The barbers blog
The perfect shave
The perfect traditional shave is not a quick shave. As a barber I have worked hard to try and perfect exactly how I can perform the perfect shave that is both relaxing and does not create any irritation to the skin
What will you need?
- 3 face towels
- Boar or Badger brush
- Mug
- Pre shave lotion
- Shaving Soap
- Straight razor or safety razor
- Sensitive Aftershave Balm
1. Hot towels
Warm two damp face towels in your microwave, 2 minutes should do the trick.
While your at it, chuck a damp face towel in the fridge.
Apply the hot face towels one at a time to your face for 1-2 minutes. The purpose of applying hot towels is to dampen and soften your facial hair, making it far easier to shave.
While your at it, chuck a damp face towel in the fridge.
Apply the hot face towels one at a time to your face for 1-2 minutes. The purpose of applying hot towels is to dampen and soften your facial hair, making it far easier to shave.
2. The lather
At Stewart's we use only Proraso Pre Shave Lotion and Proraso Shaving Soap.
Apply your pre shave to your face with your fingers, massaging it in circular motions.
Now its time to set up your lather, drench a boar or badger brush in hot water, swirl it in the shaving soap then transfer it to your shaving mug, whip it until you are left with a thick lather then transfer it to your face.
Apply the lather in circular motions for a couple of minutes, the brush will lift and soften the hair for a easier shave.
During the shave be sure to reapply the lather to any sections that may dry out.
Apply your pre shave to your face with your fingers, massaging it in circular motions.
Now its time to set up your lather, drench a boar or badger brush in hot water, swirl it in the shaving soap then transfer it to your shaving mug, whip it until you are left with a thick lather then transfer it to your face.
Apply the lather in circular motions for a couple of minutes, the brush will lift and soften the hair for a easier shave.
During the shave be sure to reapply the lather to any sections that may dry out.
3. The blade
While Barbers wield the traditional straight razor a gillette twin blade razor is a safer alternative, a double blade gives a closer finish with the first blade taking the top of the hair, whilst the pressure from the razor coupled with the second blade pushes out the base of the hair further to create a close shave.
A Barber will generally do a second pass on a shave to accomplish that same close finish.
A Barber will generally do a second pass on a shave to accomplish that same close finish.
4. Which way to shave?
Shaving against the grain creates a close finish but isn't without its drawbacks.
Shaving rash, ingrown hairs, sound familiar? You can reduce the the risk of such issues by shaving with the grain of the hair, apply a light lather after your first pass and do a second pass to ensure the smoothest finish
Shaving rash, ingrown hairs, sound familiar? You can reduce the the risk of such issues by shaving with the grain of the hair, apply a light lather after your first pass and do a second pass to ensure the smoothest finish
5. cold towel
Grab that cold towel out of the fridge and apply it to your face for a minute, this cools the skin, allows the pores of your skin to close, reduces inflammation and the risk of ingrown hairs
6. Aftershaves
Now that you have finished calming the skin lets slap on some aftershave like Macaulay Culkin right!?! Yeah nah!
You have just removed the top layers of your skin using a blade leaving it vulnerable, so at this point applying Proraso Sensitive Aftershave Balm gently with your hands will sooth and protect that clean finish.
Presto! The perfect shave!!
Published 2 January 2020
You have just removed the top layers of your skin using a blade leaving it vulnerable, so at this point applying Proraso Sensitive Aftershave Balm gently with your hands will sooth and protect that clean finish.
Presto! The perfect shave!!
Published 2 January 2020
The best beard
So you have decided to grow a beard, nice one!. However it all starts off with dreams of a masculine mane, until its day 14 and your sporting an itchy mess, which gives a hobo vibe.
So where to now? shave it off? winners don't quit! so here's some handy tips to get that beard on point.
TIP #1 keep it clean
Beards need TLC, this means you need to wash them as frequently as you wash your hair to remove dirt and grease.
Leaving your beard to fend for itself often leads to a smelly,itchy flakey mess, a small amount of shampoo will do just the trick.
Leaving your beard to fend for itself often leads to a smelly,itchy flakey mess, a small amount of shampoo will do just the trick.
tip #2 give it an oil change (daily)
Using a good quality oil (not from the Supermarket) will not only leave your beard soft and smelling awesome, it will help with itchiness and dry skin underneath the beard.
Of course Stewarts has all the best beard oils available in store.
Of course Stewarts has all the best beard oils available in store.
TIP #3 VISIT YOUR BARBER
The shape of your beard can sometimes make or break it, so head down to your local Barber to get it shaped up and tamed.
Once your beard has sharp lines and a good shape it will make it much easier to tidy at home, as you have a guide.
The average bloke should try do this every 2-3 weeks depending on how quickly your beard grows.
Once your beard has sharp lines and a good shape it will make it much easier to tidy at home, as you have a guide.
The average bloke should try do this every 2-3 weeks depending on how quickly your beard grows.
tip#4 get a good comb
Beards want to be brushed! most are prone to becoming matted if you don't brush them daily. Brushing also helps stimulate the hair follicle encouraging hair growth.
If you have a coarse beard a boar bristle brush is often best, they hardly pull and wont get stuck in the beard like some hard tooth combs. On the other hand if you have a finer beard then a hard wide tooth comb is best for getting rid of those pesky tangles
If you have a coarse beard a boar bristle brush is often best, they hardly pull and wont get stuck in the beard like some hard tooth combs. On the other hand if you have a finer beard then a hard wide tooth comb is best for getting rid of those pesky tangles
tip#5 balms
Once your beard starts getting a bit of weight behind it you will often find that oils make it feel good but don't really help keep it under control.
Get your hands on a good balm that can help tame the fuzz, a good balm will contain ingredients that help hydrate the beard, such as 'Shea Butter'.
I wouldn't suggest putting your every day hair product in your beard, as it could be a pain to get out and usually the ingredients will have no benefits for your beard.
Published 14 September 2019
Get your hands on a good balm that can help tame the fuzz, a good balm will contain ingredients that help hydrate the beard, such as 'Shea Butter'.
I wouldn't suggest putting your every day hair product in your beard, as it could be a pain to get out and usually the ingredients will have no benefits for your beard.
Published 14 September 2019
Stay sharp
hayley robinson
Iraia Roberts
Location & HoursSTEWARTS BARBERSHOP 60 Fergusson Street Feilding 4702 Manawatu Monday to Friday 9.00-5.00 Saturday 8.00-1.00 Sunday CLOSED |