How to Shave Your Face

Shaving not only makes a man look well groomed, but younger, too. When you shave, you're exfoliating the skin by getting rid of dead cells. Here's how to do it correctly.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Towels
• Aftershave
• Electric Razors
• Men's Razor Blades
• Men's Razors
• Post Shave Moisturizers
• Shaving Creams

1. Wet your face with warm water. You may want to hold a wet washcloth to your beard for a few minutes to soften the skin.

2. Fill the sink basin halfway with water.

3. Get out a new razor, or replace the used blade in your regular razor.

4. 

   Squirt a dollop of shaving cream into your hand or shake out shaving powder, and apply it to your beard in upward circular motions. The amount may vary depending on the thickness of your beard, but the area to be shaved should be covered uniformly.

5. 

   Shave downward, the way your whiskers grow, from your sideburns toward your mandible using long, even strokes. Apply light but firm pressure, pulling your skin taut before each stroke.

6. 

   Rinse your razor with warm water after every stroke or two to keep it from getting clogged with hair.

7. 

   Shave the area around your chin. Shave upward as necessary to make the area smooth. When shaving under your chin, pull the razor from your throat area toward your chin.

8. 

   Shave your upper lip, keeping the skin tight by curling your lip over your front teeth.

9. 

   Wash off any excess shaving cream and examine your face for straggling hairs. Check the edge of your jaw, around your ears, and near your lips and nostrils for missed hairs. Go back with the razor to shave any hairs you missed.

10. Drain and wash out the basin and apply cold water or aftershave as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• If you cut yourself, touch the wound with a styptic pencil. The bleeding will stop, but it does sting slightly.

• Shave as often or as rarely as you feel you need it.

• Double-blade razors give a closer shave than single-blade but are harsher on the skin. You may want to experiment with both.

• If you use an electric shaver, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

• Be sure to use a sharp, new blade; dull ones tend to cause the most mishaps.