ARE YOU A MAVERICK? Before we start talking about shaving brushes let me tell you something.
As time goes by, it seems that convenience can become more important than quality. Just think of how you shave these days, as opposed to how men shaved a few decades back.
These days, it seems to be all about convenience. You probably use a shaving cream or gel that comes out of an aerosol can, and a disposable plastic safety razor.
Yes, it’s convenient, and can give you a better shave if you don’t know how to mess around with an old school razor, shaving soap, and a shaving brush.
There’s something to be said for going back to the old ways.
It’s a totally different shaving experience.
Using an older razor isn’t really necessary, since you could argue that a safety razor does a better job.
But preparation of the skin is absolute key to a good shave and the shaving brush plays an integral role in this!
Just a word of warning though: shaving brushes and shaving soaps are maybe not appropriate for vegetarians, vegans, and people who have strong feelings about animal welfare, as you will soon find out.
You can easily find a shaving brush that is made using artificial fibres where the bristles on the brush are made of a soft plastic. These artificial fibre shaving brushes will work, but they won’t work as well as brushes that contain organic bristles.
This is because they don’t soak up water in the way that animal hair does, which means that less moisture is applied to your face when you use the brush.
Organic fibre bristles on a shaving brush usually belong to a badger, and it is generally a wild badger.
The width and texture of a badger’s hair is ideal for working with the shaving soap and applying the foam to your face.
But of course, a shaving brush is useless without shaving soap.
The best kinds of shaving soap contain a high amount of fat either vegetable fat or animal fat, which is known as tallow. This fat provides a huge amount of moisturisation for your face while shaving.
These natural moisturisers will make your post-shave face feel sensational, and it’s an excellent choice if you have sensitive skin, or if your face constantly feels irritated after using conventional shaving products.
When using the suggested steps are as follows:
1. Ensure your face is well soaked in worm water to soften the hair. The Ideal way to do this is to shave AFTER you shower.
2. To make the bristles on the brush as wet and soft as possible, soak the brush head in a mug of warm water while you’re in the shower. Gently shake the brush once you remove it from the water.
3. Rub the shaving brush into the soap, making small circles around the top of the soap.
4. Brush the lather onto your face with the brush. Brush against the grain, which makes the hair stand up as much as possible. This makes it easier for the razor to slice it off. This is the only time you will ever hear us saying AGAINST THE GRAIN when it comes to the art of shaving.
5. Shave as you normally would.
6. If you use a moisturizing aftershave balm, you will find that you will need less. The strong moisturizing properties of a quality soap mean that you will need less post-shave moisturizing.
Once you get used to the process, it’s not as though the shave will take up much more of your time.
It really is worth the effort, and it’s an old school craft you can take pride in.
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