Let’s start with the ideal moment. Gian Antonio Pisterzi has no doubts: the morning, when the skin is rested and more receptive to the shock of shaving. It’s better to do it right after a shower because the hot water and detergent open the pores and soften the hairs, making the shave less irritating on the sensitive areas of the face and neck. Those who don’t shower can instead dab their face with a warm, damp cloth for a minute before shaving.  
 
Moving on to tools, Pisterzi recommends using a single-blade razor because it is less invasive. The razor causes micro-cuts and removes two or three layers of skin with each pass. Razors with multiple blades, which seem more efficient, can cause irritation and ingrown hairs.  
 
So, how do you use the razor? Is it better with or against the grain? According to the expert, at least on the first pass, you should follow the direction of hair growth. In this case, with a single pass, the beard should be shaved every day. If you want to venture against the grain, which is more complex and should be done by a professional, the steps are two: with the grain and against the grain. In this case, the shave is deeper and can be done every other day.  
 
But the secret to a perfect shave lies in lathering. The ideal is to use a cream soap, avoiding foams and gels that are washed away at the first touch of the razor. The soap should be solid and rich to adhere well to the skin and create a protective layer. It should be well massaged onto the face and neck with hands and some warm water. If a brush is used, the soap needs to be applied for at least a minute or a minute and a half. After shaving, residues should be rinsed off with cold water, which refreshes, tones, and especially closes the pores, reducing the impact of environmental factors, including pollution.  
 
The final step: aftershave! It should be alcohol-free because, although it disinfects, it can cause irritation and discomfort on sensitive skin.  
 
Some tips: “When I was eight years old, my grandfather sent me to work at Amaseno’s barber shop, my hometown in Frosinone province. I did small things, like taking customers’ coats and sweeping the floors,” recounts Gian Antonio Pisterzi, who today is 38, owns barber shops on Via Montenapoleone in Milan, two in New York, and has a product line just launched on the cruise ship Ilma, the five-star luxury superyacht of the Ritz Carlton hotel group.  
 
At 20, Pisterzi left for London without knowing a word of English and quickly found work on a cruise ship, where he stayed uninterrupted for nine months. During his two months of leave, he vacationed in Milan, but not knowing what to do with himself, he started browsing job ads. Barbers were in high demand, and he immediately found a position at Dolce & Gabbana. Things went well, but his leave was about to end, and he would soon have to re-board. Dilemma: stay in Milan or continue with the cruises? In the end, he stayed, and it was the right choice because the Costa Concordia, where he was supposed to serve, sank off the island of Giglio the day before. A sign of fate that brought him much luck, new projects with Acqua di Parma and Cipriani on Wall Street, and extraordinary expertise.  
In addition to the products of Pisterzi Grooming Art – 10 products that serve the function of 30 – by the end of the year he will launch the brush with the designer bowl, the first of a series of limited-edition accessories designed to enhance the at-home shaving experience. On this note, we also reviewed with him some tricks for shaving well even alone: when, how, and which precautions to take.