Shaving … A daily ritual that can be of mind numbing repetitiveness.   We push a button on an aerosol can and outcomes a fluffy cloud of god knows what chemical composition.  We carelessly slather our faces trying to cover all the targeted, bewhiskered areas.  We grab our multi bladed shaving accessories (what are we up to 5, 6 blades?) and begin to hack away as quickly as safety allows.  Once most of the foam is removed, with or without all the available whiskers, we splash on a bit of water, dry and head for the door.  Mission accomplished.  Only to be repeated the following day and again and again all the days of our lives.

Let’s do a little math.  Say a typical shave takes 5 minutes from beginning to end.  You shaved 7 days a week.  You begin regular shaving when you’re what? 16 years old? You live to be, say, 80. Thirty five minutes a week times 3,328 weeks equals 116,480 minutes or 1,940 hours or 80 days.

We will spend nearly three months of our lives shaving.  Surely an investment of that kind of time and effort should be undertaken with more care and have a bit more payout on the back end. No????

That’s what the Symphony of Shaving Accessories is about… The Zen of Shaving… Shaving as a Metaphysical Act…. The Quest for the “Perfect Shave”.

How would one define the “Perfect Shave”?  Hard to say.  I suppose I’d have to paraphrase the famous dictum from Justice Potter Stewart regarding pornography.  In this case … “It’s hard to define but I’ll know it when I feel it”.  Having said that, I believe we can we create a short list of critical features to help us zero in a bit.

• First and foremost, the end result. The shave should end with a smooth, clean face free of any trace of stubble.
  
• In addition, the “Perfect Shave” should be comfortable, nick and pain free.  No razor burns or excessive tugging and pulling.
  
• I believe it should have a comforting quality to it, the same way a warm blanket is comforting on a cold day.
  
• The shaving accessories employed should be “exactly right” for the task: the razor sharp, easy to handle and a lather that softens and lubricates.
• As your first assertive act of the day, the “perfect shave” should leave you invigorated, ready to face all oncoming challenges.

A highly subjective list  I admit, but all necessary to achieve that transcendent experience.  If anyone has any additional thoughts on this subject let’s hear from you.

So that’s the task we have before us.  We’ll explore wet, classic wet (soap, mug and brush) and dry shaving in all its’ manifestations.  Note:  I’ll have to fess up to a certain biases here.  I’ve been a classic wet shaver for 20 plus years.  So don’t be surprised if we focus a good deal of attention in that direction.  We’ll examine at all manner of shaving accessories, accouterments and techniques.  Conduct an exploration of the cultural issues surrounding shaving both now and in the past. Truly, a celebration of all things shaving.

So won’t you come along and join me as we begin….. The Quest for the Perfect Shave.

Technorati Tags: dry shaving, perfect shave, shaving, Wet Shaving

What is aftershave all about anyway?  Is it just an effort to smell a bit better?  To give off those notorious pheromones that reportedly sends the women over the top?  Well perhaps, but there are other issues at play here, including cleanliness and skin health, appearance and “feel”.

Cleanliness and Skin Health

Two issues here.  The act of shaving with warm water opens the pores of the skin.  Overall this is a good thing since it allows more of the whisker to be exposed to the blade, helps prevent nicks and serves to clean out the accumulated dead skin, oils and debris from the affected area.  But after the shaving process is complete you want to close them back up again to inhibit the re-accumulation of the same grit and grim.  The astringent nature of most aftershaves does just that, close those pores back up.  Nicking eventually becomes a problem for everyone.  I’m not only talking about the bloody ones but those that cut the skin but not deep enough to draw blood.  Everyone gets them.  Since many if not most aftershaves have antiseptic properties, they help protect those areas from infection.  A bit of a rarity but it does happen.

Skin Appearance and “Feel”

The antiseptic properties of an aftershave also help accomplish two other tasks.  It generates that “tangy snap” feeling you get upon applications and gives you skin a bit of a “glow”.  While both are short-lived and don’t  effect any concrete benefit, it is a fitting end to the shaving ritual which provides a bit of a boost, energizing  and helping prepare one to meet the awaiting challenges of the day.

Other Aftershave Issues

Most aftershaves are alcohol based which provides some of its antiseptic properties.  But it also dries out the skin.  If you have a problem with dry, flakey skin, it’s best to select an aftershave product composed of predominately moisturizing ingredients.  There are many available so read the labels.  An alcohol based product may not be the best for those that have sensitive skin or suffer from acne.

Aftershaves come in many forms and formats: liquids, gels, creams and balms.  As a side note, I’m continually confused about the differences between the last three.  IMHO it’s more or a marketing distinction than one of any real substance.  After you’ve resolved any ingredient issues you may have, the form that the aftershave takes is completely one of personal preference.  I’ve yet to be able to determine any difference between a liquid or “semi-solid” aftershave regarding their performance or durability.  If someone has a different opinion or experience, love to hear from you.

The next issue is fragrance.  Here we have an extremely subjective and contentious issue.  From my personal experience it’s best to let the person who has to smell the fragrance pick it out.  Namely your significant other.  My taste in fragrance often doesn’t mesh well with others’, so I typically don’t pick out my aftershave.  Due to the fact that a few minutes after you apply an aftershave you’ll no long be able to detect its’ presence, the particular fragrance really shouldn’t be a big concern of yours.

Finally is more expensive, better? Not really. It might give you some sense of pride or accomplishment to wear a $100 a bottle aftershave but it only meaningful to you. With the exceptions of a few “experts” with an exceptionally keen sense of smell, will ever know.

One Last Note: No matter who picks out the fragrance, not matter how good it may smell or how may compliments your get, please, please use it sparingly.  A little bit goes a long, long way.  Too heavy an application can make you a social pariah in quick order as well as trigger coughing and sneezing fits from those around you.

Technorati Tags: aftershave, shaving, Shaving Accessories