Of all the daily grooming routines that we men have, I would consider a wet shave as one of the best in terms of not only being able to update and upgrade the process but also derive some genuine pleasure out of the process itself.
I am not a big beard guy. In fact my beard is patchy and I have areas that do not have much hair (such as on my cheeks). I used to have an “Indian” moustache – you know the obligatory, unruly and quite unstylish moustache that no south Indian would be caught with out. When I moved to the US, I got rid of the moustache and was clean shaven for a number of years.
About a year back, when I realized I was losing hair on my head and I was starting to look a little like Wolverine, I decided that a french beard would help balance my face and take the attention away from the thinning front of my head. It has been wildly successful and I simply love it. I am getting a little gray in my beard now and it actually make me look more authoritative and wise.
I have always shaved with out much thought as to what it really means. In fact, I have not moved beyond my teen years in terms of how I approached shaving. Coupled with the fact that I have a slight razor burn and sensitive skin, meant that I never really enjoyed shaving and never truly had a clean shave. There were times when I would walk into a meeting and completely strangers would say: “Busy eh? Didn’t have time to shave?”.
Starting this year, I have become a little style conscious and after my wedding anniversary in July, at which time my lovely wife showered me with some premium brand gifts and a luxuriously holiday, I am beginning to recognize quality in terms of ones grooming. I am becoming aware that I was and still am a part of a huge population of men who do not understand grooming and style.
This population comprises of otherwise quite intelligent and successful men who plod through life with out being aware of style and what male grooming is all about. I guess it is not a huge issue. If our female partners do not mind, then why should we, eh? But then I think that understanding style and grooming transforms a man into a gentleman. And I believe this world needs gentlemen – now more than ever.
By taking care of their looks and what they wear, men can improve the quality of their life – both personal and business. Anyway, I am digressing here.
A wet shave that is done properly can be quite a pleasure and give you a smooth silken feeling. This boosts confidence and sets the tone for the rest of the day – assuming you shave in the morning. Investing in a good shaving kit is well worth it. You would need a quality shaving brush (preferably badger hair), perhaps a foaming pan (used to froth up the brush before applying to the face), a decent double edged safety razor or beter yet a straight razor, some nice pre-shave oil, a good quality shaving cream and a goof after shave cream or lotion. If you have alcohol allergy as I do – on the skin I mean, then you would need a non-alcoholic after shave lotion (some thing aloe vera in it).
After I researched and found a kit that I put together and watching videos on how to properly shave, my shaving has taken quite a pleasant upward turn for the better. I now enjoy my shaving and have a really clean and smooth shave. I am perfecting the technique of shaving against the grain to get a smoother shave with out getting razor burn and although I have still some way to go, I can already feel and see the difference.
Let me know your views on your shaving regime and what and how you do it in the comments below.
