How to Use Your Magic Shaving Kit
A full wet shave built around the Magic stand — where the brush hangs suspended to drain and dry. Here's how to get the best from it.
The magic is in the stand.
The brush hangs suspended from the arch — no hook, no clip. That one detail is what keeps the brush in good shape for years.
Bring the brush up to the arch and it locks into place, hanging bristles-down over the bowl. To take it off, just pull it away with one hand. No hook, no clip — how it works stays with us.
Water drains out of the knot instead of pooling at the base, so the brush dries fully between shaves. No soggy core, no smell, far longer life.
Everything for a proper wet shave.
Magic Stand
A solid timber base and a matte-black arch. The brush hangs from the arch, the razor sits in its holder and the bowl nests into the base.
Badger Shaving Brush
Premium badger, set by hand into a timber handle — it loads the soap and builds a rich, warm lather.
Safety Razor + Blades
A double-edge safety razor with a sampler pack of blades to find your favourite.
Shaving Bowl
Solid timber, nested into the base of the stand — where you whip the soap into a rich, slick lather.
Artisan Shaving Soap
Handmade with coconut oil in the Southern Highlands for a thick lather that protects the skin.
Timber and badger. Both get better with use.
A couple of things worth knowing early on, so both last for years.
A natural piece of wood. Keep it out of standing water and wipe it dry; a rare rub of food-safe oil keeps the grain rich.
Wipe it down if it gets splashed — that's all it needs. The arch fastens into the base, so it comes apart if you ever need to move it.
Give the brush a thorough warm rinse before your very first use. It softens, opens up and performs better the more you use it.
You'll lose a few short hairs in the first handful of shaves as they work their way out of the knot. It settles quickly — it's not a fault.
From a hot face to a clean finish.
Preparation
Start with the hottest water your skin comfortably handles — a warm shower is ideal. The heat softens the hair and opens the pores. It's the single biggest thing you can do for a comfortable shave.
Get your tools ready
Lift the brush off the Magic stand and rinse it under warm water, then squeeze out the excess — damp, not dripping. Have your soap and bowl ready.
Build your lather
Work the damp brush over the soap with a firm back-and-forth motion — not circular. The friction turns the soap into a thick, meringue-like lather. Take your time; good lather is the foundation.
Pop the puck out of the tin and sit it in the bowl, or load the brush straight from the tin — whichever you prefer.
Apply to your face in circular motions to lift the hairs. Want it thicker? Keep working the soap and add small amounts of water. Full detail in the complete lathering guide.
Shave
- Start with the grain — the direction the hair grows
- Short, confident strokes; both sides of the blade cut
- Keep the same angle as a disposable, but a far lighter touch
- Rinse the razor often to keep the blade clear
Second & third passes
Optional, for a closer shave — and each pass needs fresh lather (your soap has plenty).
- Second pass: across the grain
- Third pass: gently against the grain — this takes practice, so no rush
Finish & rehang
Rinse your face with cool water and pat dry. Rinse the brush well and hang it back on the Magic stand, bristles-down, ready for tomorrow.
Look after it and it lasts for years.
- Rinse the brush thoroughly after every shave — then hang it bristles-down from the arch so it drains and dries.
- Rinse the razor and shake off the excess — then stand it back in its holder to dry.
- Tip out the bowl after each shave — don't leave water sitting in the timber.
- Wipe the timber dry if it gets splashed — a rare rub of food-safe oil keeps the grain looking new.
Your kit comes with a blade sampler. Use it.
Every blade brand feels slightly different — some sharper, some smoother. Give each type a few shaves before you judge it. The blade that suits your skin and hair makes a real difference, and finding it is half the fun.
Quick fixes.
Lather won't form or won't last
Load more soap and work the brush longer before adding water — build the base first, then thin it with small amounts of water.
The razor is nicking or tugging
You're pressing too hard or using too steep an angle. Lighten the touch, let the weight do the work, and make sure the lather is rich underneath.
Brush won't dry out
Make sure it's hanging bristles-down from the arch, not standing on its base — upright traps water in the knot.
The blade feels rough
Try a different brand from the sampler — blade feel varies a lot, and the right one transforms the shave.
More from the Stuga field guides.
The Double Edge Safety Razor Guide
What you actually need to know — technique, blades, cost and care. No fluff.
Read the guide → TechniqueHow to Lather Shaving Soap
The full method, plus how to rescue a lather that won't behave.
Read the guide → CareCaring for a Badger Brush
Do this and a quality brush lasts a decade. Skip it and it won't.
Read the guide →