The art of shaving

The art of shaving is either lost or, more likely, an ongoing quest for the legendary, elusive ritual that results in satisfaction and soft, smooth great-looking skin.

Fathers used to initiate their sons into the time-honored tradition of lathering with a brush and using a precise, sharp blade to remove facial hair.

As cheap disposable blades became available, the use of precision-made metal blades all but died out and the tradition along with it.

Aerosol cans of foam took the place of discs of shaving soap nestled in ceramic mugs that were worked into a lather with water and a shaving brush.

I remember watching my grandfather lather up his brush and face (and sometimes mine...) and the distinctive smell I'll forever connect with him and shaving.

The old-fashioned method, using a good quality brush, a tub of glycerin-based cream and a precision-made blade is the rage again as it's proving to deliver the best shave possible and providing other perks.

This older method suits today's environmentally friendly consumers as there are no disposable plastics and cans to clog up land fills.

A bonus is that good-quality shaving creams don't smell like deodorants; their scents range from lime and lavender to fresh cut violets - a treat for you and your partner.

Aerosol products and hand soaps

In a typical aerosol can, the shaving cream ingredients occupy only a small portion of the can. The propellant or gas occupies 4 to 5 percent of the container.

Lather made from water and hand soap may do in a pinch or when you're stranded somewhere.

In the closeness and satisfaction departments, however, lather from hand soap tends to be too runny and inconsistent to soften hair and protect skin - or add anything to the art of shaving.

Razors

Incidentally, the enthusiasm, (generated mostly by the manufacturer), for the recent "discovery"in the shaving world, the Infinity Razor, has quickly settled down to complaints and an evaluation of 'complete failure'.

Perfecting the art of shaving that suits your particular skin and gives you a clean, smooth shave plus an enjoyable experience, sets the right tone for the rest of your day.

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credit: violentz

Beards

Electric razors

Ingrown hairs

Scruffy

Sensitive skin

Shaving

Shaving cream

Untreated ingrown hairs