How to get the closest shave at home.

Shaving is a lost art. Many brands today will try to sell you the most technologically advanced electric razors, which aim to get the job done as quickly as possible.

They may be an efficient, faff-free solution, but electric razors will never be able to give you a shave as close as the old fashioned, manual way.

If you want the closest shave possible, there’s really only one way to go. That is, with a brush and a safety or straight razor. One of life’s great modern luxuries is a wet shave, but for ultimate convenience, the same result can be had at home. You’ll need a bit of time, patience and the right technique, but once you master it, a wet shave every few days can be both a relaxing and rewarding way to look your best.

If you’re looking to get the closest shave in the comfort of your own home, follow these five simple steps. Put down the electric razor and go classic. You won’t regret it.

5 steps to a close shave at home:

• Have a hot shower first. This ensures your facial hair will soften and your follicles open up, giving you the best chance for a good shave.

• Give yourself a home-made hot towel treatment. Fill the sink with water as hot as you can stand. While you’re doing this, put your shaving brush in the sink to soak. Add Olbas oil to the water and mix it in if you want an enhanced steaming effect. Fold the towel in half longways and then roll up. Dip halfway in and then wring out before repeating on the other end. Hold against your face for as long as you can feel the heat. Breathe and relax!

• The next step is to lather your stubble using a shaving brush and DAVINES Shaving Cream - Gel-to-foam formula for a fast, close and gentle shave, enriched with Alkekengi extract for its soothing properties.

• . Put an olive size amount into a shaving bowl, then dab and swirl your shaving brush in it for a minute or so. Once the soap lathers up and melts down into the brush, start vigorously brushing your face in a circular motion. Use up as much of the cream as possible for a good, even coverage, (but remove lather from any skin tags or moles so you don't cut them). Bonus tip: to tell if the lather is ready, make sure it has a good slippery feel between thumb and index finger. Ensure it feels wet, not greasy and that the lather doesn’t run between your fingers.

• Shave with your razor of choice. How you shave depends on the razor type - eg if using a cut throat or safety razor, then shaving angle, blade approach and skin tension are crucial. It is not advised to go against the ‘grain’ or the growth pattern of your beard. So go with the grain in parallel strokes, and if you need to get closer try a diagonal stroke.

• Once you’ve finished shaving, hydrate and soothe your skin with a post shave balm. You ideally want one with soothing and hydrating properties. DAVINES Post Shave Double use: daily moisturiser and after-shave, Hydrating, protective and soothing action, light non-greasy texture with karité butter and babassu butter enriched with organic cutleaf groundcherry extract. Vibrant citrus fragrance. 93,3% from natural origin.

To book your next (or first) hair appointment at barbers of cheltenham get in touch with us on:

Cheltenham  07970195002

Or book online plus you can keep up to date with all our special offers and barbers of cheltenham news by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

More than a haircut: the barber's role in modern life

Throughout history, the role of the barber has included many things – shaver, hair cutter, surgeon, dentist.

In ancient Greece barbers provided manicures for the elite, and in ancient Rome the role of the barber was tied to a young man’s coming of age, as he sat for his first shave. In the middle ages and beyond, the barber was the person you visited for the extraction of teeth and blood letting.

Today, while the call for surgery and tooth removal is reserved for medical professionals, the role of the barber and the barbershop is so much more than simply cutting hair and shaving faces.

Identity Consultant

How a man presents himself to the world is a vital part of who he is. How you choose to style your hair and your treatment of facial hair is tied to your personal sense of identity, and getting it right can instil confidence, balance, and happiness.

While in the past the traditional barbershop has been accused of being an overtly, intimidatingly masculine place, the modern barbershop is place where you can embrace your masculinity without anyone else defining what that is. As male grooming is quickly flourishing into a booming industry globally, it’s becoming clear that men are as conscious about their looks as women, and the need for men to be well groomed and able to express their identity and personality through their appearance is an important part of male life.

Not only does the barber cut, style and shave to help reveal the person you want the world to see, but we use our expertise to advise, consult and help you to find a style that is right for who you are.

Confidence Booster

Highly competitive workplaces, fast-paced living, and pressure from social and mainstream media to be both aesthetically and professionally perfect can grind a man’s confidence down and leave him feeling less than positive about himself.

A 2019 study by grooming giants Wahl has shown that 81% of men feel at their most confident in the two weeks following a haircut. It also showed that a third of respondents felt that a fresh cut gave them confidence in challenging work situations, while 84% of men feel negative or lacking in confidence when they go out without a fresh cut or shave.

This means that the job of the barber is about helping men to feel ready to face the world, giving them the confidence boost they need to take on whatever is thrown at them head-on, and providing all-important positivity about themselves.

Relaxation Specialist

Life has accelerated in recent decades, and everyone is feeling the pressure to life full work, social, and family lives. Finding a small pocket of time in which to relax and concentrate on your own needs without work calls, family issues, or social events making demands on you can be a challenge.

A trip to the barbers is more than a necessity for the sake of hygiene and social appearance, it’s an opportunity to take time for yourself, indulge in making yourself look and feel good, and unwind in stylish, comfortable surroundings, being treated by a professional. A good barber knows how to make their clients feel relaxed. The barbershop provides a full experience, and presents an opportunity for the modern man to take a break and spend a good amount of time focussing on himself.

Social Facilitator

Historically, the barbershop has been a place for communities to meet, share news and engage in discussion around the issues of the day, as well as receiving professional haircuts and shaving. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the barbershop was a place where people would come to play boardgames, make business deals and discuss politics.

Today, a modern barbershop has fewer chess boards, but the tradition of it being a space for social discourse and cultural sharing has endured. The barbershop is a place where opinions, experiences, and interests can be aired and shared, where men can interact with others of differing cultures, political persuasions, and interests, where they can learn, share, and debate to enrich and diversify their social life. Within this, the role of the barber exists as participant, facilitator, and host, ensuring discussions are kept friendly, debates are healthy, and the conversation is kept flowing.

More than a haircut

The modern barbershop’s role is about providing an essential service in a man’s life, providing consultation, confidence, calmness, and companionship. And on top of all that, you’ll get a great haircut, too. At Barbers of Cheltenham we pride ourselves on the service we provide to our clients. For the full barbershop experience, book an appointment here

To book your next (or first) hair appointment at barbers of cheltenham get in touch with us on:

Cheltenham  07970195002

Or book online plus you can keep up to date with all our special offers and barbers of cheltenham news by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram