If you are planning to add a shaving brush to your grooming practice, you may have some queries. Why use a shaving brush? Are there different types of brushes? If so which is right for me? Here is a guide to help you make the best decision.
Why should you use a Shaving Brush?
A good shaving brush:
- Gently exfoliates the skin
- Helps form a rich and creamy lather
- Helps soften the hair and lift it
In fact, there’s a fourth reason. A good shaving brush kit lets you enjoy the process of shaving.
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Shaving brushes come in a variety of bristle types. Some are made with real animal hair, such as horsehair, boar’s hair, and badger hair, while others are synthetic. Among all, badger bristles are the ideal choice of most shaving enthusiasts.
Things to consider while picking a Shaving Brush:
Now that you know the basics, let’s dive in to find which shaving brush is right for you. Here are a few things to consider when selecting the right brush.
Stiffness of the Brush:
To work up a rich, velvety lather, the bristles should be soft. In other words, the stiffer the shaving brush, the less water it holds. This simply means that working up lather is more difficult. Conversely, if you want a durable brush, then a brush with firm bristles may be right for you. Shaving brushes with horse and bore bristles are firm whereas, badger hair shaving brushes are more flexible.
Handle Shape:
The shaving brush you choose should feel comfortable in your hand. The construction of the brush is simple; it consists of bristles, knot and a handle. The width of the knot determines the width of the handle. The loft height of the shaving brush simply refers to how far the bristles and handle extends. Pick a brush that has an appropriate handle for your hand. You must be sure that your shaving brush is easy to use and doesn’t feel awkward. It may take some of your time to research to find the one with the best grip and feel, but it’s worth the effort.
Type of Bristles:
This comes down to your personal preference. As discussed above, there are brushes made with animal hair and synthetic materials. Badger’s hair and boar’s hair brushes are made by harvesting the hair from the animals. Horsehair brushes are made by clipping a horse’s tail or mane. Some people might have problems with using shaving brushes made of real animal hair. If you are one among them, you can go for synthetic bristle shaving brushes.
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All in all, wet shaving should be enjoyable. Do your research, and choose the best shaving brush and stand that will give you the perfect lather for the perfect wet shave. Yes, you need a stand as well, for drying the brush and maintaining it in between each use.