A shaving kit is like a trophy you keep to celebrate a milestone — reaching manhood. It means that you’re old enough to grow (and shave) a beard. But just like any part of the body, your whiskers require proper hygiene and maintenance.
One problem a lot of men encounter is how to keep their whiskers in check. When shaving is done incorrectly, these men may end up irritating or even cutting their skin. But this doesn’t always have to be the case. To make shaving a lot easier, I recommend getting a shaving kit. Read our guide below and turn shaving from a tedious chore into a refreshing activity.
What should be in my shaving kit?
Have you decided that you need a shaving kit? Good! You won’t regret it. However, there are dozens of shaving kits in the market and this can make it a little bit confusing. Here are a few things that you should take note of when looking for a good shaving companion.
1. RAZOR
If there’s only one thing you need for a shaving kit, it’s the razor. How can you shave without it? This is why you should take your time deciding the best razor for you. Basically, there are three kinds of razors — safety razors, cartridge razors, and straight razors. Let’s check out what each type of razor does.
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Cartridge Razor
If you’re new to this, some people would recommend a cartridge razor (a disposable razor). Most of these razors come in a reusable handle. Meanwhile, the blade cartridges are disposable and should be replaced after a few uses.
Among the three, it is the cheapest type of razor. It is also very easy and safe to use. This is perfect for a quick, no-frills shave when you’re always in a hurry.
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Safety Razor
As its name implies, the safety razor prevents nicks and cuts so say goodbye to scars! This is ideal for both beginners and seasoned shavers.
However, its safety comes with a price. Because part of the blade is locked out and covered, you can get a harder time controlling the blade. This makes it difficult to shave especially if you have a more angular face.
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Straight Razor
The straight razor is as old school as it can get. This was probably the razor that your grandfather used to maintain their facial hair. It provides the most precise and controlled shave.
But before you touch a straight razor, make sure you know what you’re doing. Among the different types, this one requires the most skill as the blade itself is unprotected. You wouldn’t want to hurt that handsome face of yours, do you?
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2. SHAVING CREAM
Ask your dad or your uncles. Many of them will agree that a shaving cream will make your shaving experience more comfortable.
Basically, the cream protects your skin from the blade. It ensures less friction from the razor, thus minimizing the risk of irritation and razor burn.
Apart from that, the cream will cause your hair to rise. This will result in an easier time achieving a clean shave.
3. SHAVING BRUSH
In all honesty, the shaving brush has declined in popularity. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to forget all about it. A lot of men swear by this magical tool.
Indeed, the shaving brush offers a lot of advantages. For one, it can bring extra moisture to your shaving foam, making it thick. Another one is it exfoliates your skin and rids it of dead cells. And who doesn’t want that?
Once you’ve tried it, you wouldn’t want to shave without it anymore! If you’re decided on getting one, here are a few things you should know about shaving brushes.
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Boar Brush
The boar brush is the most common type of shaving brush in the market. They are relatively cheap, too, which is why it is the recommended type of brush for beginners.
This type of brush also has a coarser texture which makes it easy to lather soaps. However, this also makes it uncomfortable on the skin. But the good news is it will become softer as you use it more.
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Badger Brush
The badger brush is the most preferred by veterans. This type of brush gets so much love because of its excellent water retention capabilities. This means you can create a better lather when you use this type of brush.
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Horsehair Brush
If you think the boar brush is too stiff while the badger brush is too soft, a horsehair brush is your best bet. These types of brushes are also praised for being animal-friendly. Unlike the other types, horsehair brushes are typically cut from the horse’s mane. No animal is harmed during the creation of the brush.
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Synthetic Brush
The synthetic brush was made for the gentlemen who refuse to use animal hair. But the upside is it requires less maintenance than a brush with animal hair. This is perfect for the busy men who just want a no-frills shaving brush.
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4. PRE-SHAVE OIL
If you have extremely sensitive skin, you might want to use a pre-shave oil. As its name suggests, you apply it to your face before applying shaving cream or any other lathering agent.
There are a lot of advantages in using a pre-shave oil. It lubricates and moisturizes your face and it softens your facial hair. These will all result in an easy and comfortable shave.
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5. AFTERSHAVE LOTION/BALM
The ritual doesn’t end after you’ve shaved all your whiskers. To lessen the post-shave burn, it is essential to use an aftershave lotion or balm.
The best aftershave product would largely depend on your skin. However, some of the things that you should look out for are vitamin C and E, and sunscreen. These will ensure that your skin is protected and moisturized long after shaving.
To know more, here is a guide on aftershave products for a clean look.
Need a pre-packaged shaving kit? Check out our recommendations
There are tons of shaving kits on the market and it can be confusing to pick which one is for you. To help you with your dilemma, here are a few of our recommended pre-packaged shaving kits.
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1. Gentleman Jon Deluxe Wet Shave Kit
Why it’s good:
Honestly? The Gentleman Jon Deluxe Wet Shave Kit has everything you need for a comfortable shave and even more! If you don’t have the time to go to a supermarket and buy the tools one by one, this is your answer. It is one of the most comprehensive shaving kits on the market today. As the folks over at Gentleman Jon say, “shaving is a ritual, not a chore”.
Items included:
- Safety Razor
- Badger Hair Shave Brush
- Shave Stand
- Canvas & Leather Dopp Kit Travel Bag
- The Famous Gentleman Jon™ Alum Block
- Sandalwood Shave Soap
- Stainless Steel Shave Bowl
- (5) Astra SP Razor Blades
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2. Gillette Fusion ProShield Bundle
Why it’s good:
The Gillette Fusion ProShield razor is one of the most effective tools you’ll find. It is equipped with FlexBall technology that responds to the contours of your face. Apart from that, the Precision Trimmer at the back helps you get to the hard-to-reach areas like nose and sideburns.
Item’s included:
- Razor Handle with Flexball Technology
- (4) Razorblade refills
- Ocean Breeze Shave Gel
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3. NIVEA Men Dapper Duffel Gift Set
Why it’s good:
If you have very sensitive skin, you should check out the NIVEA Men Dapper Duffel Gift set. The products included inside are specially formulated to prevent shaving irritation. Always feel fresh without worrying about skin damage.
Items included:
- Shaving gel
- Face wash
- Post-shave balm
- Protective lotion
- Body wash
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4. Miusco Men’s Wet Shaving Kit
Why it’s good:
Take your shaving to the next level with the Miusco Men’s Wet Shaving Kit. It provides a double-edged safety razor, a 100% pure badger brush, and a stainless steel bowl and stand.
The materials used for the tools are all premium and using this kit will leave you feeling like Don Draper.
Items included:
- Sterilized Pure Badger Hair Shaving Brush
- Hand Polished Stainless Steel Shaving Stand
- Shaving Bowl
- Safety Razor
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5. Bevel Shave Kit
Why it’s good:
For the Bevel Shave Kit, safety is the number one concern. With that said, their razors are re-engineered to prevent razor bumps and irritation. Meanwhile, the bottles of cream that come with it will keep your skin hydrated.
Items included:
- Safety razor
- Shave brush
- priming oil
- Shave cream
- Restoring balm
- (20) Replacement blades
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6. Harry’s Starter Set
Why it’s good:
The Harry’s Starter Set is your no-frills shaving kit. As its name suggests, it has all the things you need to get you started.
This is the perfect shaving kit for minimalistic men who do not need anything more than the basics. Also, the excellently color-blocked package is like the icing on the cake.
Items included:
- Razor handle
- (5) blade cartridge
- Travel blade cover
- Shave gel
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7. Edwin Jagger Shaving Gift Set
Why it’s good:
The Edwin Jagger Shaving Gift Set has the word “premium” written all over it. It’s even designed and created by Edwin Jagger so you know it’s the real deal.
The brush and the razor are made with high-quality material like nickel and brass. I assure you that your bathroom will feel like a hotel with this shaving set.
Items included:
- Gillette Mach 3 Razor
- Pure Badger Shaving Brush
- Shaving Bowl & Stand
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8. Bulldog Skincare Shave Duo Set
Why it’s good:
The Bulldog Skincare Shave Duo Set is the best choice for people who are conscious of their carbon footprint. Apart from catering to different types of skin, their products are cruelty-free. They never use plastic microbeads, synthetic fragrances or artificial colors in their goods. To add, the razor included has a natural bamboo handle for a lower environmental impact.
Items included:
- Bamboo razor
- Original Shave Gel with Aloe and Green Tea
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9. Anbbas Shaving Set
Why it’s good:
The Anbbas Shaving Set takes pride in its premium-quality brushes. The badger shaving brush you’ll see here went through 25 working procedures. These stages ensure that your brush stays in natural shape.
Aside from that, it includes a goat milk shaving soap. You can enjoy its various health benefits while looking dapper at the same time.
Items included:
- Pure badger shaving brush
- Goat milk shaving soap
- Stainless steel shaving stand
- Shaving bowl
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10. Grave Before Shave Travel Beard Pack
Why it’s good:
If you’re stranded on a deserted island, the Grave Before Shave Travel Beard Pack can help you survive. It has everything you need from a beard brush to a cooling towel. The whole package comes in a rocker-rebel aesthetic if you’re into that kind of stuff.
Items included:
- Travel Case
- Cooling Towel
- Grave Before Shave Key Chain Bottle Opener
- 6oz. Tube of Grave Before Shave Beard Wash
- 1oz. Bottle of Grave Before Shave Viking Blend Beard Oil
- 2oz. Tin of Grave Before Shave Viking Blend Beard Balm
- 100% Wild Boars Hair Beard Brush with Bamboo Handle
Final Notes
Answering the question “what’s in your shaving kit?” merits various answers. A set can range from ultra-basic (just the razor and shaving cream) to all-out (complete with a stand and a travel bag). But no matter which shaving kit you use, the most important thing is that it has everything you need and it works for you.
