How to shave with a straight razor: like a barber

Start with a clean and disinfected straight razor. If using a traditional razor make sure the blade has been properly honed and stropped. If using a changeable blade razor start with a new blade.

Hold the razor in your dominant hand balanced with the handle between your ring and pinky fingers and your pinky resting on the tang of the razor.

Work up a thick lather and apply to the face. In shaving with a straight razor the preparation of the skin is very important so take your time working the lather against the grain of the hairs.

After applying a pre shave and a thick layer of lather apply a hot steam towel to the face.

Run a folded hand towel under warm water. Depending on how clean your microwave is, nuke the towel for 25 seconds but remember the towel will be much warmer in the middle than the outsides.

Fold the towel over the face like this. Then just sit back and relax.

Apply an additional layer of lather and get ready to shave! Start under the sideburn on the cheek and shave in a downward motion.

Use your non-dominant hand to stretch and pull the skin tight.

When shaving with a straight razor use a light touch. The blade will shave the whiskers without applying pressure. Glide the blade in a 12 to 7 o clock motion. Always shave with the grain!

Clean the razor by whipping the blade away from you. When holding the razor in this position the motion would be from the bottom of the picture to the top.

When holding the razor in this position the motion would be from the top of the picture to the bottom.

Shave down across the cheek on one side.

Then shave across the jawline, towards the chin.

The next step is to shave the moustache. Your non-dominant hand can move the nose out of the way while stretching the skin above the lip.

After shaving the moustache shave the neck and under the jawline. Remember to always shave with the grain of the hair and never against.

The next step is to shave the opposite side of the face. Cheeks, jawline, moustache, and under the neck. Make sure to stretch the skin with your non-dominant hand while shaving with the other.

The final step is to shave across the chin and under the lip. This will be the most difficult. Take your time, be patient. Shave on a 12 to 7 angle and try to angle the razor 30 degrees to the skin.

Finish the shave with a cold towel followed by your preference of aftershave. This will close up the pores and act as an astringent.

For more tips or questions visit facebook.com/stefahnlooneyclassicbarbering