How to choose the right shaving brush?

How to choose the right shaving brush?

Choosing the right shaving brush is certainly not as simple as many people think as there are now many different types available, ranging from small artisans to European companies that have been established for a long time.

Let's try to understand the issue by discussing the different elements of shaving brushes thus deducing what is best for each of you.

Why should you use a shaving brush?

Simply put, a shaving brush is the best way to prepare the skin for shaving for many reasons. There are several ways in which using a shaving brush benefits the shaving process:

1. Hydration

By using a shaving brush, the shaving cream or soap is further mixed with water, making it more effective in controlling the shaving blade.

It also reduces the amount of air in the lather, preventing the skin from drying out prematurely and potentially causing irritation.

In addition, the shaving brush usually needs less product to make a good lather: traditional shaving creams and soaps may cost more, but using a small amount lasts much longer and the cost per shave can be quite low.

2. Cleaning and Exfoliating

Because the brush is most often used with soap or shaving cream, using it can reduce the need to wash or cleanse the skin before shaving. The shaving brush also produces a mild exfoliating effect on the skin because it helps to remove broken hairs and open pores.

3. Correct application of the foam

When shaving products are applied only with the fingers, the hairs tend to break , making it harder for the tip of the razor blade to reach deep. When a shaving brush is used correctly, it lifts the hairs and surrounds them all over with foam, requiring less effort when shaving.

4. A better shaving experience

Beyond the practical aspects of using a shaving brush, it can enhance your shaving experience and make you feel really good! And for some, that feeling of warm, fragrant lather on the face is very relaxing and appealing.

Shaving brush hair type

Shaving brushes generally come in four basic types of hairs. There are other categories and sub-categories but the main categories are : boar hair, badger hair, horse hair or synthetic material.

1. Brushes with boar bristles

Boar bristle brushes sometimes called 'natural hair brushes' - are the most commonly found on mass markets. Most of them have stiff bristles and are aimed at those who have stiff hair on their skin.

A well-made pig brush can provide years of service and can work quite well. Boar hair retains less water than badger hair, is hard as mentioned and requires <coating>.

This means that many branded hog brushes after 6 months of use, and after the bristle has been opened up a bit, gives a result that would be the envy of shaving brushes at three times the price.

2. Brushes with badger bristles

Badger hair have historically been considered the preferred material for shaving brushes and can generally make a better lather faster. They can also retain more heat and water than other brushes. However, there are several different grades of bristles:

• The lowest grade of badger hair quality is generally referred to as "Pure". This brush is characterized by a dark color and a dense, relatively stiff, coarse hair.
• The next Level is usually called "Best". These medium quality brushes are generally better made and their bristles are thinner, softer and smoother in color.

These brushes hold water and heat noticeably better - sometimes dramatically better than those of lower quality.

• The highest level of brushes is usually described as 'silvertip'. These are usually made to the highest standards, often handcrafted, and hold the highest prices.
• They are usually cream coloured at the top with darker bands of colour underneath and are very fine, but still quite flexible bristles. These will naturally retain even more water and heat than the others, offering you a velvety touch to your skin.

3. Horse hair brushes

Horse hair shaving brushes are generally made from the hairs of a horse's mane or tail (or a mixture of both). The performance of one is very good depending on the stylist and use.

4. Brushes with synthetic bristles

Finally there are synthetic shaving brushes. These can range from nylon bristle brushes to those with more specialised synthetic material. In the past their price and performance usually fell between that of boars and badgers.

However, there have been some pretty significant improvements in the last couple of years and the synthetic materials are now much closer to the performance of an expensive badger brush with a great feel on your face.

The most vfm purchase before moving on to expensive shaving brushes.

Brush size

Shaving brush dimensions are typically expressed in millimeters and are often divided into three sections: hair length, Knot, overall height.

• Hair length is the length of the hairs from the top of the handle to the tip of the hairs.
• Knot is an indication of the amount of hairs in the handle. 
• The length of the handle is calculated to determine the total height of the shaving brush.

In general, larger brushes tend to lather large areas and faster, while smaller brushes offer more control.

Brush sizes cover a very wide range, but I think it's safe to say that the hair length is pretty much 50mm and the average knot is about 22-24mm.

Shape of the shaving brush hair.

The size and shape of the brush is a little more ambiguous. The tips of the bristles can be shaped into a fan shape or a bulb-like shape. Each style has its proponents, but there is no real agreement on this.

If you don't know what you want, I suggest you measure the distance from the palm of your hand to your thumb and let the measurement be the maximum length of the handle.

Criteria for the perfect shaving brush.

Unlike just a few years ago, there are now many fine options when it comes to buying a shaving brush. With so many choices, how can the "best" one be determined? These factors can help in the determination:

• Performance: how well the brush creates lather, considering individual circumstances.
• Construction: materials properly sealed and carefully constructed.
• Reputation and popularity.
• Overall value.
• Available in different sizes: bristle size varies as do handle sizes to fit larger or smaller hands.

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