Wet Shaving: An Elegantly Ritualistic Affair

Now, about the shave itself... First, the chair is reclined, and a steaming towel, exuding a refreshing herbal scent, is placed over the entire face. Matt, the barber who performed the shave, applies pressure over the towel with his large hands. After removing the towel, pre-shave oil is applied to the entire beard, followed by another steaming towel. Then, a special Truefitt & Hill shaving brush made with badger hair is used to lather the entire beard with cream. The shaving cream feels surprisingly firm. Its faint almond aroma seems like a passport to becoming a gentleman.

Finally, the shave! Or so I thought, but the beard is softened once more with a steaming towel. After applying the shaving cream a second time in the same manner, the razor is finally applied. Despite the crisp, scraping sound, the sensation is peculiar, with no sense of the blade catching on the skin.

The razor moves across the right side of the beard, the left side, and then under the chin. Once shaving is complete, a fourth steaming towel is applied, followed by the application of aftershave balm. Just as I thought it was over, my nose is gently pinched, and before I can even question it, a spray with the same scent as the aftershave balm descends like mist from above. Isn't this an excessively elegant ritual? I later learned this was aftershave lotion.

From a Japanese perspective, I assumed one would use either balm or lotion, depending on preference. However, I learned for the first time that using both is authentic. And in the order of balm first, then lotion. This sequence, softening the skin first to enhance moisture absorption before applying lotion, is akin to the KOSÉ method in women's cosmetics.

Truefitt & Hill's 'Sole Exception'

I asked Graham, "I've heard some people come in just to shave their beards; how common is that?"


"Nearly 20% of our clientele, I would say."

"When do they typically come in for a shave?"

"Anytime! Before heading to the office in the morning, before a lunch meeting, before attending a play after coming into London, and of course, many visit before going to their clubs."

Most customers arrive dressed in suits and ties. Many are third-generation patrons. Indeed, during my interview, I observed a quiet elderly gentleman patiently waiting for his son's haircut, and a renowned hotel magnate also dropped by casually (at that moment, the proprietress, Joanna, subtly approached and whispered, "Please refrain from taking photos while he is here." It was a moment that truly made me realize how everyone, no matter how distinguished, is treated as an equal customer.)

The Reason for Smooth, Moist Skin Until Late at Night

Later... I received the same shaving cream, aftershave lotion, and aftershave balm used at Truefitt & Hill and attempted a rather simplified wet shave at home. Without any pre-warming of the beard, I haphazardly applied the shaving cream with my hands and shaved with a commercial three-blade razor. After shaving, I only applied aftershave balm, a drastically simplified version, about one-tenth of the original procedure. Yet, the shave quality and the resulting skin were astonishingly good, making me question, "Really?"

Previously, when shaving with Japanese shaving foams, my beard would start to show by around 5 PM. However, using Truefitt & Hill products, my skin remained smooth even past 1 AM. Furthermore, my skin, which tended to become dry after shaving, remained moist, as if I had applied a high-performance beauty serum. How is this possible?

Truefitt & Hill brushes, razors, and shaving cream found in the washbasin of a British hotel

With my experience as a women's magazine editor, having used numerous high-end cosmetics, I'm convinced the secret lies in that shaving cream. When used in Japan, perhaps due to the high temperature and humidity, it becomes more viscous than in London, feeling almost like grated yam, with a sticky texture. This slipperiness likely allows for a close shave with minimal stress on the skin's surface. And because there's less stress on the skin, the epidermal cells are kept in good condition, perhaps maintaining healthy, moist skin without the need for special skincare.

I recall being surprised by the exceptional comfort of the seats in an inexpensive Italian car, far surpassing those in mid-to-high-grade Japanese cars. When I mentioned this to a renowned automotive critic, he replied, "Naturally. The length of history in seat manufacturing is different." Should I say the same about the amazing shaving comfort and skin condition from this shaving cream: "Naturally. The length of history in wet shaving is different." After all, 203 years of accumulated expertise are embodied in this product.