Shaving is a troublesome task for many guys, especially when it comes time to shave the neck. Even when at the barbers, there’s just something oddly terrifying about shaving the neck. Maybe it’s all those blockbuster movies that show barbershop scenes with straight razors ending in such grizzly actions – Sweeney Todd, anyone?
All irrational fears aside, shaving the neck area can be a real challenge. But it’s a must if you want to avoid the dreaded “neck beard.” If you suffer from nicks, cuts, razor burns, and ingrown hairs, you’ll appreciate these 12 tips for shaving your neck like a pro barber!
Get the right blade
Being prepared with the right equipment is an absolute necessity. You’ll need to use a fresh blade if you want to avoid any pain while shaving. Dull razors will tend to pull at your hairs more before cutting them, which can increase your chances of getting ingrown hairs. It can also be uncomfortable, to say the least!
While multi-blade razors claim to give a more precise shave, they can be the primary cause of razor burns. Razors with three or more blades can actually over-shave sensitive areas like the neck (yes, that is possible), so it might be better to select a razor with fewer blades instead.
Shave with the grain
If you’re prone to irritation when you shave, try shaving with the grain. Shaving with the grain is basically shaving in the same direction as your hair growth. To do this, you’ll have to figure out your hair growth pattern.
The hair on your neck can grow in different directions; it can even create swirls and circular motions, which can be particularly tricky to follow. The trick is to note all your hair growth patterns, so you can successfully follow along with your blade to avoid extra irritation.
Know where to draw the neckline
If you are shaving a beard neckline, it’s very important to get the shape correct. There’s nothing worse than shaving your neck, only to realize you’ve shaved too far upwards.
A good rule of thumb is to use the 1-2-3 system: just below the jawline (1), the bottom of the ear to the top of the throat (2), clean up the lower, natural beard line on the front of the neck (3).
Another tip is to place your middle finger on your Adam’s apple while looking slightly up in a mirror. Then go ahead and put your index finger above your middle finger. Now imagine a ‘U’ shaped line connecting this point to the back of your ears – this is your neckline, so you should shave anything below that line.
Trim first if necessary
If you have a beard, you don’t want to go straight in with a razor. Instead, trim your long hairs to a nice short length beforehand. Using a razor on hairs that are a little too long can dull your razor blades faster than usual and can also cause clogs and build-up in your blades. Use a beard trimmer to quickly and easily shorten those hairs right down, ready for that razor!
Prepare your skin
Before you start shaving your neck, you’ll want to make sure the area is clean first. Most of us tend to neglect the neck area and focus mainly on the face, which could be a reason why you aren’t getting a great shave when working on your neck.
Using a gentle cleansing wash like JESSE JIMZ Clean Slate is an excellent way to prep your skin before shaving. Soaking your hair with warm water will also soften your hairs, leading to a cleaner, more comfortable shave. If you’re prone to ingrown hairs, a scrub like True Grit can help this also!
Use pre-shave oil
If you’ve tried everything you can think of while shaving your neck and you still find your skin getting irritated, a pre-shave oil could help. Shaving oils offer extra glide and protection to help reduce razor burn.
An excellent option is JESSE JIMZ Prime Cut, a multi-purpose grooming oil that doubles as a pre-shave oil. Simply massage the oil into your beard hairs and the skin underneath and apply your shaving cream on top.
Flatten the skin
Shaving the neck area is tricky as the skin here isn’t flat. To make shaving your neck a little easier, tilt your head slightly to keep your skin taut, but try to avoid pulling and over-stretching your skin.
To get at the skin over the Adam’s apple, gently pull the skin from your Adam’s apple to the side to avoid going directly over the Adam’s apple.
Don’t use pressure on the razor
Putting too much pressure on the razor is a guaranteed way to irritate your neck. Instead, pull the razor softly over the skin. If your razor isn’t doing a good enough job, then you’ll most likely need to buy a new razor!
Use small strokes
If your hair pattern is a bit crazy, small strokes should be the only way you shave! Remember to clean the razor between each stroke with warm water. If your blades have gunk and hair stuck between them, it will prevent a clean shave and increase the chances of irritation.
Shave in passes
If you’re used to a clean shave, you might reshave the same area of your skin multiple times – but you should do this with caution on the neck. If one pass with the grain hasn’t quite done the job, you can do a second shave across the grain.
Going across the grain will give you a closer shave than with the grain, without the harshness of going against it. No matter what, never go against the grain on your neck – the skin is just too sensitive!
Cleanse after shaving
After shaving your face and neck, you should always clean the area with warm water and pat dry. Rubbing with a towel will irritate the freshly shaved skin, so don’t do this! Try rinsing your skin with cool water after you’ve cleansed to tighten your pores back up before patting your skin dry again.
Apply aftershave
Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, your skin will still feel a little sensitive after a shave. If this is the case for you, try applying a quality, gentle aftershave or moisturizer like Saving Face. Our 2-in-1 moisturizer and aftershave balm is filled with calming and soothing ingredients, including allantoin and squalane.
Conclusion
Now that you’re equipped with these 12 tips for shaving the neck, you’re bound to have a better experience when tackling the chore yourself! Shaving your neck doesn’t have to be painful or awkward. With a bit of attention, you can reduce the chances of stinging razor burn and pesky ingrown hairs.
Be sure to try out our must-haves to complement the perfect neck shave:
- Clean Slate – Purifying Face Wash + Toner
- True Grit – Detox Face Scrub
- Prime Cut – Nourishing Grooming Oil
- Saving Face – Age Defense Moisturizer + Aftershave
