With the Christmas festivities over and done for another year, it’s time to start thinking about 2025. If the holiday indulgence has left you feeling the need for a reset, or you're simply ready to embrace a fresh start, there’s no better time to take the leap than right now! It could be hitting the gym, taking up that hobby you’ve been thinking about for years, or it might just be starting to take better care of yourself from a male grooming point of view.
If it’s time you started a new wet shaving routine, then the beginning of 2025 is the perfect time to get into good habits. We’ve put together everything you’ll need to prepare, shave and care for your skin pre and post-shaving. With the right tools, products, and a little time each day, you could create a hair and skin-care routine that works well for you.
Pre-Shave Prep
If you have sensitive skin, or simply want to protect your skin against the chances of any irritation, pre-shave lotions or creams prepare the skin, soften the hairs and reduce friction during shaving. We stock a varied range of pre-shave products from leading brands like Proraso, Simpsons and Taylor of Old Bond Street.
Brush Up on Tradition
The perfect wet shave always starts with a high-quality brush. The shaving brush is an essential part of any wet shave routine and has been for more than 300 years. It’s used to make and spread a lather of foam around the areas to be shaved. Yes, you can do this with your hand, but nothing beats the feeling and gentle exfoliation that you get from a quality shaving brush. Look no further than Castle Forbes, Edwin Jagger or Simpson for luxury shaving brushes that have been expertly crafted. Team your brush with a stand to allow the bristles to dry and remove water from the handle, and your brush could last years, making it a great investment in a proper wet shave routine.
Creams vs. Soaps
An essential step in the wet shave ritual is lathering up with a high-quality cream or soap. This creates a silky, protective layer on your skin, letting the razor glide effortlessly for a smoother, irritation-free shave. Many shaving creams contain ingredients to prevent the skin from drying out and have moisturising qualities to leave your skin feeling smooth, even after your shave. Choose from the best quality brands such as Taylor of Old Bond Street, Cella and Castle Forbes.
Shaving soap has a slightly firmer consistency than cream but performs the same function. It’s down to personal preference which one you like best. Our shaving soaps come from top artisan soap manufacturers like Phoenix & Beau, Moon Soaps, Stirling Soaps and Zingari Man and are made with the finest ingredients.
Safety Razors
As you might expect, the actual razor is the key part of any high-performing shaving scenario. It might seem like it makes economic sense to buy cheap disposable razors from the supermarket, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Cheap razors blunt quickly, irritate the skin and clog up the world’s landfills with tonnes of non-biodegradable plastic. And when you do the sums, over the years, you’ll probably spend more than if you invest in a high-quality safety razor now.
The modern safety razor was invented in the early 1900s and, for the first time, allowed people to recreate the feeling of a close shave by a barber in the comfort of their own home - without the risk of using an old-fashioned cut-throat razor. Double-edge safety razors remain a popular option and have significant advantages over cartridge and electric options, including cost-efficiency and the quality of shave. As always, we’ve put the hours in to create a range of safety razor products by brands like Fatip, Merkur, Parker and Rockwell that are hard to beat elsewhere. Combined with a vast range of blades that work with all our razors, you can pick a razor and blade combo that works well for you. From the excellent Rockwell 6c to the popular Merkur 34c, all of the razors you’ll find at Blades & Whiskers offer comfortable, close and clean shaves.
The Final Touches
Your shave isn’t complete without the finishing touch of a quality aftershave. Not only does it rehydrate your skin, but it also defends against irritation and infection, keeping you fresh and protected until your next shave. And let’s not forget the irresistible bonus, a scent that lingers long after you’ve left the bathroom. Whether you prefer a soothing balm or a refreshing lotion, our range has everything you need to elevate your grooming game and leave your skin feeling smooth, healthy, and smelling amazing.
Invest in Yourself
As well as the essentials, including the brush, cream or soap and safety razor, there are many shaving accessories to help make the process more convenient. These include shaving bowls, blade disposal boxes, razor and brush stands and more. These can all help to keep your equipment clean and in good order, as well as offer safety and protection to others in the house.
After all the gift-giving of Christmas, maybe it’s time to treat yourself to a present. Get off to a good start this new year, shaving cleaner and closer than ever before. Start your wet shaving routine now and get into good habits, and you’ll be looking your best throughout 2025 and beyond.