How to Use Shaving Soap & a Brush

Use a brush and shaving soap while shaving to lift the hair.

Shaving soap and a brush are supplemental tools that can be used while shaving, and each product provides different results that can improve the quality of your shave depending on your skin type. While shaving cream is intended for those with dry or sensitive skin, shaving soap has less moisture when used on the face and is ideal for oily skin. A brush can be used to soften the hair on your face when used in combination with shaving soap, which provides a closer, smoother shave, according to the book, "The Bearded Gentleman: The Style Guide to Shaving Face."

Things You'll Need

• Gentle face wash
• Small bowl
• Shaving brush
• Shaving soap
• Razor
• Alcohol-free shaving balm

Instructions

1. Wet your face with warm water, and pour a quarter-size amount of face wash in your palm. Rub your palms together to create a lather, and massage the face wash onto your face in a circular motion. Rinse the face wash from your face with warm, never hot, water.

2. Wet the shaving brush under warm, running water and wring out excess water from the brush's bristles. Rub the brush onto the shaving soap in a circular motion to create soap suds and brush your face with the shaving brush in a circular motion.

3. Rewet the shaving brush under the warm, running water and rub the brush onto the shaving soap to apply more shaving soap to your face until your beard is covered with the shaving soap.

4. Wet the razor with warm, running water and shave your beard with single strokes in the direction of the hair growth. Do not re-shave an area, as you can cause razor burn and ingrown hairs, according to "The Bearded Gentleman: The Style Guide to Shaving Face."

5. Rinse your face with warm water, followed by splashing it cool water to close your pores. Pat your face with a clean towel to absorb water.

6. Pour a nickel-size amount of aftershave balm into your palms and gently pat the balm onto your face.

7. Store the shaving soap in a cool, dry location and rinse the shaving soap from the shaving brush. Gently wring out water from the brush and lay the brush on its side to prevent any remaining water from loosening the brush's bristles.

References

• "The Bearded Gentleman: The Style Guide to Shaving Face"; Allan Peterkin and Nick Burns; 2010
• MSNBC: How to Get That Perfect Shave