Birthday Flower Horoscope

Why Is It Called Badger Hair Brush?

In America, a tool мейд with a handle, a head of hair and that is used by a man to shave is called a shaving brush. However, the only tool that would be acceptable to use for shaving is a badger hair shaving brush because badger hair is the only type of hair that retains water and keeping hot water on the face is the secret to getting the perfect shave.

Interestingly enough, the French, in a very purist way call a shaving brush blaireau, which is the French term for badger. There is no word for shaving brush in French, because quite frankly - if its not мейд of badger hair- its not a shaving brush.

A shaving brush is also called a shavers best friend because really, a badger brush will make the whole difference in your shave. Your grandfather knew it, your father probably rejected it, and you are now rediscovering it!

As mentioned, badger hair is the only type of hair that retains water and using warm water is the professional barber's secret to a great shave. The combination of hot water mixing with the shave cream and the brush results in a thicker, richer, more emollient lather thats impossible to get with your fingers alone.

Now, not only will the brush help prepare your skin, but it also exfoliates as it raises and softens the hair for a smooth, close shave.

In short, using a badger hair shaving brush will not only make you look good, but its also good FOR you!

What Makes A Badger Hair Shaving Brush Good?

A shaving brush is мейд up of the handle and the bristle load. When trying to decide which brush is right for you, consider these three points:

Density- Density is important but frankly, its better to have a brush with fewer hair of high quality than a brush with lots of hair of poor quality.

Head- There are many ways to assemble a badger hair head. And depending on the type of assembling, you will either get a good full head or a flimsy shaving brush after some use. I will compare a shaving brush head to a flower bouquet or arrangement. The bad head will look like a flower arrangement: it looks nice the first few days, and then you realize its just a few flowers plugged into some foam. How do you know what youre getting when it comes to your badger hair brush? Easy, stick your finger in the middle of the head to touch the hair, you will feel a prick (its a plug). Stay away from it! If all you feel is hair when you press down, then you know youre getting a good head: a head that is мейд exclusively of badger hair, no plug, no filling, no extra glue, just all hair.

Construction- A full tight knot will give you a longer lasting and better quality brush versus a plug, which after a couple of weeks or months will be flimsy and practically unusable with no hold to it.

Handle- Some handles are molded, if you notice a line in the middle of the handle, it means its poor quality plastic and craftsmanship. Better quality brushes would have a handle мейд of either metal or high quality plastic such as casted plastic or turned Lucite. Look for a handle that will last you as long as your brush. There are many high-quality handles out there, including simulated ivory and gorgeous Lucite.

So be mindful and do your homework before buying a shaving brush!

In order to obtain the best results from using a Shaving Brush, it's important to fully understand the differences in the grade of bristles that are available. The following are the three best types of badger hair from which to choose from:

Badger Hair Types:

Fine Badger Hair: Best suited for beginners. It offers all the benefits of the badger hair at an affordable price. Fine badger hair is a good quality hair that will soften with time. This brush should last 5-7 years with minimal maintenance.

Finest Badger Hair: Best value for the money, the finest badger hair is a high quality hair that is хэнд assembled. It is soft at the tip yet resistant enough to last up to 10 years. Upgrade to it as soon as you know you will be using your brush regularly.

Silvertip Badger Hair: The must-have grooming tool for the serious shaver. This is the ultimate quality in badger hair. Silvertip badger hair is the softest and the most resistant hair. Silvertip brush heads are хэнд assembled and should last 15 years or more when used properly.

Where Does The Shaving Brush Hair Come From?

Not all shaving brushes are created equally. Most professionals come to rely exclusively on brushes мейд of badger hair. Yes, there are less expensive, synthetic versions available, such as nylon brushes мейд in India. However, they do not hold a lot of water and tend to fall apart and don't last half as long as the badger hair.

If you want a brush that will give you a great shave and last a long time, but are concerned about where the hair comes from, here are the facts: badger meat is commonly consumed in Chinese culture, so the pelt is sold as a byproduct. In many regions of China, the badger is specifically farmed for their hair. This process helps to control the overpopulation of badger and provides the farmers with an additional source of income to augment their meager earnings from the land.

How Badger Hair Shaving Brushes Are Мейд:

4 steps to making handmade badger brushes

The good quality hairs are gathered and cut from the root, and knotted together to create the brush head

The handle is printed by хэнд one by one

The brush heads are very carefully glued one by one in the brush knot

Leave it to dry for at least 24 hours

How to Store Your Shaving Brush:

Now that you own a good quality shaving brush, you want it to last a long time. Storing your shaving brush properly is an important step in maintaining its life. Its important to always keep your shaving brush hanging hair down to dry. Some brushes come with a string for proper storing or you can purchase a shaving stand.

Todays shaving stands have become more like pieces of art with their modern-inspired designs, sleek minimalist functions, or traditional looks. The purpose of the stand is to not only give your shaving accessories the ideal display setting, but also to help prolong their lives. The stands are designed to hold the razor upright, and the shave brush downward to allow for proper drying and care of the wet shaving tools.

How To Use A Badger Hair Shaving Brush

Once you've selected your shaving brush, here are some simple steps for using it. In order to obtain maximum brush benefits, always use high-quality shaving products so you can get the smoothest, closest shave possible without irritation. It's best to shave after you've showered, as the warm water will have opened your pores. If you can't shower, place a hot towel on your face for a couple of minutes.

Next, be sure you prep your skin for the shave with highly emollient Pre Shave oil. Since the shaving brush will bring the razor closer to your skin, you want to be sure the blades can easily glide over the skin. A high quality Pre Shave oil will have the right formulation so that it won't cause you to break out or leave your skin feeling greasy.

Second, run the brush under warm and shake off any excess water. You don't want your brush dripping.

Whether you choose a shaving cream or shaving soap, you should only need a small dab. The better the shaving cream, the less you'll need. Some jars of shaving cream can last you up to 4-6 months of daily use. Dip your brush in the jar or sweep across the soap and apply to your face in a circular motion. This will generate the lather as it exfoliates your skin, raises and softens the hair for a closer shave.

Once you've prepped your skin, you are ready for your razor. It's important that you always use a sharp blade and rinse it often. Begin by shaving in the direction of hair growth. For stubborn hair, reapply shaving cream and repeat shaving in sideways motion, using small strokes to prevent irritation. Around the neck area, where hair grows in different directions, run fingers along neck to feel and follow the pattern.

Finally, rinse and apply a light after shave cream that is designed to penetrate your skin quickly and easily when applied after shaving. A good after shave will regenerate cells after shaving and hydrate your skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth.

Creator and Shaving Brush Expert.