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Shaving cream vs shaving foam

Shaving cream vs shaving foam

Whether you've decided to get rid of your beard for the first time in a while, or you swipe at your face with a razor daily, you're going to need a shaving cream or foam. They're an absolute must if you want to reduce irritation and keep your skin nourished and healthy. Both work as a lubricant and act as a barrier between your skin and the razor, which is essential for minimising the chance of any nicks and cuts. What’s more, they keep your skin from drying out by adding a layer of moisture, meaning the razor can glide over your skin with ease.

But what’s the difference between shaving cream and foam? And which is better for your skin? We asked our barbers for their thoughts.

Should I use shaving cream or shaving foam?

Although shaving foam might be the most convenient thing to pick up at your local store, it’s also one of the worst products to use. The air inside the can makes it incredibly difficult for the foam to coat the hairs on your face and keep them standing upright. Since your hairs are being pressed flatly against your face, it will put you at a high risk of getting razor burn.

One of the biggest issues with shaving foam is that it is designed for pure convenience, and often lacks usual ingredients. Since shaving cream is thicker and typically contains better ingredients, it’s able to penetrate the hair follicles instead of sitting on top. This will leave your skin feeling naturally moisturised, while helping to keep debris from clogging up your hair follicles.

If you're after ease and quickness, shaving foam might be a better solution. However, using a traditional shaving cream will reduce the amount of razor burn you get, while also helping to prevent skin irritation. It’s basically a win-win.

What sets our DAVINES Men’s PASTA & LOVE shaving line apart

Three essential products: pre-shave oil, shaving gel and after-shave

We present the first Davines shaving line: for the man who loves to live well and take care of himself, carving out high quality spaces among the frenzy of modern life. A man who, in every corner of the world, celebrates the beauty of life.

Pasta & Love winks with irony at two of the symbols that most characterise “Italian-ness” in the world: good food and love. It ensures a professional shave, made with excellent sustainable products that enhance your shaving experience.

Professional shaving, in three steps

1. PREPARATION: pre-shave and beard oil

2. SHAVE: emollient shaving gel

3. HYDRATION: after-shave and moisturizing cream

PRO TIPS

Before shaving, take a hot shower or apply a wet towel to your face to open the pores and soften the skin. This will help you avoid chafing that can lead to irritation.

When shaving, use warm water. Use the razor with even, consistent strokes. 

Once finished, pat your face and finish by applying the aftershave with a light massage to promote absorption.

To book your next (or first) hair appointment at Barbers of Cheltenham get in touch with us on:

Cheltenham  07970195002

Or book online plus you can keep up to date with all our special offers and barbers of cheltenham news by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

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How to choose the right hairstyle for your face shape

How to choose the right hairstyle for your face shape

While a bad haircut isn't exactly the end of the world. The solution? Get it right first time by figuring out the correct hairstyle for your face shape.

Picking a cut that doesn't suit your skull is a critical and, crucially, easily avoidable mistake many men make when sitting in the barber's chair. Sure, David Beckham's new chop might look great on him (let's face it, what doesn't?), but if you don't have the same square face with a strong jaw and prominent forehead, then it's going to sit all wrong.

So how can you tell what face shape you have? It's all in the proportions...

The key characteristics for each face shape:

  • Square: You have a defined, angular jaw, the sides of your face are straight, and the width of your face is almost the same as its length.

  • Round: The same as a square face shape, just with less angular features - the sides of your face are rounded and your cheekbones are the widest point of your face.

  • Oval: Your jawline is soft, curves and smaller than your forehead (picture an egg upside down).

  • Oblong: Also sometime called "rectangular", your forehead, cheekbones, and jaw are all of a relatively similar size, however your face is longer than it is wide.

  • Diamond: You have a long face shape and angular features (and a defined chin), but your cheekbones are the widest part of your face, followed by your forehead then your jawline.

  • Triangular: You have angular features with a jaw line wider than your cheekbones, which in turn is wider than your forehead (in short, an upside-down triangle)

Now you've got that figured out, the next step is to work out the correct hair cut that's going to suit you. To find out which hairstyle will work best for each face shape (and the tweaks you need for different hair types). Read on for the advice - and look forward to never having another bad hair day again...

Best haircuts for a SQUARE face shape

A clean, close cut looks right for this face shape, so classic short back and sides with some texture on the top always works well - and highlights that strong jawline. You don’t have it cut to soft around the edges. Keep things military-level precise.

The best cuts for each hair type:

  • Straight hair: go for a short back and side with some length on top, ideally a couple of inches as your hair is likely to stick up. Keep it shorter so you can control it.

  • Wavy hair: go for clean lines around the hairline, but leave enough on top for some movement and styling (a few inches).

  • Tight, curly hair: go for a tight fade on the back and sides. You can even crop the top down too

Best haircuts for a ROUND face shape

The key here is to elongate the face shape and not add width. With that in mind, a short back and sides with a quiff works very well. And avoid fringes at all costs - these will make your face appear smaller and accentuate its shape.

The best cuts for each hair type:

  • Straight hair: short back and sides with around 3 to 5 inches of length through to front to create the height needed. Ask your barber for a quiff and get some height with your hairdryer.

  • Wavy hair: use the natural wave to give you height and keep the length around 5 to 6 inches long . Use a sea salt spray get extra volume and texture in the front.

  • Tight, curly hair: ask your barber for a clean fade and a high top - the longer the better.


Best haircuts for an OVAL face shape

As this face type is evenly balanced, pretty much any hair style will work on an oval shape. While this might make you feel like you can't put a foot wrong, keep in mind that it's really best to avoid a fringe (as it will cover up your forehead and could make your face appear rounder). Ideally, ask your barber to work with your hair's natural growth pattern to lift it off your face.

The best cuts for each hair type:

  • Straight hair: you can either leave some length on top and sweep it back or go for a shorter crop. It's crucial here to pay attention to the direction your hair grows naturally as it will be easier to manage.

  • Wavy hair: best to grow it out and work with your natural texture without trimming the sides down too severely.

  • Tight, curly hair: go for a skin fade with sharp details around the hairline and a shorter crop on top.

Best haircuts for a TRIANGULAR face shape

Wide jawlines and narrow foreheads mean that you need to get a little more volume on the top and sides - but not too soft on the face as this accentuates the jaw line.

The best cuts for each hair type:

  • Straight hair: ideally 3 inches all over and a lots of texture from the barber. Too short and it won't sit right.

  • Wavy hair: let the waves grow out and keep some softness around the back and sides. Ask your barber to texturise throughout the hair.

  • Tight, curly hair: clean sides with a little length on top. You could even grow it all out into a full-on Afro.

Best haircuts for an OBLONG face shape

You can also wear most hair cuts with this face shape, but don't go too short at the sides as it will elongate an already elongated shape. Think more classic shapes and scissor cuts - nothing too extreme or short as your goal is to add width.

The best cuts for each hair type:

  • Straight hair: Let it grow out to about an inch on the top and sides and ask the barber to add some texture to it.

  • Wavy hair: work with the waves. Grow out to a similar length all over, say 4 to 5 inches, and let the hair fall how it wants to. Don’t add texture as it will become harder to control.

  • Tight, curly hair: A short Afro style will work best - length-wise, at least 3cm or a little longer.


Best haircuts for a DIAMOND face shape

Go for more volume on the top to create a more balanced look. Diamond faces tend to have strong cheekbones and narrow for heads so something a little longer will always look good - in short, a fringe of some form is often the way forward. Ask for scissor cuts where possible to keep things soft against your angular cheekbones.

The best cuts for each hair type:

  • Straight hair: go for more length on top, say 5 to 6 inches, and ask your barber to add some texture so you get added volume up there. Any shorter and it wont sit right.

  • Wavy hair: loose the weight in the hair and create texture with the curls (to do this you are going to need a decent length on top). You should also grow out the sides and back to at least an inch or so to add softness using the natural curl of your hair.

  • Tight, curly hair: on tight curls, let the hair grow out all over and get some height and width. If you want to keep it shorter on the sides and back, try not to go to for any styles that would be too square - you're looking to soften the angularity of your features, not enhance them.

The barbershop’s role is about providing an essential service in a man’s life, providing consultation, confidence, calmness, and companionship. And on top of all that, you’ll get a great haircut, too. At Barbers of Cheltenham we pride ourselves on the service we provide to our clients. For the full barbershop experience, book an appointment here 

Further reading https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/mens-hairstyles-for-face-shapes/amp

To book your next (or first) hair appointment at barbers of cheltenham get in touch with us on:

Cheltenham  07970195002

Or book online plus you can keep up to date with all our special offers and barbers of cheltenham news by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram