How to Start Shaving for the First Time: A Complete Beginner’s Guide
If you’re about to pick up a razor for the first time — or you’ve been doing it for years but never actually learned how — this guide is for you. Shaving isn’t complicated, but doing it wrong from the start sets up habits that cause irritation for years.
Every man remembers his first shave. For most of us, it involved a blunt disposable, no preparation, and a bathroom mirror that offered zero guidance. The result was painful, patchy, and put us off proper shaving technique for years. That doesn’t have to be your experience.
This guide walks through everything a first-time shaver needs to know — from choosing the right razor and preparing your skin, to technique, aftercare, and building a routine that becomes second nature within a week.
Why your choice of razor matters from day one
The most important decision you’ll make as a beginner is which type of razor to use. There are three main categories: disposable razors, cartridge razors, and safety razors. For a first-time shaver, a cartridge razor with a pivoting head is the best starting point by a wide margin.
Disposable razors are cheap but blunt quickly and offer little control. Safety razors deliver an excellent shave but have a steep learning curve — the fixed blade angle requires experience to use safely. Cartridge razors sit in the sweet spot: the pivoting head follows the contours of your face automatically, the multiple blades reduce the number of passes needed, and the lubrication strip protects skin as you learn.
SmartShave’s starter kit gives beginners everything they need: a quality weighted handle with pivoting head, and ceramic-coated blades with built-in aloe vera and vitamin E strips. At £9.99 for the starter kit, it’s also significantly cheaper than comparable Gillette options — important when you’re just starting out.
Preparing your skin before you shave
Preparation is where most beginners go wrong. They pick up a razor and start immediately. Shaving on cold, dry, unprepared skin is the fastest way to irritation, nicks, and an uneven result.
- Always shave after a warm shower. The heat softens the hair shaft, opens follicles, and relaxes the skin — dramatically reducing resistance per stroke.
- Splash warm water on your face for 60 seconds if you can’t shower first. A warm flannel pressed to the skin achieves a similar result.
- Apply a shaving product. Water alone isn’t enough lubrication. A quality gel or cream creates a barrier between the blade and your skin.
- Check your face for any spots, moles or raised areas before starting. Knowing where they are prevents accidental nicks.
The correct shaving technique
With your skin prepared, here is the correct step-by-step technique for a beginner’s first shave:
Step 1 — Map your grain. The direction your hair grows is called the “grain”. On the face, hair typically grows downwards on cheeks, but often sideways on the neck and chin. Run your finger across your stubble — the direction it catches and feels rough is against the grain.
Step 2 — Shave with the grain on your first pass. Use short, light strokes (about 3cm long) in the direction the hair grows. Do not press down. The weight of a quality cartridge razor is enough — pressing harder causes irritation, not a closer shave.
Step 3 — Rinse the blade every 2–3 strokes. Accumulated hair and product between the blades causes dragging. Rinse under running water frequently.
Step 4 — Do a second pass across the grain for closeness. For your first few shaves, sticking to one pass with the grain is fine. As you get more comfortable, a second pass across the grain (perpendicular to growth direction) adds closeness without much extra irritation.
Step 5 — Rinse with cold water. Cold water closes the pores opened by the warm shower, reduces surface redness, and firms the skin.
Step 6 — Apply aftershave balm. Not an alcohol splash — a moisturising balm with soothing ingredients. This restores the moisture barrier the blade has partially disrupted.
The most common beginner mistakes
Pressing too hard — the most universal beginner error. Going against the grain immediately — work up to this over several weeks. Using the same blade too long — replace every 5–7 shaves, not “when it feels really dull”. Shaving without preparation — always warm the skin first. Using a dry razor — always use a shaving product for lubrication.
Building your routine
For most beginners, shaving every other day works better than daily shaving at first. This gives skin time to recover as it adjusts to blade contact. After two to three weeks, daily shaving becomes comfortable for most men.
Replace your blade after every 5–7 shaves. SmartShave’s monthly subscription delivers four fresh blades per month — perfectly timed for a daily shaver — so you never have to think about restocking. At £14.99/month after the starter kit, it’s less than a single pack of Gillette cartridges.
Start shaving right — from day one
Starter kit includes handle + blades. Monthly plan keeps you stocked automatically.
1 cartridge + handle
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should you start shaving?
There’s no set age — it depends entirely on when facial hair develops, which varies widely between individuals. Most men start shaving somewhere between 14 and 18. The right time is when you have enough visible growth that you want to remove it, regardless of age.
Is it better to shave in the shower or at the sink?
Shaving at the end of a shower is ideal — the steam has already softened the hair and opened pores. Shaving at the sink with properly warmed, wet skin is equally effective. The key factor is warm, wet skin — not the specific location.
How do I avoid cutting myself when I start shaving?
The main causes of cuts are pressing too hard, using a dull blade, and shaving over dry skin. Use a fresh SmartShave cartridge, use zero downward pressure, and always shave after warming your skin. A pivoting-head razor like SmartShave also reduces the chance of nicks on curved areas.
Is a 3-blade or 5-blade razor better for beginners?
For absolute beginners, a 3-blade razor like the SmartShave SB3 or CB3 provides excellent control and is very forgiving. The 5-blade GG5 or BB5 covers more hair per pass, which is useful but not necessary when starting out. Either works well — start with whichever feels most comfortable.
How do I stop my skin going red after shaving?
Post-shave redness is almost always caused by dull blades, too much pressure, or shaving without adequate lubrication. Use a fresh blade, let the razor glide without pressing, and apply a fragrance-free aftershave balm immediately after rinsing with cold water.