the perfect shave

Are you satisfied with the way you shave? Most men believe they shave properly but the overwhelming evidence proves otherwise. Only few men do justice to this daily chore leading to a high incidence of cuts, bumps, razor burn and blotchy skin. The details for a perfect shave enjoy universal agreement:

• apply a hot towel to the face to soften the bristles and open up the skin pores. Alternatively shave right after a warm shower. Never shave cold and avoid applying shaving products to a dry face.
• apply shaving oil or cream to the bristled area. They can be used together, shaving oil first.
• apply the shaving cream prefarably with a quality shaving brush in a circular motion ending in an upward stroke to stand the beard away from the face.
• shave with a clean multi-bladed razor going in the direction of the hairs, which is usually downward. Shaving against the "grain" leads to cuts and bumps. Rinse the blade regularly under hot water.
• shave the chin last. The toughest hairs reside here so give the cream enough time to soften the hair.
• rinse the face with cool water or pat down with a cold towel to close the pores.
• press with a final hot towel.
• generously apply a moisturising aftershave or postshave balm. Avoid alcohol-based colognes which by drying out the skin, predispose to red blotches. A razor bump repair serum is useful to calm irritated skin in men where this is a major problem.

head shave

Do you shave your head? If so the unique revolutionary Headblade system is a must for you. This is the only specially designed razor for shaving the head.

• shave prefarably in the shower
• apply the HeadSlick shaving cream liberally
• shave using the HeadBlade Classic Razor. Details on how to use the razor are described with the product.
• Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
• Apply the HeadLube moisturising lotion.

facial care

The male skin has certain unique properties attributable to the male hormone, Testosterone. At 2mm, it is about 0.5mm thicker than the female skin on average. It is also more acidic and produces more collagen and sebum. Daily shaving inflicts significant trauma to the skin leaving it vulnerable to the stresses of modern life and environmental insult. Daily facial care is therefore of utmost importance for men. For best results:

• wash once or twice a day with a water-soluble soap-free facewash. This removes excess oils and dirt without undue drying. Use prefarably before shaving and also at the end of the day. Avoid regular soaps which are usually alkaline and tend to destroy the acidic protective barrier of the skin.
• scruff (scrub;exfoliate) the face two or three times weekly for deep cleansing and removal of dead skin cells. Dead skin cells clog the pores predisposing to blackheads. Exfoliation leaves a smooth, radiant and glowing skin. 
• use a clay mask once weekly. Masks offer deep cleansing, intense skin nourishment, purification and hydration. They can take years off your face and the smoother skin makes shaving easier. 
• shave daily as described above.  
• The skin around the eyes require special care being very delicate and vulnerable. Fatigue, age, poor nutrition and health problems are often reflected in puffiness, dark circles, bags and broken capillaries in the eye area. Soothing and anti-aging eye care products should be used regularly. 
• Check out our range of facial care and eye care products.

skin type

Your skin type is the first step in determining suitable skincare products. The skin is a living organ, prone to environmental changes and in a constant state of change and regeneration. You may therefore go through phases of different skin types. The common common types are:

normal skin With no signs of oily or dry areas, the skin is soft and smooth with good elasticity and firmness. The skin pores are small to medium sized. Use products that maintain hydration and water-based moisturisers.

oily skin With larger pores, oily skin is more coarse in texture and is the most prone to pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. By attracting more dirt, oily skin should be washed several times a day using a light facial wash and warm water. Use a water-based moisturiser afterwards.

dry skin Dry skin is flaky and feels tight because of inadequate oil secretion. Wash once or twice a day with a creamy facial cleanser or facial wash with warm water. Use a moisturiser afterwards and avoid alcohol-based products that tend to dry out the skin.

combination skin The most common type is to have normal or dry skin on the cheeks and around the eyes and oily skin on the so called 'T-Zone'(the area from the forehead extending down the nose and chin). Other combinations are less common. It is important to use balanced skincare products eg those containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) or a combination of products suitable for the dry/normal skin and oil-absorbing products on the T-Zone.

sensitive skin Sensitive skin is prone to damage from environmental factors (wind, sun and cold weather). The skin is often red and blotchy and allergy to cosmetics is common. Use fragrance-free facial wash and moisturisers. Skin exfoliants are best avoided.