Enter the RoyalShave + Taylor of Old Bond Street USA Giveaway!

Founded in 1854 by Jeremiah Taylor, Taylor of Old Bond Street was one of the first beacons of traditional wet shaving. With a legacy for crafting hair, skin, and beard products that epitomize classic British style, Taylor of Old Bond Street continues to be held in high regard amongst wet shavers. That’s why we are excited to announce an exclusive giveaway, brought to you by the folks at Taylor of Old Bond Street USA!

We’re celebrating the art of wet shaving with a Taylor of Old Bond Street giveaway!

To qualify, please submit your entry by 11:59 PM PT on Wednesday, July 5th, 2017.

DETAILS:

We will be selecting 1 winner. You can enter on Facebook and/or Instagram as many times as you’d like.

PRIZES:

A fabulous collection of Taylor of Old Bond Street’s bestsellers, worth over $200!

  • Sandalwood Pre-Shave Oil
  • Pre-Shave Aromatherapy
  • Sandalwood Herbal Shaving Soap in Wooden Bowl
  • Luxury Shaving Stick – St James Collection
  • Luxury Sandalwood Shaving Stick
  • Mr Taylor’s Luxury Talcum Powder
  • Cedarwood Shaving Cream
  • Organic Shaving Cream
  • Sandalwood Shaving Cream
  • Eton College Collection Gentleman’s Cologne

HOW TO ENTER:

Facebook

  1. Like Taylor of Old Bond Street and RoyalShave on Facebook.
  2. Answer this question in on RoyalShave’s Facebook page:

How did you get started with wet shaving?

Enter Now on RoyalShave’s Facebook >

Instagram

  1. Follow Taylor of Old Bond Street and RoyalShave on Instagram.
  2. Post a photo and answer the question below. Tag us @RoyalShave and #RoyalShaveGiveaway.

How did you get started with wet shaving?

Enter Now on RoyalShave’s Instagram >

RULES:

No purchase necessary. You may enter as many times are you’d like on both Facebook and Instagram.

Enter by 11:59 PM PT on Wednesday, July 5th, 2017. The RoyalShave staff will announce winners on July 7th, 2017 via Facebook and Instagram. Limited to residents of the United States of America.

How to Shave When You Have Acne

Whether you get the occasional zit or are struggling with adult acne, trying to shave with pimples may make wet shaving seem less art form and more balancing act. While shaving with acne is by no means easy, there are plenty of ways you can make the process less irritating for your skin.

Below, we’ve included tips for every step of your shaving routine. With a few adjustments (you may need to say goodbye to your shaving brush), you will see improvements in your skin and shave.

Preparation

Clean your skin

Take a warm shower before you begin shaving. The steam will soften your skin and facial hair. Pliable facial hair means you’ll encounter less tugging while shaving. Less tugging = less irritation, which is a major plus for acne-prone skin.

If you are unable to take a shower before you shave, warm a towel and place it on your face for 3 minutes to similar effect.

While in the shower, use a facial cleanser that removes excess oil without drying out your skin. Liquid soaps tend to be less drying than bar soaps. We’ve heard great things about Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash, Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Cleanser, and Olay Foaming Face Wash (all recommended by Acne.org). Avoid washing your face with a washcloth or scrubber. Vigorous scrubbing will only irritate skin and exacerbate acne.

Squeeze pimples

Normally we wouldn’t recommend going anywhere near a pimple. But when you’ve got acne and need to shave, it’s more hygienic to pop the pimple yourself before the shave than to let the razor pop it for you. Popping a pimple pre-shave and cleaning up afterwards will reduce the amount and spread of bacteria on your face. If the razor pops your pimple, it’ll introduce bacteria to the rest of your skin.

To squeeze a pimple safely, reference this link.

Apply pre-shave – or not

There are plenty of men on both sides of the fence here. Pre-shave oil softens hair for a smoother shave, but Sharpologist argues it can clog pores. Our verdict? Try a non-comedogenic pre-shave oil (which doesn’t clog pores). If you find it too heavy, stop using it. You can also try a pre-shave lotion, which is lighter in consistency than oil. We like Edwin Jagger Hydrating Pre-Shave Lotion, designed with aloe vera to protect sensitive skin.

During the shave

Use an alcohol-free shaving cream

Alcohol is too drying for acne-prone skin. Use an alcohol-free shaving cream formulated for sensitive skin, like Taylor of Old Bond Street Jermyn Street Shaving Cream.

Never use old towels

Towels are breeding grounds for bacteria. If you’re using yesterday’s towel for today’s shave (without laundering it first), you’re just reintroducing bacteria to your face. Opt for a pack of barber towels, which are inexpensive and lint-free, so you can switch out towels every time you shave.

Don’t use a shaving brush

Like towels, shaving brushes are microbial hotbeds. Typically, cleaning a brush post-shave means simply rinsing with water, so the brush may still harbor bacteria the next time you use it. The solution? Apply shaving cream with your fingers. Suavecito makes a well-loved brushless shaving cream.

Say no to cartridge razors

More blades = more irritation. A 4-blade cartridge has 4 separate blades, each of which can lift and irritate skin, pop pimples, and make acne worse. A single blade razor – AKA a safety razor – with low aggressiveness (less of the blade is exposed) will give you a clean cut without traumatizing skin. The Feather AS-D2 is known for delivering a gentle yet effective shave, while the Merkur Progress offers 5 aggressiveness settings for personalized control.

Bypass pimples

Avoid shaving over pimples if possible. This can pop whiteheads as well as spread bacteria over already sensitive, freshly shaved skin. If you accidentally cut yourself, quickly apply a topical antibiotic or use a styptic pen to stop the bleeding.

Shave with the grain using light pressure

It’s true that shaving against the grain gets you a closer cut, but doing so with acne causes more nicks and irritation than it’s worth. Instead, shave with the grain with little to no pressure on the razor. Safety razors do not require much pressure to cleanly cut hair. In fact, pressing down on the razor will only produce more friction.

Rinse your razor with hot running water between passes.

After the shave

Disinfect the razor with rubbing alcohol

Eliminate all traces of bacteria by dousing your razor with rubbing alcohol. Remember to do this again before your next shave.

Clean and tone your skin

It’s important to remove all traces of shaving cream, as it can clog pores. Rinse your face with warm water, followed by cool water to close pores. Run an alum block over shaved areas, leave it on for a minute, and then rinse. Pat your face dry.

Instead of an alum block, you can try an alcohol-free astringent toner like Prospector Co. KC Atwood Aftershave Splash, which contains antiseptic witch hazel. If you use a salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide acne treatment, wait until your skin is dry for application.

Why You Should Use Algae on Your Face

A background on algae

The slimy stuff you usually see making streams look murky is actually highly beneficial for your skin. Algae have been used for many years as the basis of healthy foods like Kombucha and sushi (seaweed is a type of algae), boosting healthy bacteria. Algae are also used to thicken foods and skincare products so they don’t become runny. But in recent years, algae have come into the spotlight as a potent skincare ingredient: the green gunk is rich in minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids.

There are 2 types of algae:

Microalgae – Tiny, single-celled creatures

Macroalgae – Multi-cellular organisms like seaweed and kelp

Within these two categories, over 20,000 species of algae exist. The main ones you should know about are brown algae, green microalgae, and red algae.

Why should I rub pond organisms on my face?

Algae are natural moisturizers that enhance skin barrier function. These plant organisms hydrate skin and then lock in the moisture. Algae condition the skin after a shave, when your skin is thirsting for replenishment.

Who should be using algae in skincare products?

Algae are beneficial for everyone – and are skin savers for wet shavers. Brimming with vitamins and minerals, algae is a natural antioxidant, emollient, and soothing agent. Apply a product with algae before your shave for stronger skin more resistant to irritation and cuts, and after your shave for instant skin barrier repair.

Red algae (including carrageenan and Irish moss)

If you have acne, red algae have antimicrobial properties, reducing inflammation without the drying properties of over the counter drugs. Red algae also absorb UVA rays, acting like natural sunscreen.

Brown algae

Out in the sun all the time? Brown algae combat free radical oxidation.

Mature skin can also benefit from brown algae, which improve the appearance of aging skin.

Green micro-algae

Full of phytochemicals, green micro-algae combat free radicals and inflammation while regulating melanin production. If you have an old scar from acne or a razor nick, this type of algae will improve skin tone and fade the scar gradually.

Our product recommendations:

Baxter of California Vitamin Cleansing Bar

This bar soap is far from drying. Aloe vera, glycerin, and seaweed (brown algae) nourish skin, while vitamins E and A neutralize free radicals for protection from the elements and pollution.

SHOP: Baxter of California Vitamin Cleansing Bar

The Art of Shaving After-Shave Gel

Carrageenan boosts the moisture quotient in this lightweight gel aftershave. Calendula extract contains anti-inflammatory linoleic acid, which heals a wide variety of skin conditions, from acne to eczema. Add this aftershave to your post-shave routine if you have oily or normal skin.

SHOP: The Art of Shaving After-Shave Gel

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Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20

Protect your skin after a morning shave with Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20. Blue algae keeps skin supple while reducing inflammation, and sea parsley contains vitamins A and C to encourage collagen production (and thereby skin healing).

SHOP: Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20

Grooming Artist News Roundup: June 2017

If ever there were a barometer of the resurgence and boom of classic shaving, these past couple of weeks have been it. The Observer, Men’s Journal, and even women’s health site Organic Authority have published articles about the many benefits of wet shaving. Men get an ultra close face shave, while women are able to get smoother legs with more time in between shaves.

On the topic of body grooming, Fashionbeans offers advice on different methods of hair removal on the rest of your body. Whether you wax or shave, it’s important to look like you’ve put in some effort.

Jon Wogoman of The Bald Nation also stopped by this past month to teach readers how to do a complete head shave using a safety razor. If you’ve already mastered the face shave, this is a challenge that will take your skills to the next level.

And finally, we put together a comprehensive Father’s Day gift guide with items that are nowhere close to the fallback tie. Since every dad is different, we broke down the gift guide into personality types for that personal touch.

Enjoy!

Safety razors aren’t just for men. In this article, the writer makes an argument for women to use safety razors to shave legs. (Organic Authority)

A classic barber on the resurgence and benefits of wet shaving. (Observer)

Men’s Journal also makes a case for making the switch to wet shaving. (Men’s Journal)

It’s beach season. Fashionbeans offers a guide to tidying up the rest of your body. (Fashionbeans)

A short history of shaving mugs and their place in barbershop culture. (Berk History Center)

Jon Wogoman teaches you how to shave your head with a safety razor: Part 1 and Part 2. (Grooming Artist)

Our Father’s Day gift guide for dads of all personalities. (Grooming Artist)

Having a lull while on holiday? Catch these old Hollywood films, favorites of MR PORTER’s Style Council. (MR PORTER)

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