How AN AESOP facial regime will make you a new man
“I wouldn’t recommend shaving against the grain. That’s actually really abrasive, shaving in an upwards motion. I think a lot of people feel it gives them a closer shave and a baby smooth feeling, but that’s because you’re shaving away more skin, and when the skin heals, it sometimes heals over the hair, causing in-grown hairs. It happens a lot around the neckline. A lot of guys think it’s because of collars, but it’s actually because of abrasive shaving.”
Wise words to remember from Steve Chapman, General Manager and Head Barber at Jermyn Street barbers in Singapore who was recently in Kuala Lumpur to educate this unenlightened soul on the proper way to shave. Full confession; my daily facial routine would include a squirt of facial cleanser on a generous day, and a mere splash of water more generally. So I consider this session more than just a demonstration; it’s an education.
Steve, who rocks an enviable beard, starts off with a squirt of Aesop’s Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser, selected for its lactic acid properties that softens the skin as it cleanses it, while removing dirt and dead skin. With the skin suitably prepped, the second step is to apply the Aesop Moroccan Neroli Shaving serum, formulated to provide maximum slippage for a smooth, close shave, with soothing botanicals to leave a cooling sensation in its wake.
“I’d recommend placing a warm towel or flannel over the shaving area at this point,” says Steve. “It softens the hair and opens the pores. This happens naturally after a shower.”
The sparse follicles of my chin and lips are then lathered in a circular motion with Aesop’s Shaving Brush, handmade in England from synthetic Silver Tip Fibre that rivals the softness and absorbent nature of traditional badger hair, which has now fallen out of favour. Incidentally, the lather should be stiff enough in its Aesop Stainless Steel Bowl to remain in place when upside down, just like meringue.
The magic angle, apparently, is 30 degrees, the sweet spot for Aesop’s Double-Edge Razor. Don’t shave upwards, I remind myself for the future, as Steve gets to careful work; instead, shave upwards or slightly sideways.
Two minutes past and I am now smoothly clean-shaven, a fairly fast affair given my lack of facial hirsuteness. Two steps follow; first the Aesop B & Tea Balancing Toner, an aloe vera-based toner to tauten the skin and close previously opened pores. Then Aesop’s Moroccan Neroli Post-Shave Lotion, to calm and moisturise the irritated skin. Applying scent to the shaving area isn’t recommended, since an alcohol-based scent would dry the skin up, so instead, applying any fragrance to the back of the neck, in this case Aesop’s Marrakech Intense, a spicy, gallant scent.
“I used to be like you, a wash-and-facial-cleanser guy. And I know guys who would have once laughed at even putting gel in their hair. Exposure counts, and once you’ve been exposed to these products, it’s tough to go back,” says Steve. “Guys care about their appearance, no matter what they say outwardly, and once you start getting compliments, that’ll change you and your regime.”
Thanks, mate. I consider it an education. And since I was complimented for looking ten years younger than I am after the session, my session with Steve Chapman was also a conversion.
