Ace the New Mexico Barber Test 2026 – Snip and Style Your Way to Success!

The first step in performing a straight razor shave is preparing the skin with warm water and a cleansing product. This step is crucial because it helps to soften the facial hair and open the pores, making it easier to achieve a close and comfortable shave. Warm water also helps to hydrate the skin, reducing irritation and allowing for the razor to glide smoothly over the skin. Using a cleansing product at this stage helps to remove dirt, oil, and dead skin cells, ensuring a clean surface for shaving.

While the other options are important aspects of the shaving process, they do not precede the initial preparation of the skin. Applying aftershave and moisturizing lotion are typically done after the shave to soothe and hydrate the skin. Sharpening the razor, although critical for an effective shave, usually is a maintenance task that does not occur immediately before the shave itself and can be conducted separately from the shaving routine. Thus, the correct sequence begins with adequately preparing the skin to ensure optimal shaving conditions.