrating nutrients as shaving replenishes them. By applying aftershave and oils, you can up those reserves and make your skin glow. Lastly, we would advise you not to go for aftershaves containing alcohol as they will dry the skin drastically. 

So, a lesson learned, a few minutes post-shaving, should never be dismissed, or you will miss a lot of goodness.

Not-so-sharp Blade; not-so-sharp results 

Skimping on the razor blades and hoping for a perfect shape, is it a joke? It’s common knowledge that for a comfortable shave, you require a sharp blade. Steer clear of cheap and rusted blades at all costs, as they will cause you more damage than the bucks you will save. So, it’s high time you invest in sharper blades that can pass over tricky curves smoothly without a hiccup. 

In addition, think twice when reusing a blade. This is because usually, blades can go blunt or get rusted if not used and stored correctly. If you’re planning to utilize them until the end of their lifespan like a true spartan, clean them properly after every use. Rinse them with hot running water, and the greater the pressure, the better. Moreover, air dries it to keep the rust at bay. 

So lesson learned blades and shave booth need to be smooth and shining. They complement each other.

Final words for the perfect shave

So, fellas, how many of these sins have you committed. Don’t even think about lying, as every one of your bros is guilty of making these common shaving mistakes. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. And yet again, if you find yourself falling victim to them, just think about whether each move benefits you or not. If no is the answer, then rectify it before it causes collateral damage. That is all from our side. See you now on the other side of the mirror, hopefully with a perfect shave. Good luck with that!