Between rising global stress, the daily weirdness of working during a pandemic, and the fact that many barber shops are still closed, your scruff could use some pampering. Here’s how to treat yourself to a DIY barber-shop-style shave at home. 

What You’ll Need:

• 2 hand towels
• Shaving cream 
• Shaving brush (optional)
• Razor of choice
• Essential oils (Eucalyptus) 
• Pre-shave oil
• After-shave moisturizer

Step 1: Pre-treat

After gently washing your face, it’s time for the fanciest step: the hot towel. Run a hand towel under warm water until it’s damp, then wring it out and put it into the microwave for a few seconds. Make sure to watch it, you want it warm not on fire! Take the towel out and wrap it around your face. Pros do this by cupping the middle of the towel under your chin then wrapping each end so it drapes over your eyes leaving space for your nose. Here’s a video if that’s confusing. Kick this step up a notch by adding a few drops of essential oil like eucalyptus to the towel before putting it on your face. Let this sit for 3-5 minutes, it’ll help open your pores and will feel amazing. 

After removing the towel, dab on some pre-shave oil to get your skin ready to go. 

Before you start though, put another damp towel in the freezer, we’ll need it in step 4. 

Step 2: Lather Up

For a super shmancy shave, apply shaving cream to your face with a brush rather than your hands. Natural hair brushes run from very coarse (boar) to medium coarse (horsehair) to very soft (types of badger), but if you’re keen to avoid animal products, a synthetic brush works just as well. 

Apply lather in circular motions and make sure your shaving area is covered with a thick layer. 

Step 3: Start Shaving

Most fancy barbers will use a straight razor, but these require a lot of sharpening and upkeep. A safety or disposable razor will also work but you might want to talk to your shave Pro to see if they have any recommendations or if they offer virtual blade maintenance tutorials. 

For the first pass of your face, shave with the grain of your hair in short, slow strokes. Be sure to rinse the foam off of your razor after every two to three strokes. For the second pass, go gently against the grain. To avoid cutting yourself, pull each section of skin taught as you shave. Take your time with this step so you don’t end up with a bunch of nicks at the end. 

Step 4: Cool Down

Remember that towel you stuck in the freezer? Pull it out and fold it around your freshly shaven face. This shock of cool will help seal your pores, calm your skin, and increase circulation. Leave it there for 2ish minutes. Relax and reflect on what a nice, decadent thing you just did for yourself. Think about how dapper you’ll look, and how terrific you’ll feel. Times up! Remove the towel and apply after-shave moisturizer. You’re all done, champ, and you look great! 

Need more shaving tips? Book with a professional on StyleSeat.