To achieve the closest shave possible and the smoothest skin without cuts or razor burns, tone and moisturize your face preparing it ready for foundation application.

Permanent & semi-permanent hair removal will be covered elsewhere in this guide.
(1) Using a skin tone matched tinted moisturizer will help reduce foundation thickness as most contain pigments that work against the blue of most beards.

(2) Moisturize your face every day. The same applies to your lips by using Lipsol or equivalent.

(3) Exfoliate your face once a week.

(4) Try not to close shave every day, give your face an occasional rest to avoid skin irritation (raised bumps). If you have aggravated your skin, apply some Curél Ultra Healing Lotion overnight. Only available in the US or ebay.

(5) Only wash face with Facial Cleanser, never soap. It dries your skin.

(6) Consider permanent hair removal using IPL.

(7) Hair removal includes nose and ear hairs!
Beginner: 20 minutes

Experienced: 12 minutes
 
Commercial Links
King of Shaves shaving
Estēe Lauder skin prep
Boots the chemist
MAC Cosmetics
Transgirl IPL
Curél moisturizers

Guide Links
(01)  Skin Preparation
(02)  Foundation
(03)  Face Shape
(04)  Shade and Blush
(05)  Eye Makeup
(06)  Lips
(07)  Nails
(08)  Hair
(09)  Body
(10)  Skincare
(11)  My Voice
(12)  Information
Minimum: Shaving Oil - Shaving Gel - Facial Cleanser - Toner - Facial Moisturizer.
Preferred: King of Shaves, Shaving oil - Estēe Lauder Foaming Facial Cleanser or equiv.- Estēe Lauder Balancing/toner lotion or equiv. - Skin tone matched MAC Face & Body Foundation or equiv.
King of Shaves: Oil & Shaving Gel Estēe Lauder
Balancing/Toner
Lotion 		Estēe Lauder Foaming Cleanser & Day Moisturizer MAC Face & Body Foundation (moisturizing)
Minimum: Triple Blade wet Razor with new blade, face cloth and cotton pads.
Preferred: Electric razor, Triple Blade wet Razor with new blade, face cloth and cotton pads.
(1) Shave face with an electric razor, if at hand. This keeps the wet shaver blades sharper for longer and saves time.

(2) Smooth some Shaving oil into the beard area and let it soak in. The oil substantially reduces the risk of cuts and razor-burn.

(3) Apply Shaving cream or gel.

(4) Wet shave with the growth direction and if required for an ultra close shave, against the growth as well but slowly. Check for smoothness with a wet hand and re-shave any course areas. Never force the razor into your face.

(5) Apply a proprietary astringent (ouch!) or cover the beard area with a very cold wet flannel. This also acts as an astringent and doesnt sting.

(6) Remove any residues of shaving oil by using a foaming facial cleanser. This is important as we don't want an oil barrier between makeup and face.

(7) Apply some toner to a cotton pad and wipe across the whole face. Particularly any area that tends to get oily such as either side of nose, eyelids etc.

(8) Apply a light moisturizer and let your skin absorb it for a few minutes. Don't forget the neck area. If you use a tinted moisturizer you will find that you could be using a lighter foundation application. Like a foundation color you will need to approximately match the tint color if you use a tinted moisturizer.

Remember, take your time. If you rush things you'll probably cut yourself!

Ready for Foundation? Click here
 
 
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