I promised to post some skincare tips—so here’s my first one! I’d like to share some shaving tips with you. For starters there are three very important rules to getting a good, clean shave:
-
Change Your Razor Blade Often. It can be tough sometimes to tell when a razor blade is too dull until you’ve already nicked yourself. As a general rule of thumb, I change my razor blade once a month. You can generally shave your legs 10–12 times per razor blade. So, since I shave approximately every 2–3 days, one month is a good time frame for me. You may not need to shave as often, so adjust the razor blade life estimate accordingly.
-
Never Shave Your Legs Dry. I don’t think that I need to describe this in more detail. If you’ve ever tried shaving your legs dry you already know that it’s a bad idea. I’ve done this many times myself. I’m rushing and need to quickly shave but don’t have the time to shower … and, well, it’s a bad idea. So what’s the right way to shave? Well I’m not going to promise that my way is the best but it works well for me and others!
- Choose the Right Razor. You may need to do some experimentation to find the one you like best, but as a general rule of thumb, you should avoid cheap disposables. And don't share a razor with anyone, especially a man. Their facial hair tends to be more coarse than a woman's leg hair and will dull the blade quickly.
Getting a Good Shave Step-by-Step
-
Get Wet: Take a hot shower or bath and soak your legs. Make sure that they are really wet.
-
Exfoliate: Use a scrub, loofah, or exfoliating soap and exfoliate your skin well. Don’t be rough … just gently exfoliate your legs. I recommend rubbing in a circular motion—clockwise and then counter-clockwise or vice versa. This will help remove dead skin cells which will extend the life of your razor blade, and lift the hair so that you get a closer shave.
-
Apply Shaving Cream or Soap: If you’re using a shaving cream then you’re going to want to apply a generous amount and allow it to soak in a bit. This will help soften the hair and skin, and moisturize your legs. If you are using a shaving soap bar then you’re going to want to apply a generous amount using either your hand or a lathering soap bag. Once the soap is on your skin, rub it in a little to encourage the lather. It’ll feel a little slippery and will produce tiny little bubbles (like a film). This “slip” is exactly what you’re looking for and it’ll help the razor blade glide safely along your skin.
-
Shave! Most of us already know to shave against the direction of hair growth and this holds true for most people. If, however, you are very, very prone to annoying ingrown hair, then I’d recommend shaving IN the direction of your hair growth. Sure it’s not as close of a shave … but you’ll notice fewer ingrown hairs instantly!
- Moisturize: Since you’ve just exfoliated and shaved, your skin is going to be vulnerable and “exposed.” It’s very important to moisturize immediately after getting out of the shower so that your skin will be soft, smooth, and healthy looking!
If you find that you follow all these steps and you still get bumps and razor burn, then use aftershave! That’s right. Aftershave isn’t just for men! I don’t recommend shaving daily, so in between shaves you should exfoliate. This will help keep your skin vibrant, smooth, and prevent ingrown hairs. I hope you’ll give these tips a shot and adapt them to your routine.
