Cutting it close: Tips for the smoothest shave

You will feel Nivea's Post Shave Balm working away at
dehydration after a close shave. Photo by Kyle Thornburg.

While going to the local barber is enough to transport you to a time of radio hits and not-so-instant messaging, the barbershop requires some free time if you take small talk into account. For the impromptu dates and late notice interviews, barbershop-smooth shaves do not have to be an outsourced job. Take matters into your own hands.

Pre-shave 

A good shave starts before you have even picked up your razor of choice. Taking a hot shower, or merely washing your face with warm water before you begin shaving will soften up your bristly 5 o’clock shadow.

So-long Stubble 

During your shave, switch the faucet from warm to cold water. Contrary to the comfort of warm water shaving, cold water will keep your pores closed and reveal more of your stubble for a longer lasting shave. If you have doubts about this tip, refer your attention to this article, “The Case for Cold Water Shaving” on theartofmanliness.com, which debunks the water temperature debate. Perhaps the most convincing argument resides in the black and white photographs of U.S. soldiers shaving with snow run-off, and not a hint of razor burn afterwards. After all, if there were ever a civilian battle to be fought, it is against red razor burn.

Pay homage to the shaves of yesteryear,
with a bold aftershave, like Chanel's
Allure. Photo by Kyle Thornburg.

While we have battle on the mind, it might be an optimal time to talk about going rogue, soldier. It’s time to abandon the common man’s go-with-the-grain shaving approach. The first time you shave, shaving with the direction of your facial hair will help rid of most of your longer hair growth. Afterwards, shave once more against the grain, remembering to pull your skin taut with each stroke, and you will notice how much smoother your face is.

Reach for Neutrogena's Post Shave Lotion
when your razor burn worries are low.
Photo by Kyle Thornburg.

Aftermath 

Before your face has dried completely, apply an after-shave moisturizer. If you feel a higher level of irritation after your shave, try something like the Nivea post-shave balm. A dime-sized portion goes a long way, and will keep your face hydrated. With less irritation, you might try the Neutrogena post shave lotion, or a more classic aftershave, like Chanel’s “Allure”.

Whichever products you choose, be sure not to use blend two or more scented products. You want to revive the barbershop smoothness with your shave, without smelling like potpourri at dinner or in your potential new workplace.

Being your own barber is a convenience that our suave founding fathers of style weren’t afforded. Try your own at these techniques, and you might find that 5 o’clock shadow arrives fashionably late from here on out. 

For a quick, step-by-step guide to getting a close shave, check out this article at Esquire.com.

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Clarity brought forth by Cardio

The uneven cracks in the sidewalk always move perpendicular to my stride when I run. I can tell which lawns are tended to most regularly, and where the uneven dirt paths collide once again with the unforgiving concrete.

When I run, I have surrendered to the habit of looking down at the path ahead of me. For this reason, I recognize my regular running peers more certainly by their shoes and laces rather than their sweat-covered faces. For a number of years, as a distance runner, I’ve plotted my route before starting the stopwatch on my wrist and I take off at a jog only looking up at streets signs or passersby. At the beginning of this week, however, I uncovered a trail run interconnected with several other unexplored paths that had my sights set on the horizon, rather than the ground; up, rather than down.

The trail to Horsetooth Rock

On the western flank of Fort Collins lies an outdoor playground. Horsetooth Reservoir sees travelers in search of water sports, picnics, biking, jogging, boating, etc. At the foothills, just east of the Reservoir is Spring Canyon Community Park. Laden with just enough toddlers and far too many dogs, this is usually the point at which I turn around on my runs. Yet, just beyond this oasis of kids and canines, the Spring Creek Trail (west) connects with the Fossil Creek Trail. As opposed to Spring Creek, the Fossil Creek trail is not paved and has several branches from the main path suitable for mountain bikers and runners alike.

Nestled between the foothills and park, Fossil Creek trail winds amongst the knee-length brush and nudges you along the dark green tree line of Horsetooth Park. Like arteries to a heart, the fingers of the Fossil Creek trail dart around Dixon Reservoir, where fishermen whisper song lyrics either to themselves or to their potential catches.

Dually, the terrain was all but flat. By no means, was it a hill tempo run, but I cannot praise this area enough for the rhythm it urges runners to find in order to keep pace.

There are so many opportunities within running; be it for pleasure or with a competitive heart. Steve Prefontaine, running legend and Olympian said, “Some people create with words or with music or with a brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run. I like to make people stop and say, 'I've never seen anyone run like that before.' It's more than just a race, it's a style. It's doing something better than anyone else. It's being creative.” It’s the creativity within running that I’m just uncovering.

As the sun ducked behind the foothills on a run the other night, the grasses around the thin trail on Fossil Creek remained a glowing orange. Crickets were fooled by the setting sun and began their nightly song. And I was able to watch this all in focus, and the whir of my running feet was now in my periphery.

What a fool I’ve been looking down for so long.

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