Has anyone ever told you…o

If your answer to that question is yes… Stop!

The practice of shaving an area, any area, in hopes of speeding up the hair growth process is purely a myth. You see, genetics plays a major part in determining if you will “finally” be able to sport a full goatee, and even that can take several years to reveal itself.

Many physically mature guys don’t finish developing a full adult beard until their early 20′s or even later. If you’re still young, find comfort in knowing that your beard may continue to get thicker as you get older. Many guys notice their beards growing thicker, denser and faster when they enter their 30′s and 40′s. So, give it time!

*Got help from: The beard community

One of the ways that I go about testing products, is by selecting a few that I like, and then sampling them on my clients during their services. It’s essentially a win-win for me, because their feedback allows me to decide on my next P.O.T.M. (Product of the Month), and it also gives me an opportunity to introduce a new product!

Last month, I sampled Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Scrub in my signature 7-towel shave.  It impressed my clients, as well as myself!

Here’s the skinny…

Two active ingredients:

• Apricot Kernel Oil – extracted from apricot kernels, delivering a higher level of  Vitamin E to the skin. Increasing the moisturizing and softening effect on the skin while also helping to retain the skins clarity and suppleness.
• Caffeine – helps to reduce the appearance of puffiness. (See post: Who said caffeine isn’t good for you?)

To finish off this well balanced scrub, Kiehl’s also added menthol and extracts derived from Lemon and Orange Peels. The complete mixture lives up to its name, by delivering a cool that “wakes up you up”, and your skin! As I’ve mentioned before, a mild exfoliant is perfect for preparing the skin for a shave… and my friend, this is one fits the bill!

Moderately priced @ less than $20, makes this scrub a win-win for you as well!

Does that equation make any sense?

You see, during the summer months the human body has to work faster and harder to help the body cool down. This leads to faster cell division due to more efficient blood circulation throughout the body, which, among other things, causes hair to grow about 10% faster.

So if you’re starting to notice your barber smiling more, or your razor blades finishing faster… Now you know why!

*Source: eHow.com

- The Morning Shave

Pros.

• The shadow fighter - Some men’s beards can be both darker and tougher, so a morning shave can help to prolong the dreaded  5 o’clock shadow.
• Rise & Shine – we all have our ways of waking up in the morning.  For some, the step-by-step approach to shaving: Prep, Shave & Refresh (see my Quick & Classic Shaving Tips), can help do the trick!

Cons.

• Nicks/Irritation – Getting out of the door in the morning, can at times be a “mad dash”.  So, having this type of a routine in the morning, may do your face more harm than good!

- The Evening Shave

Pros.

• Slow -n- Steady – An evening shave can provide more time to getting a closer and “cleaner looking” shave.
• The Healing Effect – While we sleep, our bodies including our skin, regroup and heal.  For this reason, newly shaved skin has the opportunity to “heal itself” before the morning grind.

Cons.

• The tough beard – If your beard is dark and very heavy, another shave may be necessary in the morning.

Of course you know how to open your pores, right? Warm water… Steam…? The purpose is to soften beard hair, allow easier skin manipulation while shaving, and it also makes cleansing the skin’s surface more effective!

So what’s the big deal with closing your pores?

Well closing, or the tightening of the skin’s pores, reduces the chances of them getting clogged with dirt or debris.  The most common condition produced by clogged pores is acne.

So after you’ve finished shaving or taking a shower, and before you apply an aftershave or body moisturizer, try a cold splash of water (See Post: Cold Water), a skin toner, or even witch hazel to tighten the pores. If you do these things out of that order, not only could these items possibly clog your skin’s pores, but they also have the ability to irritate the skin if they penetrate the skin too deeply.

One other benefit of tighter pores… a more even skin tone that brightens your overall appearance!

Have you ever

But as a barber, I want to tell you, the customer, that a little bit of  patience and understanding go a long way. You see, it’s not that your barber is forgetful; in fact, your barber will always go out of his/her way to make you feel important, because you are!  It’s just that sometimes seeing numerous clients over the course of several weeks causes the details of your haircut/skin to seem a little… blurry.

But don’t you fret, because ”your specifics” will be etched in stone after your 2nd or 3rd visit. That is the average time it takes for a barber to be able to automatically recall a clients preference and skin tendencies, especially a barber that services customers with many different hair-types.

In this rapidly growing men’s grooming industry, it can get very overwhelming with the number of products that are on the market.  So here is a product that I found to stand out among many others in the After Shave category.

After Shave Balm by Baxter of California

I’m impressed! It has a very subtle fragrance that will never overpower your cologne; a light consistency, so it spreads easily without using too much; and, most importantly, as it heals, and hydrates the skin, it delivers an amazing cool that will instantly calm your skin.

Priced @ $15 for 4oz., Baxter of California has positioned a great product at a very affordable price.

Give it a try and tell me what you think!

*Baxter Finley Barber & Shop pics and Article… Click Here!

1. I understand the advantages of a professional shave. Is there a number of times a man should get a pro shave each month among day-to-day shaving?

There really isn’t a recommended number, since so many faces react differently to a very close shave. How I try to guarantee my best work is to suggest a visit to the shop with 2 to 3 days beard growth, which in many cases minimizes any potential irritation.

2. What is the best way to learn how to shave? Have someone teach you?

Have someone teach you will always be the best recommendation. 30 minutes of education from a barber will save you years of shaving frustration.

3. I shave electric and apply aftershave when finished and then shower after depending on if I cut my own hair at that time. Does my shower remove the after shave? And should I reapply the aftershave again when I’m done showering?

Great question! Upon application, the skin will begin to absorb the the healing and moisturizing components of the aftershave.  Unfortunately, showering will remove the remaining portion not yet absorbed.  So it is strongly recommended to reapply after showering.

Know your…

1. Water

Water temperature and moisture is key to getting a great shave. Warm water softens the beard and skin allowing the blade to do its job better. The moisture produced is what is needed to make your shaving products work to their maximum potential.

2. Skin

Everyone’s skin reacts to shaving differently. Knowing how your skin reacts to different ingredients in creams and pre-shave products is important.

3. Beard

The more curl your beard hair has, the more susceptible you are to in-grown hairs. So, knowing the direction in which your beard grows will limit the risk of irritation. (See Post: Know your Beard!)

4. Blade

You’ve seen me write about this many times. The more blades, the closer the shave. However, the closer the shave, the more risk there is of your beard hair retreating below the skin line, causing in-grown hairs. Limit the number of blades if you are prone to irritation. (See Post: Multiple razor blades…gimmick?)

5. Cream

So many creams, which one should you use? Aim to find a cream that consistently produces a well balanced amount of moisture on your skin without allowing razor drag or irritation. When you find it, you’ll know it’s a keeper!

How does a man determine which shaving tool to use, razor or electric? – Michael F.

The best way to choose the right shaving tool, is to see how your skin reacts to their use. The curlier the beard, the more aware one needs to be with how close the hairs are cut. Ingrown hairs are more common with wet shaving because of how close the hair is cut. In contrast, razor burn is most common with electric shaving due to repeatedly going over the same areas.

Not to worry however, because with correct preparation, potential for ingrown hairs and all signs of irritation can be reduced.  After experimenting with both, the method which yeilds you the most satisfactory results will be the best choice for you.

Preparation links, click below:

• Wet Shaving Preparation
• Electric Shaving  Preparation