A royal shave with a straight razor isn't just a way to remove stubble — it's a full grooming ritual men have valued for over a century. A hot towel shave with a straight razor, warm lather and an unhurried pace turns a routine chore into 30–40 minutes of genuine relaxation. In this piece we'll walk through how a hot towel shave goes, what you'll feel at each stage and how to care for your skin afterward. You can book it under straight razor shave.

What a royal shave is

A royal shave — also called a hot towel shave — is a classic straight razor shave combined with hot towels and care products. Unlike a quick shave at home with a cartridge razor, here every step matters: the skin is carefully prepped, shaved in several passes and finished with soothing care.

The main differences from an ordinary shave:

a straight razor is used, not a cartridge;
the skin is steamed with hot towels;
shaving goes in several passes, with and against the grain;
the procedure ends with full aftercare.

steps of a royal shave — steaming with a hot towel, applying lather with a brush and working with a straight razor, a series of close-up shots

How the ritual goes: the stages

The whole process is built so the skin is as prepared as possible and the shave comes out smooth and safe.

1. Prep and steaming

The barber starts by cleansing the skin and laying on a hot towel. Heat and moisture soften the stubble, open the pores and lift the hairs — which is exactly why the blade then glides easily without nicking the skin. This is the most pleasant, relaxing stage.

2. Applying the lather

Warm lather or soap is whipped with a brush and applied in massaging motions. The brush further lifts the hairs and creates a protective layer between skin and blade.

3. The straight razor shave

The key moment — the straight razor work. The barber shaves in short, confident strokes, holding the skin taut with the free hand. The first pass usually goes with the grain, the second against it for perfect smoothness. Between passes the face may be covered with a warm towel again.

4. The finish

After the shave the skin is cooled with a chilled towel to close the pores, and a soothing balm or lotion is applied. The skin comes out smooth, clean and noticeably rested.

What you'll feel

Many are surprised the first time by how calm the procedure is. The hot towels bring warmth and a light drowsiness, the razor's strokes are precise and careful, and the slight tingle of the balm at the end refreshes. No rush: a royal shave is about a pause in your day, not about speed.

Who it suits

The procedure is universal, but it's especially appreciated by:

anyone who wants a perfectly smooth shave a cartridge can't deliver;
those with sensitive, irritation-prone skin (with the right technique a straight razor is gentler);
men for whom self-care is a way to reset;
anyone wanting to look sharp before an important event.

a barber applying soothing after-shave balm, fresh smooth skin in close-up, warm Trueman lighting

Aftercare

To keep the effect and avoid irritation, proper aftercare matters.

When	What to do
Right after	Apply an alcohol-free soothing balm
First few hours	Don't touch the face with dirty hands, avoid the sun
Through the day	Use a moisturiser
Daily	Gentle cleansing and hydration

A couple of final tips: avoid harsh lotions high in alcohol — they dry the skin; and on a hot Batumi day don't skip SPF, since freshly shaved skin is especially vulnerable to the sun. With regular care the result of a royal shave lasts longer, and the skin itself grows softer and healthier over time.

If you've never tried a straight razor shave, start with the royal ritual at a barber — it's the best way to understand why men love it so much.