There was a time when a gentleman would go to the Barber’s daily to have their face shaved (or have their man servant perform the task). Nowadays it is considered more of a luxury treat to go to the barber and have a full luxury wet shave. Especially after the beard boom we have experienced in recent years, it seemed the Traditional wet shave would fall by the wayside, but as with all fashions and fads things come and go and then make a massive comeback, here a Fitzrovia Barbers we have a steady stream of Gent’s requesting to experience the Traditional Art of wet shaving.
So sit back and relax while we take you through our most sought after luxury service.To begin with, we assure the client is fully gowned up to protect their clothing from any spillages and the we recline the chair for maximum comfort.
I gently warm MY hands in water and massage a facial scrub into the beard area. This will remove any impurities and ingrown hair. We leave the scrub on the face as I apply the first hot towel. This will open the pores and soften the facial hair. after a short while we take the towel off and use it to remove the scrub from the face.
Next I will use an oil to create a slight barrier between the skin and the blade to prevent any drag, the oil also conditions the skin. Gently massaging the oil into the skin paying special attention to any thicker/stubborn parts of the beard. I then apply the second hot towel to the face to enhance the effects of the oils and further soften the facial hair.
While the client has the second hot towel on I whip up the shaving cream into a luxurious lather, I recommend using a badger hair shaving brush. Badger hair is extremely porous and holds heat better than any other brush I have come across, which means in turn more heat and water on the client’s face. Circular strokes will really lift the stubble off of the face, leaving it standing up to be cleanly shaved away. Using a freshly loaded open razor for shaving is a must. Using confident strokes to remove the facial hair, I will start to shave one side of the face from sideburn to jawline always stretching the skin to prevent tugging on the face. Slowly working around the chin and into the moustache area.
As I was trained in the Traditional Art of Shaving I will then use backhand razor strokes to shave the other side of the face, again shaving from sideburn to jawline until I come to the chin. Then finally the neck, using soft strokes, very gently allowing my razor to do the work for me. I generally leave the throat until last as a personal flourish. It is after all known as a Cut throat shave! I strongly advise always shaving with the direction of the hair growth- this will lead to a comfortably close shave.
To finish up this fantastically close shave I recommend using one last face towel this time with a cold towel – to close all the facial pores and calm the face after it has been handled. The cold towel is especially helpful for clients who have sensitive skin, as any redness or irritation experienced after such a close shave can be calmed and soothed as the client relaxes.
To complete the shave I always apply a moisturiser. One small tip when applying you moisturiser, do not rub it into the skin as the rubbing can irritate the skin you have just calmed. Use your hands to gently pat the moisturiser into the skin. This will not only absorb and leave the skin hydrated but also leave the clients face smooth and silky to the touch.
Erin Wentworth