Shaving Creams & Gels
November 20, 2009
Woody's Exfoliating Pre-Shave: A Non-Abrasive Invigorating Cleanser
They say it's a sign of maturity to admit your mistakes, so I'm gonna fess up about one of mine...
When I received some review products from Woody's Grooming, one of the items was the Exfoliating Pre Shave, and I set it aside, thinking "Men don't need any facial cleansers." I went ahead and used and then reviewed the Foaming Shave Gel, which is a solid shaving gel, but didn't try the Pre Shave.
This morning, as I headed for the bathroom, I remembered that I had the Woody's Pre Shave sitting in my cabinet, and decided "What the hell, I'll give it a go." So before shaving, I put a big dab of the Exfoliating Pre Shave on my face and started scrubbing with it. The directions say to leave on your face for 30 to 60 seconds, to let the bromelain (an enzyme from pineapple) go to work, and that part was a little difficult - I'm impatient.
After rinsing it off, I could feel a difference in the texture of my face - definitely smoother and cleaner. I went ahead and shaved with the Foaming Shave Gel, and followed it up with Woody's Rescue Post Shave.
Wow! What a great shave!
For the record, I use a Merkur safety razor, and lately, I've been rocking the Feather blades - they last a long time before dulling, and give a close shave.
I don't know if the Pre Shave was to thank for the smoothness I got this morning, or if it was the combination of all three, but my face is really thankful - no razor burn, no irritation, close shave, and on top of that, I smell great as well. Kudos to Woody's!
October 16, 2009
Lucky Tiger's Old-School Style Goes Organic
The Lucky Tiger line of barbershop essentials has been helping our dads and granddads look their best since 1935. The Lucky Tiger brand was the the most popular barbershop brand in the U.S. by 1950, yet few of my generation have even heard of them.
The premium line is now even more desirable for discriminating men, having been reformulated with the highest quality natural and certified organic ingredients. The Lucky Tiger premium products are made with nourishing antioxidants and vitamins for a natural, healthy look, including Aloe Vera, Jojoba, Cucumber, Vitamins A & E, Chamomile, Calendula, Shea Butter, Green Tea, Sage Leaf, Hibiscus, Honey, Polished Green Bamboo and Borage Oil.
A couple of great choices to check out:
Lucky Tiger Essential Grooming Kit
Lucky Tiger Liquid Shave Cream
Lucky Tiger Face Wash
September 14, 2009
Review of Master Shaving Mug Soap
Master Well Comb is another of those shaving and hair product companies that have been around a long time, but I had never heard of them until a couple of weeks ago. They've been making hair products and shaving stuff for over 60 years, and they're based out of Illinois.
I got the chance to take the Master Shaving Mug Soap for a test run last week, and although I was kind of skeptical of the quality before lathering up, I ended up appreciating it for what it is - a soap, not a cream - instead of judging against my favorite creams.
The soap lathered up nicely, and it had an interesting scent - it reminded me of old-time barbershops. The shave I got was solid, with no irritated areas or raw patches (I kind of expected it after reading that it was a 'soap', not lubricating like a cream or gel). I did notice the tendency for the soap to dry on my face while shaving, but with a little warm water, it lathered back up immediately.
The company says that the soap has "The masculine scent of Lilac Vegetol", but I didn't catch a whiff of lilac (and I'm not sure what vegetol is. Anyone?). The scent was light and didn't stick around after rinsing, which is something I appreciate.
If you like to shave with a soap instead of a cream, Master Shaving Mug Soap is a good pick, and while I'm probably going to stick with my favorite cream, the Master Shaving Mug Soap is going to stay in my cabinet for when I want something a little different.
August 25, 2009
Ingram Shaving Cream: Minty Freshness for Your Face
If you haven't tried Ingram Lather Shaving Cream yet, you're in for a treat! Made in the UK, Ingram has been around since 1932, and this cream is picking up a whole new set of fans with its menthol formulation.
I've been using it for the last week (with my Merkur razor and Feather blades) and have found the shave to be a quality one, with plenty of lubrication and a scent that's sort of old-timey and mellow, with a hint of mint. The cream also contains lanolin, which leaves a soft, smooth finish to your face.
The menthol formula of Ingram really gives an extra something to your shave - a coolness that's very refreshing. The Ingram cream is a little less thick than I'm used to, so I thought I wouldn't get as great a shave with it (due to it not sticking to my face and whiskers), but it works just fine.
If you're looking for something a little different for your shaving cabinet, try Ingram Shaving Cream and get the menthol advantage.
July 14, 2009
Review of Barc Shave Cream: Cutting Up (Skin Saving)
Writing for a shaving blog, I get to sample many kinds of shaving creams, some not so good (which I don't tend to give any reviews for) and some that are very good indeed. The hard thing about it is that I need to give them a fair chance, which means using them more than once, and when I do, I'm not using the brands that I really love (like Speick and Cremo and Jack Black).
But... Variety is good, right?
This week, I've been trying out Barc Shave Cream, which has an interesting name for something you don't want to think about when shaving: Cutting Up.
The cream is very thick (which I like), and has no scent whatsoever (which is great for men with sensitive skin). One of the ingredients is Boswellia serrata (Indian Frankincense), which has been used for healthy skin throughout history, as well as being used for arthritis treatment (not sure it will help you in a shaving cream, though).
I liked the quality of the shave I got with Barc, and my Merkur razor glided easily over my face, leaving a close, smooth shave.
I followed it up with Barc Bump Down Razor Bump Relief, which was thick and rich and gave me a tingly sensation right after using it (but it is alcohol free).
"Bump Down is an alcohol-free razor bump repair treatment formulated with glycolic acid and triclosan to help reduce unsightly ingrown hairs and reduce irritation from shaving. Also enriched with chamomile extract and glycerin to calm the skin and leave you hydrated."
My skin was happy with the Barc products, and I believe I'll keep them in my cabinet to use again and again.
June 23, 2009
Review: Tom Robinn Shaving Gel and After Shave
Over the last week, I've been trying out the Tom Robinn Paris Shaving Gel, and to be quite honest, the first two times I shaved with it, I wasn't really jazzed about it. But after a solid week of shaves, I've learned a thing or two about it, and I feel like I can endorse it.
The gel is non-foaming, and rather thick in texture, which is not something I'm used to. My usual is either Cremo or Speick, both of which are lighter and creamier. So what I did to get the best shave for myself was to mix in a little water with the Tom Robinn Shaving Gel. Once I did that, I was happy with the results. The gel is also clear, which made it a bit different for me - at first I couldn't see where I had shaved - but I got the hang of it pretty quickly.
"The benefit of our ingredients to you are: - Aloe Vera Extract: is used to calm irritations and inflammations. It stimulates skin cell growth and possesses moistening properties. It is a smoothing agent. - Sweet Almond Oil: lipids regulate water flow through epidermis and help skin's balance. It moisturises and protects epidermis. - Glycerin: makes skin suppler, smoother allowing a comfortable shave."
After my shave, I used the Tom Robinn After-Shave Gel, which I really enjoyed. It's alcohol-free and non-greasy, and soothed my skin with its aloe, almond oil, and ginseng formula.
Both of these Tom Robinn products also have a great scent - not too strong, but with a complex 'flavor'. If you haven't tried any of the Tom Robinn line, I think they're well worth it.
May 28, 2009
Free Shaving Cream from Kiehl's
From CheapStingyBargains.com:
"Just go to Kiehl's with your old shaving cream can, and they will swap it out with a new 5.0oz Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream."
Offer is good until June 7th.
To find a Kiehl's near you, try the Kiehl's store locator.
May 21, 2009
Do It Yourself Shaving Cream Recipe
If you're a DIY type, or just want a cheaper or cleaner version of shaving cream, try making your own with this recipe from the folks at Planet Green:
Here's what you'll need:
1/2 teaspoon of sunflower oil
1/4 cup of unscented glycerin soap
Double boiler
A cup or mug for the cream
Here's what you'll do:
1. In your double boiler, melt chunks of the glycerin soap.
2. Stir in the sunflower oil.
3. Move the mixture into a mug as soon as all of the glycerin chunks are melted.
This formula will set quickly. When you need to shave, simply work water against the soap until a lather builds and use it the same way you would regular shaving cream.
Image: asobitsuchiya at Flickr
January 26, 2009
Review of Cremo Cream Shaving Cream
My New Years resolution - get a better shave without breaking the bank. It's recession time, people. And while it may have taken a couple extra months for the federal government to admit it, the average joe has known to watch his wallet for a long time now. That's why I'm psyched to have found Cremo Cream, a shaving cream which ranks among the best, and costs among the least. At $8 for a 6oz tube, Cremo Cream is by far the best shave for the shekel, the best bang for the buck.
If you remember back in December when we first got Cremo Cream in, creator Mike Boone had set out to make a different type of shaving cream, one that wasn't mostly air. He was on to something. Cremo Cream shaves like the high end brands we've come to know and love. I'd put this shaving cream up to the likes of The Art of Shaving, Gentlemen's Refinery, or Billy Jealousy. Super close shave with nary a nick or cut to mention.
Cremo Cream is a white cream with smooths on easily and doesn't gunk up your razor. The tube suggest you use an "almond-sized" amount, but I typically weighed in at the pecan or walnut level. Regardless, this isn't one of those "use generously" shaving creams. One tube is supposed to last 60 days, and I think that'll come close to being true.
The only place Cremo Cream falls short when compared to the high-end brands is scent. There's absolutely nothing malodorous about Cremo Cream. It's just verges slightly on the artificial lemon. If you want to pay three and four times as much for a natural manly aroma, be my guest. You won't regret it, but you won't be getting that much of a better shave.
Cremo Cream is a winner. At $8 a tube, it's cheap. Get some.
December 19, 2008
Billy Jealousy Gets Personal With Gifts
In the age of big corporations and outsourced phone support, it's nice to come across a company that still has a personal touch. Today only, buy $40 worth of grooming products from Billy Jealousy (at their site) and you and a friend will both receive a free 2oz bottle of Hydroplane shaving cream (which is one of the absolute best shaving creams out there, and we should know).
Here's the personal part - place your order on billyjealousy.com, then send an email to Melissa at Billy Jealousy telling her the name and address of the friend you'd like the Hydroplane to go to, and she'll make it happen. What? No online impersonal form? No faceless click? I'm so not used to interacting with people the way. It feels weird... and good, at the same time.
We've purposely not mentioned Melissa's email address, but you should be able to figure it out, Sherlock. If not, click the picture above for an expanded view and look in the lower left corner. Damn you spammers! You have to make everything difficult.
December 18, 2008
Baxter of California Saves You 20%
Only two more days to save 20% off your order from Baxter of California. Enter promo code "FINLEY" at checkout to score big. They've got a huge selection of shaving and grooming gifts for you to choose from, including a pretty sweet Travel Kit for $50 filled with "TSA Approved travel ready 2oz. tubes." Isn't that what the Internet is made out of?
December 17, 2008
Holiday Deals From Anthony Logistics For Men
Anthony over at Logistics for Men has been going nuts with the holiday emails and specials. Seems I'm getting several emails a week about gifts and promo codes. So here's the latest - enter "SHIP2008" at checkout and receive free shipping on all orders from now presumably until Christmas.
They've got their gift guide set up by type of man in your life -
Gifts for you and the husband. How very progressive.
December 16, 2008
Review of REN High Glide Cooling Shaving Cream
Been shaving with REN High Glide Cooling Shave Cream for the last couple weeks. It's about time we chat.
Now REN shaving cream is one of the few creams which is intended for a dry face. Kiehl's is another brand which comes to mind when thinking about shaving creams like this. There aren't that many of them. The prevailing philosophy is that you want a good base of water or oil to start with. But REN shaving cream makes it work.
The big advantage of a "dry" shave is that it's quicker and much less messier. You don't end up with water and lather dripping down your chest, and you can skip the step of waiting for the water to heat up before priming your face. The downside, at least for REN, is the gunk factor.
Now I've read a lot of shaving reviews where the reviewer is obsessed with shaving cream gunking up his razor. And for a while I too graded shaving creams on their gunkiness. But then I moved on. Never really bothered me. Until REN High Glide Cooling Shave Cream, which stubbornly refused to remove itself from my five-bladed Gillette Fusion. So I dropped down to four blades and whipped out my Schick Quattro. Still a high gunk factor. So I dropped down the three blades and whipped out my Mach3. Sweet spot achieved! (Which is good news since my two-bladed Gillette Sensor is buried somewhere deep under the sink.)
My recommendation - REN High Glide Cooling Shaving Cream works best with three blades or less. And it works really well. Nice close shave. Occasional nick or cut, but nothing too out of the ordinary.
REN recommends trying High Glide with their Tamanu High Glide Shaving Oil. I didn't have any around, but I did just receive a bottle of Taylor of Old Bond Street Pre-Shave Oil, (which smells awesome!), and that improved the shave a little, but not enough to make me say you have to use an oil base. That said, the Taylor of Old Bond smells like a wonderfully aromatic gin, and the REN High Glide smells vaguely floral, so I felt like I was shaving in some fancy high-class cocktail. Love it!
REN High Glide Cooling Shave Cream is $40 for a 5.1 Ounce/150 ml tube. If you're interested in a dry shave, and you use a three-bladed razor or less, give REN a shot.
December 11, 2008
This Just In - Cremo Cream
It could be the premise for the next blockbuster prime-time drama: A man, dissatisfied with the vast selection of sub-par shaving creams, sets out to create a better shaving experience, and in doing so, changes the world. Tune in tonight on NBC. (I'd watch it over Jay Leno five more times a week.)
Anyway, here's what protagonist Mike Boone learned about most shaving creams. One, they're mostly air. And two, after air, they're mostly glycerin or oil.
The solution, Cremo Cream has no air and no trace ingredients: it's a rich cream made only from significant, noticeably beneficial ingredients. It contains very unique, super-lubricating, highly-slippery molecules that have been specially compounded with other truly powerful skin conditioners. Together, they make your blade glide smoothly over your skin like an ice skate; they make your hairs stick out and stand up straight so your blade cuts them more deeply; and they nourish and moisturize your skin. Your skin will look and feel astonishingly soft and smooth. Your shave will last longer. Better than anything else you have ever used.
And Mike must guard that "unique, super-lubricating, highly-slippery molecules" secret with his life, while simultaneously getting his kids to school, loving his wife, and dealing with a very wacky neighbor. I'm telling you, it's going to be huge.
Anyway, we just got a in a couple tubes of Cremo Cream and we're looking forward to trying them out. Check back in soon for our review, and lobby NBC for a shaving-related crime drama.
Cremo Cream is $8 for a 6oz tube.
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