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"facebook dialogPinterestPhoto courtesy of Corbis\n\nWhether you've got a beard of biblical proportions or just two weeks' growth, there's a right way to shave after a long layoff. Hairstylist Mario Silvestri, co-owner of Junior &amp;amp; Hatter salon in Miami, explains the process.\n\nStart by using a mini-clipper (like the Wahl Peanut) to trim your beard to a manageable shave length (1/8 inch or less). If you're seriously overgrown, start on the longest setting and work your way down to the shortest.Take a steamy shower to open up pores and soften the skin. This will make it easier to shave hair that would otherwise be below the surface of the skin, giving you extra smoothness.Apply a generous layer of shave cream (like Kiehl's Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream) and shave with the grain of your beard, making sure to rinse your razor frequently.If you haven't shaved in a while, it's especially important to finish with an aftershave or a moisturizer\u2014try Baxter of California's After Shave Balm\u2014to lock in smoothness and avoid skin irritation.\n\nCheck out our roundup of the best new face washes, eye creams, wrinkle removers, and other complexion enhancers.\n\n\u2022 \u2022 \u2022\n\n\u2014Kristen Dold"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.details.com/story/how-to-lose-the-beard-without-wrecking-your-skin>