How to use a Safety Razor

Try using Seascape Uplift Sea Salt Body Scrub for your legs.

Shaving

The two most important things to remember when using a safety razor are to maintain zero pressure and to hold the razor at the correct angle.

• On your first pass, always shave with the grain. This means in the same direction that the hair grows. Generally on the legs this is downwards, although areas like the face and armpits, the hair can grow in different directions. For these areas you may wish to do a multi-pass shave, which means going with, across and then against the grain.
• Using a shaving soap applied ideally with a shaving brush (as it also helps to exfoliate the skin), lather up the area of skin you are going to shave.
• You should hold the razor at an angle of roughly 30 degrees. A lower angle (eg 15 degrees) would be too aggressive on the skin, whereas a higher angle (eg 60 degrees) would tear the hair as the razor head flattens the hair before the blade makes contact.
• Shave using short, gentle strokes and little pressure. Instead, rely on the weight of the razor handle to do the work. Applying extra pressure will increase your chances of cutting yourself.
• When shaving around awkward areas like the knees or ankles there can be more chance of nicking the skin. It is best to use short strokes and take your time.
• It is very important to not go over the same area more than once. After the first stroke the skin will no longer have any protection from a lather and going over the same area again will lead to irritation.
• To prevent hair or shaving soap building up on your razor, continuously clean and rinse the blade under running water.
• After shaving, wash the shaved area thoroughly with warm water to remove all traces of shaving soap.

My Personal Shaving Experience

I recently started using a Double Edge Safety Razor so I thought I was only fair that I tell you my own thoughts about it.

To start with, it does feel slightly strange. I’m used to using a cartridge razor which also has a pivoting head. That means you don’t have to think about the angle of the razor. With a safety razor you do need to pay more attention to the angle you’re holding the razor at because it does make a difference.

Also, I’ve always shaved up my legs (so from ankle to knee), which meant I was going against the grain. I was quite surprised when I learnt for all these years I had been doing it wrong and should of been shaving with the grain, so that was a little strange, but again felt ok after a while.

What I did to start with was hold the razor with the head flat against my leg then rolled it to the correct angle, after a while I got used to the right angle and it felt more natural. When I went to a different part of the leg or the opposite leg it was easy to put the razor flat and roll it to find the angle again.

It did me take longer than normal to shave for several reasons. Firstly, as with anything new it takes a bit of time to used to what you’re doing. Secondly, I only applied soap and shaved a small section at a time, you can’t just go straight up the leg in one go. Lastly, I got a bit lazy during the winter and had rather hairy legs!! So it meant I had to wash the razor out quite often to prevent it getting clogged up with hair. Just be careful when cleaning it out that you don’t cut your fingers!

I applied the shaving soap using a shaving brush, which was nice and easy, also it meant my hands weren’t covered in soap. It helped to create a nice lather and spread it around evenly. I would recommend using a shaving brush. I also kept my shaving soap in a Mutiny Soap Tin, which meant I didn’t need to handle the soap. When the soap was dry I just put the lid on and put the tin away.

One thing I would say is, don’t get too cocky! Take your time from start to finish. I shaved my left leg first, thought, I’ve got the hang of this now…….started on the right leg, moved the razor too quickly and had blood running down my leg! It was nothing serious, just a scratch but it reminded me to slow down, concentrate and take my time. (You can use an alum block to stop the bleeding, but I found by the time I’d finished the rest of my leg it had stopped anyway).

I would suggest that before you start shaving you have a look at the area you’re going to shave. Pay close attention to the direction the hair grows in. I’ve noticed in the past that the hair on the from of my legs grows down, whereas the hair on the inside grows towards the front of my legs. Not all hair grows in the same direction.

So I did my first pass with the grain (or downwards). Then on the insides of my legs I went across the grain (although it was slightly more jerky as it’s harder to find the angle), and I finished by going against the grain on the full leg. This is a multi pass shave but I will go into this in more detail in my next post.

I shaved in the shower, and when I finished I rinsed my shaving brush out thoroughly. I then very carefully took my razor apart and rinsed all the parts under the shower then put them on a dry flannel to dry out. Obviously you can do that once you get out the shower (which is probably safer) but I was trying to save some time!

Overall, I love my safety razor! My legs feel soft and smooth. I would definitely recommend using a safety razor instead of a disposable. Make the switch and start your plastic free shaving journey now!

Lindsey x