Shaving Advice from the Fools

According to Funny Facts, the average American spends 3500 hours shaving in their lifetime. A quick search for “perfect shave” will show you what a big deal the old whisker trim can be for a man.

Now, from our “Why is this even a blog post?” files, I present the shaving routines of three Fools. These are not paid endorsements, just the passing of our shaving experience on to you.

Lou: Once a Week + Touchups

During basic training, Lou woke up at 4:30am every day to shave by flashlight. If a soldier suffered from shaving bumps, he could obtain a shaving waiver that let him grow a beard for up to 3 weeks. But you’d better keep that waiver on you at all times.

Now Lou shaves once a week with Edge Shaving Gel and a Gillette Fusion blade with 5 razors. He applies the gel directly to the face without any prep (hot towel, etc.). He fills the sink with hot water and rinses the razor by shaking it out in the water and banging it on the counter. No after-shave or lotion. Then he does a touch-up with an electric razor throughout the week.

Kris: Electric Boogaloo

Kris’ college routine included the occasional shave with razor and shaving cream, but he found the process slow and tedious. When he joined a high-powered accounting firm, the daily shave pushed him to an electric razor. Now that he’s a Fool, he still shaves with his electric (a Braun) but only twice a week.

He likes the electric because he finds it cleaner and more convenient. He can shave while reading the paper. It’s also easier for travel.

Luke: The Sensitive Type

I was blessed with what the experts call “sensitive skin,” which means I burn in the sun and shave at my own risk. I’ve tried many, many tricks but found the following routine effective:

Run water until hot and wet a rag. Hold the warm rag against your face to soften the whiskers and prepare the skin. (Repeat as necessary.) Then, lather up with Edge shave gel for sensitive skin (with aloe) while rinsing the razor (a Mach 3) in COLD water. Someone once told me the cold water causes the razor to shrink up and become slightly more sharp. No idea if this is true, but I do like the feeling of a cold razor.

I shave in short, quick strokes, not long pulls. I go with the grain, then against it, re-cooling the razor in the tap after half a face. For the upper lip, I use a cheap electric razor. It’s just easier to maneuver and reduces the risk that I’ll shave my lips off.

I shave every 3-5 days, always before a shower and at least once on Saturday or Sunday morning. I don’t use aftershave but sometimes apply more cooling shave gel after shaving, just before getting in the shower.

The Moral of the Story

If you don’t like shaving every day, maybe BookFool.com is the place for you. We also go around in shorts and a T-shirt all day. Ties are strictly forbidden. Good to be a Fool!