How to Achieve Andrew Scott’s Impeccable Shave
Photos Andrew Scott / Getty Images
Words Marie-Caroline Bougère
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In the world of chin hair, two camps clash: intricately styled beards and high-precision shaving. While both require a lot of attention, let's focus on closely shaved faces, inspired by Andrew Scott.
The Irish actor, currently starring in "All of Us Strangers", and a BAFTA winner for his role in “Sherlock”, is known for his brilliant style but also his ever-changing facial hair. When he shaves though, he does it perfectly, leaving his skin free of any irritation, pimples, or redness. This could be intimidating for those who want to sport a smooth face and peach-soft cheeks, as it’s ot always easy to avoid nicking yourself every morning or irritating your chin. Here are our easy steps for a flawless shave without fear.
Prepare Your Skin
It's well-known, thanks to the infamous hot towel used by barbers, that steam opens pores and softens hairs. There's no need to soak a towel in boiling water every morning; a sufficiently hot shower will do just fine.
Start by cleansing your skin to wake it up. This will also stop the razor from getting too dirty quickly, and avoid impurities getting trapped in your pores, which can mean more cuts. Start by lathering a purifying cleanser on your damp face. Then, twice a week, a scrub is necessary to remove dead cells and reveal a brighter complexion. If you're a fan of the shaving brush, great news: this also helps to gently exfoliate and remove dead skin with each shave.
For sensitive skin, which is common when you shave every day, applying a pre-shave oil before the shaving gel/foam/cream works wonders. Indeed, a drop heated between the palms and applied in circular motions on the face reduces the risk of nicks and irritations, without leaving a greasy layer on the skin.
Finally, check your blade. Using a safety razor? Change the blade every two shaves. For multi-blade razors, change the head every week. As for electric razors, whether circular or foil head, replace the blades every 12 to 18 months.
Proper Shaving
First, take a look at the direction of your hair growth, which can vary from one cheek to another, as the face is never symmetrical. Then, apply your gel, foam, or shaving cream by massaging the skin with small circular movements so that the product reaches the base of the hair. For sensitive skin, shaving cream is recommended because it's richer and denser, all the better to protect your skin from the aggression of razor blades.
During the first pass, it's advised to shave in the direction of hair growth. Then you can start shaving perpendicularly, and against the grain if the razor isn't too aggressive, if your skin isn't too sensitive, and if you really want to become Andrew Scott.
A Moment of Calm
Now comes the time for rinsing, which should be done with cold water to calm the razor burn and tighten the pores. Take this opportunity to check if any stray hair has escaped your notice. If you cut yourself, you can apply alum stone to stop the bleeding. Otherwise, move on to the aftershave: a gel like Horace's, natural and silicone-free, which helps the skin heal and leaves it soothed and nourished. All that's left is to get dressed and thank Andrew for the inspiration.