Shave Guide: Shave tips using a safety razor
3 min read, last updated 02-June-2021
Simple shaving tips on how to get rid of ingrown hairs and razor burn most people don't know about. A must read for anyone who grows hair... Follow these steps for your best shave yet.
The most important point to take away is for shaving with a Bronte razor: No Pressure
For safety razor beginners
Congratulations on your new safety razor and shaving plastic-free and toxic-free! You are about to learn a new skill, so please be patient with yourself. Especially for the first few times do not shave under time pressure. Trust me on that one.
The main differences to disposable or other razors is the weight and the flexible head. Do not apply pressure when shaving, the weight of the Brontë Body safety razor is enough. For the non-flexible head: Shaving strokes should be short (1-2cm) especially around curves such as ankles and knees.
Correct Razor assembly
The safety razor is made of three parts. The handle and the top and bottom headpiece. The blade goes between the two headpieces (hold the blade by the short ends). Make sure the ridges of the bottom headpiece are facing up otherwise it won't cut. Always hold the blade by the short end. It's very sharp!
Blade
Always use a clean, sharp blade. Never ever use a dull blade - you are more likely to cut yourself! Depending on how much you shave, how thick your hair is and where you store your razor I recommend changing your blade every 5 to 7 shaves. Leaving your shaving razor in a wet, humid shower will quicken the dulling process, cause the blades to rust, and allow for bacteria to accumulate.
The older the blade, the more bacteria it has which can cause razor burn! Change your blades frequently! Remember, blades are much cheaper now. Blades can only be recycled at a metal recycling station (not the normal one), or you can send them back to us. More details here.
Exfoliation
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from your body and allows for a closer shave. Dead skin cells can clog your hair follicles and trap your hair under the skin, which results in ingrowns.
Do this gently before shaving and two days after. This not only helps the blade cut closer on your skin and but also helps allow for normal growth post-shave and prevent ingrown hairs.
Use a body scrub, an exfoliating cloth, or a body brush on your body. For the face we recommend a gentle exfoliant such as a chemical exfoliant or a gentle face scrub to prevent micro tears on your skin.
Exfoliating before shaving gives the shave lather the opportunity to cozy up against the skin and provide more protection against razor bumbs and irritation.
Soften your hair
When your hair is wet it is only half as long as when its dry. When the hair is soft it cuts easier. We recommend shaving at the end of a warm bath or shower.
Shaving Lubricant
A rich oil/shave butter will give you the moisture and glide you are used to from the glide strip on the plastic razors, but better. We recommend our Pure or Glow shave oil made from New Zealand organic hemp seed oil. The oil not only provides extra glide but also puts a protective layer on your skin and minimizes irritation. Bonus, you are hydrating your skin already in the shower.
Tip: Apply oil with one hand and shave with the other ;)
You can also use a rich aloe vera shave soap with Matauri Bay hallocite clay for an extra smooth shave. Simply cut the soap in half, let it run under warm water for a bit and then rub in your hands for about 30 seconds until the lather on your hand is so creamy that you can hardly scoop it off your hand.
The fattier the substance the less friction between skin and razor, resulting in less skin irritation.That is why our favourite way of shaving (especially on the bikini area) is to first apply the oil and then a bit of soap for a smooth shave. That will prevent the razor from clogging up.
Alternatively, add some oil to your bath and shave away.
Shaving Style
Take your time. Hold your razor in a 30-degree angle and shave in short strokes and do not apply any pressure on your skin. Stretch your skin and shave with or against the hair growth.
Shaving up, against the direction of your hair growth, gives you the closest shave for the smoothest skin. But your skin can get irritated if your hair is on the longer side, so start by shaving with the grain. This will shorten the hair, and then you can do the reverse – it’s your best solution for softer, smoother skin.
This method is recommended when shaving your bikini area.
Choose with the hair growth if you have very sensitive skin or very hard stubbles (+soak these). Strokes should be short and slow as the razor does not have a flexible head and you want to get all the hair especially around the bony bits.
Shave tips for knees and elbows - never cut yourself again
Do not apply pressure. The weight of the razor is enough pressure to get your close shave. Rinse razor when full.
After Shaving
If you have not used the shave oil for shaving you can apply it ow on your wet body to moisturize your body and promote skin healing.
After shave rinse your skin with cool water to close all the pores and reduce chance to get irritated skin.
Once you are towel dry, lock in the moisture, and repair the film that protects the skin’s surface with a soothing moisturizer, oil or gel. Preferably including healing ingredients such as hemp seed oil, aloe vera, calendula. Have you seen our shave oil yet?
Protect your razor
To prevent bacterial growth (which leads to razor burn), we recommend to disassemble (or half open up) your razor, rinse all the parts, let them air dry on a clean towel and store all parts in a dry and save place. This way it might last you forever.
Clean your razor
From now and then you might want to give your razor a good clean. Simply soak on hot water and soap and clean with a cloth. Do not use strong detergents on razor as it might affect the protective coating.
