Revitol Stretchmark Cream

To all the lovely  woman in the U.S.A who are ready to go the beach with out stretch marks here is your solution.  This product is only available to U.S. citizens.  Stretch marks are the number one offender of woman going to the beach and other public places.  Cosmetyn is a revolutionary product that has been ranked number one by dermatologists.  If you would like to receive a free bottle and remove your stretch marks once and for all without an expensive surgery then read on.

The beauty of this product is that all you need to do is apply the cream daily and in no time you should have your beautiful skin back .  no more embarrassing and unsightly stretch marks.

If their are any guys reading this that’s okay as this product works form men too!

This stretch mark cream has a lot of natural ingredients in it demaplex-12 Complex are effective moisturizers and powerful antioxidants which softens and nourishes the skin as cosmetyn is giving a free bottle away as a way for you to see if you like the product or not .  More then likely you will like it and you will be completely satisfied.

The big benefits of this revolutionary product are dramatically remove the appearance of  stretch marks, increase skin moisture up top 105%, fade age spots up to 61%, for all skin types, and has a very high success rate.

The retail cost of a tube of Cosmetyn is $89.95, which lasts for 60 days. Currently the company is offering a 14 day risk- free trial where you have to pay $6.95 for shipping and handling costs.

You have nothing to lose and every thing to gain and you will be able to get that fabulous beach body back in no time!!!

http://cosmetynreviewer.com/cosmetyn-free-trial

Joe Latham is a writer and a researcher on removing stretchmarks.

Click this link to discover the secret to removing stretch marks today, http://www.cosmetynreviewer.com.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/cosmetyn-free-trial-1524251.html

Dealing with acne

Having acne can be devastating to the individuals living with it. Some is worse than others. While acne is often a part of going through puberty and the hormonal changes that go with that, it is not age specific.
Many adults find themselves struggling with acne as well. For women, they may find that their skin will break out at certain times of the month, pregnancy and menopause can also cause acne breakouts. For men testosterone can be a culprit. In both men and women, stress and genetics can cause acne. Many will find that if one or both parents or even grandparents have had it that they are more likely to get it themselves.

Living with acne, especially if it is bad, can really destroy a person’s self esteem. Those living with it will feel ugly and embarrassed. Some may not even want to leave the house. Cystic acne is also painful and therefore a constant reminder of it’s existence. Most with acne will spend hundreds of dollars in products to try and rid their skin of it or to hide it. Sometimes, acne will disappear on it’s own and sometimes it will not.

While having acne on your face is bad enough, some will also find that they have it on their back, chest, neck shoulders and arms. Those living with this will find it hard to wear any clothing that will allow it to be seen, such as bathing suits or tank tops. It really can devastate a life. It can also cause scarring. There are people that will make fun of those living with acne, not realizing how painful that can be. While persistent acne is not always curable, there are options that will help get it under control.

For the top 3 step by step guaranteed all natural acne relief guides visit             www.acne-freedom.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/dealing-with-acne-1523257.html

Are you sick of wasting your money on moisturizers that don’t improve your skin one bit? Most people have a hard time deciding what the best body moisturizing cream is, so they just buy whatever is on the commercials.

The downside on buying whatever is on commercial is that most of those companies put more money on marketing than on developing their products. Many of them claim to have the best body moisturizing cream, but most are actually far from it.

How I Found the Best Body Cream

When I started looking for a moisturizer I didn’t want another mediocre product that didn’t work; I wanted the most effective and best body moisturizing cream.

So I looked online for a company that put a great deal of their resources into scientific researching and developing their moisturizer creams. The companies I found has almost no advertising, the word-of-mouth is their most powerful marketing.

Next thing I did was to look at the list of ingredients in their moisturizers. I dismissed the ones with chemical additives like parabens, dioxanes, mineral oil or fragrances. Why? Because they are ineffective and can lead to skin irritation, clogged pores and even cause disease.

I have now tried many different body moisturizers, and the one that has worked best for me contains proven ingredients like Cynergy TK, Phytessence Wakame and CoenzymeQ10.

They may sound foreign and weird, at least I thought so. But they are extremely effective, let me tell you a little bit about them.

Cynergy TK – a substance from the wool of New Zealand sheep. It contains functional keratin, a protein that is easily available for the body and actually stimulates it to produce more collagen and elastin. This rejuvenates your skin and makes it smoother.

Phytessence Wakame - this is a Japanese sea kelp extract that has been proven to increase skin elasticity. It is rich in nutrition like minerals and antioxidants that are vital for the skin, and is very moisturizing and healing.

Coenzyme Q10 – in a form that’s called Nano-Lipobelle H-EQ10 it is more effective at penetrating into the skin and delivering antioxidants, which revitalizes your skin.

Just these three ingredients in generous amounts can go a long way and will definitely help you get healthier, more moisturized skin. In combination with other safe and natural ingredients they will make the best body moisturizing creams you can find.

If you want to learn more about what I use on a daily basis to look younger and wrinkle-free, you can visit my website.

Ingela M. Johansson is passionate about natural skin care and has done extensive research on the subject. She enjoys introducing others to the best natural skin care products she can find and uses herself daily at her website http://www.natural-flawless-skin.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/the-best-body-moisturizing-creams-for-amazingly-healthy-and-beautiful-skin-1521968.html

Did you know that you can look amazingly young quite soon if you order the best over the counter eye wrinkle cream today and start using it daily right away.

The best over the counter eye wrinkle cream is natural, effective, perfectly safe to use on a regular basis and also very gentle to the skin. It’s actually the perfect anti-aging product for every type of complexion.

Do you know what to look for in order to find the best over the counter eye wrinkle cream? You should try to find Cynergy TK, Phytessence Wakame and Nano-Lipobelle H-EQ10 among the ingredients.

What makes these ingredients so good? Well, they are active and that makes them very effective, and the result is a complexion that is soft as silk and with less aging signs.

Fine lines and brown spots will disappear with help from the best over the counter eye wrinkle cream and the result will be a much younger look and you will most likely feel a lot more attractive and satisfied with yourself.

It’s a great feeling to know that you’re good looking, and with the best over the counter eye wrinkle cream you will certainly be able to get a stunning look that makes people admire your face.

Would you like to experience the benefits from this great anti-aging method? If your answer is yes you should definitely start searching for more information on this interesting topic.

It’s actually quite simple to find accurate information on the net, and as long as you keep reading with a critical mind you will be able to learn plenty by studying this topic online.

When you think you’ve learned enough it’s time to start shopping and you can do all the shopping you need on the Internet, and you will find very reasonable prices there as well.

If you’re interested in learning the secrets of finding the best eye wrinkle cream , visit my website, where I share what products I personally use for fast, and effective results.

Ingela M. Johansson is passionate about natural skin care and has done extensive research on the subject. She enjoys introducing others to the best natural skin care products she can find and uses herself daily at her website http://www.natural-flawless-skin.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/use-the-best-over-the-counter-eye-wrinkle-cream-daily-look-amazingly-young-again-1522121.html

f you are like me you are sick and tired of using aging skin moisturizers that feel like thick grease. Often marketed as being for ‘mature’ complexions, they leave your skin feeling oily and clogged with goo! And the more you pay, the more you’re left feeling robbed. So I went looking for quality anti-aging facial creams that don’t cost the earth – and was pleasantly surprised.

You can generally get both day creams and nightcreams in any one product range. An anti-wrinkle nightcream is a good idea because it should be designed to nourish and protect while your skin is at rest overnight.

Any decent aging skin moisturizers should focus on the three main causes of wrinkles, lines and sagging:

• the breakdown of collagen and elastin (the proteins that hold cells together)
• the breakdown of cell structure, and
• free radicals, which damage cells.

This sounds complicated but it is possible to find cosmetic manufacturers who are able to tackle all these problems.

Ideally, you’ll also want a product that doesn’t use chemicals and possibly harmful ingredients.

Collagen and elastin

Don’t be fooled by products that claim to actually contain collagen and elastin. The molecules in these proteins are far too large to pass through the skin and will do no good at all.

Instead, help your body regenerate its own collagen.

Look for aging skin moisturizers that contain a special ingredient called CynergyTK™. This is a compound of keratin, a protein found throughout the body that is responsible for cell structure. Whereas some manufacturers get their keratin from hooves and feathers, CynergyTK comes from a keratin in sheep’s wool. It can actually produce fresh new cells and stimulate collagen to regrow. It goes on the face in a very light, thin film – some have called ‘liquid skin’.

Cell structure

Hyaluronic acid helps to glue the fibers of collagen and elastin together. It maintains the structure of the cells and keeps the skin smooth and taut. But as we age, an enzyme attacks this acid, reducing its concentration in the body. A beautiful, natural ingredient called phytessence wakame, derived from Japanese sea kelp, can fight this enzyme, restoring a youthful elasticity.

Free radicals

Finally, you need a powerful antioxidant to deal with those free radicals. Coenzyme Q10 is a natural antioxidant found throughout our bodies. Once again, it reduces as we age. A popular ingredient in many aging skin moisturizers, it has recently become available in a ‘nano-emulsion’ form that is better able to penetrate skin layers.

With a little digging, you can find a range of natural skincare products that contain all these important ingredients and more. No harmful parabens, fragrances or chemicals should be present in your anti wrinkle creams so make sure you read the label carefully.

If you would like to read more of my research into the best aging skin moisturizers, please take a look at my website, where you’ll find more about the safe, pure products I use myself.

Tasha Sanders publishes research and information about natural skin care at http://www.beautiful-skin-and-health.com, where you can find out more about the cutting-edge products she uses that can help your skin glow with vibrant good health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/best-anti-aging-skin-moisturizers-for-restoring-a-youthful-complexion-1520990.html

One of the most effective skin bleaching cream is Meladerm, which claims to diminish dark spots and skin discoloration within 2 weeks. It can also reduce the appearance of various other problems such as liver spots, hyper pigmentation, birth marks, old scars, acne marks, dark elbows, knuckles, melasma, freckles and uneven skin tones.This product contains nature-based ingredients like kojic acid, mulberry acid, alpha arbutin, vitamin B3, lemon juice extract, lactic acid etc.

Best skin whitening products include ingredients such as kojic Acid, licorice Extract, bearberry extract, lactic acid, glycolic acid and Alpha Arbutin. These ingredients can easily diminish other complications such as uneven skin tones, dark elbows, birthmarks, old scars, melasma and freckles etc. One should preferably use Meladem. It is the only pigment reducing cream which contains all the above ingredients.

Camellia oil is another Japanese skin whitening secret. It is a natural cure for your nails, scalp, hair, and skin. It is perhaps the best option for the women to get rid of the stretch marks. It is known to improve the elasticity, and nourish your skin. This is also helpful in hydrating the dried patches. This is an effective body oil for all ages. Camellia oil is also actively used for the pregnancy massages.This is also used as a perfect cure to the acne problems.

First of all try to know about the type of skin that you have. Consult your dermatologist in case you do not know that. Beauty products must be used only according to the skin type. Otherwise they may harm you. Sensitive skins need great care.

CheckBest skin whitening products include ingredients such as kojic Acid, licorice Extract, bearberry extract, lactic acid, glycolic acid and Alpha Arbutin. These ingredients can easily diminish other complications such as uneven skin tones, dark elbows, birthmarks, old scars, melasma and freckles etc. One should preferably use Meladem. the ingredients of the bleaching cream. Stay away from those which do not mention their list of ingredients properly. Many bleaching creams contain some chemicals that harm.

Treat Your Skin Gently

Treat you skin gently and with care. Try to avoid bruising it and treating yourself roughly. Bruises can lead to unsightly discoloration which, can be difficult to get rid of. Some marks on the skin cannot be avoided like stretch marks but, can be taken care of by skin whitening products to fade them.

Hyper pigmentation is mostly caused due to excess exposure to sunlight and aging. In order to prevent and treat its formation, we should apply sunscreen lotion in our face, neck and hands before stepping out of our house. A good sun block protects your skin from the harmful sun rays. You should also wear sunglasses for protecting your skin and face.Best skin whitening products include ingredients such as kojic Acid, licorice Extract, bearberry extract, lactic acid, glycolic acid and Alpha Arbutin. These ingredients can easily diminish other complications such as uneven skin tones, dark elbows, birthmarks, old scars, melasma and freckles etc. One should preferably use Meladem.

Read About Haircuts Also Read about Hairstyles For Fine Hair and Wedding Hairstyle

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/skin-whitening-tips-1521209.html

Winter is just around the corner and the cold weather can play havoc on the skin. Every season we should evaluate our skin care routine. For instance, during the winter months the sebaceous (oil) glands produce less oil; thus for those with oily skin during the summer months they may find some relief from excess oil during the winter. However for those of us with combination skin or dry skin, the winter months dry out the skin even more.

Below are suggestions to help you combat dry skin in the winter time:

Hydrate the Face – both inside and outside. Winter is the perfect time for warm herbal teas loaded with antioxidants. Additionally, you should have a daytime moisturizer that still includes SPF and an emollient rich night time cream. Consider a lotion during the day and a cream at night time. Consider creams that contain shea butter, avocado oil, and olive oil for example. Avoid moisturizers that contain alcohol and synthetic preservatives, fragrances, and coloring, as these have a tendency to strip the skin of its natural oils and have a drying effect on the skin.

Cleansing – we all know that we should stay clear of harsh soaps on our face. We also know that we should avoid extremely hot showers, although they are so tempting when it’s zero degrees! Hot water strips the skin of its natural oils thus drying out the skin.

Cleansing for the body,  consider a body wash that is gentle and can enrich the skin such as aloe Vera. After your shower pat down with a lotion rich in moisture such as shea butter. If possible consider using fragrance- and dye-free laundry detergents and avoid fabric softeners. These chemicals embedded into our clothes can irritate dry skin.

Facial Cleansing – this is probably the most important part of your skin care routine. A good cleanser will thoroughly clean the skin and not strip away natural oils.

Facial Toning – this is a matter of preference. I have read and written several articles about the importance of toners, however there are some that say it is not needed. Personally, I love my homemade green tea and chamomile toner.   

Body Exfoliate – A good exfoliate once a week will perk up skin and color by promoting circulation under the skin.  

Facial Exfoliate – usually once a week. For an easy exfoliate, add a little cornmeal to your facial cleansing. You will notice a difference in the feel and look of your complexion.

Facial Masks – A facial mask can do so much to hydrate deep down into the lower layers of the skin. There are numerous types on the market.  Oatmeal, clay, avocado masks are so beneficial to the skin.

Lips – thin skinned and no oil producing glands in the lips. They take a beating during the winter. If you suffer from chapped lips all winter long consider a waxy lip balm to lock in moisture and protect before you got outdoors. Consider a lip balm that contain avocado, olive, or soybean, they soften and soothe, while vitamin A-rich shea butter promotes healing.

Hands and Feet – just like the face, if you do not wear gloves, the hands are exposed to the winter elements. They need moisture and protection to. Consider a day lotion with SPF and at night give them a treatment with some shea butter for example. The feet which never see the light of day during the winter months are still vulnerable to cracks and dry skin and prone to developing fungus. Consider a balm with peppermint or tea tree oil at night to fight fungus, and cover your feet with cotton socks. Additionally a weekly soak in Epsom salts does wonders to relieve foot ache, fungus and cleanse.

For wonderful homemade skin care recipes, including body scrubs, toners, exfoliates, facial peels and masks visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

Carol Belanger, author of 300+ Skin Care Recipes

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/winter-skin-care-101-1519297.html

A Better Shave

I discovered Wet Shaving while looking for a way to deal with a tough and troublesome beard. Wet Shaving is not about being snobbish, but about a better shave with less iritation and fewer ingrown hairs. An old style double-edge razor, won’t pull the hairs and cut them below the skin level as is the case with multi-blade catridges, taking better care of your skin and your beard. Also, with an old style razor you have the luxury of choosing the sharpness of the blade; so you can find the one that fits you best.

The Shaving Ritual

Shaving used to be a hated task for me. I couldn’t wait until the weekend to skip a couple of days. Now I look forward to this little routine. And why? I’ve replaced aerosol cans and disposable razors with a double edge razor, a good shaving soap and a pure badger shaving brush. Three simple elements that are not only able to give me a bettter shave, but that put together create a moment to unwind and do something for myself that I can enjoy and feel good about.

Elements of a Classic Shave

The secret to wet-shaving is getting yourself a good double-edge razor, shaving soap or cream and a shaving brush. Different people prefer different razors and with time you will find the one that works best for you. For starters a medium size, moderately priced, new razor will do the job.

Buy shaving soap or cream from a reputable seller. When you buy from an old English barbershop with 200 years of experience there’s no way to go wrong. As you develop your preferences you can start to experiment with newer brands. I prefer shaving soaps over creams because they have fewer preservatives and last longer.

The shaving brush is the pivotal element of wet-shaving. So if you get to pick only one outstanding shaving prep, this has got to be it. The brush will massage and exfoliate your skin and the motion required to apply the soap will also lift your hair, preparing if for the shave. For a scrubier feeling try a brush made of pure or best badger, for a soft touch super badger or silver tip will do the trick.

Classic Shaving: Good for You and the Enviroment Too

Wet-shaving also means less waste. Just think about all the non-recycleable plastic that goes into multi-blade cartridges and handles, and the aerosol cans that release harmful by-products into the environment. Switching to old-style shaving props won’t gain you entry into Green Peace by itself, but it is a good start.

Wet-shaving has transformed a dreaded routine into a ritual I look forward to every day. Through my blog I would like to bring this experience to more classic shaving enthusiasts around the world.
Check out our wet shaving supplies at http://fendrihan.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/why-wetshaving-1515229.html

by Edwin Jagger

Quality shaving brushes are filled with the finest grades of badger hair, particularly well suited to shaving with traditional shaving soaps and creams.

Prior to their first use, a new shaving brush should be washed well using warm soapy water. After daily use, rinse the shaving brush under clean, warm water. To dry, place the shaving brush in its holder with the bristles facing down. Allow the shaving brush to dry thoroughly before storing, as wet and damp may damage the bristles.

Silver-Tip Badger Shaving Brush

The softest, rarest and most expensive badger hair shaving brush with natural untrimmed silver tips is the highest quality available in shaving brushes worldwide. The pure colouring of this hair, enhanced by careful hand grading and filling, originates from the neck of the animal. The shape of our silver tip filled shaving brush is created by hand not trimming. The long hair is ultra soft and very flexible guaranteeing the most discerning wet shaver many years of luxurious shaving.

Super Badger Shaving Brush

This is a very high quality grade of badger hair, only used in a hand filled shaving brush. Visually, the badger bundle displays a distinctive black band capped with pure white tips and is presented in a natural fan shape, using the natural hair end to create the shape. The shape of Edwin Jagger Super Badger filled brushes is created by hand and is not trimmed to create the overall badger bundle shape, which is a time saving method used by many other suppliers. Therefore we can guarantee our Super Badger shaving brush is very soft due to the fact that the naturally tapering tips of the hair have not been removed. Super Badger shaving brush is extremely soft and flexible and will guarantee the wet shaver many years of shaving.

Best Badger Shaving Brush

This is a good quality of pure badger hair, machine graded for machine filled brushes. It is normally regarded as the benchmark standard of shaving brush manufacturers. The white/brown colour in our shaving brush indicates an above average standard and also confirms that the mixture of hair is very pure. The hair is stiffer to the touch and is always very popular with wet shavers who use their brush to exfoliate their skin at the same time as preparing it for shaving. Our standard of Best Badger shaving brush will also last many years and is presented with a natural tapered shape.

How a Shaving Brush is Made

The average brush will contain approximately 14000 hairs, weighted precisely to fit the securing ring that holds the brush together.  The manufacturing process is highly skilled and most of the work is done by hand using traditional tools.

The bundle of hair is combed to remove any hairs not lying straight. The hairs are then placed tip-first into a heavy metal forming block which has a concave interior to give it the distinctive dome shape of a quality brush. The end of the brush is tied securely with strong thread and then glued into a ring. This fixes the hairs in the finished shape of the brush.

The base or the shaft-end of the hairs are sheared off (the tips are never cut as is the fine tips that give the softness in a brush of true quality). The clamped bundle is then carefully cemented into the chosen brush handle, creating a luxurious toll that will last for many years.

How to Look After Your Shaving Brush

A badger shaving brush is a natural product that with loving care should last ten to fifteen years. when you get a new brush it is quite natural for a few lose hairs to come away from the brush in the first few weeks; these are shorter hairs that did not quite reach the glue base and this should not be a cause for concern.

Wet your brush throughly before use, dip the tip of the brush into the shaving cream or soap and lather gently using a light circular or up and down motion; when applying the shaving cream or soap do not apply too much pressure, causing the badger hair to splay.

After shaving rinse the brush gently but throughly in clean water, flick the excess water away and place the brush in a stand  with the hair pointing down. If you do not have a stand, leave the brush pointing out rather than horizontal, so that air can get to all hairs and dry the brush naturally.

Natural hair that is left wet can develop mildew; try to avoid enclosing a wet brush in a too small space. If you keep it in the bathroom cabinet make sure that it has sufficient space to dry. If you shave away from home and keep your shaving brush in a travel tube or kit bag, give it an opportunity to dry as soon as you can. If your brush becomes affected by mildew or a build up soap, soak it in a solution of Borax, which can be obtained from a pharmacy.

Wet-shaving has transformed a dreaded routine into a ritual I look forward to every day. Through my blog I would like to bring this experience to more classic shaving enthusiasts around the world.
Check out our wet shaving supplies at http://fendrihan.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/the-badger-shaving-brush-1515240.html

Deciphering Straight Razors

Shaving is a tricky task; without the right tools and gadgets, it can even be a dangerous one. Imagine bringing a dull blade close to your face, one that would require you to exert more force to get the desired results; now that’s an accident just waiting to happen. Now, you can go for disposable razors that promise shaving convenience in a small plastic package, but where’s the fun in that? Shaving would be a more interesting experience if you use something bolder, something that lets you do the shaving efficiently, while giving you a feeling of living (quite literally) on the razor’s edge. A straight razor would be just the tool you’re looking for.

First off, let’s get acquainted with the straight razor (also called cut-throat or open razor). It is a razor that has a blade that can be folded into the handle, and using it requires considerably more skill and finesse compared to using the safety razors (as well as the electric ones) more commonly available nowadays.  Those who are avid fans of using a straight razor swear by the fact that the shaving results are superior when compared to using the “more convenient” safety razor; in addition, the element of danger associated with a straight razor only adds to its attraction (there’s nothing tougher than exposing your face and neck to a glinting, sharp object).

There are different types of straight razors, which can be differentiated according to the grinding method, blade width and point type. Knowing the types of straight razors will help you in choosing which one would be best for your requirements. Think of your razor as something extremely personal; and for that, you would need one that fits you as perfectly as possible.

Straight Razor Types

According to Grinding Method. This refers to the curvature of a straight razor’s cross section, and also to the blade’s shape after the manufacturer has finished grinding it.

Hollow Grind: refers to straight razors whose sides have concave cross sections.

Straight or Flat Grind: these razors possess linear cross section sides. They may also be called “wedge” because that’s how their cross section looks like. These models were popular in the late last century. Nowadays, 99% of straight razors feature a hollow grind.

According to Blade Width: the width of straight razors can usually go from 3/8 of an inch to 7/8 of an inch. Wider blades have a longer life cycle and can be more enjoyable to use; however, they require more dexterity and experience. Razors with narrower blades are easier to sharpen and shave with; but, they will have a shorter life and the very narrow (3/8”, for example) blades will always have the tendency to sink into the skin. Widths of 5/8 and 6/8 tend to be the most popular and most recommended for a good shave.

According to Point Type. Refers to the point profile of the straight razor.

Round Point: these straight razors have a semi-circular point profile, and their ends do not possess sharp points. This type of razor is best for those who are just exploring the use of straight razors, as they do not have the exactness of razors with different point types.

Sharp, Spike or Square Point: these have a straight point profile ending at an extremely sharp point, which is angled perpendicular to the blade’s cutting edge. Highly-experienced users will benefit the most from these types of straight razors, as they are mainly used for precision shaving, especially in hard-to-reach areas. However, they will also provide you with a nick if you are not paying very close attention to what you are doing.

French Point: these razors (also commonly referred to as “oblique point”) have sharper angled curves, and a point profile that looks like a quarter circle. They similarly end in a sharp point like the sharp, spike or square point razors; however the edge is not a straight, abrupt line. A French point razor looks edgy but refined, as compared to its sharp, spike or square point brothers.

How to Safely Use a Straight Razor

After deciding on a straight razor, you have to know the basics of how to use it properly. On your first few tries, go easy on yourself and accept that you may get results that are less than satisfactory; you can come up with patches of uneven shaving, or may get a few nicks in the process. Once you discover the shaving technique you are most comfortable with, you can start relaxing and enjoying the fruits of your (shaving) labor.

You have to choose a high quality straight razor for your shaving needs. Keep in mind that you will be putting this blade against your unprotected face. It would be ideal if you can closely examine the razor before you actually purchase it. Make sure that the blade is in perfect condition (avoid those that have uneven surfaces, nicks, indentations); you also have to check if the scales holding the blade can do so securely; you wouldn’t want a razor that suddenly snaps open just when you least expect it to. The last two pieces of advice are particularly important if you buy an used or old straight razor from Ebay or a flea market.

Probably the most important rule that should be observed is keeping the blade sharp. This ensures that even the toughest hair strands can be cut without having to go through the same area again and again. The sharpness of the blade also contributes to overall safety when shaving; if you use a dull blade, the tendency is to use more force or pressure when you shave, which might lead to accidental nicks and cuts. Keeping the blade sharp will help keep your face (and your neck) free from cuts and nicks.

You can keep the blade sharp by regularly honing it, and stropping it on leather or a flexible piece of canvass. Stropping makes sure that the indentations on the blade are in correct alignment, without having to eliminate any material. You can use a hand-held paddle or a hanging leather strip for your straight razor. Leather is accepted as the best material for this purpose. If you are just starting to use straight razors, you can turn to the Internet for guidance; there are a number of videos online showing you the proper way to strop. For a more personal demonstration you can ask a straight razor aficionado the correct way of doing it.

Make sure that you have your favorite shaving cream or soap handy before using the straight razor. It would be very uncomfortable (and almost impossible) to shave with a dry face; the coarse facial hair might resist the blade’s action, and this will certainly lead to razor burns and other skin irritations. You should apply a thick lather  onto your face, and ensure that it doesn’t dry up prior to the actual shaving process. Use a shaving brush to coax the hairs on your face to stand to attention, making it easier for them to be removed by the razor.

You are now ready for the most exciting part, the actual facial hair removal. If it is your first time to use a straight razor, take a deep breath, relax, and try your best to enjoy this experience. If you are too stiff and tense, you might end up making more mistakes, painful ones at that. Your first three fingers should hold the shank, which is the thin, lower part of the blade that is not used for cutting (it also serves as the joint that turns as you fold the blade into the scale). Keep your thumb underneath to hold the razor steady, while your ring and pinkie fingers should be wrapped on the tang (the small protrusion that lets you swing the blade into the scale). With your free hand, stretch the skin on your face so you can get the closest shave possible.

Before we proceed further, you need to keep this in mind: under no circumstances should you move the blade horizontally on your face. Doing this with a sharp razor would most likely lead to pain, and possibly humiliation; you probably won’t be proud in explaining how you got a two-inch (clean, straight) cut on your face.

Let’s move on. Hold the razor at an angle of about 30 degrees to your face and make sure to keep your touch light but firm at the same time. Do your best to keep your hands steady, to avoid moving the razor across your skin unnecessarily. Shave with, or across, the direction of your hair growth. You can shave against the grain if you are already comfortable doing that, although going with the hair growth’s direction will less likely result to hair follicles being ingrown.  Apply another layer of lather and go over the same area again to get a closer shave. Repeat, if necessary.

Now look into the mirror and admire that bright, freshly-shaved face. That wasn’t too hard, was it?

There are still a lot of things that you need to know about straight razors; some of the information can be found on user guides all over the Internet, while more can be learned mainly through experience. Our goal here is to arm you with as much useful information as possible, so you can concentrate on using your straight razor for wet shaving without worrying too much about putting your neck on the line, so to speak.

Wet-shaving has transformed a dreaded routine into a ritual I look forward to every day. Through my blog I would like to bring this experience to more classic shaving enthusiasts around the world.
Check out our wet shaving supplies at http://fendrihan.com

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