How to Get a Closer Shave For Men

Ever since I started shaving, which is when I was like 14, I've been trying to figure out ways to get a closer shave. The whole point of shaving is to get a clean shave, so I hated it when I still had little specks of visible hair. Not only that, but the hair grew back a lot faster when I didn't get a close shave. After doing tons of research online and a lot of trial and error (which involved me cutting my face multiple times) I think I've finally figured out what works for me. Everyone is different, and we all have different skin and hair growth patterns, but most of what I say is pretty much universal and applies to the properties of hair and skin itself. I will not be discussing any brands, just techniques. Now before we get to any techniques, let's discuss what the best times are to shave. Most people don't realize that when they shave also as an impact on how good of a shave they get.

What is the Best Time to Shave?

• Morning - I've found that when I shave in the morning I always get a better shave. I looked into it a bit and it seems it's because the skin is firmer and has a build up of natural oils, so the razor passes through the hair much smoother. One disadvantage of shaving in the morning is if you don't have anywhere to be until the evening there isn't a point if shaving as you would have a five o'clock shadow by then. Also, for some people shaving in the morning my not work too well as they have a tendency to have a slight swelling on their face due to the position in which they sleep.
• Post Workout - This was very surprising. I recently shaved at the gym because I had to go somewhere afterwards, and it was one of the closest shaves I've ever had. If you just finished a long workout where your face was sweating, you're in for a very close shave. Your pores are wide open and your face is bathed in natural oils. Make sure you use after-shave, you should be using it anyway, but if you shave post workout it's even more important as bacteria thrive on open wounds when sweat is present.
• In The Shower - I left this for last as you've more than likely heard this before. Shaving in the shower works very well. Not only is it a lot more convenient (granted you can get a mirror in your shower) and easier to wash the razor, but it works better as well. The moisture from the water, especially hot water, opens your pores up during the shave. If you're going to shave in the shower, rinse your face, and then proceed to soap and shampoo before continuing to shave. This will give your pores time to open up.

How to Shave

• Whether you are shaving in the shower or not, always rinse your face with hot water. The hotter you can get the water, the better as your pores are more likely to stay open. If you're in the shower, wait a few minutes before starting the shave. If you aren't, try wrapping a towel soaked with hot water around your face for 5-10 minutes. I recommend you do it in the shower as the using the towel is a waste of time, meanwhile in the shower you can just soap and shampoo yourself. Also use hot water to rinse your razor when you clean it between strokes.
• The type of shaving cream you use doesn't really matter, you can even use soap if you really wanted to. Try experimenting with face wash before you put on shaving cream though, face wash might help open up your pores as well. If not face wash, try using a brush or a loofah (in the shower) to scrub and exfoliate your face. This gets rid of all the dead skin cells that may be getting in the way of the blades. When you apply shaving cream, lather it sufficiently across the face.
• When shaving, always shave in the direction of hair growth. This will lead to an easy, smooth shave. Any time you find that you have to use unnecessary force to shave, you are doing something wrong. When you shave against the direction of hair growth, it can lead to ingrown hairs which cause a whole array of other problems that you don't want to deal with. Pulling the skin as you shave also helps for a closer and smoother shave. By pulling I mean, with your other hand, just stretch the skin a little to flatten out the area.
• After you shave, wash your face with cold water, as this helps close pores and decreases irritation. Always apply after-shave to reduce the chance of infection. Make sure you keep your face moisturized throughout the day for optimal health, as shaving can cause a lot of damage to your sensitive skin.

For brands of shaving creams, razors, and moisturizers, you will need to experiment on your own. Pretty much anything in the market should suffice, as it mostly comes down to how you shave rather than what you shave with. With that being said, don't stick the same blade for too long, make sure you change it when it gets dull. It's a pretty obvious fact but I used to even use disposable razors multiple times. Don't; it's bad for your skin and leads to uneven shaves.