10 Steps to a Perfect Shave

What do your golf swing, tennis serve and shaving technique all have in common? All three require careful, precise skill. We can't do much for your golf or tennis game, but we can help with your daily shave. These 10 simple steps will do the trick.

1. Wait about 30 minutes after getting up in the morning before shaving. This allows facial muscles to tighten and gives whiskers a better chance to stand up from the skin. Massage the areas you plan to shave — the stimulation gets your skin ready for shaving and helps wake you up.
2. Soak a clean, soft washcloth under warm water. Then, place the washcloth on your face — this softens the hair and opens your pores for a better shave.
3. Cleanse the skin for two minutes twice a day. Use circular motions with a cleanser made for your skin type. If skin seems normal to combination, try MD Formulations Cleanser Basic. For dry skin, a great choice is Anthony Logistics Algae Facial Cleanser. Got oily skin or breakouts? Anthony Logistics Anti-Acne Cleanser is for you. Not sure what type of skin you have? See an esthetician, who can determine your skin type and also match an effective treatment to it.
4. Exfoliate skin with a product like Peter Thomas Roth Botanical Buffing Beads. Put a dime-sized amount in your hands and use circular motions when applying to the skin. Get in and around the nose and upper lip, where dead skin loves to hide.

   Dead skin can clog pores, making a nesting ground for ingrown hairs and trapped bacteria. Ingrown hairs then lead to unsightly, painful bumps. Exfoliating twice a week will reduce dead skin, post-shaving ingrowns and razor bumps.

5. Apply shaving cream and massage it in well. What's important is the quality of the application, not the quantity of shaving cream applied. Your razor needs to get through the lather to the skin's surface, instead of swimming through the cream searching for hair. Check out MD Formulations Men’s Shave Crème.
6. Shave jaw line and cheeks first. Then, go inward toward lips, neck and chin, where hair is thickest. Shaving with the grain is best, because it goes in the direction of natural beard growth. Also, since you remove up to three layers of skin by shaving, don't go over the same area multiple times with your razor.
7. When you're finished, always rinse your razor. Keep it clean and free of hair. Store your razor in a dry sterile place away from bacteria. Replace the blades when they become dull. If you use a disposable razor, throw it out and grab a fresh one at least once a week. Note that most new razors will feel harsh the first few times you use them.
8. Take another clean washcloth, run it under warm or cool water and wipe excess shaving cream off your face. Never splash your skin with water or rub your face with a dry washcloth after cleansing.
9. Once or twice a week, apply a cooling mask to the entire face and let it sit for a few minutes. Try The Art of Shaving After Shave Mask. This extra step in your weekly routine will aid your skin's repair process after a shave.
10. Every skin type requires moisture, even if your skin is oily. Because shaving takes away valuable moisture, you need to use a moisturizer. Buy a moisturizer with SPF 15 or higher, such as Ahava Men's Protective Moisturizing Fluid SPF 15, and apply it year-round to protect your skin from UV damage.