Using a shaving brush is without a doubt the best and fastest way to improve a lot your shaving quality. This is because using a shaving brush exfoliates your skin, making it softer and less subject to burns, nick and cuts, while at the same time putting the hair on your face straight up, making it more simple to cut. Also, the thin film of soap on your skin lubricates it extremely well (most of the time through glycerine), letting the blade you are using run over your skin easily and smoothly, improving not only the shaving quality but also making the shave a lot faster, because of the less passes needed.
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But to Shaving Soap actually get all of those benefits from a shaving brush and shaving soap, you need to use them in the right way.
First, you need lots of hot water. It must be hot and not tepid because you want your skin to be the softest and your pores dilated. Splash your face multiple times, soaking well your beard. The wetter, the easier to cut. If you feel your skin is a little dry, try applying a little hydrating cream to prevent damage to your skin.
After that, get your soap and brush. You also need a cup or something similar to create the foam you will use. Soak the brush in the hot water, then pull it out, letting the excess water drip out. It is important to use hot water because it dilates the bristles and makes the brushing a lot more pleasurable. Then, if you are using a solid shaving soap, rub your brush against it a few times to get the right amount of soap out of it. If you use a shaving cream instead a pea sized part of cream in your cup is more than enough for your shaves.
Then, start moving the brush against the cup in circular motions. You want to air to be incorporated in the foam to make it soft and consistent. Continue the motion until the foam looks like meringue (it may take, depending on your brush quality, up to 3 minutes). You then have your shaving foam to use.
Final foam's quality really depends on the quality of the products you are using: a boar brush will make a lot more foam and higher quality one from less soap, but of course it is far more expensive. But do not worry, you can obtain satisfactory results even with a $10 brush.
Shaving soaps are made to soften beard so a closer shave can be achieved at the end of the day. Apart from providing enough lathering, the soap pampers the skin, thus keeping the skin protected and ensuring that the razor does not clog in the process. Top quality shaving soap will also exfoliate the skin so it is softer and there is reduced risk of acne blemished and ingrown hairs.
But just like shaving creams, there are so many soaps for shaving available in the market. It can therefore get confusing when trying to find the best. But when you know what to look for when buying your soap, finding a good quality one for your shaving needs will be an easy thing to do.
Ingredients
Natural oils and moisturizers - They include oils such as jojoba, Shea butter, coconut and olive oil among others. These ingredients reduce drying effect on your skin and are especially great for those with dry skins. With the right moisturizers, you will always enjoy a soft, supple skin and a healthy complexion after every shave.
Lavender and aloe Vera - They are the perfect ingredients for those with sensitive skin. This is because they have anti-inflammatory properties, which work in reducing skin issues such as redness, bumps and itchy skin that come with shaving. People with sensitive skin should always go for hypoallergenic shaving soaps.
Tea tree oil and active charcoal - They make good ingredients for oily skin. The two ingredients lessen oiliness thus promoting clear skin and decreasing greasy unsightly shine. Soaps with these ingredients will not end up increasing oil content or clogging your pores.
Fat and glycerin - Vegetable oil derived glycerin serves as humectant locking in water and keeping the skin hydrated. It is also emollient and softens beard, leaving the skin moisturized and smooth. Vegetable or tallow fat on the other hand lubricates and protects the skin during shaving; it helps the blade glide without nicking or irritating the skin surface.
Scent
The scent is a matter of personal preference. It is however important to choose soaps that are scented using natural herbs, flowers and spices over those with harmful preservatives and perfumes. Most of the top quality soaps in the market employ essential oils to create different scents that also come with added skin and general health benefits. Find out how your soap is perfumed and select a scent you will love using and one that is invigorating for an amazing shaving experience.
Production method
The method used to process the soap can determine how well it lathers and at the same time how long lasting it is going to be. Natural handmade soaps seem to be better choices in terms of quality, but you will also find soaps which are triple milled to increase lather profuseness. If possible and necessary, find out how the soap you are about to buy is produced and how that matters in the quality you enjoy at the end of the day. Natural handmade soaps tend to be earth friendly and skin friendly too, so be sure to choose wisely.