Shaving Creams vs Shaving Soaps

There has been lots of debate about which of these products is good in shaving and which forms more lather. While there may not be an end to this debate, it's best we understand what each has to offer.

Shaving soaps are kind of like the father of shaving creams. Shaving soaps have been around for a really long time. Usually men who are used to shaving soaps often find the creams too easy to form lather. You have to know and understand the techniques of forming lather with the soaps or you might find it extremely difficult to use. Unlike shaving creams, shaving soaps usually don't come scented. Although recent soaps are being scented, they usually don't have a variety of scents to choose from.

Shaving creams are an adaptation from the soaps. The shaving creams are designed to allow for easy lather formation. With just little moisture, the creams can form good lather with a good shaving brush. The creams usually have a wide variety of scents to choose from. The Vikings Blade shaving creams, for instance, comes with sandalwood and cedar as its main ingredients. This gives the cream a characteristic scent.

Three Ways to Apply Shaving Cream Lather

The major difference between wet and dry shaving is in the application of shaving creams or soaps. A good shaving cream helps to soften the stubble and make it much easier to shave. Too often there have been debates on how best to apply lather to the face. We have identified three ways - two of them would require a brush while the last is brush less.

Apply by Hand

There are two types of shaving creams - tubed and cupped shaving creams. Usually, these tube shaving creams are best applied using the hand. This is because they don't form much lather for a badger brush to pick up.

Directly on the Face

Since this will require a badger shaving brush, you would need to start off by soaking the brush. When this is properly achieved, shake off excess moisture by shaking the brush. Use the brush to pick up the needed quantity of shaving cream and apply it on your face. In a circular motion, form the lather on your face.

Using a Bowl

If you have a shaving mug or bowl, they have the same uses. If not available, you could use the sink basin in your bathroom. Just like the previous step but you'll apply the shaving cream first into the bowl. By swirling the brush in the cream and then unto the bowl, you form your lather. When formed, you take it up with the brush and apply to the area to be shaved. Use the same brush to make a good lather.

Shaving Your Neck the Right Way

While facial hair seems to take all of the recognition, the neck is still a fertile ground for holding hairs and beards. Just like in shaving the face, you should also familiarize yourself with the direction of the growing hair. The neck has different hair growth direction which may seem a bit confusing at first. With enough shaving experience, you would soon discover the right direction for shaving. If not properly shaved, there's a high risk of having ingrown hairs.

You have to make sure you lather up perfectly. The neck is not an easy area to access fully but with the aid of a mirror, you should be able to see what you're doing. The lather should be the same quality and thickness you use when shaving the face. This will ensure even softening of the neck hairs for shaving.

Use a sharp DE razor that can give clean shaves. A good DE razor will give you a clean shaves with short strokes. Short strokes are the best way to shave, especially the neck area. Keep the skin flattened and not over stretched while shaving. Instead of raising the head and pulling on the skin to make it taut, try pushing your head forward and slightly raising it up. This will give a flattened surface for you to shave with. Remember to be careful and take your time. The neck has many contours you will need patience to maneuver.

Questions to Ask Yourself before Shaving

So you're ready for your next shave but this time you want to get it right. Shaving cuts bumps, and irritations have become somewhat like an inheritance and you want no part of it again. Here are some questions you need to have answers for before you start.

What look are you going for?

Let's be honest, there are different styles, shaves, and sizes of shaving that can be achieved with a good DE razor. Do you want to have stubble look it a clean shave or just variables of both of them? This will go a long way in determining the level of cut you want and the number of times you want to apply lather. Smoother shaves would require reapplication of lather.

How often do you shave?

Do you shave daily, biweekly, or weekly? Have a defined pattern for shaving. If you love to allow the hairs grow before shaving, then have a time interval for it. Daily shaves would mean your skin is prepared to have a razor on it every day.

Do you have a sensitive skin?

Most people don't know they have sensitive skin until it's a bit too late. It is best you know and understand your skin to get good shaves. Obviously if you have sensitive skin, you shouldn't be shaving every day and always practice wet shaving. If you have sensitive skin, you should spend a lot of time in the preparation stage of shaving. Work to keep the hair softened and moisturized.

How much do you want to spend on shaving?

There are expensive and less expensive razors. While most people often mistake expensive razors as the best, this is not always true. Using expensive razors means you'll also spend for blade refills. If you are on a budget, try using less expensive razors like Vikings Blade which is not only affordable but have inexpensive blades refill.

The Vikings Blade - Incredible Piece of Shaving Equipment

I got the Vikings Blade as a Father’s Day gift from my older son. I was waiting for some weeks to elapse before dropping my review on the product. The Vikings Blade is an incredible piece of shaving equipment. I was barely managing my Weishi just before I got the Vikings Blade. I can tell you authoritatively that the Weishi doesn’t compare in any way. I am not trying to degrade any brand but I have to give an honest and personal review.

The Vikings Blade is hefty and gives you an impression that you are holding on to a quality razor. I specially love the fact that it comes with a classic handle. Then when we talk about its appearance, that’s just another great feature altogether. The razor comes with a beautiful travel case and 5 extra blades. For me, that’s a great way to start any shaving experience. I was thinking my son bought the travel case separately until he told me it came with the package. The butterfly head is just simply amazing. I can change blades during shaves without any hassle. With just a little twist of the handle, the head beautifully opens up. I am really glad I got this as a gift; it was a perfect Father’s Day gift!

First Time Shavers

We all should be able to remember our first shave. It was one of the rites of passage to becoming a man. That first stroke to remove your hair – not someone else’s but yours! So, while we may all have our individual memory of this experience there are some who are about to experience it. Even if you have no one to be here for you, you can count on us to be here for you.

When Should You Start Shaving?

This is more of a personal question as no general time or age can be suitable for everyone. Basically you would want to have a significant amount of hair before you would want to take it off. No need to be in a hurry to shave off the first strand of hair that grows on your skin; you will have plenty of time shaving in your lifetime. Just wait and let them grow darker first.

Choosing the Razor

As a first timer, ti is best you start off on the right note. Get yourself a good DE razor and you would have started a bump-free journey to adulthood. Shaving sticks should not be an heirloom to be passed from one generation to another. There cheap DE razors out there even you can afford.

Take it Easy

 There is no need trying to impress anyone with your first shaving. No one is competing with you, so take your time with the first shave. Your sin is still sensitive to blades and you could cut yourself if you don’t know what you are doing. Learn with the process and soon enough, you will become a professional in your own rights!

How to Use Shaving Creams

Before we begin with the ‘how’, it is best we understand that there are basically two kinds of shaving creams – with regards to the kind of packaging. Shaving creams are usually found in tubes or jars. These two kinds of packaging have different types of application: brushless and lathering. Irrespective of the kind you have, it is important you prep the beard before application.

Using shaving creams in tubes, as already stated will require a brushless application. It is brushless in the sense that you do not need a shaving brush to apply it. All you have to do is squeeze out a little cream from the tube on your face. You can also squeeze into your finger and apply on the face. The quantity needed will be spelt out on the tube or if not, use your discretion. Rub onto the area you need to shave with your fingers. It will help soften the stubble and allow for easy movement of the razor during shaving.

Lathering creams are the most common and popular shaving creams around. Since this kind of cream needs a brush, the ‘how’ process will have to start from prepping the brush before using it on the cream. Prepping of the brush will entail dipping the brush in warm water for about 30 seconds and then shaking it about 3-4 times to get rid of some of the water. Swirl the wet brush on the top of the shaving cream in the jar. Take the brush to the area to be shaved and begin lathering. If you are using a good, silver tip badger brush, lathering should occur easily without much pressure.