Preparation

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Preparing the face for shaving is almost as important as having a shave ready razor and proper technique. This article outlines what is considered best practice in preparation (commonly referred to as prep) by the regulars at SRP.

Cleaning your face

The aim of this step in the preparation process is to remove dirt, oil, cosmetics etc. from your face while at the same time softening your whiskers.

Shower and cleanse

While you need not necessarily shower before you shave, it is arguably the easiest way to get a lot of hot water onto your face. So this is what you should do. Some people use an exfoliating soap to get their faces extra clean. With respect to avoiding irritation, this may not work for every skin type, as the straight razor shave will also have an exfoliating effect.

An alternative to showering is to either simply splash your face with hot water, or use a hot towel which you let rest on your face for one to three minutes.

Do not towel dry

Water, and certain cosmetics, will soften your whiskers. Dry toweling your face after the shave would therefore be counter productive.

Using a pre shave?

Reviews of pre shaves have been mixed. The aim of a pre shave is twofold: soften the whiskers, and providing an extra cushion for the shave. If your whiskers are particularly stiff, you may find that applying a pre shave and a hot towel afterwards will make your shave more comfortable.

Building lather

Foam vs. soap vs. cream

There have been many arguments which of these gives the best lather. It is generally accepted that canned products will not provide adequate lather. The main reason given for this is the inferior quality of the materials used for the foam. As for soaps vs. creams, the general consensus appears to be that it is a matter of personal preference. Most quality products will provide adequate lather.

When choosing your soap or cream, the minimum criteria to look for will be:

• Quality of raw materials
• Latherability, i.e. how easy it is to create lather
• Moisturising, i.e. whether the lather will leave your skin dry

While scent and price can and likely will also influence your decision, packaging should not. While glass containers may look good, they constitute a health hazard when dropped. And you will one day drop that container.

Which brush to use?

Main article: Brushes

There are three main types of brushes:

1. Boar hair bristle brushes
2. Badger hair bristle brushes
3. Synthetic bristle brushes

Badger hair bristle brushes are believed to hold the most water, and therefore be the best shaving brushes. As with other pieces of equipment mentioned in this article, the choice is ultimately down to personal preference, and budget.

Heating up everything

Temperature plays an important role in building lather. Ideally, both your brush and your shaving bowl will be hot. The easiest way to achieve that is to fill the bowl with boiling water, and let the brush rest in there for a few moments.

Building lather

Main article: Überlather

In theory, building lather is simple: use the right mixture of shaving soap and water, and use your brush to whip the soap into lather. In practice, however, the variables have to be well balanced. Some tips:

1. Let the brush rest in hot water until thoroughly soaked and heated. Then whip out the water.
2. If you are using cream, you may want to squeeze the brush dry in order to avoid turning the cream in your container into liquid. Add water to the bowl instead.

Lathering up

• Put lather on brush
• Put brush on face
• Move brush so as to impart lather on face

Ready to start

• Turn on the polka
• Grasp the razor tightly
• Shave to the music