As I’ve said in previous posts on the subject, a man should see the daily act of shaving as a calming and enjoyable ritual, not a chore. And it should never be done with some throwaway plastic razor that will end up in a landfill for literally centuries alongside billions of others.

Instead, we recommend a good double-edge safety razor like the Baili BD176. On top of providing a very smooth, close shave with minimal risk of nicking (provided you approach the task with care), you will absolutely feel more manly shaving with one of these. Might even make your grandpa proud as well.

As opposed to plastic razors that have to be thrown out in their entirety, the only thing to dispose of with a safety razor is the blade itself. Some guys collect them in a jar and eventually take them to a metal recycling center, which feels way better than tossing out an entire plastic thing every few shaves.

Moreover, replacement blades are cheap to come by, so there’s really no reason not to make the switch. You’ll spend less, get a better shave, and actually enjoy the experience each day.

Get the Baili BD176 safety razor + mirrored travel case set for just $10 on Amazon. When you feel more experienced with this style of shaving and are ready to upgrade, take a look at the Parker “Semi-Slant” razor next. (This is by no means the only upgrade choice — the rabbit hole here goes DEEP.)

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The secret to an ultra-close, burn-free shave lies mostly in your pre-shave ritual. Before a razor ever approaches your face or neck, it pays to prep the hair and skin there with a hot towel treatment followed by an application of pre-shave conditioning oil to both soften your beard and add a protective layer over your skin before ever applying shave cream.

This particular oil is a blend of essential oils, antioxidants, and glycerides that protects your skin from redness, razor burn, and flare-ups, all while offering smooth razor glide for an ultra-close shave, without fear of nicking yourself. It also has a pleasant-but-not-too-strong Bulgarian lavender scent that makes the experience all the more enjoyable.

All you need is a couple drops daily, which can be added to your shave soap before lathering if you’d rather combine steps for efficiency’s sake.

A 1 oz. bottle of this pre-shave oil is $16 on Amazon and should last you a good while.

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My preferred place to shave is in the shower, when I’ve already got hot water available — even if I’m turning the shower off between shampooing/body-washing/etc — and can easily rinse both my face and the razor afterward. This also keeps me from dripping water all around the bathroom sink, which always seems to happen no matter what I do.

The one disadvantage though? Not having a mirror to see what I’m doing.

Well, not so with the Shave Well fogless shower mirror. Instead of attaching to the wall with terrible suction cups, it hangs on a hook that adheres with two-way tape. You just take the mirror off the hook and run it under the water a few seconds to warm it up, which keeps it fog-free for a while. If you happen to like brushing your teeth in the shower too, then all the better.

Hang it back up or hold it in your hand while you shave — either way works. It measures 4″ x 6″, so it’s easy to hold or even take with you while traveling. It’s convenient to use and reasonably priced. What more can you ask?

You can get a single mirror for $10 or a two-pack for $18.

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There are far too many men out there who, sadly enough, don’t put the time into truly taking care of themselves. I don’t just mean working out, either — I’m talking about true self-care.

We’ve got some product recommendations below that can help you go through each day refreshed and feeling great.

Baloo weighted blanket for adults. ($149–$169 depending on weight/size)

Baloo Weighted Blanket »

A good night’s sleep lays the foundation for the entire next day, so that’s where we’ll begin.

For some people, the full-body pressure of a weighted blanket like this one can ease anxiety and make for a more peaceful night’s rest. The particular one we’re linking here has a couple standout features too:

1. This is a machine washable weighted blanket — which, if you’ve ever shopped for one of these before, you know how rare that is. It can go in the washing machine on cold/gentle cycle, then dry on low heat settings just fine. We wouldn’t dry-clean or use an iron on it though.
2. Secondly, the blanket’s quilt-like stitching keeps the weighted filling (i.e. super-fine glass microbeads) from pooling or bunching up, keeping the weight evenly distributed always. Any shifting the beads do within their respective “pockets” is imperceptible.

This is just a quality product through and through.

  + For even deeper sleep, give the Dark Noise app a try.

SPOKO meditation bench. ($149)

SPOKO Meditation Bench »

Once you’ve woken up, a great way to start your day is with a bit of meditation.

You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who denies the mind and body benefits of a daily meditation practice, but for some of us, sitting on the floor isn’t as comfortable on the lower back and/or knees as it ought to be, and a plush chair or couch can be too forgiving when you’re trying to achieve the proper breathing posture.

SPOKO’s birch wood meditation stool is a handy way to meditate on the floor, both comfortably and ergonomically. The seat gently inclines forward, naturally encouraging you to sit upright, spine straight, without straining yourself or putting weight on your knees.

You can have your feet resting back and underneath the seat, or you can cross your legs in front of you — either way, you’ll find that it’s easier to take in those deep breaths and meditate in peace.

The bench is even travel-friendly, since the seat and supporting leg pieces easily disassemble and lay relatively flat together.

Long Winter Farm’s cold-process soaps. ($8 per five-ounce bar)

Long Winter Company Cold-Process Soaps »

With your mind centered and at ease, now it’s time to get your body clean — however, you don’t want a harsh soap that’ll dry your skin out. Instead, take a look at Long Winter’s cold-process soap collection, handmade from sustainably obtained ingredients and with a little extra fat in the mix for increased skin hydration.

They’ve got some interesting soap scents to choose from, like the spearmint-and-cotton-candy “Unicorn Farts” (a name they’ve actually trademarked, which is awesome), or the nightlife-friendly “Night Owl” (smells like patchouli, lavender, and amber), or you can go with a less out-there scent like “Oatmeal, Milk, & Honey Goat Milk”.

The availability of anything you see at their online store rotates in and out often, so if you see something you like right now, don’t hesitate to pick it up.

The heated razor by GilletteLabs. ($200)

GilletteLabs Heated Razor »

Let’s follow up our shower with a great shave. Now, there’s nothing more luxurious than a how towel shave, but unless you’ve got a live-in barber, the next best thing you can get at home is Gillette’s heated razor.

That’s right, it’s a shaving razor with a warming bar built in that keeps the head actively and consistently heated throughout your whole shave, without having to run it under hot water all the time. A simple press of the button on the sleek handle toggles the razor’s temperature between 109°F (43°C) and 122°F (50°C).

Included with the razor — which also happens to be waterproof — is a relatively heavy (267g/0.59 lb) titanium wireless charging base. Simply place the tip of the handle onto it and the hidden magnet takes it from there, recharging the razor’s Li-ion battery enough to last up to six shaves.

National Parks beard oils by The Roosevelts Beard Company. ($20–$25 per one-ounce bottle)

The Roosevelts Beard Company’s National Parks-Inspired Beard Oils »

If you’re not keeping a totally clean-shaven face, then you’ll want some way to ensure your beard stays in top condition. Enter this line of beard oils inspired by US national parks, handcrafted on the side by a member of Nashville-based indie-pop duo The Roosevelts.

Handmade from a blend of jojoba oil, almond oil, argan oil, and various essential oils, each one is named for a different national park, with a masculine (but not overwhelming) scent embodying the essence of that place:

• Old Faithful — Vanilla and spices. A great starting point.
• Redwood — Christmas/clove, earthy and spicy.
• Yosemite — Barbershop with a dash of peppermint. (Temporarily out of stock as of this writing.)
• Grand Teton — Vanilla, citrus, and sandalwood.
• Big Bend — Worn leather and campfire.
• Glacier — Unscented, in case you have a partner with a sensitive nose.

As of January 2020, they have one other fragrance that’s not listed on Amazon but can be found on their own website:

• Acadia — Like wooded forest after a mid-morning rain.

Whichever oil you go with, it’s sure to keep your beard soft and healthy — and in most cases, smelling outstanding — whilst moisturizing your skin too. A mere dime-sized amount worked through the beard hair does the trick nicely.

SZQHT’s wide-jaw nail clippers. ($10–$13, depending on color)

SZQHT Wide-Jaw Nail Clippers »

It’s an unfortunate truth for most men that the older we get, the thicker our toenails become. It sounds like something out of a Jeff Foxworthy joke, and I’m almost certain it actually is (something-something “bolt-cutters”), but true all the same.

If your old nail clippers are barely getting the job done anymore, these wide-jaw clippers might be your new best friend. The blades open up to 15mm (over half an inch) wide — which, if that’s not enough to accommodate your toenails, you’ve got bigger problems to deal with. And because those blades are so wicked shahp, they make a real clean cut to boot.

In fact, they’re so sharp you’ve gotta be reeeaaaal careful with ’em or you’ll cut a lot more than just your nail Add the extra long handle on top of that, and you’ve got yourself a dicey situation if you don’t watch it.

Leave these things out of kids’ hands, folks. We’re serious.

Hada Labo “Premium” hyaluronic solution for ultimate skin hydration. ($15 for single 170mL bottle; $26 for a pack of two)

Hada Labo Premium Hyaluronic Skin Solution »

Skipping forward to the pre-bedtime routine, let’s cap off our day with some extra skin hydration. Step up your skincare game with an application of Hada Labo Japan’s Premium Hyaluronic Solution.

It’s a lightweight yet super-hydrating product that softens and plumps the skin like crazy, leaving it youthful and with a dewy glow. Simply pat a little on your skin (a few drops go a long way) after your evening cleansing. It feels a bit tacky going on at first, but keep working it in and that feeling will ease.

This gel-like serum contains five molecular weights of hyaluronic acid — common, super, nanoscale, cationic, and 3D — which are humectants designed to keep extremely dry skin moisturized at various depths. The solution absorbs into the skin surprisingly quickly for how thick it is, and the results are long-lasting to boot.

If this morning’s heated gloves weren’t enough for your “heat all the things!” lifestyle, GilletteLabs’ heated razor will surely pique your interest. That’s right, it’s a shaving razor with a warming bar built in that keeps the head actively and consistently heated throughout your whole shave, without having to run it under hot water all the time.

You know that awesome, luxurious feeling you get from a hot towel shave? Yeah. That.

A simple press of the button on the sleek handle toggles the razor’s temperature between two heat settings: 109°F (43°C) and 122°F (50°C). You can also take it into the shower if you want, because it was designed to be waterproof.

Included with the razor is a relatively heavy (267g/0.59 lb) titanium wireless charging base. Simply place the tip of the handle onto it and the hidden magnet takes it from there, recharging the razor’s Li-ion battery enough to last up to six shaves.

If you’re the type of guy who’s never thrilled about the prospect of shaving each morning, this razor might just change your mind about all that. You can get it for $200 at Gillette’s site. (I would’ve linked this Amazon listing but the seller is charging $298 for it, so.)

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Wet shaving with a safety razor is a bit like manually brewing coffee: It takes more time and preparation to get the job done, but the daily meditative ritual is well worth it.

If you’ve never dipped a toe into these waters, we’ve listed four quality purchases you can make below to get you started on your shaving journey.

 

1. Rockwell 6C adjustable double-edge safety razor. ($50; comes in your choice of gunmetal or white chrome)

   Rockwell’s 6C razor is an oft-recommended model for newbies to the shaving hobby, and deservedly so. It’s essentially a chromed zinc alloy version of the company’s flagship 6S stainless steel model ($100), which costs double the amount but is the more durable of the two, so it’s up to you how important that is.

   In either case, each razor comes 3 interchangeable plates that offer a total of 6 shave settings (from mild to aggressive), so it can comfortably accommodate every skin type and facial hair length. The knurled handle ensures a solid grip in either hand, even if you’ve gotten a bit of lather on them. The solid heft of the razor also gives an immediate impression of quality.

2. Marram Co. brush & bowl shaving set. (€175 / ~$194 USD)

   This meticulously designed and made shave set is a pleasure to look at, a pleasure to hold, and a pleasure to use. It includes:

     + The Brush — A weighty, sturdy tool made from solid brass and plated in ammunition-grade chrome, with a handle finished in high-grade black rubber for excellent grip, even when wet. The soft bristles are made of silvertip badger hair, so you know you’re in for a treat every time you shave.

     + The Bowl — This tall, uniquely shaped bowl not only fits well in the hand, it’s also made from two layers of metal: The outer layer is spun from solid brass before being chrome-plated with a high-gloss finish, while the inner dish is brushed in a way that creates lather-maximizing friction with the brush.

   When you’re not using the set, the brush docks perfectly onto the bowl lid via the circular notch in its middle, creating a kind of sharp, statuesque look wherever you store it.

3. Geo F. Trumper’s “Limes” shaving cream. ($20)

   Quality shaving tools demand an accompanying shaving cream that smells good and feels luxurious. The “Limes” shaving cream by Geo F. Trumper — a traditional, London-based barber company we discovered via this video years ago — is one such cream.

   The lime scent is delicate and pleasant without lingering too long or overpowering any cologne/aftershave you put on, plus the soft lather it produces is quite moisturizing, all of which makes for a more enjoyable shaving experience. A single tub should last you several trips before you have to stock up again.

   Prefer a stronger lime presence? Then Castle Forbes’ cream with lime essential oil ($36) might be more up your alley.

4. “Total Shaving Solution” natural shave oil. ($18 for 36.8 ml bottle)

   Some days you just don’t feel like dealing with lathering up a cup of shaving cream. Not to worry — with just 3–4 drops of this shave oil and some plain water, you can get the closest, smoothest, and easiest shave you have ever had in your life. Once applied, the razor will simply glide over your skin — it’s like magic.

   If you somehow find that the oil alone isn’t cutting it though (pun intended), it does work quite nicely as a pre-shaving-cream application.

A luxurious shave starts with first-class implements. It’s only natural to focus on acquiring a fine razor, but let’s not forget about the other tools of the trade. Marram Co.’s handsome Brush & Bowl Set will help round out your shave kit and make you the envy of your house guests.

As the name implies, this set is a two-piece affair that includes:

1. The Brush — A weighty, sturdy tool made from solid brass and plated in ammunition-grade chrome, with a handle finished in high-grade black rubber for excellent grip, even when wet. The soft bristles are made of silvertip badger hair, so you know you’re in for a treat every time you shave.
2. The Bowl — This tall, uniquely shaped bowl not only fits well in the hand, it’s also made from two layers of metal: The outer layer is spun from solid brass before being chrome-plated with a high-gloss finish, while the inner dish is brushed in a way that creates lather-maximizing friction with the brush.

When you’re not using the set, the brush docks perfectly onto the bowl lid via the circular notch in its middle, creating a kind of sharp, statuesque look wherever you store it. And lastly, the brush comes in your choice of brass or chrome finish.

Get the set for £175 (~$225 USD) at Marram Co.

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If you think you need to drop $200 to get yourself a good electric razor, I’m here to tell you that you’ve been duped by clever marketing. The Remington F5-5800 foil shaver is just $34 as of this writing and is solid and dependable as they come.

In the center of the razor head — which pivots back and forth for getting at tricky contours — is an intercept trimmer that pre-trims longer facial hairs, allowing the two flanking foils to attend to their close-up work. The F5-5800 can be used corded or cordlessly, giving you the flexibility to use it whenever and wherever. When you go cordless, the rechargeable battery gives you up to an hour of shaving time. A pop-up trimmer on the back is for more precise detailing around your beard and sideburns.

When you’re done shaving, simply rinse the head under a running faucet. Doesn’t get much easier than that. The unit as a whole is not waterproof though, so don’t take it into the shower.

Save your money with no regrets by picking up the Remington F5 on Amazon.

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This shaving oil is one of those little products that’ll make you wonder how you ever got along without it. All you need is 3 or 4 drops of the stuff (seriously, that’s it) and some plain water to achieve one of the closest, smoothest, and easiest shaves of your life — no foams or gels required. Once applied, the razor will simply glide over your skin, it’s like magic.

Watch their tutorial video to see what I’m talking about:

As they show in that video, leaving a drop of the oil on your skin after shaving is a great way to moisturize and condition the area. There are no alcohols or salts to dry the skin, nor are there mineral oils or lanolin to clog pores — just a special blend of natural oils such as grapeseed oil, menthol, lavender essential oil, sesame seed oil, clove bud oil, and soya bean oil.

Guys who’ve been using this stuff for decades will tell you they’d never switch to another shave oil. Pick up a 36.8 ml (1.25 oz) bottle of your own and see what the fuss is about. ($17 might seem like a lot to pay for such a small amount, but since you only use a few drops at a time, it should easily last you around 9 months.)

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Ever get annoyed when you nick yourself shaving and it takes forever to stop bleeding? Yeah, me too. KutKit’s styptic swabs are great for those situations. They look like regular cotton swabs, but gently “break” one end like a light stick, and the staunching liquid contained inside is released into the tip. Apply to the cut and the bleeding stops instantly, then you simply dispose of the swab.

The 12-swab pack fits easily into a travel/toiletries bag, so even if you’re away from home on business or to attend an event, you don’t have to deal with annoying cuts at the last minute.

Get a single 12-pack for $6 on Amazon. The double-pack (24 swabs total) is $14.

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I recently linked to a shave kit that was really only missing one key item: a razor of some kind. Now I’ve come across the Baxter of California Shaving Kit, which has a double-sided safety razor, as well as a nice Dopp bag to carry everything around with while traveling.

Also, where the previous kit I mentioned had a simple boar hair shave brush, this kit has a higher quality silver-tip badger hair brush, which feels much nicer on the skin. Get this kit from Amazon for $150 (down from the usual $209).

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Something I’ve noticed a lot of in the last few years is a renewed interest in the old-school, ritualistic style of shaving, often referred to as “wet shaving“. Guys are tossing out their modern shaving stuff in favor of the kind of gear their grandfather might have used back in the day, and in turn they’re getting a much more relaxing and rewarding shave experience.

If you know a guy who hasn’t yet caught onto this trend but would probably enjoy it, a nice way to get them started is with something like the barber-grade, limited edition Field Shave Kit. There are many such shaving kits in the world, but this one is slightly more unique because it comes with a Field Notes notebook.

Here’s what else it comes with:

• Pre-shave oil w/ lavender
• Bergamot after-shave
• Glycerin shave soap puck
• Field Shave soap canister
• Boar hair travel shave brush
• A bag to carry everything

It’d be nice if the kit included a safety razor, and a brush with higher-quality badger hair rather than boar hair, but overall this is a pretty good wet shave starter kit. $60 at Imperial Barber Products.

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While we know not a single one of you has shaved since Halloween, when the time comes to get rid of that beard of yours, the Merkur Model 180 Long Handled Safety Razor is just the weapon we recommend to use.

The chrome handle is easy to grip when your hands are wet, and the single blade is designed for multiple passes without causing irritation. While using a single, fixed blade can take some practice, those who shave this way swear by it. Why not change things up here in a week and a half?

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This sampler set is packed in a reclaimed cigar box and filled with smaller selections of some of Portland General Store’s wash items for men. Shampoo and conditioner, shaving soap, aftershave, and more — PGS carries some manly items. This sampler box would be a great gift for that dude you’re not sure what to give or else a way to get familiar with some Portland General Store’s products.

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Boys, it’s time to ditch the Mach 137 throw-away razors you buy at Walmart and start shaving like a man. Which means a classic safety razor, a badger brush, and a dash of renewed self-confidence. This classic safety razor complete shave kit form Classic Shaving has just what you need to get started: a razor, 5 feather blades, a puck of soap, a pure badger brush, and a hand-carved mug. Make no doubt about it, this kit is top-notch and will serve you well for years to come.

(Need more convincing? Watch this and read this.)

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