Elements of a Turkish Shave to Adopt at Home

What Does a Turkish Barber Do?
- A Turkish barber can offer the ultimate luxury shaving experience: the hot towel shave
- Turkish barbers are well-practised in what they do, so you can expect precision, and a wonderfully soothed feeling on your skin afterwards
- Going to the Turkish barber is an incredible experience every guy should try at least once
What is a Turkish Barber?
A Turkish barber is a particular type of barber, who typically provides other services on top of traditional men’s hairdressing, such as:
- A hot towel shave
- Beard trimming
- Nasal hair waxing
- Singeing fine hair
- Massage
What Does a Turkish Shave Feel Like?
A Turkish shave can leave you:
- With a face that feels baby-smooth
- Feeling pampered and relaxed
- Feeling like the very best version of you
What is a Turkish Shave?
- A Turkish barber will begin by using steam to open the pores on your face, letting out any impurities such as excess oil, dirt and bacteria
- The barber will then wrap your face in a hot towel to help thoroughly cleanse your skin, making sure it’s as clean as possible for the razor, so you can benefit from a close, clean shave
Shaving cream (either gel or foam) is applied, before you’re given a close shave, usually using a straight razor - Another towel is used to pat your face dry and remove any remaining shaving cream
- To finish, aftershave is usually massaged into your face, leaving it feeling soothed, refreshed and smelling great
A Turkish shave or a hot towel shave is the ultimate way to end a visit to a Turkish barber. A traditional Turkish shave will be clean and close, leaving your skin feeling wonderfully smooth, with no evidence of shaving cuts or razor burn.
Men typically enjoy a Turkish shave as an occasional relaxing treat - it’s an indulgence, but it’s a good way to practise self-care, giving you the chance to take a little time just for you out of your busy schedule.
Which Elements of a Turkish Shave Can You Adopt at Home?
- Expose your skin to steam to open your pores by always showering ahead of shaving
- You could even apply a towel dampened with warm water to your face to cleanse your skin before you start to shave, bringing the feeling of a hot towel shave to your own home
- Use a shaving gel or shaving foam to lubricate your face to guarantee a smoother razor glide
If you’re not confident using a straight razor, try a razor from the Gillette Fusion5 range, as each of these features five anti-friction blades to bring you a seriously close, precise shave
Always rinse your face thoroughly when you’ve finished shaving to remove any excess shaving gel and hairs to prevent clogged pores and ingrown hairs Finish your shaving routine by applying the Gillette Aftershave Moisturiser or Gillette Aftershave Balm to your face to leave your skin feeling soothed and hydrated

Gillette Writer and expert