“I think every man’s style starts with good grooming,” says celebrity style guru Sam Saboura, who has worked with such manly men as Jude Law, David Beckham, Brad Pitt and the members of Aerosmith. “I think people underestimate the power of a good shave — it’s easy and it makes a huge difference.”
Good shaving cream is essential to good grooming, says Bruce Shultz, founder of the Boardroom Salon for Men in Southlake, Texas.
“When you shave, you take off the top layer of your skin, so it’s important to nurture your skin and put moisture back in,” he says. Look for a glycerin-based product — anything that’s alcohol-based is asking for discomfort, he says. Shaving soap is another good choice, he says, that’s also a good value because it lasts a long time with no waste.
Take it further with an aftershave lotion that moisturizes and repairs the face, suggests Saboura. A sunscreen is also smart, both men say.
Another must-have? A good shave brush, preferably one made of badger hair. “A shaving brush makes your whiskers stand up, so when you shave, you have a clean cut,” Shultz says.
When it comes to choosing a blade, it’s important to get a great razor, says Saboura, who is also a spokesman for The Art of Shaving, a men’s grooming brand with its own storefronts ().
Shultz recommends trying a straight-razor shave — at a barbershop or men’s salon. “A straight-razor shave is so close that it’ll last two or three days,” Shultz says.
For better results at home, Saboura suggests shaving after showering. Not only are your skin and beard softer, but you can also see what you’re doing.
Think you don’t need to shave because you have facial hair? Think again, Saboura says. “The rule for beards and other facial hair is, you have to keep it clean, especially for the workplace.”
