So, I decided to try out this “Strickland Shaved” thing I’ve been hearing about. Sounds fancy, right? Well, it’s just a way to shave, but folks are making a big deal out of it. Anyway, I figured, why not? My usual routine wasn’t exactly giving me that baby-smooth feel, and stubble started to become my nightmare.
First, I gathered my stuff. A good razor, some shaving cream, a towel, and a mirror – the usual suspects. This “Strickland” method, from what I gathered, is all about the order and direction you shave. They say there are 14 specific areas on your face, and you gotta shave each one in a particular way. Sounds complicated, but I was willing to give it a shot.
I started by washing my face with warm water. Then, I applied the shaving cream, making sure it was nice and lathered. The first step, they say, is to shave with the grain. That means shaving in the direction your hair grows. I usually just go any which way, so this was new for me. I started with my sideburns, slowly moving the razor downwards, following the direction of the hair growth. I gotta admit, it felt different. More… gentle, I guess.
Then, I moved on to my cheeks. Same deal – with the grain. I took my time, making sure I wasn’t pressing too hard. One thing I read was to let the weight of the razor do the work. No need to press down like you’re trying to dig a hole, but i was afraid of it.
After the cheeks, I did my upper lip and chin, being careful around the tricky areas. It’s easy to nick yourself there if you’re not paying attention. I followed the with-the-grain rule as best as I could. Then, I worked on my neck, which is always a bit of a challenge for me, so I must pay more attention to it and I did it.
After I finished shaving with the grain, I rinsed my face and reapplied the shaving cream. Now, for the real test – shaving against the grain. This is supposed to give you a closer shave, but it can also cause irritation if you’re not careful. I decided to be brave and go for it, but really gently.
I started with my cheeks again, this time moving the razor upwards, against the hair growth. It definitely felt different. I could feel the razor cutting closer to the skin. I did the same for the rest of my face, being extra careful around my upper lip, chin, and neck.
Once I was done, I rinsed my face with cold water to close the pores. I patted my face dry with a clean towel and applied some aftershave. It stung a little, but that’s normal. I looked in the mirror, and I gotta say, I was impressed. My face felt smoother than it had in a long time. No irritation, no nicks, just smooth skin.
Here’s what I did, step-by-step:
- Washed my face with warm water.
- Applied shaving cream.
- Shaved with the grain, following the 14 areas (as best as I could remember them).
- Rinsed and reapplied shaving cream.
- Shaved against the grain, carefully.
- Rinsed with cold water.
- Patted dry and applied aftershave.
So, is this “Strickland Shaved” method worth the hype? I’d say yes. It definitely takes a bit longer than my usual rushed shave, but the results are worth it. My face feels smoother, and I didn’t experience any irritation. I think I’ll be sticking to this method from now on. It’s a bit of a game-changer, to be honest. It might not turn you into George Clooney, but it’ll get you a darn good shave. You should give it a try sometime. Just take your time, be careful, and enjoy the process. Who knows, you might even start to like shaving!
