#3. Use the right shave cream, balm, or moisturizer
Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream Bowl is Sandalwood and Cedar scented shaving cream, and allows you to traditionally apply shaving cream with a brush. Sandalwood and Cedar scents are very masculine scents. It comes in a 3.5-ounce bowl.
#4. Apply shave balm or cream with a brush
This is optional, but a brush made of badger hair, like the Perfecto 100% Pure Badger Hair Shaving Brush ($12 @ Amazon.com) will help the shaving cream get under your stubble better than your hands. Either way, you want to apply the shaving gel, balm, or cream against the grain of your beard in a circular motion.
And then dip your blade into warm or hot water, and shave downward on your face and neck with the direction of your stubble. It’s best to shave with short strokes while keeping the blade horizontal. Rinse your blade often. You can lather up and go for round two — this time against the grain — but only if your skin can handle it.
#5. Rinse your face
Thoroughly and with cold water to close your pores. Gently pat dry with a towel.
#6. Apply a hydrating aftershave
Use liberal amounts of an aftershave like Dove Men+Care Post Shave Balm ($5 @ Amazon.com). If you use one with alcohol in it, expect it to burn. Remember Macaulay Culkin from Home Alone when he applied aftershave? Totally hilarious, right?! Also, that’ll happen to you.
Another option is to use something like Clubman Pinaud After Shave Lotion ($6 @ Amazon.com), which cools and soothes skin as it applies a thin coat of a masculine scent. Just tread carefully with the amounts you use. Some men like to douse themselves in cologne after a shower and a shave. First, stop putting so damned much on. Second, don’t apply it directly to your just-shaved skin.
