No nicks, no cuts, just smooth sailing
Full Grizzly Adams beards, patiently manicured stubble, and all levels of facial hair in between can look great on the right guys, and they can even be trendy. But the most classically stylish amount of scruff to have is none at all. Which is why so many of the best-dressed guys in the world have a tendency to keep their faces bare—and why there’s a veritable sea of products designed to assist with the routine act of maintenance we call shaving.
The list of products below, from grooming stalwarts like Aesop and Gillette to newer firms such as Eredi Zucca, can help any guy get a close, comfortable shave.
Patricks FS1 Diamond Face Scrub
Yes, there are crushed diamonds in this facial scrub—and yes, it’s worth it. In addition to gently lifting the hairs off your face, it also removes dead skin and helps prevent ingrown hairs.
Aesop Moroccan Neroli Shaving Serum
Packed with soothing aloe and licorice root extract, this clear shaving serum was designed so that a little goes a long way. Two pumps of the stuff should cover your entire face and give you enough slip to shave comfortably and without irritation. Plus, the neroli scent is so alluring you’ll wish Aesop offered it as a cologne.
Eredi Zucca Shaving Cream
If you haven’t yet heard of Eredi Zucca, that’s about to change. The upstart Milanese barber shop was designed to look like it’s been there for centuries—since the days when the city’s barbers looked after more than its residents’ hair, skin, and nails, and were relied upon to perform even small surgical procedures.
That heritage is distilled in a range of products, including this glass bottle of shaving “cream.” Its serum-like texture and alluring citrus smell are designed to make shaving easier and more comfortable. You can use it on its own, or pair it with a true shaving soap once it’s hydrating blend of vitamin B5 and plant extracts have softened your facial hair.
Bevel Shaving Kit
Tristan Walker set out to address the shaving concerns of men of colour when he started Bevel in 2014, but he sparked a revolution in how all sorts of guys shave. (If you know anyone who’s started using a double-edged safety razor in the last 10 years, they have Walker to thank.) His premium safety razor is great, but if you’re just getting started on your clean-shaven journey, we’d recommend getting the full kit, which includes shaving gel, post-shave balm, the razor, and a few extra blades to get you on your way.
Santa Maria Novella Shaving Foam
Instead of the drying, soap-powered cans of shaving cream you can find at any pharmacy, try this deeply hydrating shaving foam from Santa Maria Novella. It uses olive oil (Italian, naturally) and coconut oil to hydrate and cushion the skin.
Gillette Labs Heated Razor
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: The Gillette Labs Heated Razor is one of the most comfortable ways to get a clean shave. Turn a daily chore into something the guy on your list actually looks forward to, and he’ll be eternally grateful.
The Grey Men’s Skincare Cleansing and Shaving Mousse
Two-in-one products used to get demonised—and for good reason—but The Grey’s dual cleansing and shaving mousse is, actually, a really great way to save time and effort. As a daily cleanser, it foams gently, increasing hydration with squalene and vitamin E. Add a little less water and it turns into a shaving mousse, packed with mushroom-derived enzymes that help prevent ingrown hairs.
Truefitt and Hill Travel Brush
Speaking of brushes, this one from Truefitt and Hill is designed to last a lifetime. It’s technically the travel size of a larger brush the company makes, but we’d get it anyway: That way, it’ll be easier to take with you when you hit the road.
Claus Porto Shaving Bowl With Classic Scent
If you’d prefer a solid shaving soap, reach for this option from Claus Porto, a Portuguese company that’s been a staple in that country since its founding in the 1930s. We like that it generates a rich later with a little agitation from a good shaving brush, and we also like that its generous size can last a good while longer than anything packaged in a can, tube, or jar.
The Art of Shaving Sandalwood Shaving Cream
The Art of Shaving lives up to its name: It turns the quotidian task of taking hair off your face from a chore into an aesthetically pleasing experience. There’s no better proof of that than its standard-setting sandalwood shaving cream.
Muhle Hexagon Razor Stand
Muhle, the German maker of fine shaving goods, won a Red Dot Design Award a few years ago for this six-sided razor and brush set. The clean edges make it easier to hold onto, and it looks really attractive on your bathroom countertop.
Lab Series Razor Burn Balm
Most guys can get by without an aftershave, no shortage of which are fragrance conduits masquerading as moisturisers. But if you find yourself suffering from razor burn at the end of your shave, there are few products better at calming the irritation than this lotion from Lab Series. That’s thanks to aloe and caffeine, two powerful anti-inflammatory ingredients, which feature prominently in this product’s formulation.
This story was first published on Robb Report USA. Featured photo by Aesop, The Grey, Henson, Baxter of California
