For a while now, the art of shaving has been a chore to do each day, But with the recent resurgence of cutthroat shaving and high quality creams and oils, shaving is no longer a chore, but something to look forward to. 

In this article, we are going to walk you through how you can get a great shave, using a cutthroat razor.

Step 1 - Prepare the skin

Before any shave, you need to prepare your skin. Shaving can take its toll on your skin, so some simple preparation will help your skin get through a shave, irritation free.

The easiest way to prepare your skin, is with heat. So the best time to shave is when you come out the bath or shower, failing that, try resting a hot & wet flannel or shave towel on your face for a minute. This allows your skin's pores to open and also softens the whiskers, which is exactly what you want to make shaving easier.

Step 2 - Apply Your Product

Some people choose to jump straight into applying a cream or gel, and then shaving. Others prefer to use a pre shave product, which tags on the the skin preparation stage. A shave oil is perfect for something like this, as they are designed to help the skin during a shave, whether thats with nutrients and vitamins designed to help the skin or an oil designed to help the razor glide over the skin better.

When you're ready to apply your shave cream, you can do so with a brush or fingers, depending on the type of product. Ensure you use hot/warm water, lather the product, and apply it to the stubble or beard. A good product won't dry out, and will ensure your shave is smooth and doesn't drag or pull the skin.

The Apothecary 87 Shave Oil is a pre & post shave product. Helping the skin stay healthy and recover, as well as allowing the blade to glide. The Shave Cream is soft and can be applied with fingers or a brush. A little goes along way, and the product will stay wet throughout the shave, which is exactly what you want in a product. There are many brands out there, but whichever you choose, find ones that perform the best for you.

Step 3 - The shave

Cutthroat razors are not the easiest tool to use, and need to be used with caution and respect for what they are, razors.

Hold the razor on your dominant hand, at a 30 degree angle to the skin. Using your other hand, stretch out the area of skin you are shaving, and use short, gentle strokes with very little pressure to remove the hair.

On the first shave, go with the grain of the hair, as this will stop the blade pulling at the hairs and causing irritation, ingrown hairs and razor bumps. Once you have done the shave with the grain, re apply the shave cream and this time shave against the grain. This will take the shave very close but it will keep your skin fresh rather than sore and irritated.

Step 4 - The final step

Once you have finished your shave, wash your face with warm water to remove any excess cream or cut hair. Then wash your face again with cold water. The cold water will close your skin's pores, meaning your face is now ready for the day ahead!

At this point you can also add a post shave product too, ideally something that will nourish the skin, or with an antiseptic incase you've grazed or nicked the skin. Again, this is something we have ensured is in our Shave Oil, and it comes in the form of Avocado oil & Castor oil, which make a great natural antiseptic!

Take a look at a cutthroat shave in action here...

Good luck with your shaves! And if you have any questions, get in touch with us and we will help where we can!