30 Days To A More Enjoyable Shave

Most likely you read Sharpologist because you are interested in shaving.  Maybe your favorite search engine brought you here because you are having problems with your shave.  Perhaps you received a shaving set as a gift recently.  Or maybe you just decided to make your shave a little more pleasant.  Whatever the reason, you are probably unhappy with some aspect of your shave.  But no matter how you shave, I bet you it can get better!   Lets take the next 30 days and challenge ourselves to get not just a better shave, but a more enjoyable shave.

The Challenge Plan

For the next 30 days I want you to devote just ten minutes per day for the challenge.  You may not need all ten minutes but let’s carve them out of your schedule anyway.  So set your alarm so you rise ten minutes earlier than usual in the morning, assuming your shave in the morning.  Or devote ten extra minutes before going to bed if you shave in the evening.  If you’re a morning shaver and constantly pressed for time due to work or family, consider moving to a night shave for a while.  In any case, start that routine tomorrow (even though you won’t have anything to do just yet: I want you to get used to it).
How will you spend that extra ten minutes?  It will be different each week for the next four weeks:

• Week One will concentrate on preparing for a shave;
• Week Two will discuss shave lather in all its intricacies;
• Week Three is reserved for actual shave technique;
• and Week Four will tie everything together and add aftershave routine as well.

Each Monday for the next four weeks Sharpologist will suggest specific tips, techniques, and products to try for that week’s challenge topic.  At the end of the week be sure to come back to the Sharpologist post and comment on your results!
By the way, each Monday post will also give you “homework” for the following week’s challenge topic by suggesting products to obtain beforehand, so you are ready to go by Monday.

“Homework” For The Shave Prep Challenge

Next week we will discuss preparing for a shave.  The essence of that preparation is cleaning your face (or whatever you are going to shave) correctly, with the right kind of product.
Your “homework” in preparation of next week is to obtain a skin cleaning product meant specifically for the face.  No “deodorant” or “body” bars here (we’ll get into the reasons why later)!  Look in your grocery store or mega-mart “personal care” isle. You will probably find a glycerin-based bar of soap or liquid wash from a number of different brands.  If you want to “step up your game” consider getting something like Musgo Real Glycerine Lime Oil Soap, Lucky Tiger Face Wash, Pacific Shaving Pre-Shave Wash, Neutrogena Men Skin Clearing Face Wash, or even a Savon De Marseille soap. The Musgo Real soap is a personal favorite of mine.  Several noted shaving aficianados have suggested a do-it-yourself solution of:

• one-quarter cup Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Soap (any fragrance–my personal preference is Hemp Lavender.  However be aware that it contains lanolin, which some people are allergic to);
• 2 tsp skin-friendly oil (such as Emu Oil, Jojoba Oil, Almond Oil–often used in therapeutic massage–or Grape Seed Oil).  Even olive oil will do in a pinch).

Combine in a pump bottle and shake well before using.
Next Monday Sharpologist’s 30 day challenge to a more enjoyable shave begins!