When it comes to male grooming, and dealing with man hair, it seems that no place is free from a bit of topiary. Women have been keeping their lady bits hair free for years, so shouldn’t men keep downstairs a bit more tidy?
Porn stars have been shaving their balls for years, and the “sack and back” wax is becoming a staple on a lot of waxing and beauty salons. So why would you want to shave your balls, and more importantly, how.
Reasons You Might Shave your Balls
There are numerous reasons and many claimed benefits for shaving your balls. But ultimately nature grows hair around our balls for a reason, so why are we to question million of years eveloution. Well, like many things, it is down to aesthetics. Some people prefer the look of tidy tackle, and it seems popular with women. Porn stars have been doing it for years, and that is for one obvious reason. Shaving your balls gives the visual sense of adding some extra length you yur manhood.
There are claims that it is healthier, by I’m not so sure. I think ultimately it is a lifestyle choice, maybe taken inconjunction with your partner, who may prefer the look. But whether you just trim to tidy up the appearance, or go for the full shave it is a matter of personal taste. But just be warned. Once you start, you have to maintain it, as it can be itchy if left too long.
How Do You Shave Your Balls?
The thought of bringing a razor blade close to your crown jewells is enough to put any man off. But should you make the decision there are a number of approaches you can take.
If you are going to use a razor, then, it goes without saying be very careful, and take your time. You need to trim off the hair with a trimmer, DON’T USE your beard trimmer. That’s not just hygenic. There are plenty of “man groomers” specially designed for shaving bits of the body below the neck line. Invest in one of these to manage you body hair, and have a separate beard trimmer.
Once you’ve trimmed the area, apply a good shaving gel or cream. Then make sure you have a brand new blade (again, not one you’ve used on your face, or intend to use on your face. Yuk!) .Pull the skin tight, to flatten out the bumps etc, and gently take the balde across the hair, using short, light strokes. Take your time. Don’t push hard, and let the razor glide gently over. Here it helps if you use a good quality shaving cream, to help lubricate the smooth journey of the blade across the balls. Make sure you rinse the blade regularly. The whole piont is to make the blade glide gently across, and not get caught or drag.
Once done, splash with cold water to clear the residue shaving cream, and pat dry (don’t rub!). It is worth applying some moisturiser (as you would your face). Voila.
As stated before, you will have to keep on top of this, and once you decide to shave your balls it is something you will need to keep doing on a regular basis, as when it grows it can be itchy.
Alternatively, you can go for the old “sack n crack” wax. This is more painful, but the results will last much longer. Check out your local wax salon, especially those that cater specially for men. See if they have it on the menu. This is a bit personal, so is not for everyone, and ultimately you might like some stranger waxing your bollocks!
Whatever method you use, there is no harm in trying it once, and see how it feels. And ultimately, what response you get from your partner. You never know, you might both be pleasantly surprised.
I’m luck enough to live near this shop and they give a proper old school style shave, it feels like a real luxury. This guys is a qualified barber and knows what he’s talking about.
They’ve some great shaving for men products, including great DE Razors I’ve blogged about previously.
Shaving for Men has been a requirement since the first man found the idea of getting mammoth soup stuck in his beard an inconvenience. We’ve come along way since the Ancient Romans, who use to use iron blades. Razor technology is a multi billion dollar business, with the main companies constantly striving for the better razor. But what is the best way to get that perfect close shave. In general men have to shave everyday, and this demand has been met by the rise in disposal razors and replacement cartridges. Back in the day, the only way to get a real close shave was to rely on your trust gentleman’s barber, who would set to work with his finely sharpened steel open blade. The best shave is with a cut throat razor, but this is best avoided unless being wielded by a professional barber. The next best thing is the DE razor for men (the Double Edge Safety Blade) – and are much more portable than the straight cut throat blade. This are far superior than the myriad of disposable and replacement cartridges on the market nowadays.
This is the sort of blade you see being used in those old Black and White films from the 50′s and 60′s, or something maybe your Grandfather (or Father) may have used. The iconic image of a man shaving, is shaving with a DE razor. In old traditional barbers (when I was a kid) I could see packs of replacement blades piled high on the shelf. The blades last longer, and are usually made from steel. Unlike the replacement cartridge blades in modern razors which stretch the skin with their rubber strips to get that close shave feel, the DE blade is less harsh on the skin. You will find that if you switch you will get a much closer smoother shave, with less irritation. In addition, the using a DE razor is the cheapest option, as the individual blades last a lot longer than modern disposables. They are particular good with men with tough, thick hairs, or who suffer from ingrown hairs, since the blade cuts the hairs, and doesn’t scrape the skin The key to the DE razor is the main handle, and you can spend a lot of many on this, but it will last a lifetime. It needs to have weight, yet feel comfortable in the hand. One of the main manufacturers of these is the German company Merkur. They make a range of safety razors, and whilst they may seem expensive the main handle part is for life, and can take pride of place on the discerning gentleman’s bathroom shelf. Some come with a slanted blade and others utilise an adjustable screw that allows you to set how much of the blade is shown.
It takes a little getting use to but the benefits far out weight the initial effort required. You’ll get a closer shave, and the whole experience will feel much more of an enjoyable process. Check out the various videos and advice on using the DE razor before you start. But once you take the plunge you’ll never look back. After all, it is what real men use.
When it comes to shaving for men, if you are going for that nice smooth shave, then a long with the right razor and correct preparation, you need the right shaving cream. It is worth searching out for a shaving cream or gel that suits you. As we are all individuals, and certain applications work better with certain skin types.
At the basic level you are looking at a lubricant to help the razor glide smoothly over the face. This is the function of the shaving cream or gel. The smoother the shave, the less chance of causing razor burn, bumps or nicks. Also a good shaving cream or gel will help keep the skin moisturised, which is key, as shaving can dry out the skin.
So what are the options when it comes to shaving. Whether you shaving cream comes out of a can, a tub, or a tube, the quality and texture is key.
Shaving Gel
For a while shaving foam from a can was the main quick convenience source for shaving. It saved on having to work up a lather with a cream, and was easily dispensed for maximum convenience. The shaving gel is the new kid on the block, and a long with his even younger brother, the gel foam. Some of this maybe just marketing gumpf, but is a popular choice – and works on the basic principal of the convenience a can. Usually this comes out initially as a gel, and then works it self up into a creamy lather. Some gels remain clear and can be advantage if you are precision shaving a beard, as you can see where you are going through the gel.
I would avoid the aerosol can shaving foam, as this tends to make the skin very dry, and can clog up a razor very quickly, and doesn’t offer a smooth lubed shave. These also tend to be alcohol based, which drys out the skin, and full of nasty chemicals that are best not putting on the face everyday. It might be convenient, but in the long run it is not healthy for the complexion and drys out the skin. Ultimately this is not a true wet shave in the traditional sense. If you take your shaving seriously, you need to be moving on from the mass produced, all convenient shaving foam or gel in a can. You need a to be using something that gives you the necessary lubrication and moisturises the skin.
Shaving Cream
The shaving cream that you get from a tub or a tube, tend to not be alcohol based and their base is from a glycerin soap. These tend to be much easier on the skin, and help prepare the beard by softening up. This is what the true shaving for men expert needs to be looking for. Some can be applied straight to the skin, and some require working up more with the shaving brush. The fact that you use a shaving cream that needs to be used in conjunction with a brush is a good thing, as the brush has the added benefit of lightly exfoliating the skin and lifting the hairs. A proper moisturising shave cream will help protect the skin, and keep in the moisture. They tend to be good for all skin types as they do not contain some of the more harsh chemicals and alcohol that foam from a can does. A luxurious cream can give you that real gentleman’s barber feel, and make the skin feel soft, smooth and pampered after a shave. You will end up with a much closer shave and a lot less irritation.
Ultimately if you don’t have a shaving cream then a good quality facial soap can be used, and is still better than the stuff from a can. However, if you want to invest in your face, which after all is your main feature, then you want to be using a good quality shaving cream. So go a head and treat your face to a bit of luxury.
Some recommended shaving creams:
If you are new to proper wet shaving – then this is a great starter kit:
So you have decided to join the current trend of wearing your facial hair with pride. As discussed in previous blogs – The beard is back, and shaving for men is a big industry.
So how do you go about looking after that finely crafted and nurtured beard. If you have gone to the effort of growing a beard, then you should keep it tidy and neat and nicely groomed.
Here is my shaving for men beard grooming top tips.
In an ideal world we would all go and see our barber on a regular basis, sit back in the barber’s chair and enjoy the hot towel treatment here and there, and get the beard professionally trimmed and styled. Unfortunately this is not always possible, as we may not have an old school barber who deals in the fine art of shaving for men. However, if you are there getting your hair cut then you can always ask him (or her) to trim it down with the clippers or beard trimmer if they have one. This keeps the beard at a nice even length, as hair can grow at different rates, and that is when it can look straggle and unkempt.
If you, like me, trim it yourself, then get a good pair of beard trimmers or clipper. This can be picked up quite cheaply if necessary, as you don’t necessarily need a state of the art clippers. I have a dedicated set of cordless clippers, aimed at the designer stubble look, as I like to keep it trimmed down on a regular basis. Cordless clippers are the best, so there is no annoying wire getting in the way. You just need to set the trimmers on the appropriate length or grade, and trim all over making sure you keep an even pressure all over. If you have a precise line, you want to mark out where your beard is, remember not to cut t closely to that line, as you can always tidy up afterwards. Especially if you need to keep checking for symmertry.
Keep it clean, the beard with soup and breadcrumb hanging in there is not a good look. A good facial wash will do, and depending on the length you can use a conditioner. If you really are a beardy type with a bushy or long beard, then comb it out with a wide toothed comb. This will help prevent knots and tangles.
If you have a precisely etched goatee or precision beard, use a shaving oil or a clear gel, so you can see the lines. Take your time, and make small adjustments at a time, so you can keep checking for symmetry. There is nothing worse than a wonky beard!
So there you go some basic tips on keeping that trendy beard in shape.
Shaving for men is a daily necessity for most men, but you must not see it as a a habitual grind. Shaving for Men should be seen as an opportunity for a bit of quality time for yourself, and the benefits of taking your time are many-fold. You will exfoliate the skin, allowing the skin to breathe and it will look brighter and fresher, making you look younger. It maybe that bad experience of wet shaving, as a result of doing it incorrectly, put a lot of men off the wet shave, but done correctly it will not cause razor-burn, or rashes, and will leave you with that soft smooth skin so favoured by women.
The Preparation
So how do you go about getting that smooth close shave? Well, as with most things, preparation is key. You need to make the beard softer and open the pores, and the best way to achieve this is with a hot shower, or applying hot water to the face. Traditional barbers use the hot towel treatment to get this effect, and there are some skin products that act as a hot towel treatment such as, a The Real Shaving Co. Pre Shave Hot Towel Mask. I find that you can either apply a very hot flannel to the face for a few minutes, or shave in the shower (if you have one of those fog-less mirrors).
Next you need to apply the shaving cream. Some people like to apply shaving oil prior to this, to help the lubrication of the skin, but with a good quality shaving cream you will not need to. You should use a brush, as although you can use your fingers to apply you’ll never get that luxuriant lather feel that you do with a brush. In addition the brush can help with a very gentle exfoliating quality, whilst also lifting the hairs and priming then for shaving. With a brush you only need to apply a small amount of cream, as a small amount will go a long way and lather up nicely. Use light circular movements to maximise the lather, and take your time and enjoy the process.
The Shave
You need a new clean razor for men preferably with three or more blades or at least a razor where the blades are not dull, and remain sharp. Some razors for men have an indication strip on them to let you know when it is time to replace them. Check the direction of the grain of your beard by stroking your fingers across you face, just as you would with a piece of wood. Always, always shave WITH the grain, as it is when you shave against the grain that will cause razor burn and rashes. The razor blade needs to glide gently across the face, so don’t apply too much pressure on the razor. This will also minimise the chances of cuts and nicks. Use short gentle strokes, and keep the razor rinsed on a regular basis to avoid clogging. If you are shaving after a few days growth, then it is sometimes worth shaving twice. Once completed, splash the face with cold water to help close the pores. Pat dry with your towel, do not rub!
Post Shave When you shave you remove a lot of the moisture from the skin, so you need to moisturise. This also keeps the skin youthful looking.
Remember shaving for men is should be an enjoyable experience and done correctly will give a small smooth close finish that will be appreciated by others who get close to you.
How many times have you had to reuse a blade one more time than you would really like, and of course end up having a rough shaving for men experience. So a new company is proposing razors for men by subscription.
Subscriptions are very much part of life, from magazines, organic fruit and veg, DVDs and Video games by post. All because you forgot to get some razor blades on that last trip to the supermarket or drugstore. Well no more, joining the ever burgeoning list of subscprtion delivered household items is the razor for men. Thanks to Belgium company Raz*War you will never be short of blades again. You can subscribe to an annual plan, and then sit back and relax has you receive a regular supply of razor blades by post, meaning you will never be caught out short.
There are three subscription levels, to suit all shaving for men types, to the regular heavy shaver to the more casual shaver. The blades are delivered quarterly, right to your front door, and the start kit comes with razor (handle) and travel bag is included in the first shipment. Prices start at Euros 27.50 for 30 blades a year, up to Euros 75.00 for 90 blades a year, for the hardcore shavers out there.
Another advantage is that Raz*Wars want to take the fight to the big blade manufacturers. They dominate the market and you tend to be locked into one brand over the other, hence the monumental heavy weight marketing slug-fest Wilkinson and Gillette have. So far the only brand I know trying to challenge their dominance is King of Shaves, who have designed a new razor for men with the obligatory “ergonomic handle”.
Would you get your razors for men by subscription? Let me know what you think in the comments below.
Why buy your razors for men from the local drug store or your supermarket – when you can have them delivered. Revolt against the big brand named razors – and get the convenience of having your replacement blades delivered direct.
Is this the future – viva la revolution at RAZ WARS
Shaving for men is under going a revolution. The Beard is the new fashion accessory of choice for the man about town. So I’m going to talk about beards, despite my blogs being all about shaving. Now, if you are on the subway or train, or next time you take a walk around take a look at the number of guys supporting beards, or that unshaven look, Have we all suddenly just become lazy and can’t be bothered? No, beards are back, big time – and more importantly the designer stubble look. This is not laziness, in fact far from it, as some designer beards require a lot of care and attention, even to give the impression of that rugged unkempt look. Shaving for men is an artisan skill.
There are plenty of male models, actors, sport stars sporting that designer stubble come beard look. Brad Pitt, or Hugh Laurie from House, David Beckham the list goes on. Take a quick dip into the world of RnB and Hip Hop, and there are some major “designage” going on. Pieces of art requiring precision shaving work. There is a poster for Flo Rider, and he has a beard that probably requires a professional to keep so exact.
So how do you get that designer stubble look? It can be tricky to get right. It is not just a case of stopping shaving, no that would be too easy. It requires attention, and depending on the exactness may need daily attention or attention every few days. I am mainly going to concentrate on the stubble look, and leave the precision work to the fine barbers up and down the country.
Designer Stubble Look
Now the stubble work does give that virile, rugged look which seems to be coming back in to fashion. Maybe it is a back lash against the whole metro sexual, yet ironically enough it is a very metro sexual thing to do. Even in my office I can’t but help notice in the last 2 months the designer stubble/beard look has been displayed by at least 2 work colleagues.
It seems it is becoming acceptable in the workplace, even those places wear the suit is still the uniform of the work place. The designer stubble look can work with a suit, but get it wrong and you just look like a scruff. If you do dress in a formal or smart way, then your beard should reflect that and be kept more maintained than perhaps if you are just a jeans and sneakers guy.
So where to start? My first tip is to go away, take a holiday. Eh? I hear you say. The thing is you need to grow the beard out a bit, stop shaving for a few days. This is the transitional in-between part. If you work in a smart environment you may just look like you have suddenly just become lazy, or have not being going home at nights!That is why using a holiday or a few days off work as a good excuse to start growing the foundations.
Clearly the length of time required will depend on the growth rate. Shaving for men is as individual as our faces.
Get some clippers, ideally some beard trimmers. There are trimmers and shavers for men on the market targeted specifically at maintaining the stubble look. I picked up a pair for around £10 ($15), that are just small size clippers labelled at Stubble Controllers. They are just small clippers.
Assuming you now have a few days growth you may begin to feel a bit itchy. It probably means it is at about the right length to shave down. You will also notice that you have a bit of a neck beard. The neck beard is the villain of the piece, and ultimately what gives the impression of scruffiness. We must eradicate the neck beard. You need to look under the jaw line. The main beard ideally should finish just under this. TheAdams apple should not be covered by the main beard. Now it is ok to have some very short stubble here, just not the thicker main stubble of the beard section. It helps to have a little shadow or initial appearance of day old stubble here, so that the line of where the beard finishes does not look too perfect.(Unless of course you are going for a definite beard over just a designer stubble look.) If you look at the billboard posters, tv, or advertisements in magazines the men with designer stubble, it is always slightly more fuller on the face and chin section, and the neck beard is minimal to non-existent. It is personal choice and overall look you are going for, but if you have a hairy chest you DO NOT WANT the beard just to be a continuation of your hairy chest. That is a major turn off.
Once you have established where you want the beard to finish just below the chin line, and the jaw bone at the sides, trim this down with the trimmer on zero setting. Now you should have a definite beard shape remaining, and not just a face full of unshaved hair.
Now take a look at above the beard, does the current growth begin to infringe on the cheeks. You don’t want to look like wolfman. Depending on how precise you want to be you want a nice line down from the bit where the side burns finish to where it meets the moustache part of the beard. This maybe very minimal so trim down on a zero setting, or with a razor the stubble you don’t want.
Now we have a nicely defined beard shape, but we want to give the impression of stubble. So now take the trimmer and set it for grade 1 or 1.5 – again this is very much personal choice. Just take the trimmer over the rest of the remaining beard, and you will have a nice uniform length, that at once looks rugged and stubbly, but at the same time not unkempt.
This is a great look, and if maintained, and kept smart works well for the smart set who like wearing suits etc. Depending on beard growth you can maintain this daily or every couple of days. Sometimes I just trim down the main beard daily, and the neck part every 2 days. The key is it should be longer than any shadow or stubble on the neck section.
I find it ideal to do this the day or night before if you want the more natural look, as it gives it 12 or 24 hours to grow in, and therefore blends the line of where the beard starts and finishes under the jaw line. But if you want a more precise look here then that is fine.
The overall impression you are trying to give is a bit of an oxymoron. When it comes to shaving for men, a well maintained designerstubble gives both the impression of rugged and at the same time, if done well, a man who takes a care in how it looks. It should look both casual, yet a conscious decision on your part to make a statement about your look. Hopefully those people we are trying to attract in life agree. Purely on anecdotal evidence, (i.e. a quick survey in my office), the women love the unshaven, stubbly look, while probably being totally unaware of the effort and attention we men have given this.
A good analogy is women who wear the natural look when it comes to make up. They wear make-up that gives the impression of a “natural look”, yet it still required application and attention to detail. So to, the designer stubble look.
There are lots of reasons you might want to shave your chest, better body definition, personal preference or a request of your partner, reducing the added heat chest hair can create, or just general comfort.
The old chest rug may not quite be assigned to the 70′s and the likes of hairy chest icons such as Burt Reynolds, Sean Connery and Tom “Magnum PI” Selleck, but nowadays it seems many prefer to go for the hairless chest look. So when it comes to shaving for men, where do we start? The various alternatives such as waxing, laser treatment etc, which can be expensive, shaving the chest is a cheaper option, but the draw back is it will require more regular maintenance.
So here are my tips on chest shaving for men.
Before you start consider the existing length of your chest hair. If it is quite long, or this is the first time, it is worth trimming down with a trimmer, probably with a guard on it, or it set to grade 1 or 2 depending on the fitness. You want to reduce the thickness and length, so it is in a fit shape to take a razor to it. You would not chop down a forest with a pen knife after all.
It is worth having a shower before you start the shaving part, as this cleans the skins, and enlarges the hair ready for shaving. It is worth doing this in a shower or bath, or even putting down some newspaper, as basically there is going to be hair everywhere. If you do shave your chest in the bath keep an eye on the plug hole as it can get clogged up quickly, so keep the water running on a regular basis so it doesn’t clog up.
Use a brand new razor for men, and be prepared to use more than one, depending on the quality of the blade. After all, there is a lot more surface area to cover than when shaving your face. Keeping the blade sharp is key to avoiding those nasty nicks and cuts
With the chest wet, with warm water (it is ideal if you do this in a running shower), start applying a good quality shaving cream. The best method is to whip up some quality shaving cream in a bowl with a brush, and apply to your chest.
Start by doing small sections at a a time. Don’t try to do long strokes from the neck line to the pubic area. As with the face, do not apply too much pressure with the blade. You want the blade to glide gently over the chest. A clogged blade will drag, and potentially nick, so de-clog on a regular basis by placing under hot running water. This is easier if you are in the shower.
Be very aware of the sensitive bits, such as the nipples, and shave very carefully around them. Take your time and concentrate, not too much pressure remember.
Wash down with cold water, if you can bare it, and pat dry. Make sure you don’t rub. Apply a light body moisturiser, preferably with a tea tree oil element, as this has antibacterial qualities.
So there you go, a smooth chest. Bear in mind, it will need maintenance, so it is worth considering a good exfoliator daily as this will clear away dead skin cells, and keep smooth. Next time you come to shave, the hairs won’t be so long, so if you keep on top of it you will not need to use a trimmer.
Shaving for men can have great effects. So take it easy and enjoy a smooth feel, and that more chiseled appearance , although it helps if you have a six pack to start, but that is why most male builders and models are smooth.
Shaving for Men has been a requirement since the first man found the idea of getting mammoth soup stuck in his beard an inconvenience. We’ve come along way since the Ancient Romans, who use to use iron blades. Razor technology is a multi billion dollar business, with the main companies constantly striving for the better razor. But what is the best way to get that perfect close shave. In general men have to shave everyday, and this demand has been met by the rise in disposal razors and replacement cartridges. Back in the day, the only way to get a real close shave was to rely on your trust gentleman’s barber, who would set to work with his finely sharpened steel open blade. The best shave is with a cut throat razor, but this is best avoided unless being wielded by a professional barber. The next best thing is the DE razor for men (the Double Edge Safety Blade) – and are much more portable than the straight cut throat blade. This are far superior than the myriad of disposable and replacement cartridges on the market nowadays.
