We spoke to the teams at Murdock London and The Bluebeards Revenge to get their advice on mastering the art of the perfect shave. Shaving is an essential everyday experience for many men- perhaps something that you have to do rather than something that you enjoy. Here are some top tips that can make it more of an experience and less of a chore, whether you are new to the shaving game or you want to shake up your routine. There are a variety of tips and techniques out there so discover which one works best for you.

Tips From Murdock London

Murdock have created a range of quality, British grooming products to give you the confidence to take on the World. Inspired by British traditions, Murdock want to give you the indulgent and memorable barbershop experience at home. Who better to ask about how to get the perfect shave then the Murdock London team; here is what they have to say

Step By Step Guide

The art of shaving doesn't always require a barbershop interior in which to be conducted. The foundations and results of a perfect wet shave can be achieved in your very bathroom at home - and we can help you achieve just that. There are just five fundamental steps to follow

#1WASH YOUR FACE BEFOREHAND

This is crucial in regards to how your skin will respond to your blade - no matter how snazzy the steel may be. Before shaving you should wash your face with Murdock Face Wash in order to cleanse the pores and remove potential irritation caused by grit and dead skin. After gently drying your face, apply a generous amount of Murdock Pre Shave Oil in order to further soften the skin and facial hair.

#2 PREPARE YOUR FACE

Mix two thirds very hot water with one third cold in your sink or bowl and soak a flannel for a few moments. Squeeze the flannel out and apply to your face for a few moments more. Soak the flannel for a few moments longer if you have a particularly large amount of facial hair to remove.

#3 PREPARE YOUR SHAVE CREAM LATHER

Allow your brush to fully immerse in the warm water to loosen the hair. Let the excess water drip out before proceeding to use. Take a fingertip amount of Murdock shaving cream and using your brush in a firm circular motion, create a creamy lather in your shaving bowl. Always try to use a brush when shaving - our clients with the best skin are generally those who shave with one.

#4 THE CORRECT TECHNIQUE

One key tip that our expert barbers always emphasise is that you should never shave across the grain of hair growth. We cannot stress this enough. Always shave in the direction your hair is pointing to avoid irritation. With your razor in one hand, use your free hand to pull on your skin in order to firmly open your pores and release the targeted hair.

#5 COOL OFF

After shaving cool your skin down with a cold towel for a few moments and apply a liberal amount of Murdock Post Shave Balm to soothe the surface. As sharp and fresh as you may be feeling right now, be careful to avoid the temptation of applying cologne directly to your newly-shaved face.

From this point on, we hope you enjoy a closer, more comfortable and satisfying traditional shave at home.

Tips From The Bluebeards Revenge

The team at The Bluebeards Revenge have created the ultimate shaving and grooming experience for real men. Traditionally, the experts at The Bluebeards Revenge find themselves chatting with men that suffer with thick and stubborn stubble – the type that sprouts from a man’s chops in a day and leaves a shadow darker than the dead of night. But every man has to start somewhere and learning to shave is a rite of passage. As a result, their experts have put together their top shaving tips for those that are new to the shave game!

#1 USE A FACE SCRUB

Before you start to consider shaving creams and razors, you need to make sure the skin is clean. This can often be challenging for youngsters and their pimply faces, but a face scrub or wash will help. Using a face scrub such as The Bluebeards Revenge Face Scrub helps to remove dirt and oil from deep inside the pores, reducing the friction between the face and the razor. For someone that’s new to shaving, this can help to drastically reduce irritation.

#2 USE A SHAVING CREAM

Learning to shave is an experience that should leave men feeling relaxed and pampered and is not something that can be achieved with cans of shaving slime. Start as you mean to go on by using a rich and luxurious shaving cream that offers a thicker lather than a gel. This will ultimately protect the skin more from the sharp edge of a razor. Combine a cream with a shaving brush for an exfoliating treatment that will leave the skin feeling incredible, while also raising the hairs away from the face for an easier shave.

#3 SHAVE WITH THE GRAIN

Shaving with the grain means that you follow the natural growth patterns of the hair when shaving with your razor. Failing to do this will likely result in a serious case of razor rash, leaving a man red faced and sore for a number of days. As a shaving newbie, it’s also worth considering avoiding any more than one pass. The skin will slowly build resilience to razor blades, but until that happens it’s likely to be very sensitive.

#4 USE A POST-SHAVE BALM TO SETTLE THE SKIN

Using a post-shave balm like The Bluebeards Revenge Post Shave Balm will help to rehydrate and moisturise the skin, as well as offering a further layer of protection from the elements. Look to use products that include soothing ingredients such as aloe vera.

We hope this has given you inspiration to master your perfect shave.