(ThyBlackMan.com) f you’re new to manscaping, you’re not alone. Every man has to learn how to do it. Our women, bosses, and fancy restaurants demand it. Here’s how to groom yourself when it counts so you don’t look like a caveman.
Pull The Skin Tight
Always, always, always, pull the skin tight, regardless of where you’re shaving. This rule will save you the agony of countless razor cuts and burns because you will be going over the hair once with a sharp blade and a flat surface.
The millisecond you introduce uneven terrain, you’re asking for trouble. This is especially true if you decide to shave “the boys.”
Some parts of your body (you know where) are more delicate. The skin is thinner. It pays to be more careful there. But, even on your face and neck, you want to make sure you don’t slice yourself on your Adam’s apple or around your chin. It’s easy to do if you’re using a straight (or even a safety) razor.
Use An Electric Razor
If you’re just not comfortable with the thought of taking a live blade to your face, neck, and nether regions, buy the best electric razor for men you can afford. Good electrics will have greased bearings, sharp blades, and will all but prevent razor burns.
And, you can forget about nicks and actual cuts. The blade guard prevents it.
Electric razors are like shaving training wheels. They make shaving so much easier. No, you can’t really take them in the shower with you (unless you have a waterproof razor), but the upside is that you don’t really need to. Most electric models come with shaving gel (or, at least, they sell it separately) so that you get a nice, smooth, shave every time.
The biggest drawback to an electric shaver is that you need to keep your razor charged. If you go on long trips, and you forget your charging station or cord, you risk becoming a wooly mammoth.
Graduate To A Real Razor
After a few years, the costs of razor-specific shaving gel, the constant stubble even after you just shaved, and ongoing maintenance starts to catch up with you and you wonder if there’s a better way. Well, sunshine, there is. It’s called a razor blade.
Safety razors come in all shapes and sizes. While most men go with a simple Bic, you can do better. 
The Merkur 34C/38C is a heavy-duty safety razor that accepts good old-fashioned straight razor blades. These are sometimes called “Barber Pole” models because they sort of look like something you might find in a modern-day barber shop.
They’re extremely durable and well-made, and the ongoing costs are low. About the only thing you need to do is replace the razor after every other shave. And, razor blades are dirt cheap.
Another option is the Edwin Jagger DE89. Edwin Jagger makes some of the best safety razors on the market. They even make custom razors for the “big box” brands like Gillette.
The Merkur 180 Long Handle costs $33, which seems surprising given what electrics cost. But, even though it’s not very heavy, it has a nice balanced feel to it and a chrome finish. Loading and unloading blades is easy and of course replacement blades for it are cheap.
If you like the idea of those fancy cartridge razors, then there are several of them on the market that are worth checking out. They won’t beat the quality (both in construction of the hardware and closeness of the shave) of a safety razor, but some of them come close.
The Gillette Fusion/Fusion Proglide is a disposable line of cartridge razors that features a battery-powered vibrating handle, which sounds sort of weird. Who wants a vibrating razor blade against their face. But, Gillette promises a closer shave with it.
The Gillette Mach 3/Mach 3 Turbo is another option, which costs just $8 online.
Shave In The Shower
When possible, shave in the shower. You will almost always get a closer shave because you have two things going for you:
- Steam and;
- Water
Sure, you can use a hot towel on your face once you’re out, but it’s not the same.
When To Shave Out Of The Shower
If you just can’t hack shaving in the shower, make sure you have awesome shaving gel in your bathroom. It’s the only way to avoid a bazillion cuts and scrapes in the morning.
Below The Belt-Line
Now, there’s a somewhat controversial topic floating around out there concerning “manscaping” down under. If you want to keep things neat and tidy, have at it but make sure you follow these simple rules:
- Always pull the skin tight – ALWAYS.
- Use shaving gel or some kind of lubricant – you’ll regret it if you don’t.
Use a “one pass” and rinse procedure. Don’t sit there and scrape back and forth. Again, you’ll regret it.
Staff Writer; Walter Jackson
