TIPS FOR SUMMER SHAVING
by Gents barber Simon
As the seasons change, so do your skin's needs. You should therefore review your summer shaving routine and how you can adapt it to the heat. Below are 4 simple tips from our barber Simon on how to achieve a good shaving routine in summer.
COLD-SHAVING
The key to a good shave often lies in the preparation and completion of the whole ‘ritual’. To prepare your skin as well as possible, you should ideally start with a clean ‘canvas’. That is, a light cleansing with a face wash/gel. In summer, we recommend trying cold-shaving. Cold-shaving means that you rinse your face in cold water instead of lukewarm, before and while you shave. This gives a more pleasant feeling in the summer as it has a cooling effect on the skin and the hairs become stiffer, which in itself allows you to get a closer shave.
COOLING PRE-SHAVE
To create a little extra ‘luxury’ and better glide when shaving, I recommend using a pre-shave. Proraso's Pre-Shave Cream in the green line is perfect in the summer as the eucalyptus oil and menthol give a cooling sensation. It is also one of Proraso's most appreciated shaving products as the cream is rich, softens the beard hairs and prevents shaving irritation.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE AFTERCARE
After shaving, it is vital to apply an aftershave, preferably a balm. Lotion can work if you use something like the Proraso red range. But an aftershave balm helps the skin to repair more easily after shaving and can help against any friction. During the summer, you can use a thinner balm/gel if you think it feels ‘sticky’. My favourites in the summer are Proraso's After Shave Balm Refreshing Eucalyptus and Benjamin Barber's Black Oak After Shave Gel.
BEARD
For those of you with beards, I would like to recommend building a routine with beard oil. Feel free to apply the oil to the beard after showering as it is beneficial to the skin underneath. When it comes to longer beards, I would recommend combining the beard oil with a beard balm. The reason is that the oil works more easily into the beard down to the skin while the balm is more ‘on the outside’ and can act as a lighter styling product. With the balm, you can easily shape the beard and avoid any hairs sticking out here and there. Benjamin Barber's beard oils are a strong recommendation if you want a lovely scent in your beard.
