The history of men and their beards
Men have always had stubble on their face - some more than others. While some have a vigorous beard growth, others struggle to grow a proper full beard. It all depends on your genes. But while men have always had a beard, they've also always shaved it off. A flint stone, seashell or similar have been creative shaving tools because in earlier times men didn't have a razor or a razor. Fortunately, now it's a lot easier to shave off your beard if you want a smooth look.
First came the razor blade, then came the razor. But whether you go for the old-fashioned method with foam and blade or the more modern option like the razor is a matter of taste and preference.
If you're in doubt, here we list the most important aspects of the two methods and how to get the perfect shave. Most men spend thousands of minutes in their lives on their morning ritual, so you should also get a deeper insight into your own shaving methods and routines.
Shaving razor– why should you use it?
Old school guys usually opt for the good old-fashioned razor when it comes to removing facial hair. But in recent years, the classic method has actually made a comeback - and there are several reasons for this. Today, there are a variety of different scrapers on the market, with the manufacturer Gillette in particular standing out as a new and dominant alternative to the classic scrapers. The most important thing is to find a scraper that glides easily over the skin so you don't tear your skin.
Benefits of a shaving razor
With a razor, you get a closer and smoother shave because you can get close to the skin. Classic razors have always been known for giving a great shave, precisely because you can 'get to the bottom'. At the same time, you get a particularly fresh feeling when the razor blade has made its final run down your cheeks. The razor also gives you better control over your shave because you can more easily guide it around your face. When you need to manoeuvre the razor around those tricky spots and angles.
Cons with a shaving razor
One of the major drawbacks of the razor is that it requires a lot of practice before you get a good shave. It's not a straightforward process. There is also a tendency for the razor to cause red and irritated skin - at least if you don't use the right products. A good option would be to use Australian Bodycare's pack of three products to combat post-shave skin irritation.
When shaving with a razor, it's important that the blade is razor-sharp, otherwise you're even more likely to get red bumps. A razor can easily become a more expensive option because you have to replace the blade often.
Electric razor – why should you use it?
Even though more and more men are going back to the classic shaving nozzles, the razor is still popular with most men. And just like the razor, there are a number of good reasons for this.
The market for electric shavers is huge, and new and innovative machines are being added all the time. Some machines can do more than others, so it's all about finding the type of machine that suits your needs. However, all electric shavers have their pros and cons.
Electric razor pros
The overriding benefit of using a razor is that it's extremely time-saving. With this razor, it doesn't take many minutes to tame your wild stubble. What's more, shaving with a machine doesn't make a mess because the stubble is collected in the machine. This means you can walk around your home while shaving - and you don't necessarily have to stand by the sink. The shaver is relatively gentle on the skin, which means that you can avoid or almost avoid cuts and red bumps.
The overriding benefit of using a razor is that it's extremely time-saving. With this razor, it doesn't take many minutes to tame your wild stubble. What's more, shaving with a machine doesn't make a mess because the stubble is collected in the machine. This means you can walk around your home while shaving - and you don't necessarily have to stand by the sink. The shaver is relatively gentle on the skin, which means that you can avoid or almost avoid cuts and red bumps.
Electric razor cons
With a electric razor, you can't get the same close shave that you get with an oldschool razor. It's as simple as that. Even though razors keep getting better and better, they can't get to the bottom. On top of that, you won't get a fresh feeling on your face after using a razor because in most cases, it will be a dry shave.
What should you go for?
Whether to choose the traditional razor or the electronic razor depends largely on your tastes and preferences. If you're most comfortable with a clean-shaven look, you'll need to manually run a razor across your face. If you don't have an extra 15 minutes in the morning to shave, a razor is probably more ideal for you. Therefore, you'll need to weigh up the pros and cons of the two shaving methods when deciding which one is best for you.
Shaving without razor bumps
If you choose a razor because you want a fresh and close shave, it's a good idea to make sure you do it the right way. If you don't, you can quickly end up with razor bumps or red, irritated skin. And that's not the goal when you want a sharp, clean-shaven look.
But if you take the right precautions, you can avoid those unsightly bumps on your neck and face. Most importantly, you need to be prepared for the time it takes to get the best shave. With a pre, during and post-shave product kit, you're halfway there. Here's a guide on how to use the products and how to achieve the optimal shave.
Before shaving
Before you get started with the razor, make sure you have the necessary tools. That is, a perfectly sharp razor blade. If the blade is not sharp enough, it will scratch your skin. This will cause red bumps to pop up, resulting in a beard plague.
Make sure to warm up your skin with warm water first thing. This makes your facial hair softer and easier to handle. Here you use the first step of the pack, Face Wash, which gently washes away all bacteria from the skin, leaving it soft and supple. Red razor bumps occur because hair follicles and pores become infected with bacteria - which is why it's important to cleanse before shaving.
During shaving
After thoroughly washing the skin free from dirt and bacteria, keep it slightly moisturised. Now apply Shave Gel and allow the gel to penetrate and soften the skin. Don't dab it on, but massage it well into the skin and beard. Because the shave gel is transparent, you have full control over where you shave. Remember to shave in the direction of the hairs - shaving against the hairs is too hard on the skin.
Shave with the hairs twice. After the first round, there will still be small stubble left on your skin, so if you want a completely smooth result, shave twice. After the first round, start the procedure all over again.
After shaving
When you're done shaving off your beard, dab cold water on your face. This closes the pores again, so they're not left open and extra susceptible to bacteria. Finish by applying After Shave, which cools, cares for and soothes the slightly irritated area. In addition, it also fights bacteria.
Like the other two products in the complete shaving pack, the included After Shave contains Tea Tree Oil, which is known for its natural and effective bacteria-fighting properties.
Finally, a good tip is to keep your fingers away from the freshly shaved area. Fingers are full of bacteria, so keep them away from your freshly shaved face if you don't want to cause a bacterial infection in your hair follicles.
