Are High Price Shaving Creams Really Worth It?

[Aries]

Yes, generally speaking the higher priced creams are better than generic foam/ gel stuff. However, I've found two cheaper alternatives that are equally as good. Proraso and Musgo Real.

 

[auto90403]

I've tried pretty much all shave creams and gels, from low-end crap to the really expensive imports. Generally speaking, the more expensive ones are better.

But I was recently in Morocco and bought a tube of classic Palmolive shave cream that was more soapy than creamy. It was made in France with an Arabic label on one side and a French one of the other. In US dollars, I think it cost around 50 cents.

I love the stuff. Colgate-Palmolive told me they no longer sell it in the US -- no demand. It feels old-fashioned as hell. Sort of what my grandfather used back in the 1920s. But it gives a damn good shave.

My other favorite is King of Shaves gel which I get at any drugstore. A great shave, especially given its price.

 

[tiger02]

Proraso cakes are a euro apiece in Italy, and don't do a half bad job. Good for making sure you don't forget something better when travelling.

 

[Sartorian]

Originally Posted by Aries

Yes, generally speaking the higher priced creams are better than generic foam/ gel stuff. However, I've found two cheaper alternatives that are equally as good. Proraso and Musgo Real.
+100 Musgo Real, in particular, is a must-have for any refined shaver: $7 everywhere (including fancy shops in the know).

 

[Violinist]

I just got Kiehls a week ago, and I used to get tons of red bumps because of my sensitive skin... they're now completely gone. The only thing is, I don't see the tube lasting that long, and at $20 or something, it could get expensive pretty fast.

 

[javyn]

just got Kiehls a week ago, and I used to get tons of red bumps because of my sensitive skin... they're now completely gone. The only thing is, I don't see the tube lasting that long, and at $20 or something, it could get expensive pretty fast.

Please check into a quality shaving brush and cream or soap. For a budget: savile row super grade

Savile row from www.qedusa.com Or, if you are decadent. .. a nice silvertip...

shavemac.com

 

[Matt]

yup, agree. I thought all the badger brush stuff was just hype, and had been using random cheapy brushes. Then got given a L'Occitane one - which damn sure wasnt cheap - and then the handle fell off of it, and decided to buy a badger just to see. Made an instant difference. So much better than anything I'd used before. I bought this Tweezerman one from eBay and highly recommend the seller and the product...

...pretty cheap too

 

[Violinist]

don't they smell like **** for a while though?

 

[Matt]

took it out the box and noticed a slight odour, nothing since.

 

[tiger02]

Originally Posted by Violinist

don't they smell like **** for a while though?
Mine didn't. I have the one from QED pictured above. It usually just smells like the soap, but for some reason sandalwood is lingering through all the rest.

 

[Dmax]

Originally Posted by Violinist

don't they smell like **** for a while though?

Perhaps you had an unfortunate experience with a boar brush. Those do tend to smell for a bit. A lot of the lower priced shaving brushes are made with boar hair, tweezerman excluded. Boar hair does not retain water as well as badger hair and may smell like a wet pig when you introduce it to water.

 

[skalogre]

You know, my silvertip SMF-II brush did stink a littkle, as did my Vulfix before it. But it dies down fast.

Oh and on the subject of creams, I used again my neglected G.F. Trumper's Rose last nigh. As I have that pile of samples to go through it fell by the wayside but wow... works unbelievably well; maybe even better than the Proraso - with an incredibly nice scent to boot!

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by skalogre

Oh and on the subject of creams, I used again my neglected G.F. Trumper's Rose last nigh. As I have that pile of samples to go through it fell by the wayside but wow... works unbelievably well; maybe even better than the Proraso - with an incredibly nice scent to boot!

Yeah, Trumper's rose was the first cream I dropped serious $$$ on. Haven't spent that much since on a cream or soap since but don't regret it.

 

[Violinist]

well, eventually I'll probably get a silvertip brush, because I do like to avoid problems associated with having sensitive skin, but even at 22 I have very little facial hair. Most of it is concentrated around my chin/upper neck(or throat I guess), and I get a "teen stash" if I don't shave that once ever 4 or so days.

Maybe when I get a fuller beard I'll move on to that stuff, but right now I'm happy that this Kiehls stuff does the trick.

Does anyone know what is the best razor to use? Are the Mach 3 ones it? I just like easy and disposable...

 

[Dapper Dandy]

Can anybody recommend where to get a decent travel-size shaving gel/foam? I use Proraso and Nancy Boy when I'm at home, but I need to find something in a small container (less than 3 ounces) for traveling.