Men’s Beauty

Taking care of your skin is the essential first – and last – step to shaving. Use products designed to address your unique skin care needs. If you’re going down to the skin, it’s best to shave when your stubble is only 2-3 days’ growth. If your whiskers are longer, trim before you shave to prevent snagging.

Many men shave every day. As long as you take care of your skin, that’s completely fine for your face! If your skin starts to become irritated, however, give your skin a break. If you don’t have plans for the weekend, try giving your face a break on Saturdays. It’s best to shave after a shower. This opens up your pores, softens coarse hairs and ensures your skin is free of excess oil and dead skin cells, which can gum up your razor.

Your shave gel or cream is your best friend. Look for moisturizing, alcohol-free formulas. Shave gels are the most hydrating and are ideal for fellas with sensitive skin. If you have oily skin, on the other hand, the rich lather of a cream – applied with a shave brush, which helps lift and coat hairs – will help protect your skin while offering a closer shave. If you have normal or combination skin, the choice is up to preference, though we recommend a gel for the dry winter months.

Lather with warm water. Let the cream or gel sit on your face for two minutes before shaving, allowing it to soften hairs (take this time to floss.)

Slow and steady wins the race. Long, even strokes in the direction of the hair growth will help prevent ingrown hairs and razor burn. Rinse your razor as often as between every stroke.

If you want a baby-butt-smooth shave, lather your face again and gently shave against the grain. If you notice irritation afterwards, you’ll need to try a lighter hand.

Rinse your face with cold water – this helps reduce inflammation. Gently pat dry with a towel. Apply a moisturizing aftershave. Formulas that contain aloe will help fight redness and inflammation. If there is any irritation, apply a topical hydrocortisone cream. Follow up with an SPF to protect your newly-exfoliated face.

An informal poll of the women in our office found no clear preference for the length of facial hair on a man. But all of us agreed on one thing: details matter. If you keep your edges tidy and keep your skin looking great, you’ve got us swooning (for whatever that’s worth!)

Best Shaving Cream for Men Who Keep Some Facial Hair

Proraso Refreshing Shaving Cream ($10 proraso-usa.com) Shaving offers a lot of exfoliation to your skin. Since you’re not getting that close, a shave cream with exfoliating ingredients will help take care of your skin! Best for Taking Care of Your Skin

MARLOWE No. 141 Shave Cream ($13.99 marloweskin.com)

Nourishing ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil moisturize your skin while green tea, willow bark extract, aloe and algae extract ensure your skin stays looking its best. Best Gel for Sensitive Skin or Detailing

Frederick Benjamin Hydro-Glaze Cooling Aloe Shave Gel ($12 frederickbenjamin.com) This foam-free gel is designed with sensitive skin in mind. It also works wonders for detailing work around beards, mustaches or goatees. Best for Thick or Coarse Hair

Anthony Shave Cream ($24 anthony.com) This cream lifts though-to-get hairs while its formula leaves your skin looking fantastic. Squalene, corn mint, eucalyptus oils and rosemary help your skin feel refreshed and smooth. Best Luxury Lather

The Art of Shaving Oud Shaving Cream ($35 theartofshaving.com) This produces a lush lather that hydrates and softens. We recommend splurging on a high-quality brush to apply. (Oud is very on-trend right now that will give incredible depth to your usual fragrance.)

If p r ectr raz ...Different electric razors have different instructions; wet and dry shavers work differently than traditional ones, for instance. We recommend following the use instructions provided with your razor, as they’re tailored to your product. We do recommend fi nding a pre-shave product designed to work with electric razors. Always hold your shaver at a right angle to your face. Use your free hand to pull the skin taut. This ensures hairs stand up straight, allowing for closer contact and less snagging. Start with your most sensitive areas, such as your neck. Rotary shavers should be moved with circular motions, as the name suggests, while foil shavers work best with back-and-forth movements. Clippers work best by scooping the hairs upward. Again, refer to your user manual! Once you’re fi nished, clean your shaver or clippers per the manufacturer’s recommendations. Be sure you’re changing heads/foils as often as suggested. •