How to shave correctly in a simple way?

We know that shaving, especially for those having their first experiences, can be tricky. I, for example, was never really taught. I learned to shave on my own, just so I wouldn’t look like a caveman. With that perspective, I thought it would be a great topic to cover here.

You, dear bearded beginner, or anyone who wants to improve their shaving routine—won’t be left helpless. You don’t need a bunch of products to achieve a great shave. Remember: sometimes less is more. In this post, we’ll go through all the steps and recommendations to help you shave excellently!

But... what are the steps?

There’s the common method, used by those who don’t care much and just shave in any way, and then there’s the more careful approach, for those who value their skin. Since I want to set a good example, I’ll go through the step-by-step process for those who care about their face, in a simple way

Step 1: Preparing the skin for battle.

This is an important part that many ignore. Your skin can become extremely irritated if you don’t treat it as it deserves. Lack of preparation can increase friction and cause micro-injuries (besides cutting the hair, the blade can end up scraping part of the skin). One of the most unpleasant consequences is folliculitis. I experienced this when I was in the army. As everyone knows, no facial hair is allowed. I suffered because the curvature of my hair was different, which made folliculitis more likely (we’ll talk more about this later).

Okay, but how do you prepare the skin?

• Wash your face with warm water. Hot water helps open the pores and soften the hair, making shaving easier and less aggressive. That’s why many people prefer to shave after showering.

• Use a shaving cream, gel, or oil: These products create a protective barrier between the blade and the skin, reducing friction and irritation. There are several affordable options available. I suggest checking out products from Natura or Avon, or simply buying one at your local pharmacy.

Step 2: The shave.

Now it’s time to actually shave. You can use a razor, straight blade, or an electric shaver. Remember those problems I mentioned earlier? Most of them happen because of razors and blades. That’s why I strongly recommend buying an electric shaver. Good ones—not those cheap ones—come with features that reduce friction and protect the skin.

I suggest checking out my other post about Philips OneBlade models, a handy little shaver that lets you shave without all these steps, and can be used in the shower, with shaving products, or even dry. Interesting, right? Soon I’ll also talk about other trimmers, so stay tuned!

Click here to see the post about the models

• If you choose a razor or blade, pick a quality one. Remember: we’re talking about your face, so don’t mistreat it with a bad blade, especially if it’s dull. Always use a clean, sharp blade.

• Shave in the direction of hair growth: This is not nonsense—it’s super important! One of the reasons I developed folliculitis in the army was exactly because of this. Since no hair was allowed, I had to shave extremely close, but my beard was thick and curly. Curly or coiled hair tends to grow back into the skin instead of outward, causing ingrown hairs. When you shave too close, this problem gets worse.

  
  

• Avoid passing the blade over the same spot multiple times: The first pass removes the shaving product (gel, cream, or oil). If you go over it again without reapplying, you’re scraping the blade directly against almost unprotected skin. So, if you need another pass, reapply the product.

Step 3: Post-shave care.

Finally, we’re done! But to finish strong, we need some post-shave care too.

• Rinse your face with cold water: Cold water helps close the pores that were opened with warm water earlier.

• Dry your face with a clean towel: Just pat gently, don’t rub. Even the best shave causes micro-injuries, leaving the skin sensitive. Rubbing can increase irritation, redness, and reopen small cuts.

• Apply an aftershave balm or lotion: It helps hydrate the skin and heal small injuries that may occur during shaving, while soothing irritation. Be careful if your skin is sensitive—look for alcohol-free products.

See? Shaving isn’t that difficult. By following these steps, you shave more safely and avoid your skin constantly crying out for help. Remember: self-care doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated—it can be simple and accessible. If you buy a basic shaving cream and a razor, it can cost around 20 reais, the essentials for shaving. If you choose an electric shaver, it’s even cheaper in the long run, since it lasts longer. With this post, I want to show you that with little, you can already do a lot!