The fundamental principles of wet shaving.

Shaving is an art, it is not instinctive knowledge, by refining your technique and using good quality products you can make shaving a pleasurable experience. Remember, how you shave affects the way you look and how you feel about your self.

Shaving technique

1. Hot Water
   The first essentials to a perfect shave are water and warmth, when hair absorbs hot water it becomes softer and easier to cut and with warmth the skin and facial muscles become relaxed, making shaving so much easier-thus the best time to shave is after a bath or shower. This effect can also be achieved by soaking a folded flannel or small towel in hot water and wrapping it around the face for thirty seconds or more.
2. Preparing the Face
   Those who desire a particularly smooth shave,(or who have sensitive skin) might wish to apply a glycerine-based skin food, this protects the skin and helps the razor to glide smoothly across the face. Massaging the skin food against the growth of the beard also helps to lift the beard in readiness for the lather
3. The Lather
   Good quality shaving cream may be rubbed into the beard with the fingers, but the best results are obtained when using a good quality badger shaving brush. When using cream, place a modest amount in the palm of one hand, dip the brush into hot water and using a circular motion in the palm, build up a rich creamy lather on the brush. Wet the face and again with a circular motion apply the latter to the beard, allowing the brush to lift the beard, making the hairs stand proud. The brush may be dipped lightly into hot water if more moisture is required in the lather. If using shaving soap, dip the brush in to hot water and use a similar circular motion on the soap to create a rich lather.
   
4. The Shave
   Using a good blade that has been warmed in the sink or under hot running water, shave the face in the direction of the beard growth, rinsing the blade in hot water frequently .never shave "against the grain" of the beard, in awkward areas such as the chin and under the nose the blade can be moved sideways across the growth-but never against as this pulls the skin in the wrong direction causing small cuts and grazing to the skin and is the most common cause of razor burn, in grown hairs and shaving rash. Rinse the face thoroughly with cool water and pat dry with a soft towel.