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Shaving Brushes - Our Last Link To The Ritual
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Shaving in the modern world is a lost art. We live in a world where speed is everything, and we want everything fast. There are few men who truly take their time to fully enjoy shaving. The once main male shaving ritual has been fading off along with one of its first allies: the almighty shaving brush.
We are used to slapping some water on the face and then applying cream on top. But what the brushes do is apply the cream by lifting the beard, helping it absorb more water.
Shaving brushes date back to the 18th century; they were first made in France and soon became part of lives of men. The preferred material was badger hair, and in fact still is, because of its high capability of water retention, essential for a proper wet shave. Nowadays badger is endangered specie in USA and Europe, so hair for the brushes I take form China, where badger lives in great quantities. Then the shaving brushes are manufactured in Germany, England or Italy. The fine badger brusher are all handmade, firstly because machines ruin the hair, and on the other hand the hair must be trimmed perfectly, otherwise it will loose much of its value.
Brush types
Synthetic Fiber – They are the least expensive (3$ - 5$) but they are also the least absorbent, so they don’t provide a proper wet shaving experience.
Pure bristle – From boar or badger. They are white or sketched, not as flexible as badger and they can’t make the soap too creamy (5$ - 15$)
Pure badger – These are in the range of fine shaving brushes. The hair comes from the belly of the badger. The hair color is usually black with some silver streaks (20$-80$)
Best badger – Hair comes from the back of the badger, and has a conical structure. Has a softer feel and makes better foaming. (80$-120$)
Fine badger, Super – It is the highest quality. They are all hand made by experienced craftsmen. Hair to these brushes comes from the neck of the badger.
How to Use a Brush
1. Clean your face with warm water, this will ensure the hair softens, thus making shaving much easier.
2. Dip the brush in warm water, then shake off the excess water and apply the cream to the badger trimming.
3. Apply the cream on the beard using circular motion. Lather is created on the face. In this step keep in mind that the brush should not be dripping water.
4. Shave your face and then use after shave lotion and moisturizer.
Taking Care of Your Shaving Brush
After using the brush, be sure to rinse it, and shake it well to remove any excess water then let it dry in a ventilated place. Don’t leave in an enclosed space for a long time and don’t expose it to boiling water, pulling or tugging, it weakens the hair.
After many uses some hair loss is normal, you will know if it’s too much.
Don’t press the brush onto the skin, doing this will break the hair; instead you should stroke it softly, as if you were painting.
Rinse in a mild borax solution twice a year to prevent mildew from attacking the hair. Brushes can last many years if you take proper care.
Interested in keeping the ritual alive? Find Shaving Brushes at ShavingCream.com
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