Correct way to shave?

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My father left when I was two weeks old, and I only have sisters. The first person who gave me a brief lesson on male grooming was a former boyfriend to one of my sisters, but over fifteen years later I'm still not sure.

I've never really had the courage to ask because I think people may react in an odd manner. I already get enough looks from people because of my height. Does anyone have any advice about the correct way to shave facial hair? So far I've been trying up/down/left/right with both wet shave and electric - but it never seems to work out.

Thank you.

I've been wet shaving for forty years. Only shave in a downward direction; if you go any other way you are more likely to graze your skin. Once grazed it can be difficult to get it to heal up properly as you keep opening up the graze again when shaving. Another tip that was given to me long ago was not to use hot water for shaving, only tepid or cold water, the reason being that hot water will soften and open the pores on your skin and again there is more likelihood of grazing yourself.

If you don't seem to get a close shave by going downwards it usually means your blade needs replacing. Temporarily you can shave in the upward direction to get a closer shave but as mentioned, more risk of grazing your skin.

After each pass downwards, rinse/shake the razor in the water otherwise it can get clogged up, especially the multi-blade ones. Check/clean the blades after each shave to ensure there is no gunk trapped between the blades or it will go hard by the next time you use your razor and you won't be able to get a clean cut - the blade will be ruined.

Aftershave: It is a waste of money and serves no purpose other than making you smell nice. If you want to smell nice fine, use it. If it stings when you put it on it means you haven't shaved properly and you have damaged your skin shaving.

Shaving soap: Not necessary, any halfway decent ordinary bar of soap will work just as well. I don't even use a shaving brush, just rub a bar of soap around in my hands to make some lather then smear it onto my face with my hands.

Keep a beard, it's far easier than shaving everyday. I'm really glad I'm keeping some facial hair. I just need to trim it once a week with a machine, and a bit of styling with a razor and I'm o.k. No skin irritation, no morning routines and no need to keep buying products. If you don't mind having facial hair, just try it. Maybe I'm just lazy, but I think it suits me better.

Just use shaving foam and any disposable razor (they can hold their edge for several goes if it's short hair). Nothing else required.

For neck: I go from base to chin/jawline (so up). Do a row, then wash off the foam and hair on the razor, then repeat (you may have to go over the same row again, especially if you're doing it a little soft when starting out)

Face: down or from the sides towards your chin; do the same wash off as above for each row you make no matter where it is

Top lip: down or from the center to either side (you can do it in two swipes if it's short when going from the center out)

Chin: down

Try and keep the blade/blades clean of hair/foam/skin; they last longer that way. Never fun trying to shave with a blunt and distorted blade (distorted as you tend to have to push harder if it's not cutting as well due to being a mess).

(Come to think of it, I had a dad at the time my face sprouted, but he never taught me how to do it. Odd.)

I've used electric razors, but more often than not, I have to follow up with an old fashioned single blade.

I use unscented shaving foam because I'm sensitive to the artificial fragrances. It ain't easy to find, so sometimes I use unscented soap.

If it wasn't for the Missus, I'd look like Alan Moore (but not the rings.)

Thank you for all of the detailed replies. I'll try to take a before photograph, then shave based on what's been suggested, then an after photograph.

the correct way to shave can only be ascertained after considering all the incorrect ways to shave, and eliminating them from from the matrix of possibilities of how to shave.

Real men use fire.

It has that cool burnt ozone going for it.

You have to shave according to the "grain" of the hairs. Sometimes, the grain induces you to shave upwards, sometimes downwards.

Usually, in the moustache area, the grain induces one to shave upwards, Downwards doesn't work for me.

Going up the cheek, one should shave upwards as well.

Come to think of it, upwards, with a sprinkling of downwards for precision, is preferable within my own context.

It seems that it's generally different for most.

Facial shape and hair density (among other things) really changes the dynamics.

First, wash your face with ordinary soap and lukewarm water. Facial oils may prevent a close shave. Leave your face wet to apply what you use for shaving.

I prefer the tube gels to aerosol cans. They seem to lubricate better, and a pea sized dab covers my whole face. You get more shaves for your money from a tube gel, than from an aerosol. Gels in aerosol cans turn to foam as you apply them. Tube gels don't. One pea sized dab, rub your hands together, and apply. That should do it.

Get a good razor. Some of the newer ones like the Gillette Fusion or the Shick Hydro use cartridges that stay sharp for up to a month, and the back of the cartridge is vented so hair and residue wash clear when you rinse them. Non vented multiblade heads clog very quickly and become useless. The replacement cartridges are expensive, but they far outlast standard blades or cartridges, so you save money in the long run. Don't spend more money on gimmicky battery powered razors. They don't shave any better than the manual ones.

Shave with the grain of your beard. It not only avoids cuts, but it also avoids razor burn if you have sensitive skin.

Shave every day. Shaving one day's growth is easier, and less irritating, than shaving more than one day's.

If you do cut yourself, a small piece of toilet or facial tissue will stop bleeding as fast as a styptic pencil, and it won't sting. Styptic pencils use an astringent that stings when you apply them.

Don't forget to remove the tissue before you leave. Nothing looks dumber than a guy with tissue still attached to a shaving cut.

I always make sure I have a good razor. I shave in the shower, letting the steam loosen my skin. I usually get a good, close shave--though, if the razor is dulling, I get more nicks and cuts, and more stinginess following shaving.