Shaving, Beard, and Facial Hair Services
Preparation and technique
Good shaving is 80% preparation. Cleanse the skin, apply a hot towel to soften the beard, then work lather in with a brush using circular motions to lift the hair. Hold skin taut and shave with the grain first, using short, light strokes. A straight razor is held at roughly a 30° angle to the skin; too flat cuts, too steep scrapes. Re-lather for a second pass across or against the grain only if the skin tolerates it. Finish with a cool towel, a soothing after-product, and no alcohol-heavy astringents on irritated skin.
Beard and mustache work
Establish the outline first - cheek line, neckline, jaw - then trim to the shape the client agreed to. The neckline sits above the Adam's apple and follows the jaw, not the chin. Trim with the grain, use clippers or trimmers for bulk and scissors for detail, and check both sides from the front for symmetry.
Sanitation and safety
Fresh neck strip, clean towel and cape, disinfected razor and comb for every client. Never shave over moles, lesions, active acne, or broken skin - refer the client out. Do not share styptic pencils. A dropped razor is contaminated.
Traps
Questions bank on direction: shaving against the grain first causes razor burn and ingrown hairs. Other favorites: razor angle, the neckline position, and shaving over a skin condition instead of declining.
Worked example
A client's neck is red and bumpy but he wants a close shave. Rule of thumb: broken or inflamed skin means no blade. Offer a beard trim and refer the irritation to a physician.