A CLEAN SHAVE
The beard has been having quite a moment as a facial flex for men who like to signal their virility. I feel like I’m in the minority who actually enjoy shaving (my face, that is). It’s one of those refinements that separate us from creatures with four legs.
The ritual is a solemn one, and I like to take my time. After choosing the right soundtrack to play on the bathroom speaker, which can be NPR, a podcast, or a Miles Davis album, I prepare the three essentials of a good shave: clean, moist, warm skin; a luxurious, creamy lather; and a sharp blade. With the right tools, what many men regard as a burden becomes a supreme pleasure.
