When it comes to glowing skin and achieving a smooth and comfortable shave; understanding the direction of hair growth and using the right shaving technique is essential. In this post, we will give you the lowdown on how best to shave the areas you fancy removing your fuzz from.
Shaving with the grain - what does it mean?
Shaving with the grain is a process of running your razor in the same direction as your hair growth, it’s the kindest option for your skin, it’s less likely to give you razor burn or trigger ingrown hairs, so perfect if you lean on the more sensitive skin side. However, the shave will not be as silky smooth as shaving against the grain because the hair is not cut off as close to the skin.
Which body parts should I shave with the grain?
Bikini/Intimate Area
The skin on your bikini area is super delicate, so it's essential to be extra careful to prevent irritation and ingrown hair. We suggest shaving with the grain. You will need to flex the angle you hold your razor to get to the trickier bits if you are going completely bush-free. Here’s a more detailed guide to shaving your bikini/intimate area. Always use a sharp and clean razor to minimise the risk of nicks and cuts.
Armpits
We believe a gentle shave is the best shave for your armpits. Pull your skin taut and use short varying strokes and shave in the direction of the hair growth; upward, downward and sideways. Here’s a more detailed guide to shaving your armpits.
Shaving against the grain - what does it mean?
Shaving against the grain means shaving in the opposite direction of hair growth. It can give you a super close shave because it cuts the hair very close to the skin. However, it also increases the risk of razor burn and ingrown hairs because you're pulling the hair backward, against its natural direction.
Which body parts should I shave against the grain?
Legs
For most of us, the hair on our legs tends to grow downward, so shaving against the grain will give you a super clean, silky smooth shave. Begin at the ankles and gently glide the razor upward against the direction of hair growth. You can start at your toes if you want to be completely hair-free! Read our detailed guide for shaving your legs here.
Arms
Similar to our legs, the hair on the arms typically grows downward. Shaving against the direction of hair growth on your arms will give a seriously smooth result.
Toes
Whether you’re into fuzz-free toes or not, the best way to keep the toes smooth is to shave against the grain. For speedy hair removal, you can shave your toes and legs at the same time. Here is our detailed guide on how to shave your toes.
Shave your way: with or against the grain
Face
Shave your face upwards or downwards - there is no straightforward answer here. Facial hair grows in many directions so you’ll shave both with and against the grain at different times in your routine. Shave in the direction that feels most comfortable. If it’s just a light touch or de-fluffing peach fuzz from your cheeks or upper lip we recommend using our dermaplaning Precison Razor or Face Wax Kit to get accurate hair removal.
Just a super quick reminder to change your blades after every 5-7 uses. This step is SO important in order to get that beautiful skin glow - shave after shave.
PRO TIP: It’s all in the pre and post-shaving for well-maintained glowing skin.
- We suggest exfoliating before with our Essential Exfoliant.
- Use a nourishing shower gel for a smooth shave glide, like our Ultimate Shave Gel.
- And finally, choosing to moisturise afterwards is a super important step to keep skin quenched. Our Everyday Body Lotion is a lovely hydrating lotion option and our packaging is too cute.
(Note: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional medical advice. Individual experiences may vary, and it's always best to consult a healthcare professional or wellness expert for personalised guidance.)
