Let’s face it—shaving is a serious pain in the… (insert body part here), but like anything else, ignoring the fact isn’t going to make it go away.

Still, our goal is to make every aspect of male grooming as straightforward and simple as possible, and when it comes to shaving, there’s no easier or less time-consuming method than shaving in the shower.

However, in addition to simplifying things, we also want you to look and feel as good as possible, which means putting a bit of thought and effort into the process instead of just picking up a razor and blindly scraping away at your face.

There’s no denying the fact that learning how to shave in the shower will save you some time on your daily rituals and can even result in a closer shave and a smoother face.

But doing it properly requires the right tools (see articles on first-rate safety razors, best straight razors and top of line shaving soaps, and quality shaving creams) and environment.

A lot of people ask me is it better to shave before or after a shower?

But before we get into the ins and outs of shaving in the shower, it’s first necessary to look at a few basic facts to understand why shower shave is such a great idea.

Shaving 101: The Basics of Getting a Good Shave

Aside from using the right Probably the most basic aspect of getting a good, close shave is to soften up your facial hair before attempting to shave.

In truth, you can really think of your facial hair as thousands of tiny metal wires jutting out of your face, and just like any other wire, they can be softened up and made easier to cut through the heat.

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Not only that, but facial hair also becomes softer and easier to cut when it absorbs water.

Basically, the softer the facial hair is, the closer the shave will be (check out our awesome infographic on the science of shaving).

Knowing this, it only makes perfect sense to shave in the shower, as the combination of the moisture and warmth can result in a closer, smoother shave and eliminate the problems of irritated skin, razor burn, ingrown hairs, etc.

In addition to softening up the hairs, washing your face with warm water also helps to stimulate the small muscles under the skin (known as arrector pili), making the hairs stand straight up so that they can be shaved off as close to the skin as possible.

No matter where you’re doing it, it’s important to thoroughly heat up the face before shaving in the shower.

Since you probably already know how to properly shower, then we’ll focus more on the steps for shower shaving.

Some people simply wash their face, while others use a hot towel or shave immediately after the shower.

However, the problem with all of these methods is that when you step out of the shower or take the hot towel off your face, the change in temperature will cause the skin to contract slightly, keeping you from getting quite as close of a shave.

Of course, this isn’t a problem if you start shaving in the shower, as your skin will continue to be exposed to higher temperatures throughout the entire process.

Of course, it’s not quite as simple as this, but it’s safe to say that, done properly, shaving in the shower can reduce the time you spend on daily grooming, while also providing much better results than whatever method you’re currently using.

That being said, there are definitely a few tips that can help make your shaving in the shower easier and more successful.

While shaving your face in the shower has many benefits, there are also a few simple steps you first need to take in order to get the best possible results.

We’ve already discussed the importance of heat and moisture in getting a close shave, but just as important as having the right environment in which to shave.

In truth, shaving should always be done in front of a mirror with plenty of light—this is true even if you’re doing it in the shower.

So, the first step towards a successful shower shave is ensuring you’ve got the set-up to do it right.

This means having good lighting and a decent mirror while shaving in the shower, as this will help you to make sure you don’t miss any spots and have to touch it all up afterward.

If you don’t have an overhead light in your shower, it’d be best to stick to shaving over the sink to guarantee a thorough, smooth shave.

While we’re on the topic of the mirror, one of the biggest issues of shaving in the shower is steam.

While the heat and moisture are great for softening your facial hair and preparing your face for the shave, it also leads to the problem of your shower mirror constantly getting fogged over—but luckily we have the solution to that as well.

In all likelihood, you’ll be washing your body and shampooing your thin hair in the shower in addition to shaving (and if you’re not; shame on you).

Far from merely being important as part of your basic hygiene though, your soap or shampoo can also be the key to a close thorough shave, by preventing your mirror from fogging up.

To keep your mirror clean, simply rub a bit of soap or shampoo on it after you’ve lathered it up and rubbed it on yourself.

The chemicals in the soap should help to keep the mirror clear even after you’ve washed them off.

Or you can simply get a fogless shower mirror.

• Get the best fogless shower mirror with light here on Amazon
• Don’t just take our word for it, see the consensus of thousands of other user reviews here

When it comes to the actual shaving in the shower, there is virtually no difference between doing it in the shower or doing it anywhere else (i.e., start outgoing with the grain, use short smooth strokes, sharp blades (best safety razor blades), etc.).

This is how to shave properly face…use the best razor for men you can lay your hands on while shaving in the shower while following the necessary shower shave steps.

Still, while we’re on the subject of shaving in the shower, we need to take a bit of time to discuss the importance of shaving cream -do you need shaving cream?.

Most men remain regretfully unaware of the actual purpose of using shaving cream—to lubricate the skin.

Worse still, many men think that they can achieve the same amount of lubrication by simply using soap or even just plain old water.

No matter what you may think or what you’ve been told in the past, shaving cream is one of the most essential parts of the shaving process and you should learn how to shave with shaving cream.

Also, I’ve been asked more than once – is shaving cream necessary?

Absolutely!

Whether you’re shaving in the shower or over the sink, soap simply won’t cut it (and will likely increase the chance that you cut yourself).

So it’s essential that you massage a quality shaving cream into your facial hair before attempting to shave.

Moreover, it’s highly recommended that you let the cream soak into your face and hair for at least a few minutes before you grab your razor, as the longer, it sits, the softer the hair will be.

For this reason, many experts recommend soaping up your body, then lathering up and applying your shaving cream before washing the soap off your body in order to give the cream more time to work its softening magic on your facial hair.

If you have particularly sensitive skin, you may be interested in checking out our article to find out what are the best shaving creams for sensitive skin.

When your hair is sufficiently softened and you’re ready to shave, you can then proceed exactly as you would normally, using whatever type of razor you’re most comfortable with.

Just make sure to thoroughly rinse off the razor regularly and use your mirror to ensure you don’t miss any spots.

In truth, nothing about shaving in the shower is really any different from any other shave.

That being said, it does provide the added benefit of saving you a bit of time on your daily routine, while ensuring you get a smooth, close shave.

Also, don’t forget to check out our infographic on straight razors vs safety razors.

After giving it a shot, you’ll likely wonder why you ever shaved anywhere else.