Will's Unwarranted Advice: How to shave (facial and body hair)
Note: This was originally on Reddit, so some things, like superscript - though I don't think I have any in this episode - may not carry over well. My apologies.
Everyone has hair in a lot of very interesting places, but in this episode of WUA, we'll be focusing on three main areas: face, legs, and underarms.
Not everyone will need this one, so if this doesn't concern you, butt out (kidding, I love you, I promise).
Disclaimer! I don't have facial hair, so I'll give you a step-by-step and pointers, and link a few affordable products you'll need, but for the actual shaving, I have to refer you to @\itsfondo_ on Instagram. There's a slim but non-zero chance he knows more than me on the matter. Now, onto the instructions!
First, you need products. Mister Fondo uses some more advanced ones, and Mister My Dad uses some quite cheap ones (I love him, but not all of us have that blue-collar toughness), so I'll find you something that won't hurt your brain or your face.
Schick Quattro Titanium has four blades, and customers rave about smooth shaves without pulling or nicks. It's affordable and durable. This is the 'cheap' option, though still good.
Gillette Fusion5 has five blades and a Lubrastrip. It's twice the price at half the refills, but customers are more than satisfied with the close shaves and lack of irritation. The Lubrastip will also provide some relief for those with sensitive skin.
Electric razors - if you have a beard or particularly thick stubble, a pass with an electric razor is essential for a smooth, even shave
eboboin Electric Razor has good reviews and is cheap. Will Stamp of Approval.
Shaving cream - this is not optional, no matter what anyone tells you
Nivea Sensitive Shave Gel is from a well-known brand, is affordable, and helps soothe skin, leading to less razor burn.
Gillette PRO Shaving Gel is also for sensitive skin; also from a well-known, trusted brand; and also incredibly affordable.
Aftershave - also not optional
Skin Bracer is a recommended brand. It's praised for its scent and its efficacy in preventing irritation associated with razor burn.
There are other products you can buy, but those are for intermediate levels of shaving, and this is a beginner tutorial.
2. You're now ready to shave. Here is a video explaining how (though Mister Fondo excludes the mustache, and I can't find a video on his page where he doesn't, so I'll do my best to explain it). I'll also give step-by-step instructions.
Using your newly acquired electric razor, do a pass over your face to get any particularly thick stubble to avoid gunking up the razor. If you don't have particularly thick stubble, you can skip this step.
Run a dishtowel or rag under hot - yes, hot - water. Wring it out until it doesn't drip much, then hold it to your face for thirty seconds to a minute to soften the hairs and make your life easier. If it's too hot, wait, then do this. Just make sure it's warm.
Apply your shaving gel. It should be rather intuitive. Just do your best.
Shave. Go with the grain, not against. This means that you go in the direction that your hair grows. You can go at a ninety-degree angle, but never a full 180.
Around the edge of the cheek, the hair grows down, then horizontally near the bottom.
Once you get the main part of your cheek, puff it out for a smoother shave.
Around the chin area, tuck your lip in and shave down.
For the 'stache area, again, tuck your lip and shave down.
Next, go in with your aftershave.
Note: It can burn, especially if you're too rough with your shave and/or if you have sensitive skin, so try to be careful, but it might be unavoidable with the product I've recommended, unfortunately.
Make sure to run your razor under running water every few passes to ensure it doesn't get gunked up with hair.
If you get a nick, hold an ice pack or ice cube (or a closed tub of ice cream, frozen bag of peas, cold soda, etc. - just make sure it's ice-cold) to the wound for 15 to 30 seconds. You could also apply a witch hazel-based toner - though never for cuts, I've personally used THAYERS for general skin care, and it worked wonders.
If you miss an area and need to go back over it, don't do it raw; add more shaving gel.
And that's it! Might seem complicated, maybe a little scary, but once you start, it's like riding a bike - you might get a few nicks here and there, but it's smooth sailing (I can't think of a bike-riding pun right now, unfortunately).
For all my femboys, thems, and ladies, new and old, I've got you covered. I've been doing this on and off for years now, and I'm at a point where I rarely get so much as the occasional nick.
First, you need products, like everything else. This list will be for legs and underarms.
I personally use Gillette Venus ComfortGlide, and it's wonderful; the built-in Lubrastips are a lifesaver, the grip is incredibly comfortable and easy to hold in the shower, it comes with a suction-cup holder, and I love it. However, it only has three blades, and I'm hesitant to recommend anything with four, let alone three.
Amazon Basics has a decent five-blade razor with a built-in Lubrastrip. I trust it. It's hard to fuck up a five-blade razor with a built-in Lubrastrip.
I use EOS, and it's amazing; it's currently the only Will-approved body shaving cream on the market. Any scent is fine, but when I come for the daily sniff check while you sleep and you don't smell like lavender or pomegranate, I'll consume your soul. Just so you know.
In the shower, apply the shaving cream to your legs like lotion. Try to avoid letting the water wash it off, but if it happens, the Lubrastrip will help. I usually do my lower legs (knee and below) first, then add shaving cream higher once I get to that part.
Go against the grain - meaning, whichever direction the hair grows, go against it.
Your shin will be the easiest. Your calf will be harder because you can't really see it, but if you need to, use your free hand to feel for hair, then follow with the razor.
The back of your knee is an evil bitch, but you are eviler. To shave this area, extend your leg fully, then shave normally, albeit more carefully. This area is, in my experience, easiest to nick, so yes, be very careful.
To shave your knee - I don't get hair directly on my knee, but the area around it is a pain - sit and bend your knee up to your chest. Then, shave. Be careful; the skin is different there and easier to nick.
For your thighs, if you wish to shave them - I don't. Ever - follow the rules. Go against the grain, use your free hand to feel for hair, be careful.
Apply lotion or something of the like afterward to prevent or reduce razor burn and ingrown hairs.
Run your razor under the water every pass if you have a lot of hair, or every few passes if you don't.
If you get a nick, wait ten seconds. If it's still bleeding, run it under the water. Don't worry about washing off your shaving cream; you can add more later.
And that's that! Say hello to smooth legs.
How to shave your underarms:
I haven't shaved mine in... a while, so I might be a little hazy on specifics, but I know the general stuff.
First, you need your products. Check the product list for 'How to shave your legs'; it's the same stuff.
In the shower, apply the shaving cream to your underarms.
The actual shave is a little trickier than your legs. I start my shaving down, then when a majority of it is gone, for a close shave, I go diagonal, shaving toward my face.
Apply lotion or something of the like afterward to prevent or reduce razor burn and ingrown hairs.
Run your razor under water every pass if you have a lot of hair, or every few passes if you don't.
Raise your arm above your head to get maximum room to work, and to pull the skin tight to avoid nicks.
That's all for today's episode of WUA, folks. As always, if I missed anything, tell me, and if you have any questions, comments, and/or concerns, my Discord is deancas67. I love you, I'm proud of you, and you're doing great.
Author's note: I've been writing these for about six hours now, so I'm tired, meaning I'm especially prone to missing things. If I did, please tell me; the last thing I want is for someone to get incorrect or nonsensical advice because I'm delirious.
