What’s the Point of a Shaving Brush?

A few decades ago, almost every man that shaved made use of the humble shaving brush. With the advent of modern shaving foam they went out of style, with people preferring to apply the creamy self-lathering product with only their fingers. It may seem outdated (because it kinda is), but these brushes can change your whole shaving game for the better and we definitely need to bring them back. Not only do they have loads of benefits for your face, but they can even help you save a little money due to the fact that you have to use far less shaving cream.

There are four main benefits of shaving brushes that make the whole process far easier:

The first one being that it primes the facial hairs themselves for the perfect shave. The brush lifts them off of your skin to make them easier to access, and the movement of the brush provides stimulation that softens the hair and allows the foam to penetrate it. This makes for a much slicker, cleaner shave.

It also creates a richer lather by whipping air into your shaving cream or soap, which is essential for protecting and lubricating the skin. This reduces irritation and allows for a smooth shaving experience. Self-lathering products can only do so much – brushes add extra moisture that allows the foam to thicken even further, creating a dense and creamy texture that feels truly luxurious.

By adding heat to the skin through friction, the brush opens your pores and further lubricates the skin. Loosening your pores helps the brush to guide your hairs away from your skin to prepare them for the blade. It also transports moisture captured in the brush from the sink to your face more easily, which is far more efficient than cupping water in your hands and bringing it to your face.

Last but certainly not least, it exfoliates your skin. Brushing away all of the dead skin cells and dirt that lingers on your face makes you less likely to get pimples and ingrowns. This is something that your fingers can’t do on their own.

So, how do you actually use the brush correctly? Here are steps to getting the perfect shave using your trusty brush:

• Wet the brush
• Use some warm water to saturate the bristles and prime them for your cream or soap. Shake off the excess.
• Put a small amount of shaving cream or soap onto the middle of the bristles
• Work into a lather
• Brush your beard in circular motions. If you want more lather, add a little more water to the brush. This part can be very relaxing, so enjoy!
• Shave with a razor of your choosing
• Rinse your brush under cold water and separate the bristles to ensure that you wash out all of the foam. Squeeze the excess water out and place it back on its stand.

And that’s it! It’s never been easier or more enjoyable to get the perfect shave every time.

Will you be investing in a shaving brush?