How to get the perfect sha ve

Omar Hamwi gets some expert tips on achieving the ultimate smooth shave

Facial hair grooming is all too often overlooked as both a routine and style choice, especially when compared with attire. Whether time is a factor or it’s simply a question of technique, it’s surprisingly simple to get a good routine going if you sort out a few basic steps.

To find out how an industry expert approaches the perfect shave, T3 chatted with Brian Mulreany, of the Executive Shaving Company ( executive-shaving.co.uk), and asked which techniques and products he’d recommend to those of us wanting to lift our grooming game. “First up, wet shaving is better for your skin than using an electric razor,” Mulreany explains. “There are lots of wet razors to choose from but we recommend a safety razor. They load up with thin, double-edge blades that are recyclable.”

But when is the ideal time to work a shave into your routine? Mulreany says your skin will be better off when it’s soft, which will also give you a better overall shave. “Shave after showering or having a bath, the warm water and steam will lift your bristles off the skin and soften them, leading to a shave that is closer and more comfortable,” he says. “Always use a sharp blade and lather up with a shaving brush and a decent shaving cream or soap.”

Lastly, on the question of technique, some basics will get you a consistently good shave while avoiding skin irritation. Mulreany suggests shaving in the direction your bristles grow and then once again in the opposite direction to get closer to the skin. Applying moisturising aftershave balm at the end to round out your routine is essential if you want your skin to really benefit.