Before the advent of safety and electric razors, most men shaved with a straight razor. If you'd like to bring this grooming skill back from antiquity, all you need is an open razor, a damp cloth and some shaving cream. Here's how it's done.

Ingrown pubic hair is one of those things you never want to see together in a sentence, but it's also common, even if no one talks about it. This video by Stuff Mum Never Told You explains how it happens, and what to do about it.

With the winter cold snap showing no signs of abating, countless Aussie men are insulating their faces with a coat of natural fuzz. Unfortunately, we now resemble Wildling extras from the TV show Game Of Thrones. (Beards might be "in", but the shaggy mountain man look is taking things too far.) The Braun Beard Trimmer attempts to rectify this situation by taming unkempt bristles into the style of your choice. We put it to the test.

Electric shavers offer a quick, comfortable and clean way to shave. There’s no messing around with creams or water, perfect for shaving on the go. But electric razors are also precision tools, and over time can become clogged and worn. To get the perfect shave you need to take care of your shaver.

Wear and tear will only increase if the shaver isn’t properly cleaned and lubricated. Make sure you clean the razor properly after every shave, but there’s also nothing like professional service. Braun, for instance, recommends you take your razor in for the experts to have a look at every 18 months.

There may be more to shaving than you know. Done incorrectly, shaving can stress the skin, leading to dehydration, razor burn and bumps, and ingrown hairs. There are heaps of variables to consider — rough beards, sensitive skin, tools and the frequency of shaving all have a part to play.

But there are tested ways to improve your shave. Starting from before you pick up your razor, here are a few tested ways to achieve the perfect shave.

Safety razors are a great way to get a cheaper, less irritating shave. But unlike cartridge razors, there are a ton of different blades out there, and which one you like best will depend on your razor and your skin. Try a sampler pack to find the perfect blade.

From no beard, to full hobo beard and back again, I have done it all. I'm no rugged lumberjack or style-conscious hipster, but this is my bearded experience.

Something I didn't realise when I decided to grow a beard was the horrendous effect this would have on my bathroom. When you clip your beard with a trimmer, stubble ends up everywhere. It's as if someone took a cheese grater to a Yeti.

Compressed air is a great tool for cleaning dust out of anything -- including your computer. It's also a great cleaner for an electric razor.

If you're shaving down there for your own benefit or your partner's, Thought Catalogue reader skootch_ginalola suggests you should use hair conditioner instead of shaving cream for a smooth, clean shave.

Cleaning up after a shave is a right pain in the bum. No matter how rigorously I rinse and wipe, there are always a few stray hairs that escape my notice (invariably to the vast annoyance of my wife). If you regularly find yourself in the same hairy predicament, here's a foolproof "hack" that will help to keep your sink sparkly-clean.

We've shown you how to use a safety razor and save on overpriced blades, but if the ultimate in close shaves is what you're after, you can't beat a straight razor. This video from the Art of Manliness shows you how to do it, and what you'll need.

Shaving cream ensures that rubbing a blade across your face is a pleasant experience. However, olive oil may actually be better for your skin and make for a cheaper shave.

When you have even remotely sensitive skin, shaving can irritate it like nothing else. If you want to get rid of the hair, however, you don't have a lot of other options. Most people try to repair the damage of shaving afterwards, but Redditor johadalin suggests more preventative measures.

Blood dripping down your face from a shaving cut? You can make it stop with nothing more than a little mouthwash.

A sharp, sturdy razor ensures you experience a smooth, even shave rather than nicks, cuts and razor burn. Here are five of the best choices, based on your nominations.

Nobody wants to take the time to shave every single morning when they're on holiday. The easiest way to solve this problem is with light maintenance, and the stylists over at Birchbox put together the above video guide for keeping your beard from getting out of hand without too much work.

If you're still using expensive cartridge razors or disposables, it's time to give them up and learn to use a safety razor razor. This video from the The Art of Manliness will show you how.


The sale of cuththroat razors has expanded in recent months, with the inclusion of the close blade in Skyfall cited as a reason why cuthroat shaving is making a comeback. Would you consider shifting to a single shiny blade, or letting a barber do the job for you?