​Did you know that the average guy is likely to shave over 10,000 times in his life? It's crazy, right? Since shaving is so popular, we wanted to talk about the three main parts of shaving and how important they are for a bump-free shave.  As explained by Curtis Smith of Xotics in his informational blog,  proper shaving technique is the best way to ensure a smooth shave!

​Prepping the skin for a shave is the most important step!  Before you start shaving, you should wash your face with warm water and a mild, moisturizing cleanser. This will gently cleanse your skin, loosen any dirt and oils, and open your pores, leaving you a blank canvas for pre-shave products.

​Pre-shave oils or conditioners work wonders in keeping your skin and hair hydrated. They soften the hair all the way down the follicle and help form a protective layer for your razor to glide smoothly. This minimizes stokes needed, with light pressure, which reduces any irritation or bumps.  Pair it with a hot towel for the ultimate skin prep experience!

When you begin shaving, the first pass should be with the grain. This means to shave in the direction the hair grows.  Doing this will help prevent razor bumps and irritation.  With proper skin prep, you shouldn’t need hard pressure as the razor should glide smoothly.

Going for the second pass, you should go across the grain. This means to shave with horizontal strokes instead of vertical ones.  This is great to get a little bit closer of a shave, and to get those sensitive areas like your neck and under your nose.

  Using an aftershave product can be really beneficial for your skin. It acts like a disinfectant, so it will prevent any dirt and bacteria from entering your pores after shaving. And if you rinse your face with cool water, it can help soothe your skin and close your pores, which can reduce the likelihood of irritation and prevent things like ingrown hairs and folliculitis.   To fully close your pores, use a cold towel!
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Shaving dries out your skin, and most aftershave products contain alcohol. It’s important to use a facial moisturizer to rehydrate your skin. This will keep your skin smooth and healthy, and prevent razor burns and wrinkles!  

​Did you know that more guys are taking their hair and scalp care seriously? According to an industry analysis by Grandview Research, 58% of men condition their hair and 10% give their scalp regular treatments. The numbers are only going up quickly! Since every guy seems to be on board with their hair care, we thought it would be cool to share some of our favorite products with you!

​There are many product lines that offer everything from shampoo to styling products.  Angela of Angela's Ebony Hair Designs and Barbershop says, "One line doesn't have everything I use,” and she describes liking a variety for different textures and hair needs.

--Mielle Organics LLC
Mielle is a multicultural line that uses natural ingredients to take a “proactive approach to healthy hair and scalp.” Mielle’s idea of ‘healthy ingredients equal healthy hair’ really resonates with us. We use their shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in conditioners.
--STMNT Grooming Goods
This barber line is marketed as an edgier, modern and bold brand that is here for the creative look.  Barber Joel Weimer loves this line because of the scent.  He feels the scent helps create and adds to the barbershop experience.

We like the story behind this brand.  Master Barbers Julius Cvesar, Staygold, and Nomad Barber collaborated to form a ‘brand with a purpose’ to solve problems.  They make their products from scratch and rigorously test them.  To summarize, they put focus on sophisticated, genderless and salon quality into daily life products that will make you look good and smell good.

--Frenzy by Sexyhair
When doing men’s hairstyles with products, Barber Cameron Bridgewater chooses Frenzy as her go-to product for clients with fine hair.  She loves the texture it provides.
--Powder Play by Sexyhair
One of the most popular hair products for men in the chair, Powder Play adds intense volume and texture that lasts all day.
--Pump It Up Hairspray 
This is a quick dry spritz that freezes and dries on contact. It doesn’t leave build up or flake. Angela loves this hairspray when it’s hot outside!
--Suavecito Pomades
Whether you prefer a creamy, matte, or oil-based pomade, Suavecito is one of our favorites!  Barber Drew Stadeker uses the matte finish the most for his clients.  He loves the firm hold and the scent.  ​Aaron likes how Suavecito collaborates with other entities with their products to keep it fun, and to reach new markets.  He feels it keeps their products current.

SHAVING PRODUCTS

Having a fantastic shave is essential to the Barbershop Experience. We have some top-notch products that we love to use and recommend as they can help solve and prevent common problems like ingrown hairs, reduce red bumps and general beard care. 

--Exotics by Curtis Smith
We chose this line not only because it solves problems, but it’s made of all natural ingredients.  Skin Rescue is great for shaving irritation and Sweet Jamila is our best-selling shea hair/skin product at Razors Image.  Again, Joel loves the scent of this line!  Aaron likes this line because it offers quality products for every step of the shave.
--Razors Image Beard Oil
We have formulated our very own oil that smooths and nourishes the beard.  It is made with the thinnest oils that strengthen the hair from the inside out. The scent is light and fresh, yet masculine.  This is our best-selling oil.

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR PRODUCTS

Choosing the right products for your hair can work wonders! Consult your barber, tell them what you use now, what problems you may have, and find the products that will deliver what you need specifically.  Things like hard water or humidity play a huge part in the look and feel of your hair and scalp.  There are products designed to help keep your hair healthy and promote growth while maintaining the perfect balance of moisture and proteins.

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Aaron says that “Men usually buy products when they have a problem.”  With that in mind, many of the products on our list are wonderful problem-solvers.  You can research and prevent these issues from arising and take excellent care of YOUR hair, skin, and scalp because Knowledge makes you Sharp on the Inside; Applying it makes you Sharp on the Outside!
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