Shaving Know How – Top Tips

GENERAL SHAVING TIPS
King of Shaves shaving tips are below. Please scroll down to read our women’s tips.

1. Forget everything you know!
Lots of lather does not equal a good shave. Foam sitting on top your skin does nothing so move on!

2. Don’t shave as soon as you get up.
Have breakfast first. Give your skin a chance to wake up!

3. Spend time preparing your skin.
Prime your skin for a great shave by using a deep cleansing non-soapy face wash and alternate twice a week with a gentle face scrub. Spend a little time massaging your chosen shaving preparation into your face as this again will help to soften and lift the bristles.

4. Ideally, shave in the shower or bath.
The hot, steamy environment of a shower or bath will help to soften the bristles, making shaving easier. On average it takes 3 to 4 minutes for stubble to ‘wet out’ properly making it easier to shave. If you prefer the old fashioned water in a bowl (or sink!) method, wash your face first with plenty of hot water to ensure those bristles are soft.

5. Ensure you have a clean sharp blade and shave using short strokes.
It’s key to shave in the direction of your hairs’ growth – generally speaking this is down on the cheeks and chin and upwards on the neck. If you are at all unsure, run your finger across your stubble to see which direction the hair is growing. Shaving against the direction of hair growth is the primary cause of razor burn, redness and rashes. Take special care when shaving around the sensitive neck area.

6. Rinse the blade regularly.
Rinse the blade thoroughly as you shave and don’t press to hard against the skin.

7. Rinse your face thoroughly.
If using a shaving gel, foam or serum; rinse your face thoroughly with cool water and pat dry (don’t rub). If using a King of Shaves shaving oil, simply pat your face dry.

8. Apply a post shave product.
Afterwards protect your skin with a moisturiser or face balm as this will leave your skin feeling smooth, supple and soft – not tight and dry!

Et voila! You have completed the perfect shave!

COMMON SENSE
We have thoroughly researched and strongly believe in all the products and advice offered here at kingofshavesdirect.com. All our products have been tested on humans as well as the staff at King of Shaves. However, we are not doctors and are not familiar with any specific medical conditions that you may have. So please check with your doctor before radically changing any part of your daily health or grooming regime.

Please use common sense when trying any new products or grooming regimes as they provide different results for different people. If you experience any reaction to a product (whether it is ours or anyone else’s) you put on your skin then you should discontinue use immediately.

If you have extra sensitive skin we would suggest you try and avoid products that contain menthol or fragrance (parfum). We would also suggest trialing new products on an inconspicuous part of your skin if you are concerned that you may have a reaction. It is also very important to read all the instructions for products as directions may vary – for instance it is important to thoroughly rinse off our shaving gels after use, however our shave oils can be left on the skin.

Please contact us with any product comments, queries or whatever (!) you may have by emailing the Customer Care Team at care@shave.com or fill in our contact form.

For some more tips, watch our easy-to-follow video guides:

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR AZOR CARTRIDGE
When you feel your shave isn’t as smooth or as close as you’d like it to be, replace your razor’s blade. Below is a quick guide to how to change a King of Shaves Azor 4-Blade, 5-Blade and Queen Of L’Azor cartridges:

To load a replacement cartridge onto your King of Shaves System Razor, push the Azor’s head down on top of the new cartridge (whilst it is still in the tray) with your index and middle fingers firmly pressing on the square dots on the rear. When you feel the head engage, pull the handle and cartridge out from the tray.

To eject a cartridge, hold the Azor handle and use your thumb to press firmly down on the Azor ‘A’ logo on the back of the razor’s head to ‘ping’ off the cartridge. Alternatively, slide the used cartridge into the tray and remove by pulling the handle upwards whilst gently pressing the Azor logo down with your thumb.

SILKY SMOOTH SHAVING ADVICE FOR WOMEN
For some expert advice on getting silky smooth legs, please read Diane Wood’s shaving tips below. As the daughter of Adrian Wood, owner of iconic NYC barbershop, Paul Molé, Diane spent a great deal of her childhood learning about shaving, its techniques and its history. No stranger to the industry, she worked weekends at Paul Molé during her teens and early twenties and she now holds a Master Barber License.

Try shaving in the evening:
Shaving removes dead skin cells and the superficial layer of the epidermis thus reducing your skin’s defences. If you shave in the morning you are more likely to expose weakened skin to external elements and your shaved skin will feel uncomfortable – so try shaving in the evening instead.

Shave in the bath or shower:
Warm, wetted hair is three times easier to shave than dry hair. So for best results shave during a bath or shower and ensure you thoroughly wet your hair with warm water for at least three minutes. We also recommend you exfoliate your skin before shaving as this helps prevent in-growing hairs (caused when a hair curls back under the skin).

Use a quality shave gel:
Apply a moisture rich shaving gel to the areas to be shaved and then thoroughly massage it in to your skin – Queen Of… Shaving Gels have been designed to work in harmony with the Azure razor. If you just use soap or water it can result in your skin becoming dry and irritated.

Shaving the legs and bikini area:
To get the closest possible shave, start at your ankles and shave upwards. From the bottom of your ankle, gently glide the blades up the leg in one smooth stroke. Take extra care when shaving areas where bone is close to the skin surface, such as ankles and knees.

To avoid nicks and cuts that often occur behind the ankle, flex your heel to stretch the skin whilst you shave. Around the sensitive bikini area follow the direction of the hairs’ growth to help prevent irritation. Remember when shaving don’t press too hard, let the blades do the work!

Shaving under the arms:
Underarm hair grows in different directions and so you will need to shave up, down and across the area.

To help prevent razor burn and ingrown hairs pull the skin tight with one hand, while you shave with the other. You should re-apply your shaving gel regularly as you shave in different directions.

After shaving:
Thoroughly rinse off any remaining shave gel from your skin. Try not to apply or expose skin to anything irritating after shaving – ideally wait an hour to allow time for your skin’s pores to close before applying deodorant, perfume, going swimming in salty sea water etc.

We do recommend you apply a non-perfumed moisturiser to help lock in moisture and to soothe and revitalise your skin. Important: Enjoy!

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR AZOR S FOR WOMAN CARTRIDGE
When you feel your shave isn’t as smooth or as close as you’d like it to be, replace your razor’s blade. Below is a quick guide to how to change a King of Shaves Azor S for Woman cartridge:

To load a replacement cartridge onto your King of Shaves Azor S for Women System Razor, firstly ensure the cartridge is still in the tray. Then place your fingertips on the oval dots on the reverse of the razor’s handle and push the razor’s head firmly down on top of the new cartridge (whilst it is still in the tray). When you feel the head engage, gently push the handle forward and away from you until it comes clear of the tray.

To remove a cartridge, insert current cartridge (that is on the Azor S for Women handle) into spare space on cartridge tray. Then gently twist the handle towards the side of the tray and away. The cartridge should easily disengage from the handle and now you are ready to put on a new replacement cartridge.