There are many things that a boy should learn before he grows up. A dad is there to help his son learn these lessons. Unfortunately some of us don't always get those lessons, which is why we've decided to start a new series on what most men should know about fashion, grooming, and life but may not have gotten a chance to learn. This we tackle the art of shaving.

To the average person shaving seems like a simple concept but one has to remember there are so many components to it. Do you shave going or against the grain? How much of a difference do the number of razor blades make? Is there a big difference between electric and manual? How do you take care of razor burns and bumps? Do you even own aftershave?

All of these questions are super common with men who both learned from the dads and those who didn't.

Today we are gonna tackle what to do when using a hand razor.

Keep reading to find more about the art of shaving.

Before you do anything make sure you wash your face. This is important because not only does it help soften/loosen your skin and hair but it also gets rid of dead skin cells, dirt, and oils that can mat down your razor. (FYI dry beard hair can be as though as copper wire!)

When it comes to shaving creams and gels make sure you get something non-greasy and non drying. You have to be mindful that it's you skin you're dealing with.

Want some razor talk? If you're dealing with a hand razor bigger is better when shaving everything off and not trimming. Don't be dull, use a sharp razor for fewer strokes and fewer risks of cutting yourself.

If you're curious which way against & or with the grain is, you can find our by simply touching the hairs on your face and if you feel a resistance than that is your hair against the grain. TIP: There's no one right way to shave but I personally recommend going with the grain to take the hair off and against it if you want a closer shave.

After shaving, use a toner (preferably containing vitamins, aloe extract etc) rather than an alcohol-based aftershave. Alcohol dries out your skin, and possibly cause damage.

Want to know what happens when shaving go bad? Keep reading.

Most men cut shaving themselves sooner or later. If you don't want to walk around with a bunch of toilet paper stuck to your face you can try a quick fixes such as chapstick, petroleum jelly, or a q-tip soaked in witch hazel

One thing my father never warned me about was about razor bumps which are persistent irritations on your face and can look like acne if you have a cluster of them. These are a major bitch  nuisance and can be hard to get rid of. You can find cream remedies at your local drug store which will work but take some time to fully clear you skin. If you have/had that problem it's probably your best bet to stop shaving with a hand razor.

What are some alternatives? Well I've personally tried both hair removal creams and electric razors which both get the job done nonetheless. The pros for hair removal cream includes little manual labor but cons include uneven shave jobs and a pungent odor. I won't get to deep into electric razors because they are a beast onto themselves. I will say thought that I just bought myself a new electric razor this week.

If you have any tips, tricks, or favorite products I'd be happy to update the post and feature you. Just leave a comment below or tweet me @mcarthurjoseph.

 

**These posts do not denote the fact that I had an absentee father, just the fact that I had to learn a lot of "man lessons" the hard way**