The path to a clean shave is fraught with many dangers: razor burns, drawing blood and razor bumps. These last are vexing because they don’t just feel bad; they are more irritating than rubbing pepper into your eyes. So here are 4 ways to avoid shaving bumps and get that nice, clean shave.
It is easier to shave when your beard is nice and soft; there’s not as much resistance. To soften it, just take a hot shower beforehand.
This will clean your pores and soften your beard. You can go a step further and rub some hair conditioner into your beard while you shower, and rinse it when you’re done. This will give you a beard so soft you will feel guilty in shaving it.
2. Always shave with the grain
Many men love the smooth feel of shaving against the grain (i.e. the direction your hair is growing). Then they hate the irritation of shaving bumps.
When you shave against the grain, you change how your beard grows back, which increases your risk of ingrown hairs. You might not get rid of your beard in one quick stroke—it might take several—but when you’re done, your hair will grow back without any irritation.
3. Use a clean and sharp razor
It’s better not to shave than to shave with a dull razor. Just like a dull knife, it tears into the object it’s cutting; in this case, your skin. Replace your blade as often as you can. But proper razor maintenance is also essential.
Clean and dry your blade after every shave. Plus a dirty blade has bacteria, which are among the main causes of shaving bumps. So before every shave, wipe your razor blade with some alcohol.
4. Don’t skimp on the aftershave
It doesn’t matter how meticulously you’ve shaved; a sharp piece of metal has been scratching your face for the past few minutes.
You need aftershave to prevent infection. If, however, aftershave just irritates you some more, you can apply a cortisone cream or a soothing balm. You should also consider a razor bump cream if you have stubborn ingrown hairs that don’t care how smoothly you’ve been shaving.
Aftershave options for ways to avoid shaving bumps
Beards are back! They have for a while now – and let’s just say, these new-age beard styles look drop-dead cool and sexy asf, obvi.
Now, if you’re not sure which beard style goes with your personality, fashion sense, and facial features, below are some of the most popular, 21st and even 19th Century (if you’re into the scruffy, medieval-style) Black men’s beard styles to help you make up your mind.
Let’s get started.
The Full Beard
Photo credit: hotesthaircuts
Drumrolls, please….
To kick off, our Black men beard styles list is the classic, sophisticated, simple-to-execute, full beard. As one of the oldest beard styles for black men, this look perfectly fits modern men of all colors, caste, or creeds.
It features a fully covered face starting from the sides and paired with thin and well-trimmed mustaches. If you’re going for the business-y, mature, classic man look, this style is for you.
The Short Beard
If you’re trying to beat the heat while maintaining a cool summer look, a short beard will suit you perfectly. For most Black men, this style presents a seamless way to try something new while maintaining that relaxed, rugged-y, masculine feel.
Also, those who can effortlessly grow a uniform beard style look exquisite with a short beard looks if it’s patchy, a goatee, or accompanied by a mustache.
And since your facial features will be defined, it’s vital to hit up your barber to discuss which parts will be longer and shorter. You don’t want to DIY it and look like you were in a scuffle with your trimmers.
The Chin Beard
Instagram: Rome Flynn
Not up for something too defined or complicated? Try the chin beard. Famously rocked by celebs like Michael Ealy and Jamie Foxx, this style combines a thick goatee with a shorter, barely shaved mustache to give you a laidback look.
And to maintain its authenticity, one just needs to shave off the sideburns and any stubble on your cheek. Doing so helps keep the focus on the beard and center of your face. It’s the perfect Black men’s beard style for people with diamond or triangle face shapes.
The Chin Curtain
Photo credit: Pinterest
This easy-to-execute but classic Black men’s beard style helps frame your entire jaw, starting from your sideburns, to give you that ‘I mean business’ look. It’s a fantastic choice if you’re also trying to portray an image of a strong jawline.
The Circle Beard
Photo credit: menshaircuts
A circle beard is a thin mustache connected to a mini goatee, forming a circle. It’s the perfect pick for anyone going for the clean, neat, and business-y look.
The Stubble
Photo credit: haircutinspiration
Chilling between the clean-shaven and short beard, stubbles are one of the most practical yet stylishly rugged beard styles ever! Depending on your hair growth, a classic stubble takes anywhere from seven days to a couple of weeks to grow.
The Goatee
Photo credit: Pinterest
This is one of the most enduringly popular beard styles for Black men everywhere. That’s because it’s one of the easiest and quickest beard styles to grow, plus it suits every face shape.
In particular, though, individuals with a round shape will appreciate it more since it seamlessly defines the chin and draws attention to the center of your face. It also suits those whose beard grows patchy, as you can shave most facial hair off.
What’s more…
The goatee gives off a chic and tasteful vibe, so you can rock it with your tuxedo or a T-shirt and jeans.
The Edgy Soul Patch
Photo credit: menshaircuts
This is another Black men’s favorite beard style. It’s cool, classic, and erudite and adds that extra oomph to your whole ensemble, especially if rocked without a mustache. Plus, it’s one of those looks women go gaga about, so… why not try it?
The Sculpted Beard
Photo credit: tuko.ke
There’s nothing like a perfectly carved beard to show that you take your grooming seriously. It’s not only a red carpet-worthy look, but it shows off your impeccable razor skills. It is obviously high maintenance (you need to shave off your cheek and neck area), so be ready for daily trimmings.
The Anchor Beard
Don’t underestimate how powerful this beard style is. It highlights your macho features and adds a touch of tremendous exquisiteness.
The look features a defined goatee paired with a mustache to create the shape of an anchor, which is where it gets its name. It’s also known as the Johnny Depp or the Tony Stark (the Marvel character played by Robert Downey Jr.)
Maintaining the look is relatively simple –you just have to trim each section to keep the anchor shape intact regularly.
The Classic Five O’Clock
Instagram: @lancegross
The five o’clock or the five o’clock shadow is another classic Black men’s beard look. It gets its name from the attenuated growth of hair that appears in the afternoon since shaving in the morning.
In reality, this look takes time and mad skills to achieve. If you’re clean-shaven, you’ll require two to three days to grow your beard to the desired length, then use an electric shaver to trim it down.
And as effortless as it looks, this classic style requires you to cleanly shave the cheek and neck area daily. Ensure the line is graduated rather than sharp to keep that effortless, laid-back going.
The Biker Beard
Photo credit: haircutinspiration
Yes, the biker beard, characterized by a long, thick beard, this style just gives off that ultra-masculine vibe. It’s dramatic and involves shaping your mane, so it’s extra long at the chin while keeping the sides straight.
Also, growing a biker beard takes time, so regular trims are a must, and so is using some beard-loving products like serums and oils. For Black men, avoiding lanolin-infused products is best since they tend to clog the pores. Instead, go for serums and oil loaded with argan, coconut, jojoba, and tea tree oils to keep your beard looking all healthy and sexy.
The Bushy Beard
Photo credit: usweekly
If you love taking a stroll on the wild side, the bushy beard style is for you. It’s one of those bold looks that can be easily adapted to suit any man. Since it hides the lower part of your face, a thicker beard can be trimmed to balance your facial features or reveal a stronger jawline.
You can also go the Donald Glover way and leave it looking long, scraggly, and manly!
The Man A Bald Man Beard
Photo credit: Pinterest
If you struggle with alopecia and other balding issues, this style is for you. It’s bold, stylish, and makes for a sexy, striking contrast to the bare head.
It’s a fan favorite among Black men, and many people even shave off their hair to rock it! So, if you zhuzh up your style or just have a fresh start, this should be your go-to.
Mutton Chops
Photo credit: menshaircuts
Want to rock a vintage beard style? Try one of the best, most classic beard styles – the mutton chop. Of course, this isn’t for the faint of heart, but when done well, it is a stare grabber.
To rock it, shave your chin and mustache, allowing the hair to grow densely from your sideburns to the cheek and down to your jaws. You can also give it a contemporary vibe by wearing a square beard, which looks stylish, defined, and bold.
The Garibaldi
Instagram: jharden13
Named after the 19th Century Italian General Giuseppe Garibaldi, this is a bold beard style. It is characterized by six to eight inches of bushy hair with a rounded shape.
With time, this look has been modernized, and today, many Black men, like NBA star James Harden, rock it in a ducktail fashion – which involves shaping the bottom into a slightly pointy shape.
Stubble is one of the trickiest facial hairs to get right. Too long or too short, and it’s a mess. However, get it right and you will have a rugged good look. Stubble isn’t only for that rough, manly look though.
It can also soothe you if your skin is prone to irritation from shaving too often.
Maintaining the perfect stubble is almost an art form. But don’t fret! Below are some of the tips that will help you get and maintain that fresh look.
Choose an Ideal Trimmer
Trimmers are varied: they come in many price points, sizes, and styles. So, even if it takes a few tries, it’s vital to get one that best suits you.
Whatever you decide on, though, it should be durable. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to opt for a safe trimmer that has contouring head tracks for additional stabilization and comfort in hard-to-reach parts.
If your beard takes a while to grow, you might consider a budget option with various trim lengths and attachments.
Find Your Perfect Length
Any beard shaver or trimmer you buy should have various blade guards to let you maintain several lengths of stubble. If this is your first attempt at getting stubble, a good option is to let your beard grow out then trim it down until it reaches a length that you’re comfortable with.
Doing this is simple. Just start by testing out the longest blade guard. If the stubble is too big, size one down. Repeat the process until you’re satisfied.
Exfoliate
No matter how good you want your stubble to look, it needs a proper foundation. It’s just as important to take care of the skin beneath your stubble. You need a top-notch cleanser to balance your skin’s moisture and give your face a great base for that stubble.
As the stubble grows, it’s also important to have a proper beard conditioning and shampooing routine. This will keep the beard healthy and strong as it grows while keeping it safe from excess oils and dirt.
Look Sharp
Facial hair often tends to grow beyond where it’s supposed to. When this happens, shave those patches to keep your stubble-looking uniform. The neckbeard, for instance, might significantly hamper your look.
Trim around an inch above your Adam’s apple. You should also trim your cheeks if your beard wanders a little too high up.
Use Beard Oil
Beard oil is one of the most essential tools for your facial hair. Always use a few drops of it, since it will keep your face feeling great and your stubble soft. Just get the right beard oil for your skin type, and you’re all set!
Shaving with a safety razor still remains a staple for most men even though the art of shaving has come a long way especially in modern times.
As a matter of fact, despite the advent of electric razors, old-school safety razors are still in demand.
Some men, in fact, prefer them to modern alternatives. Safety razors mainly remained the same in the century since their inception. However, there’s really no need to. They are easy to use, dependable, and familiar.
If you’re considering using a safety razor, we have listed all the major things you should know about them. This way, you can tell if they are for you or not.
Use It The Right Way
When you’re new to safety razors, start by going slow. Maintain a 30 to 45-degree angle between your skin and the blade; don’t hold it perpendicular to your skin.
Try not to go against the grain of your hair. If your hair coils too much, it might be better to avoid using a safety razor entirely—knowing which direction to shave will be tough to discern.
You should also avoid pressing the razor too firmly against your skin. It has a sharp blade, and you might nick yourself or even get an annoying razor burn.
Shaving With A Safety Razor is Affordable
A safety razor is dirt cheap, especially if you compare it to a cartridge razor. On average, the average annual cost of owning the latter is $240.
Meanwhile, the average annual cost of a double edge safety razor is barely $30. That’s over $200 in savings, which translates to around 8 pack refills if you have a cartridge razor.
The savings are insane. Provided you know how to use a safety razor, you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank; $200 might not seem like a lot, but it adds up.
Technically, You Can Shave Your Head With It
But we don’t recommend it. Shaving your chin, for instance, is tricky and needs your full concentration. It has sharp angles and different contours like dimples.
These make it easy to cut yourself if you’re not careful. So, this makes a safety razor a tad more challenging to use than a cartridge razor.
Now, imagine that difficulty but for the rest of your head. Technically, shaving your head with a safety razor is possible. But it will be laborious, slow-going, and just not worth the effort.
Handles Acne Easier
Acne is mainly caused by the buildup of dirt and oil in your skin’s pores. Living with it is not easy for most guys, so it’s always nice to find a way to reduce its occurrence.
If you currently use a cartridge razor, you’re not doing yourself any favors. It has up to 5 blades that are moving on your skin. They will start to fill your freshly-shaved face with your body’s natural oils. In turn, this will increase your rate of acne flareups.
However, if you use a safety razor, you’ll rarely go over your face more than 3 times. Through this, you’re minimizing the number of times that your pores are being messed with. Safety razors also carry fewer bacteria than cartridge razors, since their blades don’t have any clogging.
Get A Custom Shaving Cream
You can use generic canned shaving cream, but it might not be the best option for you. Instead, we recommend getting your hands on a custom shaving cream.
It will allow you to get the closest and best shave. This way, you’ll be able to find the one that best suits your skin. Just try getting a new type of shaving cream whenever your current one ends. You will eventually find one that perfectly fits your taste.