Shaving can be a kind of soothing ritual as well as a necessary part of your morning routine.

There’s really no reason not to enjoy it: investing a few minutes in your appearance and comfort can easily leave you feeling more relaxed and confident during the rest of the day.

People do notice and appreciate the difference between a careful shave and one that’s just okay for the workplace. Making the extra effort shows self-respect and diligence. What may surprise you, though, is that simply spending more time in the bathroom or improving your technique doesn’t guarantee the best results.

In particular, canned aerosol creams and gels really don’t live up to either their hype or their expense. They work about as well as ordinary moisturizing soap: seriously, try it for yourself.

Slapping it on with your hands isn’t optimal, either: if you were to look through a strong magnifying glass, you’d see that this just doesn’t cover the roots of your bristles all the way around, leading to the razor snagging on them and therefore a less smooth shave.

Using a brush, by contrast, not only makes you feel like you’re getting a barber’s attention but leaves you looking much better. This extra step isn’t nearly as much effort as you’d think: simply soak the brush in hot water for a minute, rub it across the included shaving soap, and either apply directly to the face or whisk the brush around the bowl to produce a smooth lather.

This particular product offers a great deal for its price: in the first place, the brush bristles are made of genuine badger hair, which is considered far and away the best for shaving brushes (synthetic doesn’t even hold a candle).

The soap itself is made from all-natural ingredients, lasts quite a while and turns into an impressive lather, while the whole package, including the stand and gift/travel box, will look very stylish on your bathroom counter.