When you shave your beard, do you feel like you then need to hide for a few days and let the hair grow back a little? Or do you look and the mirror and smile, instantly pleased with the results? If you fall into the first camp, it's time to take action. Here are some tips for a better, smoother beard shave.

Use a brand-new razor blade every time.

The hair on your face is so much tougher and thicker than the hair on other body parts. At the same time, the skin on your face is more sensitive than the skin on other body parts. Combined, these two conditions mean that razor blades dull quickly when you shave a beard — and dull razors cause skin irritation quite easily on your face. The best remedy is to use a new razor blade every time you shave your beard. This will greatly reduce the amount of razor burn and irritation you experience.

Make sure your face is warm and moist first.

Most people find that the best time to shave a beard is right after a shower. The warm water and steam in the shower soften your skin and hair. The razor will glide more evenly over your skin, and you'll get a closer, smoother shave. If you don't have time for a full shower before your shave, holding a warm, wet washcloth over your beard area for a few minutes prior to shaving is a good substitute.

Shave with the hair first.

People often assume they need to shave against the direction of hair growth in order to get the closest shave. Unfortunately, this is also a good way to induce lots of skin irritation. A better strategy is to first shave with the direction of hair growth. Then, once most of the hair is gone, apply another layer of shaving cream and shave a second time, this time going against the growth pattern. 

Use good-quality shaving cream.

Don't skimp on your shaving cream or shaving gel. If you can afford to spend some time researching beard shaving products and choose a curated blend, you'll get a much better result. These products may offer better lubrication and can be less likely to irritate your skin after shaving.

With the tips above, you can get a better, closer shave. Your face will be looking smooth and lovely, not red and stubbly.