Shaving for beginners - what you need to know

Starting shaving is a daunting prospect for a lot of people. You quite literally need to draw a sharp blade across your skin, taking care not to cut yourself or irritate your skin, and this is often easier said than done. 

Luckily, it really isn’t as difficult as it might seem at first - with the right razor and skin preparation routine, you can transform shaving into an easy and even enjoyable part of your daily routine. If you’re just getting started out, then here’s what you need to know.

Prepare your skin

In pretty much all cases, you’ll want to make sure that you’re properly preparing your skin each time you shave. To start this off, you’ll want to wash your face with warm water and a gentle soap; this helps to start softening the hair, helping to avoid irritation when you start shaving. 

Next, you’ll want to apply a good shaving gel or cream. This will properly lubricate your skin, ensuring that the blade doesn’t catch and cause irritation as it cuts through your hair. 

Choose appropriate tools for the job

There’s no single razor that will suit everyone the same, meaning it’s important that you do your own research to look for what’s right for you. Take a look at resources such as this razor blade guide, and remember that you don’t need to stick with the first option that you choose forever.

For beginners, a simple cartridge razor will often be the easiest, safest and most effective option. While electric razors can be even safer, they don’t provide quite as clean a shave, and they don’t feel nearly as satisfying to use.

Take your time

When you’re actually shaving, especially when you’re just getting started, make sure that you take your time. Don’t start shaving if you only have limited time, and use a good mirror in a well-lit space so that you can see your progress. 

Try to shave along the grain of your hair - this helps to minimise the risk of ingrown hairs, and will generally feel more comfortable. Don’t press too hard either, as the blade should be sharp enough to cut your hair without much pressure at all. 

Replace your blades frequently

It’s important to realise that razor blades don’t stay sharp forever. With most options other than straight razors, you’ll want to replace the blades as frequently as every week or two. If you’re just starting with your shaving journey and your hair hasn’t started coming through very thick yet, then the blades will likely last a little longer. You should be able to tell when the razor starts to lose its keen edge - it makes a notable difference, and results in a sub-optimal end result. 

We hope these pointers have made the shaving process feel a lot more accessible, especially for the beginner. It’s really not too difficult to get it right - by getting the right tools and taking your time to prepare your skin, you can perfect your approach in no time at all.