Following autumn's trend for the dapper 1960s Mad Men style, the ultra-groomed look continues to be a favourite this season. As spring melts into summer, a clean shaven face and short hair helps keep things cool. However, if you are new to the badger and blade, approaching your face with a straight edge, cutthroat razor can be a bit of a daunting prospect.
The perfect way to get a wet-shave education is to visit a retro-style barber. Stephen Wan, of the Mandarin Barber, Mandarin Oriental, has been deftly relieving men of their whiskers since the hotel opened in 1963 and among his clientele counts celebrities, tycoons and former governors.
The secret, he says, to the perfect shave is a flexible wrist, which he achieves by practising tai chi every morning, good preparation, and the very best shaving products. Mandarin Barber chooses shaving products by Geo F Trumper, esteemed gentlemen's barber and perfumer established in London in the 19th century. The Mandarin Barber's signature Mandarin Shave is a true revival experience performed in traditional barber chairs set in a 1920s art deco salon replete with dark wood veneers, geometric engraved glass panelling, decorative ironwork and Chinese screen-printed glass.
The process begins by wrapping the face in a series of aromatherapy hot towels to 'open the pores and soften the whiskers'. A pre-shave oil is then applied to nourish and protect the skin. 'In addition to protecting the skin, massaging oil into the face allows you to feel the direction in which the whiskers grow and detect any bumps or imperfections that need you need to be aware of,' Wan explains.
The massage is followed by a lather of shaving cream applied with a badger hair brush. 'As well as giving an even coverage, the badger hair brush helps to exfoliate the skin and further soften the whiskers,' Wan says. 'Begin the shave from right to left, top to bottom with the direction of beard growth.' Once all the whiskers are removed and skin is baby smooth, the shave is followed by a relaxing facial massage using unscented, moisturising aftershave balm. Cotton balls dipped in cool lavender water are placed delicately on the eyelids for a few moments of tranquil relaxation, after which a cold towel is applied to refresh and tighten the skin.
'A well-done wet shave should last up to four days,' Wan says. When you're ready to try it at home, he recommends leaving the straight-edge razor to the experts and opting instead for a safety razor.