Man looking in to bathroom mirror considering a new razor

What should I look for in a new razor?

When it comes to shaving, there’s no one size fits all solution. Some of us shave every day, some a couple of times a month, while some of us like to fashion a full face of hair.

Therefore, if you are considering giving a new razor a try, it’s important to ask yourself the right questions in order to find the solution that best suits your needs.

These are the five questions to ask when searching for your perfect new razor:

1) How sensitive is my skin?

If you have sensitive skin, you’ll understand the importance of taking care when trying new products.

Your new razor should be designed to help protect your skin, from the number of blades to any additional features. The same goes for your shave gel, so make sure you check the ingredients or pick one that has been designed for sensitive skin.

2) What am I using it for?

Research by Mintel shows that modern men’s shaving habits are becoming more diverse, with as many as 46% of men removing hair from their bodies.

57% of males aged 16-24 revealed that they had removed hair from their pubic region whilst 42% stated that they had removed hair from their armpits.

Whatever style you choose to sport, you’ll want to ensure that your new razor is designed for the type of shaving you’ll be using it for.

3) How many blades should I choose?

With so many options out there, it can be hard to know what to pick to suit your routine.

If you shave every day, you’ll get through more cartridges, so you’ll want something that’s consistent and reliable, but doesn’t break the bank. Three-blade razors offer a good solution – they’re on the more affordable end of the scale for every day shavers, without compromising on quality.

If you shave less often, your skin may be more sensitive, so it makes sense to have a razor that will offer you a close shave whilst also protecting your skin. The Dorco CLASSIC, the world’s first seven-blade razor, features narrow span technology which helps minimise irritation.

4) What’s the difference for men and women?

The International Dermal Institute says there are ‘structural differences between male and female skin’. Due to extra testosterone, a man’s skin is ‘about 25% thicker than a woman’s’.

However, men’s razors are frequently used on faces and necks where the skin tends to be more sensitive. A good razor will cater for this, with features that help to soothe the skin.

Women’s razors on the other hand, are crafted for curves with features designed to follow the contours of the body in order to help avoid irritation.

5) How much do I want to spend?

If you usually wait until your next supermarket trip to grab whatever razors are on the shelf, you are missing out on some amazing deals online.

Avoid the limitations of the razor aisle by browsing online for a new razor and enjoy greater control over how you spend your hard-earned money.

How Dorco can help

When looking for your perfect new razor, our range of products offer a great solution. Features such as lubricating strips and onboard trimmers, will enhance the quality and control of every shave. And with cartridges ranging from 3-blade to 7-blade, there is sure to be an option to suit your budget and shave plan.

We offer multiple ways to purchase. Buy a year’s worth in one go, sign up for our monthly male or female subscription at just £1 for the first month, or purchase one at a time – all delivered straight to your front door.

We also make sure that we price our men’s and women’s razors fairly as we firmly believe that a great shaving experience should be for everyone.

With the Grain or Against It? What Is the Best Way to Shave?

If you’re someone who loves a wet shave, you probably fall into one of three categories: against the grain, with the grain, or a little of both. A lot of young boys are taught to shave with the grain. This means shaving in the direction of hair growth. But is this the right way to go?

Having the right tools for the job is every bit as important for personal hygiene and grooming as it is for doing construction work. They are just different tools!

Does the way you shave really make a difference?

A lot of men prefer to shave against the grain because it delivers a closer shave with fewer strokes — particularly on awkward areas of the face such as the neck and around the ears. There is also a school of thought that going against the grain is faster, so some men will do this if they’re late for work in the morning.

In most cases, shaving against the grain does, in fact, result in a closer shave with fewer strokes. While fewer strokes means less chance of razor burn, there is a downside. Shaving in the opposite direction of hair growth increases the risk of cuts and ingrown hairs. This method also pulls the hair away from the skin in a harsh manner, which can be very painful if the right preparations haven’t been taken.

Shaving with the grain may take a little longer, and it may prove very tricky on certain areas of the face — but it is usually more comfortable, and reduces the risk of causing nicks and cuts. Give yourself enough time, and you can make your daily wet shave an enjoyable, relaxing experience.

Of course, how often do you have the time in the morning to really enjoy a wet shave? When you’re in need of a close finish in a hurry, going against the grain is often the best option. And while it does pose a heightened risk of irritation, discomfort and cuts, it can be an effective method of shaving if you do it right.

How to shave against the grain safely

 

Before you do anything, find out the direction your facial hair grows. There is a chance that different areas of hair will grow in different directions, so take a few minutes to do this. Slowly rub your hand up and down your face. The direction that offers the highest level of resistance is referred to as “against the grain” or ATG.

Hydrate your skin and facial hair for at least three minutes before applying shaving foam. The best way to do this is to take a hot shower. According to some estimates, this can reduce the force needed to cut facial hair by up to 70 percent.

Whilst you’re still wet, liberally apply a shaving gel or foam. If you have particularly dry skin, you might want to apply a pre-shave oil or cream beforehand. Give the shaving foam a minute of contact time to make sure the hair is as soft and moisturised as it can be. This will help to prevent nicks and cuts.

Mentally divide your face into sections — based on the shapes and surfaces you discovered when you were examining it. Each section should be no more than two square inches. Starting at the bottom of the section, very slowly and smoothly shave up against the direction of growth. Don’t exert too much pressure here; luckily, you won’t need to, as shaving against the grain requires less force than shaving with it.

Although faster, this method can lead to irritation for several hours afterwards. You should therefore keep applying moisturising shaving gel after every few strokes. As long as you have a sharp, multi-blade razor made to a very high standard, you will never need more than two strokes on the same area of skin.

The chances are you use a combination of both shaving methods to get the closest finish possible. But whichever method you prefer, rushing the process will result in cuts, irritation and rashes. Try getting up a little earlier in the morning to give yourself the time a safe wet shave requires.

How to Deal with Patchy Facial Hair

According to an article from the Oxford University Press, beards were once a sign of dominance and power amongst the earliest male humans. Darwin theorised that beards evolved amongst our human ancestors as a way of impressing women; a sign of masculinity and virility. Additionally, there is evidence that people judge bearded men to be older and of a higher social status.

The longer and bushier the beard, the more virile and impressive the male — or at least that’s how it used to be. Now, however, beards are largely cosmetic features, and they come in many different shapes and sizes.

. Unfortunately, not every man can achieve thick, consistent beard growth.  There’s no need to worry if your patchy beard is hampering your efforts at grooming, as here we provide some tackle the problem.

1. Create a flattering jawline with careful grooming

 

You can take the emphasis away from the patchiness in your beard by giving real definition to your jawline. Taper your beard from short at the top of your neck to long at the chin. However, it’s important to make sure the edge of your beard sits just below your actual jawbone. Also, shave a curve around your Adam’s apple, which should help to narrow your face.

2. Create a contrast with your head hair

 

If you suffer from patchiness in your beard, the worst thing you can do is try to blend it with your hair. If you have a full head of hair, this will simply draw more attention to the gaps in your beard. Instead, create a hairstyle that is in complete contrast to your beard. A thick and voluminous head of hair along with a short, well maintained beard should provide balance — and detract from patchiness of your facial hair.

3. Create highly defined lines

 

Invest in a pair of clippers, and trim your beard at the sideburns and around the neck first, as these areas usually have the longest growth. Once you’re happy that your beard is as consistent as it can be, use a quality razor to create a defined shape with clean lines. Keeping your beard perfectly groomed with stark lines will distract the eye from any patchiness you have.

4. Keep everything short

 

Going for an unkempt look means you don’t have to worry too much about patchiness — so long as you keep all of your beard short. Something just a little longer than stubble should be perfect. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out some recent photos of Keanu Reeves.

5. Keep it long and well groomed

 

The longer your beard is, the more scope there is to cover up gaps in growth. However, in order to pull this off, you will need to keep your beard well groomed. Why not fluff your beard up…  this could be several times a day, depending on how bushy you want it to look!

6. Look after the health of your beard

 

Brittle and wiry hair will only exacerbate any patchiness you have, so keeping your beard hair in great condition is essential. To improve and maintain the health of your facial hair, apply an alcohol-free beard oil to keep it moisturised. There are some excellent beard balms on the market that can make longer beards more manageable.

We’d also suggest regularly washing your beard to keep it as clean and fresh as possible!

7. Just go with it

 

You might need to face the fact that you will never be able to grow the beard you want. And that’s fine! After all, there’s nothing wrong with being clean shaven. But before you shave the lot off, have some fun with goatees, stubble and various shorter styles of beard — you might be surprised at what you can achieve with a quality razor.

Find the look that works for you, and maintain it every day with a good razor, clippers and the hair products that work for you.

You Are What You Eat? : How people are perceived by what they eat

When you meet someone for the first time, you know you need to make a good impression. After all, you’re expecting to be judged. Did you know that people make a new set of judgements based on your diet? What you eat and how you eat can and often does lead people to form opinions about your personality.

 

Stereotypes for the Modern Foodie

Consider the “hipster” stereotype and natural food products. Does every person that likes to buy local produce wear glasses and bike to work? Of course not, but the stereotypes persist. If you bring in homemade granola for a snack, be prepared for some silently raised eyebrows.

 

Science Says Food Really Does Predict Personality

Food studies have shown that some of the judgements people rush to make about food choices might even have a basis in science. A love of spicy foods might indicate that you are a bit of a risk taker, according to a recent study published in Food Quality and Preference.

Do/Don’t Eat That!

Consider the obesity epidemic and you can make an obvious correlation to food shaming. With 25 percent of the adult population hitting the obesity mark, perceived diets get more than their fair share of attention. Ever ordered the salad on a menu only to hear, “Well, you’re no fun”?

The reverse is also true. You were the only one ordering dessert, only to have everyone else exclaim about how oversized it was. In either case, the people you’re eating with tend to make judgements about you, based on what you eat.

 

Packing Lunch and Funding Your Holiday

If you bring in your lunch, you must be frugal. Brown bagging for lunch could leave you with considerable savings at the end of the year. Enough to go on holiday in a lot of cases. As an added benefit, when you pack a lunch, you typically eat healthier.

Not Just What, But How

People also judge based on how you eat. If you eat slow, it might indicate confidence. If you eat quickly, it might mean you’re ambitious. If you eat each item on the plate separately, you could be detail-oriented. How you eat can lead to just as many assumptions as what you eat.

 

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

With all of the judgements about food out there, it is impossible to find something that will satisfy everyone. So, why not just satisfy yourself? Eat at your own pace and prepare or buy meals you find satisfying. Yes, keep your health in mind, but don’t let other people push food insecurities your way.