How to get a close shave
Looking to achieve the ultimate clean shaven look? Then check out these 5 easy tips and tricks to help you re-create this look at home. For the ultimate close shave, be sure to use a Gillette Fusion5 razor. Its multi-blade technology is perfectly designed to cut closer and deliver a smooth shave.
Here are 5 easy steps that will help achieve a close shave
1. Before the shave, spend time preparing your face.
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser. This will not only soften the beard hairs and make them easier to cut, but it will also lift low-lying hairs and release so-called “trapped” or “ingrown” hairs
2. Apply plenty of shave foam or gel.
This provides a protective layer and improves razor glide for a smoother, more comfortable shave
3. Shave with a good quality razor using light strokes
Do not press too hard on your razor. The razor should do the work, not you. Rinse the razor after every few strokes to prevent buildup of hairs and debris between the blades and on the blade edges.
4. Make sure your blades are not too old or dull.
Fresh blades provide a closer, smoother and more comfortable shave and when your razor gets old or dull, you increase the risks of nicks and irritation.
5. Restore moisture with a hydrating after-shave
After the shave, use an after-shave product containing moisturizing ingredients to rehydrate and comfort the skin.
Frequently asked questions:
- Should I shave before or after the shower:
Shave after the shower (and not the other way around). The warm water and steam of the shower will hydrate and soften the beard hairs and make them easier to cut.
- Should I shave with or against the grain
Most guys find that using light strokes and first shaving in the direction of the hair growth and then following up with re-strokes against the grain provides the closest, smoothest shave with good skin comfort. However, men’s facial hair tends to grow in different directions, so even if a man shaves with the grain (in the direction of the hair growth), some hairs will still unknowingly be cut against the grain.
- How can I get to those tricky areas of the face like under the nose or the corners of the mouth or the side burns.
Some areas of the face are indeed particularly difficult to shave (such as under the nose, the jaw line, the side burns,…). For those areas, we recommend to use the single blade that you will find at the back of all the razors of the Gillette Fusion5 family. To use this blade, simply turn the razor over. In this position, the cartridge head does not move up and down, giving men great control. Also, as more and more men have facial hair (like a goatee beard), this trimming blade allows them to shape their facial hair with great control and precision.
- How can I avoid “missed hairs”?
Men often report having missed hairs, especially in the more “contoured” areas of the face e.g. under the chin, the jaw line and jaw bone corner. To solve this, Gillette invented the so-called “Flexball” technology: a new pivot in the handle that completely reinvented how the cartridge moves and gave it 3-Dimensional motion to respond to every contour of a man`s face.
What are the most common mistakes men make when they shave?
Here are a few common mistakes:
- Hanging on too long to the razor.
Fresh blades provide a closer, smoother and more comfortable shave and when your razor is dull or damaged, you are more likely to end up with razor burn or nicks and cuts.
- Wiping the blades or tapping them against the sink at the end of the shave.
This should be avoided as this can damage the ultra-fine blade edges. At the end of the shave, just rinse the razor thoroughly with water and shake off excess water before storing.
- Pressing too hard on the razor (some men put as much as 1.5kg force on their razor).
The closeness of the shave is largely determined by the quality and design of the razor, not by how hard you press. The best way for a close, comfortable shave is to use gentle strokes. The razor should do the work, not you.
- Not hydrating the beard hair before the shave.
Allowing water to penetrate into the hair is key for a comfortable and close shave because dry hair is difficult to cut. In fact, dry hair can have the strength of copper wire. When hair absorbs water, it swells and becomes easier to cut. So, men should wash the face and neck with a mild cleanser or scrub before the shave. Or at least take a shower before the shave and not the other way around.
- Not using a shave prep.
It is recommended to use plenty of shave gel. This provides a protective anti-friction layer and improves razor glide for a smoother, more comfortable shaving experience.
- Not using a moisturizer after the shave.
It is important to use an after-shave product containing moisturizing ingredients to rehydrate, calm and comfort the skin, which can feel irritated, tight and uncomfortable after the shave.