Electric razors make grooming a lot easier. Not only do they require less effort from you, but they’re also designed to reduce skin irritation.
They’re also easy to clean and maintain, so one can last you for years. That saves you a lot of money while also saving the planet by reducing your plastic footprint.
How to Get a Close Shave with an Electric Razor
But since the blades on these electric razors do not directly touch the skin, there is much debate as to whether it’s capable of giving you a close shave. Fortunately, these modern razors can do what their traditional counterparts can do. And in this article, we will teach you how to get a close shave with an electric shaver.
Read Also: Best Electric Shavers Under $100.
Step 1: Prepare What You Need
Before we begin, make sure that you have everything you need with you. The tools you need largely depends on the length of your stubble and your regular grooming routine. But basically, make sure you have a fully-charged electric razor.
The reason why we recommend fully-charged electric shavers is because of their performance. Most of today’s electric razors are cordless, so they rely on batteries to function properly. But in most instances, these grooming tools do not perform as efficiently when the batteries are about to drain. And you certainly don’t want to end up with a face that’s unevenly shaved.
So take this from us: make sure your electric razor is fully charged.
Step 2: Assess the Stubble Situation
Once you have your electric razor ready, it’s now time to assess the length of the hair you want to shave.
You can easily skip this step if you’re simply shaving off the minimal stubble that has grown over the previous days. But if you want to shave off a beard or a long mustache, it’s best to trim them first before shaving.
Directly shaving long hair can clog the blades, and that could cause your razor to stop working altogether. The last thing you want to happen is to walk around with only half of your face shaved. You can avoid this by taking this extra step.
Step 3: Conduct the Pre-Shave Ritual
At this point, you’re now ready for the pre-shave ritual. This includes preparing the hair on your face to make it less flat and moisturizing the skin to allow the razor to glide on smoothly.
Pre-shave rituals usually vary depending on whether you plan on shaving dry or wet.
In case of dry shaving, we still recommend using pre-shave lotion to make sure all hair won’t stay flat. This allows the razor to cut them effectively later on. It’s also great for your skin, especially if you have dry and sensitive skin.
In the case of wet shaving, shaving cream is your best friend. Aside from allowing the razor to glide smoothly, it also softens the hair’s cuticle, making it easier to cut through.
Nevertheless, these are all just examples of pre-shave rituals. Feel free to perform the pre-shave routine that works best for your skin and hair.
Step 4: Start Shaving
And now, we can start on the close shave.
Start by turning on the razor and hold it at a 90-degree angle from the area you want to start shaving. We recommend starting from the neck and moving your way up to your face.
While shaving, it’s best to move the razor against the direction of the hair’s growth. This will allow you to get close to the skin as possible for a clean close shave.
Also, you can stretch the skin to ensure maximum reach. You can easily do so with your free hand.
Step 5: Repeat and Rinse
Simply repeat Step 4 until you have already shaved away all the hair you want to remove. Once you’re done, simply rinse the excess shaving cream and trimming off your face and you’re good to go. And that’s it – you now know how to get a close shave with an electric razor.
We must, however, stress that you don’t have to repeatedly rub the razor over the same area. Doing so can be drying to the skin, and that can cause post-shave irritation. As much as possible, look for the electric razor that gets the job done in one go.
Safety Tips
But before we end this article, we want to give you some safety pointers you have to remember.
- If you plan on shaving in the shower, make sure that the razor offers superior waterproofing to prevent damage to its internal components. This will not only keep you safe but will also save you a lot of money from buying new electric razors from time to time.
- Bear in mind that electric razors are equipped with the latest technology that allows them to perform efficiently even without much pressure on your part. Pushing too hard won’t result in a close shave.
- Like all our favorite gadgets, it’s best to keep the electric razor well-maintained. Always check if the blades are still sharp and replace them when they start to become dull. Also, keep the motor lubricated to prevent overheating and to keep it running smoothly. We also recommend checking the manual for specific razor maintenance tips.
- Speaking of well-maintained, make sure that you clean it right after shaving and dry it out properly. This will prevent the trimmings from clogging the blades and prevent it from rusting. And as a result, you can use it longer to get better value for what you paid for.
- Some electric razors tend to overheat if you leave it on for a long time. Keep this in mind to prevent yourself from getting burned.
Final Notes
Getting a close shave with an electric razor is not impossible. While it may be a bit different from what we’re used to doing, it still does the job efficiently. It is also less likely to cause razor burn and cuts, making it the skin-friendly choice.
But even if you don’t achieve your desired results at first, don’t be discouraged. Like all our daily tasks, getting a close shave with an electric razor also requires practice. Over time, you will surely develop the technique that works best for you. Just be patient and you’ll eventually get the hang of it.