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Shaving Creams & Gels
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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 -
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.
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.
The holiday season is upon us once again, and it's time for all of you to start stimulating the economy. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to spend your way out of this economic crisis, one gift at at time! OK, maybe not the soundest advice, but there will be some people you still want to buy for, and some who will still be expecting a gift. Aside from the electric razors we've tried to keep most things below $50 on this year's holiday gift guide.
Cartridge Razors
I'm still loving the powered razors. A little vibration goes a long way toward a smooth and comfortable shave. The Gillette Fusion may trump Schick on number of blades, but the Quattro's now got this kick-ass trimmer for keeping your whiskers or sideburns in line. Gillette Fusion Power - $10.99 Schick Quattro Titanium Trimmer - $12.49
On the other ends of the spectra, we recommend the environmentally conscience Recycline razor, and the experimental Rolling Razor. Recycline Preserve Triple Razor - $7.49 Rolling Razor - $14.95
Electric Razors
Same group as last year, only the Braun Pulsonic has been rebranded the Series 7. Still the top of the line traditional electric razor in my book. If rotary is your game, choose between either the wet/dry lubricant-dispensing Moisture Shaving System, or the more classic arcitec. Braun Series 7 - $227 Philips Norelco Moisture Shaving System - $129 Philips Norelco arcitec - $219
Pubic Shaving
The BodyGroom is still going strong, now with a professional edition with "high-performance trimmer attachment", as well as another set of hysterical videos worthy of a Webby. And if completely bare is where you're headed, there's still no beating the Cleancut - the #1 choice in the porn industry. Philips Norelco Bodygroom - $49.99 Seiko Cleancut - $67
Nose Shaving
As you get older, your hair follicles move from the top of your head to your nose and ears. It's a scientifically proven fact. Look it up. I just finished the Wikipedia page on it. These tools will help you combat the forsaken follicle foliage. Groom Mate Platinum XL Nose and Ear Hair Trimmer - $18.88 Philips Norelco Nose and Ear Trimmer - $12.99
Back Shaving
A year later and I still don't want to talk about it. If you know a guy who needs one of these, just do him a favor - buy it for him, and give it to him while no one else is in the room. MANGROOMER - $39.95
Shaving Accessories
Nicks and cuts come at exactly the wrong time. Your dopp kit needs a Nick Stick for fast healing after a particularly brutal shave. And while I still haven't made peace with the goatee, I have to admire the ingenuity which went into the Goatee Saver. Somebody's got to get us out of this economic mess. The Nick Stick - $5.95 The Goatee Saver - $19.99
Got another shipment in recently from our friends at Details for Men. This time Santa sent us two containers of Proraso shaving products - Proraso Eucalyptus and Menthol Shaving Soap (pictured right - $9) and Proraso Eucalyptus and Menthol Shaving Foam (pictured left - $9). Proraso shaving soap is designed to be lathered up with a shaving brush, so make sure you've got your badger hair (or high-quality synthetic) on hand before ordering. Praraso shaving foam is like the more common shaving creams you find in your drugstore or supermarket. No old-school shaving accoutrement needed.
We'll be shaving with this classic Italian brand after we finish our testing of REN, so check back for our review soon.
Review of Molton Brown Ultracalm Lemonleaf Shavewax
You may have been wondering why I've been so calm recently. Is it my new Zen outlook on life? Is it that the election is finally over? Nope. I've been shaving with Molton Brown Ultracalm Lemonleaf Shavewax, and it leaves me ultra calm.
So "shavewax". What's that all about? Conjures up painful images of something many women do just before bikini season. Thankfully, there is no pain. (You are receding.) Shavewax presumably refers to the consistency of this shaving cream, which lies somewhere on the scale between lotion and cream. This makes it easy to work with and easy to apply. Definitely use your fingers though. This stuff was not designed to be applied with a brush.
I'm always interested in scent. I think we need to come up with a term for the scent of a shaving cream like "nose", referring to the various aromas evoked by wine. The ingredients for Molton Brown Ultracalm Lemonleaf Shavewax list lemon leaf, violet leaf, and ginger, but I when I breathe in I get essence of cucumber. Also hints of cherries, black currents, and dark chocolate, but that might be the glass of Zinfandel on the counter. Whatever. The stuff smells good. Not traditionally manly (which is good) and not too flowery (which is also good).
OK, so how's the shave? Nice and close, like I like it. The white shavewax goes on pretty thin, so you can mostly see the skin underneath. That will help if you have some trouble spots or areas your trying to maintain. My only complaint was that I got a few nicks and cuts every so often. Never got any redness or irritation, but I did reach for the Nick Stick on occasion. You don't need a ton of Shavewax for each shave, but this isn't one of those products which lathers up out of nothing. Expect to go through the tube at a normal clip.
Review: Tom Robinn Shaving Gel and After Shave
The holiday season is upon us once again, and it's time for all of you to start stimulating the economy. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to spend your way out of this economic crisis, one gift at at time! OK, maybe not the soundest advice, but there will be some people you still want to buy for, and some who will still be expecting a gift. Aside from the electric razors we've tried to keep most things below $50 on this year's holiday gift guide.
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