There are plenty of things men don’t talk about that we probably should. First on that list is – let’s face it – probably our emotions, but coming a close second is our grooming routines. Finding out what works for other men and using that to inform your own decisions is the most effective way to look your best, and that applies particularly to shaving. We’re all on a perpetual journey to find the perfect shaving routine. Or maybe that’s just us… In any case, we’re oversharing our own shaving habits with you below to let you know what’s worked for us, and may well work for you.

I like being clean-shaven, but loathe the process of getting there. I use an electric wet-and-dry shaver from Philips which, although it doesn’t give me the closest shave, certainly saves time and doesn’t irritate my capricious skin. I’ll finish things off with a toning pad, like this one from The Grey, which is soaked in hyaluronic acid and retinol, and seems to keep everything hydrated and smooth. Still, despite my reservations, I’ll admit there’s something to be said about the ritualistic aspect of a proper shave. This is something I learned after talking to the erudite founders behind Marram Co – their travel shaving set allows you to take the traditional brush-and-bowl experience with you wherever you go (a rare thing) thanks to their collapsible silicone creation. I might not do it every day, but as an occasional indulgence? Yes please.

I prefer to shave in the shower because it’s quick and cuts out any additional steps in the morning (and also means I don’t have to worry about cleaning the bathroom sink after use). I have an anti-fog mirror built into my shower wall which, honestly, makes this a lot easier. I’ve tried many shaving oils and serums but found that shaving foam works best for me. And it’s not the party line, I know, but I find going against the grain achieves the closest shave, and luckily I haven’t had problems with razor burn or ingrown hairs. I glide my fingers against the grain of the hair growth around my face to see if there are any places I may have missed and will go over again. After that, I’ll wash my face, pat it dry and apply toner. Currently, I’ve been using this one from Aesop, which is gentle on the skin but still tightens it up.

The only thing on Earth more sensitive than my feelings? My skin. It’s ridiculous — and ridiculously apt — and why I haven’t shaved since, like, the Clinton administration? Instead, I use one of those $20 buzzers from Duane Reade with a five-day level guard whenever my splotchy scruff gets too unsightly. In betwixt those little grooming sessions, I use a fairly course exfoliating scrub and gobs of lotion every day. Funny, I was just thinking this morning that, at my age, my grooming regimen really ought to have a few degrees more… sophistication. But also, mornings.

I started shaving at an embarrassingly early age, hacking up great tracks of my face with a disposable multi-blade razor only for my five o’clock shadow to reappear promptly at noon, and I think my choice of future career was governed by a need to work somewhere where I wouldn’t have to. (It was this or truck driver.) With that in mind, my routine is the odd trim when I get round to it, with an exfoliant to ward off pesky ingrown hairs and a beard oil to stop my stubbly face from getting too dry.

I have quite sensitive combination skin, alternately oily and dry, and very prone to irritation, so I have to be quite careful about shaving – I only do it every other day – and have taken a while to find a routine that works. But, I think, at the tender age of 34, I’ve just about got it. First of all, I shave in the shower, both because the steam helps to soften hairs and open up pores but also because… why wouldn’t you want some extra time in the shower? Luckily, I have a little shaving mirror that can be manoeuvred into the right position. Yes, it steams up, but only after a couple of minutes – just get in there quickly. I use a shaving product with some sort of soothing or calming ingredient in it – the best I’ve tried is Malin + Goetz’s Vitamin E Shaving Cream. After that, and out the shower, I follow up with another acid-based exfoliant product to make sure the follicles are clear of dead skin (this is what causes bumps and spots), and then a low-oil moisturiser, which helps calm any redness. Sisley – Paris’ Sisleÿum range is packed full of actives, making it an excellent all-in-one solution, but, of course, it is very expensive (mine has run out, sob). What I’m using at the moment, though, is another Malin + Goetz product, the AHA Treatment Solution, followed by an ultra-light moisturiser I picked up on my last trip to Seoul: CNP Laboratory’s Homme Lab All-in-One Fluid (you’ll need to head to eBay for this one, unfortunately).