5 mistakes you should avoid when shaving

Chafed skin, razor-sharp stubble or patchy patches in the beard – many men make small mistakes when shaving that have a major impact on their appearance and health. But how can you keep your look in shape even after a trim, and what are the essentials for this stylish procedure?

Preparation is key

A quick shave and off to work? I’m not a fan of these rushed morning beard trims. A proper wet shave requires thorough preparation to achieve the best results. It’s particularly important that the hair becomes nice and soft so that the razor doesn’t have to fight against stiff resistance later on.

In our salons, we use warm towels that are left on the hair for two to three minutes. At home, you can replicate this with a shower or by holding your face over a sink of hot water for a few minutes; the steam opens the skin’s pores and softens the beard. Next, I recommend our pre-shave oil, which enhances this effect. This new product disinfects, forms a protective layer on the skin and thus also protects the razor. Together with fresh shaving foam, you create the perfect base for the blades to glide gently over the skin.

An exciting business

Why on earth did God give us two hands if we only need one for shaving? Whilst the stronger hand guides the razor or blade, the other should be holding the skin taut at the relevant spot the whole time. This has the advantage that the beard hairs automatically stand on end. This makes them easier to shave off cleanly – which is particularly important, as flat-lying hairs are caught at an angle and can damage the epidermis with their extremely sharp tips – a common mistake when shaving.

With or against the grain?

Time and again I see men with reddened or spotty skin on their necks. As a barber, I know immediately what has gone wrong in the bathroom at home. Especially with coarse beard hair, men tend to shave against the grain to achieve a clean result. The problem is that if you have very soft skin, it can literally burst open. The shaved hairs also grow back immediately, which can lead to inflammation. In these areas, you should therefore only shave with the grain when wet shaving; with the right preparation, you’ll achieve a great result – give it a go and see for yourself!

Avoiding patchy spots

Especially when trimming three-day beards, gaps often appear on the cheeks. This often causes confusion, as the electric trimmer can’t change its depth on its own mid-shave. Nor does it; there’s a very simple reason for the patchy result: there’s usually less hair on the sides of the face than at the corners of the mouth, on the chin or on the moustache – so, to achieve a uniform look on the cheeks, the trimmer should be set about three millimetres higher.

The right aftercare

What many men forget: the aftercare mustn’t be neglected either. First, the open skin pores must be closed with cold water to prevent impurities from entering. Then, pat the irritated skin dry with a clean towel until it is still slightly damp, and massage in a nourishing aftershave. At Eric:Barbier, we use a moisturising oil that contains no alcohol. And for good reason: alcohol forms a thin film on the skin that traps regrowing hair, thereby promoting irritations such as spots, inflammation and blackheads.

Do you have a question about how to optimise your shave? On your next visit to our salons on Ballindamm or in HafenCity, I’ll be happy to show you how to avoid shaving mistakes. Or are you fancying a new style? Here you’ll find the 2020 trends for beards, hairstyles and clothing.

Yours, Anthony