Hey Gurl. I don’t know about you, but I was never actually shown how to properly shave my body. I feel like I have more hair than the average person—I’m of Caribbean descent, and many Caribbean women have thick, dark, coarse body hair.

That means shaving isn’t as simple as a quick cleanse and a razor swipe. Without the proper steps, you’re more likely to deal with:
❌ Cuts & nicks
❌ Razor bumps & irritation
❌ Dark spots & scars
❌ Itchy, dry skin
❌ A rough, uneven shave that barely lasts

I’ve been through all of it—strawberry legs, razor burn, itchiness. But after years of trial and error, I finally figured out the right way to shave for the smoothest and longest-lasting results.

And I promise you, once you start shaving the right way, your skin will thank you.

The 6-Step Shaving Routine for the Smoothest Skin

Step 1: Cleanse First (And No, Your Beauty Bar Isn’t Enough)

Most of us grew up using Dove Beauty Bar (or something similar) to cleanse our skin, but news flash: beauty bars are not the same as cleansing bars.

What’s the difference?
🧼 Beauty bars = Designed to moisturize more than cleanse. They leave behind a film that can clog pores.
🚿 Cleansing bars = Actually clean the skin, removing bacteria, oil, and dirt that could cause irritation post-shave.

Best Cleansing Option? African Black Soap.
✔ Naturally antibacterial
✔ Helps clear dark spots
✔ Gently exfoliates
✔ Keeps skin balanced

💡 Pro Tip: If your “African Black Soap” is black, it’s not the real deal. Authentic African Black Soap should be brown in color with a slightly uneven texture.

How to apply:
Use a silicone body scrubber instead of a loofah or washcloth. Why?
✔ Loofahs hold bacteria that can worsen razor bumps.
✔ Silicone dries quickly, preventing bacterial growth.

🚿 Water Temperature: Use hot water (as hot as you can comfortably stand) to open up your pores and soften hair follicles.

Step 2: Exfoliate to Prevent Strawberry Legs

If you’ve ever noticed small black dots on your legs, making them look like strawberry seeds, that’s strawberry legs—caused by trapped oil, bacteria, and dead skin in your pores.

How to prevent it? Exfoliation.
✔ Removes dead skin for a closer shave
✔ Unclogs pores to reduce razor bumps
✔ Prevents ingrown hairs

🔹 Best Exfoliator for Shaving: KP Exfoliating Scrubs
KP = Keratosis Pilaris, a common skin condition that causes rough, bumpy skin. Even if you don’t have KP, these scrubs work wonders for prepping your skin for shaving.

💡 My go-to? First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Scrub—I’ve used it for years, and it makes a huge difference.

Step 3: Use the Right Shaving Cream (Not Soap or Conditioner!)

This is where I went super wrong when I started shaving. I thought using soap or conditioner would work just fine. Big mistake.

🚫 Why not soap?
✔ Strips moisture, making the shave rougher
✔ Dulls razor blades faster

🚫 Why not conditioner?
✔ Coats the skin too thickly, clogging your razor
✔ Prevents a close shave

✔ Why use shaving cream?
✔ Creates a protective layer, reducing friction
✔ Keeps skin moisturized
✔ Prevents razor burn & irritation

💡 Best shaving cream? Pacific Shaving Company Natural Shave Cream (Shea Butter + Vitamin E).

Step 4: Shave the Right Way

Now that your skin is cleansed, exfoliated, and prepped, it’s finally time to shave—but there are two major things you need to consider:

1️⃣ The Razor You Use Matters

🚫 Throw out the cheap disposable razors! They cause cuts, irritation, and a patchy shave.

💡 What to look for in a razor:
✔ At least 5 blades
✔ Blades positioned close together
✔ Flexible head for contouring

🔹 Best razor? Joy Razors (Men’s razors work great, too!)

2️⃣ Shave AGAINST the Grain for a Close Shave

✔ If your hair grows downward, shave upward.
✔ If your hair grows sideways, shave in the opposite direction.
✔ For coarse hair, use short, controlled strokes and rinse the blade frequently.

Step 5: Cleanse Again (With a Moisturizing Body Wash)

Now that you’ve shaved, it’s time to remove any leftover residue and add moisture back into your skin.

🚿 Best body wash? Look for something hydrating with Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, or Shea Butter.

💡 Water temperature tip: The colder, the better—cool water helps close pores and prevent irritation.

Step 6: Moisturize (The Step I Ignored for Too Long)

I’ll admit it—I didn’t start moisturizing regularly until my early 20s (I know, embarrassing). But once I did? Game-changer.

✔ Prevents dryness & irritation
✔ Reduces razor bumps & dark spots
✔ Keeps your legs smooth & glowing

💡 Best ingredients for post-shave hydration:
✔ Aloe Vera (soothes irritation)
✔ Vitamin E (nourishes skin)
✔ Shea Butter (locks in moisture)

✨ The Difference This Routine Made for Me

Before using this method:
❌ Razor bumps & dark spots everywhere
❌ Strawberry legs that made me self-conscious
❌ Dry, itchy skin right after shaving
❌ Shave only lasted 1-2 days

After using this method:
✔ My skin feels SO much smoother
✔ No more strawberry legs
✔ No more painful razor bumps
✔ My shave lasts way longer (3-4 days before I see regrowth!)
✔ I finally feel confident wearing shorts & skirts again

💬 Your Turn! Let’s Chat

I hope this guide helps you get the smoothest, most irritation-free shave of your life! Have any tips of your own?

💬 Drop a comment below!
✔ What’s your go-to shaving cream?
✔ Have you found a holy grail razor?
✔ Any tricks that work wonders for you?

Let’s compare notes—I’d love to hear your thoughts! 💖

📩 Want more beauty & skincare tips? Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive content!

Similar Posts