Beard trimming: shavette, trimmer or razor?
For good beard maintenance, there's nothing like trimming your beard with clippers, electric shavers or even a shavette. But you still need to be able to handle these tools, and know which ones to use wisely. To help you become a real barber, here are all the tips from our barbers Bonhomme, so you can achieve all the beard styles you want.
Trimmer, electric shaver, shavette: what are the differences?
Do you still hesitate to trim your beard at the sink? Are you using different tools without really knowing what's right for you? Here are our barbers' tips to help you avoid the slightest hair mishap! It's also time to think about making your own beard and shaving set, adapted to your beard style.
The mower
Which clipper you choose depends on battery life, whether it's waterproof (for use in the shower) and how versatile it is. For the latter, you can use three or more blades, or you can also use it to trim your hair, chest, etc. It should therefore be chosen according to the density of your hair.
Most are now sold cordless for greater convenience, so they need to be recharged often depending on how much you use the mower each day.
The electric shaver
You'll notice that we don't recommend using a conventional razor. It has to be said that, for hygienic reasons, razors are gradually disappearing from barber shops. We recommend that you always use clippers, which are just as precise as razors, for greater smoothness and precision.
The electric shaver has been around since 1923, and battery-powered since 1960. Unlike conventional shavers, electric shavers are just as effective without damaging your skin, thanks to their integrated blades, which limit the risk of cuts thanks to their positioning held in place by the electric box. Its big advantage remains its portable size, for long autonomy. And it comes with a brush for easy cleaning.
The little shavette
If you own a shavette, you'll find that for the uninitiated it looks a lot like a cabbage cutter - if that's the case, go to our article dedicated to cabbage cutters. The main difference is that the shavette has an interchangeable blade, while the cabbage cutter has a fixed blade.
The shavette is surely the oldest of the three barbering tools. Preferred to the cabbage trimmer for hygienic reasons, it remains the tool of choice for many barbers. As well as being easy to maintain, it's extremely precise for your moustache, trimming a few stray hairs here and there, not to mention saving you money compared with a conventional cabbage trimmer.
Our tips for trimming your beard
By now, you know all the differences between clippers, electric shavers and shavettes. But what to use and when?
The importance of hair density
If you have a three-day beard, your skin is easily irritated, because the hairs are too fine. It's the perfect opposite case if you've got a big beard: a shavette to trim your beard will take a lot of time, which you can save otherwise. To take care of your face and beard, click here.
Our beauty routine
Before you start trimming your beard, you need to prepare your skin. There's no better way to do this than with a beard shampoo, followed by a beard conditioner to restore tone and vigor. Don't forget to pat your beard hair with a towel, rather than rubbing it, so that it dries without damaging its natural structure.
Once in front of your sink, you have two options:
- You use your clippers and a beard comb to trim your beard if it's at least 10 days old or more (to learn how to trim a 10-day beard, our article answers all your questions!) The trimmer is perfect for trimming without completely shaving your beard. You can use it to draw the line under your neck. Always shave in the direction of beard growth.
- If you have a short or three-day beard, opt for an electric razor, for easier styling without cutting your hair short.
If you've got a big beard or a three-day stubble, you'll want to use a shavette. The shavette is extremely precise when it comes to trimming hair flush with the skin, for a beard that's just right for the cheeks. If you have hair growing on your cheekbones, rather than using a shavette, opt forpulsed light hair removal or waxing to eradicate it for a few weeks.