9 Biggest Shaving Mistakes & How to Avoid Them - Advice on Razors & Techniques for Men

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Gentleman's Gazette
#shaving #shavingmistakes #notsponsored

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00:00 Introduction

9 Biggest Shaving Mistakes

01:28 1. Using A Blade That Is Not Sharp Enough.
I think it's a number one problem because most men out there today use cartridge razor systems. Now, there's a lot of marketing hype out there from brands like Dollar Shave Club or Gillette but if you take a closer look at their marketing, you'll notice they never actually mention the sharpness of the blade, they talk about the convenience of the shape, the fancy handle, the lubrication strips, the number of the blades which reaches all the way up to six or seven blades but they never mention the sharpness.

04:34 2. Not Doing The Proper Prep Work Routine.
Most men we interviewed didn't want to spend a whole lot of money upfront and they wanted a routine that was easy for them. I hate to break it to you but both these criteria will not result in a good shave.

08:01 3. Not Using Proper High Fat Lubrication.
Not understanding the growth direction of your facial hair. Every man out there is unique and because of that, the hair grows in unique directions. To get the best quality shave, you have to understand how your hair grows so you can shave exactly the way you want it for the best results.

10:28 4. Not shaving in multiple passes.
In an ideal world, we'll just shave our face with one pass and be done and happy. Unfortunately, that's not how it goes. So how do you get the closest shave possible? It's by shaving against the grain of the hair. Why is that? Well, the razor and the blade lift the hair away from the skin. Therefore, you cut the hair actually below the skin level. So for example, if we do a wet shave with a sharp blade, after one day the result is as smooth as if I had just shaved with an electric shaver or a cartridge razor.

11:20 5. Not properly lubricating your skin before and while you shave.
Frankly, lubrication is the only thing that protects your face from the sharp blade. You need lubrication so the sharp blade can glide across your skin, cutting the hair but not your skin. When it comes to shaving, there's no such thing as over lubricating, more helps more. Unfortunately, most men out there don't lubricate enough and often, it comes down to a bad product in the first place. The lubrication in shaving creams comes from fat so the higher the fat content, the more of a gliding effect you get.

13:23 6. Not using a shaving brush to create your lather.
It creates a nice rich lather and it also helps to move the hair follicles away from the skin so the shave quality is going to be better. Let's explain that shaving brushes are made of boar's hair and it can be quite hard in your skin and uncomfortable because of that I prefer badger shaving brushes. The best quality is the silver tip which is finer and again, it can take a little bit of testing with different brushes to
find something that's right for you.

15:05 7. Not incorporating an electric razor into your shaving routine.
Frankly, if I lather up my shaving cream, maybe do two passes with a double edge razor, the whole routine still takes quite a bit of time. So because of that, I experiment with electric razors. They've been around for a while, you can use them dry and frankly, the results are not great but it takes you two minutes.

16:25 8. Not adhering to a proper pre-shave routine.
Why should you have a pre-shave routine? Well, it's better for your skin and it results in a better shave that is closer to your skin. If you suffer from little bumps on your skin, known as razor bumps, or if you have any kind of irritation, or if you're just sensitive, having a pre-shave routine is essential. Also, if you use very sharp blades or a straight razor, I would strongly suggest you have a pre-shave routine.

17:52 9. Giving up a new routine too quickly.
I get it, learning technique is not easy but deep down it's very simple and just like with anything in life, it takes time to master something and that's also true for shaving technique. So my advice is if you try something new, especially with a sharper blade, do your prep work and don't just give up.

[erootakusensei]

I use my great great grandpas ww1 bayonet that has not been cared for since the war ended and i use the rifle as the handel best shave i ever had lol

[michaelmcnair]

I have been watching your channel for a few weeks now. I was having difficulty at work. I felt like people were disrespecting me because of the clothes I was wearing. So I decided to make a change and fallow some of your style guidelines. And after just a week and a half I was given an award for the first time ever in seven years of working at the same place. I just wanted to tell you and thank you!

[oorangeo]

Before watching this video: "Pfff why would anyone need a 200-page shaving guide??"
After watching the video: "Where do I find this 200-page shaving guide..."

[mystic_thing]

My perfect routine:
Hot shower
Hot towel
Apply pre shave oil and massage it in
Lather up the soap with a brush
Shave with straight razor
Wipe of all excess with a ice cold towel press it onto the skin
Apply some oil for skin care.
Takes 10 min and is the best shave you will ever have.

[ramonryansorono]

You could've picked a better background for the video because that tree in your back became ur hair lol

[davethebarber]

It's worth noting that some people, particularly men with extremely curly hair should not shave against the grain. Doing this can result in ingrown hair.

[csorgotom]

If you have sensitive skin, it is also a good idea to shave in the evening, so you have all night for your skin to relax and regenerate and to use aftershave product not only right after but later as well. Personally, I shave every Sunday evening to start the week with a clean shave, and I apply aftershave on Monday morning and evening as well.

[mylife_]

I'm a women, and I don't regret watching this, I completely got all that I need.
Thanks for sharing!

[byrong]

Excellent video! I have suffered from ingrown hairs for decades and have switched between cartridge razors and electric razors many times, without ever being satisfied. I have never seen the pros and cons of ALL shaving methods explained so clearly in a video. The bit on the upfront and the ongoing costs of each method was also very helpful. Very well done and thank you

[christiangovig]

I started using a traditional safety razor a few months ago and it gives me something to look forward to every couple of days, it's much more enjoyable.

[BigSargeOTM]

I’m in the military and because of that I have to shave every day. I’ve been dealing bumps and skin irritation for years and have tried everything I can think of to get a good shave without the irritation and bumps. Definitely going to check out your guide. Thanks for the upload

[martuni]

Took me nearly a year of occasional attempts and cuts to be able to comfortably shave with a straight razor. Now I do it with ease and I couldn't be more pleased with the shave. Great pants Raphael

[antilogism]

I like that you touched on the effort needed to master these tools and the time involved. I used an Atra for a few years, went to a DE for about 25 years, then moved to an SE for 7 and now I use a straight (Yes, I'm old). As far as actual shaving time the DE wins for wet. Even over Mach 3 and Hydra razors. Two sides of easy-cleaning, non-clogging blades just can't be touched. The electric shaver is faster for a one day growth but with several days growth the DE becomes competitive.
The straight is the slowest. I just now timed my daily shave---lather, strop (40 laps), shave (just 2 passes), aftershave, brush-care, razor-care & clean-up: 15 minutes

[Eric]

I just purchased the guide. Sven didn’t use hype or gimmicks to promote the guide – instead, he presented useful, compelling information to demonstrate its value. That’s how you sell a product.

[PhoenixBlazer]

I feel rather out of place in this video. Granted, that probably comes from being taught to shave using a disposable razor and bar soap.

[Larry]

Ha, I use feather blades with a slanted merkur DE razor, really enjoy shaving with it. Especially as my beard is like wire at some points.

[darrenlennie]

I couldn't help but notice how the plant behind him makes him look like he has an Afro.

[jimcordell]

The most important thing about shaving is to slow down and not be in a hurry.

[JaxMerrick]

After seeing some videos from GG on double edged safety razors, I ended up purchasing an Edwin Jagger razor and a full box of Parker Platinum blades about a year ago (it's was the best price-to-performance I could find at my local men's care shop, and with me being clumsy at times, I didn't want to spring for too much). Since then, I've been hooked on the DE razor and shaving soap. It has been the closest and the least aggressive shave I've had ever.

[nunyabusiness]

"on the pursuit of finding the perfect blade" i've never thought I'd hear that but woah