Infographic: 5 Scientific Reasons Why Wet Shaving is Better

Plenty of us collect safety razors, shaving soaps, and shaving brushes as much for function as beauty, and proudly so – the hashtag #SOTD (Shave of the Day) has over 1.7 million posts on Instagram, and is one of the most popular boards on Badger and Blade. Wet shaving has been thoroughly elevated into an art form. But let’s not forget the science.

Since the early 20th century, when King Camp Gillette invented the first double edge safety razor, there have been three groundbreaking independent studies on wet shaving. “Independent” is the operative word, as there have been numerous other studies carried out by cartridge manufacturers like Gillette, Schick, and Dorco claiming that shaving with a multiblade razor is more beneficial. In these studies, scientists are paid to say multiblade razors reduce the pressure needed for a close shave, thus cutting down on irritation. If you’ve ever shaved with cartridge razors and later switched over to single blade razors, you know otherwise.

The following infographic (via Prime & Prep) covers 5 key observations from independent studies conducted in 1937, 1976, and 2007. In total, these studies prove wet shaving is gentler on skin and delivers a more effective cut than cartridge shaving. Each observation comes with a takeaway that will both boost your knowledge of wet shaving as well as improve your daily shave.

One takeaway for us is the importance of softening hair before a shave with a hot towel treatment or by taking a shower. Learn how to DIY a barbershop hot towel treatment here.

Our Favorite Posts of 2016

As we head into the end of the year, we wanted to look back on some of the highlights of 2016 on The Grooming Artist.

We brought you behind the scenes of two of the most respected names in wet shaving: Truefitt & Hill and Edwin Jagger. We also gave due coverage to the ever-expanding group of wet shavers who have taken their craft to Instagram, inspiring us with their beautifully composed #SOTD (Shave of the Day) setups, reviews, and tips. The traditional shaving community on Instagram is strong, and we plan to explore this scene further in the upcoming year.

From our archives, we also pulled out a couple of our favorite “how to” posts, from How to Clean Your DE Razor to How to Use the 3 Razor Shaving Method.

Give these posts a gander if you’re looking for some reading material during your holiday break.

All of us at RoyalShave hope you have a season filled with warmth, comfort, and good cheer!

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Our interviews with…

Truefitt & Hill

Edwin Jagger

Captain’s Choice

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Tips on how to…

Avoid 5 common wet shaving mistakes

Clean your DE razor

Use the 3-Razor shaving method for a close shave that’s gentle on sensitive skin

Care for a leather strop

Get lather from Geo. F. Trumper Hard Shaving Soap

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Our favorite Instagram accounts for…

#SOTD (Shave of the Day) inspiration

Wet shaving tips and tricks

Young barber applying a hot towel on a client's face before giving him a shave

Some miscellaneous…

How to DIY a barbershop hot towel at home

The long, royal history of Truefitt & Hill

Is a synthetic fiber brush worth your time?

Wedge straight razors vs. hollow straight razors: a comparison

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The Grooming Artist News Roundup: October 2016

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Happy fall! This month’s Grooming Artist Roundup is all about refreshing your look for the season and presenting your best self. GQ gives you a rundown of 9 colognes specifically formulated for fall/winter, while Huffington Post UK lists the top 7 spots in England for a luxurious shave and a haircut.

We offer further grooming tips via our blog posts on the benefits of slant bar razors and the best Instagram accounts to follow for seriously stunning shaving setups.

And since we are knee-deep in fall, we’ve included a bucket list of fall activities for families – it’s a great way to make the most of the season.

Enjoy!

An interesting post by the Sharpologist on how Kickstarter has changed the landscape of classic shaving. (Sharpologist)

When it comes to presentation, cologne is indispensible. Here, 9 new colognes to help you smell your best this fall. (GQ)

BBS Shave Studio has just opened in Connecticut, featuring old-fashioned wet shaves along with unlimited ESPN. (New Haven Register)

If you happen to find yourself in the UK, be sure to visit one of the 7 Best Barbers and Male Grooming Services. (Huffington Post UK)

Fall is upon us! Gather the kids and grand kids and pick one of the activities off the Fall Bucket List to make lifelong memories. (Country Living)

The Best #SOTD (Shave of the Day) Instagram accounts to follow. (Grooming Artist)

Why a slant bar razor could be the solution for guys with a combination of thick beard hair and sensitive skin. (Grooming Artist)

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Top 5 #SOTD Instagram Accounts to Follow

Today’s blog is a continuation of our Top 5 Instagram series. While we started with a Top 5 list devoted to wet shaving Instagram handles, we realized soon after that: 1. There are many different niches in the wet shaving world, and 2. There are even more beautifully curated Instagram accounts deserving of being shared with our readers.

The following 5 accounts are the best we’ve come across for Shave of the Day posts – known as #SOTD in the Instagram shaving community. These posts consist of a layout of whatever the gentleman is using that day for a shave. Other than acting as eye candy, #SOTD posts give insight into how well products work and which products are a standby for that particular shaver (and are therefore good bets). They’re also a platform for discovering new shaving brands.

Below, our roundup of the top 5 #SOTD Instagram accounts you should be following now.

The Shaving Edge (@theshavingedge)

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The Shaving Edge started off as an online store, and then became a blog. So the guys who run it have extensive expertise about products as well as personal experience with the minutiae of wet shaving – razor burn, nicks, etc.

On The Shaving Edge Instagram, you’ll find beautifully set up Shave of the Days, along with tips and links to reviews of new shaving tools and products on the blog.

Tony Shaves (@tonyshaves)

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Tony Shaves is one of our favorite Instagram accounts to follow because he not only shares photos of his shave setups, but he also doles out helpful tips with every post (and the vacation photos depicting his #SOTDs in awe-inspiring settings don’t hurt either). For photos with new products, he’ll give a quick, honest review of whether they’re worth your time.

While Tony lives in Amsterdam, nearly all the products he includes in his posts are available in the states. For more in-depth reviews, check out his blog at bartonio.com.

Gabe Shaves Australia (@gabeshavesaustralia)

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If you’re short on time or not much of a blog reader, Gabe Shaves is your guy. Gabe, who’s based in Australia, does full product reviews on each post. So you’ll get your lovely lather shot as well as a review of the soap he used to create the lather. And if you’re a gentleman who is keen to know specs, Gabe consistently mentions every single item featured in the photo – from the specific Omega brush to the DE blade in his razor (he loves Feather blades).

This account is also useful if you like to discover up-and-coming shaving brands. Companies from all over the world send Gabe products that he shares with his followers.

The Razor Guy (@therazorguy)

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The Razor Guy is unlike any of the Instagrammers we’ve mentioned so far. The man who runs this Instagram is interested in the historical and cultural roots of wet shaving. Devoted to razors crafted by longtime straight razor artisan Maestro Livi in Italy, The Straight Razor Guy details his trips to admire and purchase razors made by the esteemed craftsman. His unique purchases mean his #SOTDs include signature pieces, like a Maestro Livi Carbolnox Snake razor featuring a snake tail, or a straight razor with abalone scales.

Desiring to share his love of pogonotomy with the rest of the world, The Razor Guy also has a fascinating, instructive Youtube channel. Of note are his behind-the-scenes videos into the art of making a straight razor, and his wet shaving school series.

Honemeister (@honemeister)

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Honemeister’s Instagram posts are the definition of shaving as art. This wet shaver is a skilled photographer, and his #SOTD shots are almost sculptural in arrangement. Furthering the sculptural element are his handmade shaving brushes, which he crafts from briar wood.

Give Honemeister’s account a follow for inspiration on how to set up your own fancy #SOTD.

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