Beard trimming and shaving

Choose the tool according to the desired result

The clipper with comb is used to maintain length; the electric shaver with foil or rotating heads seeks a result closer to the skin. For a short beard, start with an adjustable trimmer. A razor becomes useful for clearing the neck or cheeks, or for removing the beard entirely.

Electric is practical for quick touch-ups, with less preparation when used dry. The blade requires shaving product and a more attentive gesture. If you choose this second option, we favor a safety razor with a closed comb: a replaceable blade, a durable handle and a simple head.

Shorten before drawing the contours

For hoof trimming, work on a clean, dry, detangled beard unless your device indicates otherwise. Start with a setting longer than desired, then decrease. If you are aiming for around 3mm, make a longer pass first to observe the density; the shoe numbers do not always correspond to the same millimeters depending on the clippers.

Go through slowly, without pushing the comb into the skin, following the instructions on the trimmer. Trimming against the hair with a comb often helps to raise the hairs for regular trimming. Comb again and check the sides before removing more material from the chin.

Maintain a neck line that follows the face

Look at yourself from the front with your head in a natural position. For a short beard, the limit is under the jaw, forming a curve that joins the two sides. One to two fingers above the Adam's apple can help place the center, but check the profile: this mark varies with the anatomy and should not lead to the line going up the jaw bone.

First shorten the hair well below this limit, then shave only this area if your skin tolerates it. Move forward with small corrections by comparing the two sides. Avoid going up alternately left then right to obtain perfect symmetry: you easily end up removing a wider strip than expected.

Clean the cheeks and connect the legs

On the cheeks, start by removing isolated hairs above the main mass. Keep the natural line as much as possible rather than going down to draw a perfectly straight line. On the legs, a shorter setting can soften the connection with the hair; do not create a notch between the hairstyle and the beard.

Trim the mustache without digging the center

Comb the hairs downward, release the mouth and locate any sticking out on the upper lip. Trim their ends with a small precision clipper or suitable scissors, keeping the tool away from the lip. Check relaxed mouth: grimacing while cutting can change the position of the edge and cause it to shorten too high.

To reduce the thickness, first use a long enough shoe, then adjust. The mustache can remain fuller than the cheeks, but the hair should not bother your mouth. Avoid digging under the nose to correct a small irregularity: a hole in the center is often more visible than a few slightly longer hairs.

Preparing for a blade shave

If the hair has become long, trim it with clippers before shaving. Then moisten the area with lukewarm water, then apply a shaving gel or cream. Identify the direction of growth with your fingers: on the neck, it can change several times. The first pass follows this direction, even if this requires changing the direction of the razor.

Getting to grips with the safety razor

Assemble the blade according to the instructions, with dry hands, holding it by its non-cutting ends. Check that the head is assembled correctly. Then tilt the razor around 30 degrees to the skin, depending on its geometry, and make small strokes with very little pressure. The cut must be done without scraping or pulling the hairs.

Move the razor in the direction of the passage, never sideways along the edge. Rinse the head regularly and reapply if a touch-up is necessary. Don't immediately look for a perfectly smooth result in all directions; repeated passages and the wrong direction increase the risk of irritation. Avoid pulling the skin tightly to cut even closer.

Adapt the gesture with an electric razor

Follow the instructions for movement and preparation: a grid model and a rotating model are not necessarily used in the same way. Do not wet a device intended only for dry shaving. Rest your head lightly and avoid insisting on the same areas; if it pulls or heats up, check its cleanliness and the condition of the cutting elements.

Complete and maintain equipment

Rinse off residue, pat dry, and apply a simple moisturizer if skin needs it. On a short beard, also bring the cleanser to the skin when washing; an oil or balm is not essential if the hairs are already soft and comfortable.

Clean the hooves and heads according to their instructions, let them dry and keep your personal equipment. Replace a dull, rusty or pulling blade; do not compensate for its wear by pressing. Store used blades in a closed rigid container before disposing of them according to local instructions, without leaving them loose in a trash can.

If the pimples come back despite precautions

Try a trimmer leaving around 1mm rather than a clean shave, especially with curly hairs. Do not pull out ingrown hairs or scratch pimples. If the lesions persist, become painful or leave marks, have them examined: irritation, an ingrown hair and an infection of the follicle are not necessarily treated in the same way.