Make Your Own Pre-Shave And Aftershave To Bundle With A Straight Razor

Make Your Own Pre-Shave And Aftershave To Bundle With A Straight Razor

11 December 2014
 Categories: Shopping, Articles

More men than ever are looking to pamper themselves and take better care of their skin. As such, straight razors are making a comeback. If you have a loved one on your Christmas shopping list that you are looking to purchase a straight razor kit for, you may be looking for something unique or personalized to pair with that gift. If so, you are in luck. You can make your own pre-shave and aftershave and pair it with the straight razor kit for a unique holiday gift.

Pre-Shave

Pre-shave helps to moisturize the skin before you shave. This is important as it helps the razor glide over the skin, helping to prevent irritation and nicks. This can give your loved one a close shave, without any shaving problems. Follow these directions to make your own pre-shave:

1. Pour two ounces of castor oil in a four ounce closable container or bottle. Castor oil is filled with fatty acids, which helps to lubricate the skin. This is why this is the preferred base for homemade pre-shave oils.
2. Add one ounce of either olive oil, coconut oil or argan oil. All of these oils help to moisturize the skin.
3. The next step is to add in a few drops of your preferred essential oil. Lemon grass, cedar wood, and balsam are all popular scents for men. Slowly add in a few drops and then smell the mixture. Add more drops if your loved one prefers a stronger scent.
4. Once you have added all of the ingredients to the bottle, close it and lightly shake it to mix everything up.

Advise your loved one to use a small drop on their face a couple of minutes before they shave for best results.

Aftershave

Shaving strips the skin of moisture and nutrients. As such, the last thing you want to use on the skin after shaving is an alcohol-based aftershave. This further dries the skin out. Instead, you want something that will replenish moisture to the skin and leave it feeling smooth. Follow these directions to make a moisturizing aftershave:

1. Start with a base of 2/3 cup shea butter. Once you have measured out that amount, you will need to soften the shea butter. The easiest way to soften shea butter is to place it in a water-tight container and let it soak in a sink filled with hot water. Another option is to leave the shea butter on a plate in front of a window for several hours so the sun slowly heats and softens the butter. Never place shea butter in the microwave to soften it.
2. Once the shea butter is soft, place it into a mixing bowl. Use a fork to mix it and remove all lumps.
3. After the shea butter is mixed, you can add in 1/8 cup of your preferred oil. Coconut oil and olive oil are great options as they restore oil to the skin. Olive oil can make the skin greasy though, so if your loved one already has greasy skin or acne, coconut oil may be the better choice.
4. The next step is to add in a few drops of essential oil. Essential oils are scented oils that simply add a faint scent to the aftershave. You can add in scents such as orange, sandlewood, peppermint or lavender, depending on your loved ones scent preferences.
5. Using your fork, whip the shea butter and oil. Keep whipping until it begins to take on the consistency of fluffy frosting.
6. Once your lotion has reached a fluffy consistency, you will want to package it in an airtight container to prevent it from hardening.

After your loved one shaves, they will want to massage a quarter-sized drop of the homemade aftershave into their skin for soft, healthy skin.

Straight razor kits are expected to be a hot gift this holiday season. But, if you wanted to give something a bit more personalized than a store bought item, you can add in homemade pre-shave oil and aftershave lotion. This allows you to give your loved one something functional, yet made with love.