Many of us shave everyday or every few days and yet we hardly ever think about it. We just unconsciously get to where we want to go, which in this case, is hopefully clean and smoothly shaved.

Today, women are increasingly turning to waxing and some are trying laser hair removal However, shaving remains the least expensive form of hair removal.

Here are the top 10 shaving tips and tricks to ensure you're doing it the right way and cutting down on the nicks and irritation so common to shaved skin.

TIP #1: Wait 20 minutes after waking up before shaving,  as many of you probably shower and shave as soon as you get out of bed as a way to wake up, but the skin is puffy and swollen so this is the worst time to shave. Those little hairs are still in hiding. By waiting just 20 minutes, you will get a much smoother shave with less irritation.

TIP #2: Wet your skin with hot water and let it soften from the heat and moisture. You never want to shave dry skin. As if you try to dry shave, you run the risk of clogging up the razor with dead skin while putting yourself at risk for nicks and razor burn.

TIP #3: Be sure to exfoliate your skin before shaving even though shaving is a natural exfoliator. It gets rid of all the dead skin cells that could clog up your razor, preventing a close shave. There are several ways to exfoliate. You can use exfoliating gloves or a cloth in the shower or dry brush before you shower (never get a wooden brush wet, it will mildew fast).

TIP #4: After you apply shaving cream, leave the cream on for 3-4 minutes to soften up those tough hairs allowing the blade to last longer and making the hair easier to remove. You can also use a gel as the richer the lather, the less likely you'll be to cut your skin. TIP #5: You are going to have to experiment with razors until you find the perfect one for you. Ask your friends for recommendations and look for a razor with lubricated strips, pivoting heads and spring-mounted multiple blades. TIP #6: Be sure to change razors or cartridges on a regular basis; a dull blade can lead to nicks. Also, it's best not to borrow your guy's razor.

His hair is coarser and will dull a blade. It's actually best to never use another person's razor because there is a chance you could get Hepatitis C from fresh blood on a razor. It's unlikely, but possible, according to Charles Daniel on About.com

TIP #7: Shave in the direction of the hair growth without applying pressure as your leg hairs grow down, you'll want to start at your ankles and shave up. For your underarms, you'll need to shave in every direction since the hair there grows in at many different angles. This will cut down on irritation, nicks, and even the dreaded cuts while getting a smoother shave. However, when you're shaving your bikini line, you can go upward against the grain-carefully-to get a closer shave.

TIP #8: When finished shaving, rinse with warm water, pat dry and apply oil, talcum free powder or moisturizer. The skin on your legs has few oil glands and has a tendency for dryness and patting dry without rubbing will cut down on irritation. TIP #9: Ingrown hairs are caused when the hairs curl back under the skin. Avoid ingrown hairs by exfoliating daily and using a glycolic acid cleanser on affected areas. TIP #10: If you have a chronic case of ingrown hairs, try Tend Skin, an over-the-counter lotion for ingrown hairs, applying it in the morning and at night. The bumps should disappear within a couple days.