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  1. Make Sure Your Beard is Thoroughly Wet
    One of the keys to a great close shave without irritation or razor burn is to make sure your beard is thoroughly wet, Rinsing  before shaving is the ideal way to ensure you beard is properly wet. Facial hair will absorb moisture up to 30% of its volume. Hair swollen with water becomes quite weak and therefore easier to cut.

  2. Use a Quality Shaving Cream
    Use a shaving cream that has a high concentration of lubricants and moisturizers. The less "foaming" in the shave cream the better, as it is what is in contact with the skin and beard that matters. The ideal scenario is to leave the shaving cream on your face for at least a minute before you begin cutting, so that the beard is as soft and wet.

  3. A Shaving Brush is One of the Best Tools
    One of the best tools you can use to achieve the optimum shave is a shaving brush. A shaving brush does a couple of things. First, it helps raise the hair so that a closer cut is possible. Second, it helps create a rich creamy lather with the shaving cream that stays close to the skin. And, finally, it helps remove dead skin cells (exfoliation) which reduces the chance of blemishes, razor bumps and also helps the skin look and feel smooth and healthy. Always look for a shaving brush with bristles that have the right balance between softness (to create a rich creamy lather that stays close to the skin) and resistance to raise the beard (making a closer cut easier!)

  4. Apply the shaving cream using the brush in a circular motion ending in an upward stroke to help lift the beard up and away from the face.

  5. Use a Quality Razor and Change the Blades
    Always use a good quality sharp razor blade. Be sure the blade is sharp. You're not just cutting off hair, you're also scraping off up to two layers of surface skin when you shave. Rinse your blade under hot water before you begin to shave and after every few swipes. This removes the accumulated shaving cream, whiskers, and skin gunk.

  7. Use the Razor Properly
    Ideally shave in the direction of the beard growth. Start with the sides, then the moustache area and last the chin. The chin hairs are the toughest, so this allows them the most time to soften under the shave cream. Shaving against the direction of hair growth gives a closer shave, but there are higher chances of being cut. You also need to let the razor do the work - do not press too hard or it will cause razor bumps (ingrown hair)and razor burn.

  8. Cleanse and Soothe After Shaving
    After shaving, when the skin is most vulnerable, rinse the face with warm water and use a good face wash that has a high concentration of natural antiseptics, healing and astringent properties. Rinse with the coolest water that is comfortable and pat dry with a clean towel.

  9. Finish off with an After Shave Lotion or Balm.
    Shaving can remove up to two layers of skin.  An after shave lotion, designed as an after shave balm and moisturizer in one, is the ideal way to replace lost moisture and soothe the skin. The best after shave lotions not only replace lost moisture and soothe, but also have ingredients that will cool and refresh the skin.