For intermediate-to-expert traditional wet shavers, achieving a high-quality shave while minimizing time requires a blend of efficiency and technique. The traditional wet shaving ritual is often appreciated for its luxurious, meditative qualities, but on busy mornings, spending 30 minutes or more on a shave may not be feasible. By optimizing preparation, product selection, shaving technique, and post-shave care, you can maintain an exceptional shave while reducing the time investment.
Optimize Pre-Shave Preparation
A well-thought-out pre-shave routine can reduce shave time without sacrificing comfort and performance.
Instead of the traditional hot towel method, which requires heating and several minutes of application, washing your face with warm water and a glycerin-based face wash quickly softens whiskers while cleansing the skin. Glycerin-based washes effectively hydrate the beard, preparing it for the shave in under a minute.
Additionally, applying a pre-shave oil can be streamlined. A few drops massaged into damp skin provide an immediate lubrication boost, reducing friction and irritation. Unlike heavier pre-shave products that require extended absorption time, lightweight oils work quickly and don’t interfere with lathering.
For an even faster prep, consider shaving immediately after a warm shower to take advantage of steam-softened hair, eliminating the need for separate beard prep.
Time Saved: 1-3 minutes
Choose Fast-Lathering Products
Your choice of shaving soap, cream, and brush impacts efficiency. Soft shaving creams generally lather faster than hard soaps, requiring less time to build a rich, cushioning lather. Brands like Proraso, Taylor of Old Bond Street (TOBS), and Castle Forbes provide excellent lubrication with minimal effort.
If you prefer using soap, croaps (cream-soap hybrids) are a great middle ground, offering the longevity of hard soap with the ease of lathering found in creams. Additionally, face lathering instead of bowl lathering can cut down a few minutes from your routine.
Rather than spending extra time swirling in a bowl, directly loading the brush and applying lather to the face speeds up the process while ensuring a well-prepared skin surface.
The brush type also plays a role in efficiency. Synthetic brushes lather more quickly than boar or badger brushes and don’t require soaking. Their faster drying time also makes them more convenient for those shaving daily or while traveling.
If you still prefer natural hair brushes, opting for a higher-density badger brush will help generate lather faster than lower-grade boar options.
Time Saved: 2-4 minutes
Use an Efficient Razor & Blade Combination
The razor you use greatly affects how many strokes and passes are required. A slightly more aggressive razor, such as the Rockwell 6S (set to 4-5), RazoRock Game Changer, or Merkur Progress, allows for a closer shave with fewer strokes compared to ultra-mild razors. Adjustable razors can be set to a more aggressive setting for the first pass, reducing the need for extensive touch-ups.
Pairing your razor with a sharp, efficient blade can also reduce shave time. Blades like Feather, Kai, or Gillette Nacet cut through coarse hair cleanly, minimizing tugging and the need for multiple strokes in the same area. While sharp blades require a light touch, they make for a more efficient shave when paired with proper technique.
Time Saved: 2-5 minutes
Reduce the Number of Passes
Reducing the standard three-pass shave to two passes is one of the most effective ways to save time. A with-the-grain (WTG) pass, followed by either an across-the-grain (XTG) or against-the-grain (ATG) pass, can achieve a close shave with fewer steps.
Rather than performing a full third pass, targeted buffing and J-hooking techniques can be used on stubborn areas like the jawline, neck, and chin. This method allows you to refine specific spots without re-lathering the entire face.
Additionally, skin stretching plays a crucial role in efficiency. By tightening the skin with your free hand, you expose more hair, allowing the razor to cut closer in fewer strokes. Developing the ability to stretch skin naturally through facial movements can further streamline the process.
Using long, controlled strokes rather than short, choppy strokes also ensures better coverage per stroke, reducing overall shave time.
Time Saved: 2-4 minutes
Streamline Post-Shave Care
Post-shave routines can be simplified without compromising skincare. Instead of applying an alum block, which requires a rinse-off, a cold water rinse can achieve similar skin-tightening and soothing effects. Cold water closes the pores and reduces inflammation quickly, making it a great alternative for those looking to save time.
For aftershave, a fast-absorbing balm or alcohol-based splash dries more quickly than heavier creams or lotions, allowing you to move on with your day without waiting for products to settle. Many aftershave splashes now include hydrating ingredients like glycerin or aloe, ensuring skin remains moisturized without the need for multiple products.
Cleaning up after a shave can also be done efficiently. Instead of letting lather dry in the brush and razor, a quick rinse under warm water immediately after shaving prevents buildup and makes cleanup effortless. If you’re using a natural hair brush, gently shaking out excess water and hanging it to dry speeds up drying time, preventing mildew and odors.
Time Saved: 1-3 minutes
Final Thoughts: Shaving in 5-10 Minutes Without Sacrificing Quality
By refining each stage of the process—preparation, lathering, shaving, and post-shave care—you can achieve a high-quality traditional wet shave in as little as 5-10 minutes, compared to the usual 20-30 minutes. Small adjustments such as switching to faster-lathering products, using a more efficient razor and blade combination, and reducing the number of passes help streamline the process without compromising the closeness and comfort of the shave.
Even with time constraints, wet shaving can remain an enjoyable, effective grooming ritual. By incorporating these time-saving strategies, shavers can experience the best of both worlds—luxury and efficiency—making it easier to maintain a traditional wet shaving routine, even on the busiest mornings.
I keep a tube of barbasol 1919 for just this reason. It will prep your beard ASAP! It is VERY slick. The visiblilty is low, good or bad up to you. I shave all but moustache, sometimes it is hard to keep track of where I’ve shaved.
So, smear it on. shave it off. LET’S ROLL!!