Brushless creams?

[Hansel]

So I'm curious, whats the general consensus on brushless creams, or using regular creams without brushes?

I had received a sample of Truefitt and Hill cream in a little foil/paper pouch and noticed that the instructions on the back indicated that it could be applied with or without a brush. Does this mean that brushless creams aren't really any different from normal ones?

The last time I went out of town I took a kit that had a DE razor, blades, brush, a tube of shaving cram, and aftershave. I'm trying to compact it a little bit and pondering dropping the brush, but I don't know if I just want to sort of smear my usual cream on or buy brushless.

Canned crap is certainly right out...

 

[mblakele]

Some creams can be used both ways: KMF and Nancy Boy for example. But in my experience they work better with a brush.

 

[ArmyChief235]

I use Godrej and Creamo shaving cream and they both claim that they are brushless. You can use them without a brush but it it much better with a brush. From my experience you will use more cream without a brush and you will get a better shave if you lather your face with a brush. I haven't found a cream that works well without a brush yet.

 

[LinuxMintyFresh]

Well, I wouldn't necessarily discount all canned products in the case of travel. They certainly are convenient if nothing else, and there are one or two that can hold their own.
It's also not the case that all brushless creams will lather with a brush, and in fact some will really gunk it up. For the ones that can be applied both was I agree with ArmyChief in that you need more if you aren't using a brush. My current travel setup includes Barbasol Sensitive latherless (never use a brush with this stuff) in a tube, and a Trac II. The shaves are decent.

 

[invizable]

I have used Proraso/Bigelow without a brush with good results. I think the small $5 tube would be great for travel.

 

[dpmtherrien]

I've used the brushless creams, and they've been just O.K. IMHO. I think using a brush is an important part of the whole shave experience. For my travel brush I use the Dove stainless steel travel brush. Its on the pricey side, but its well worth it. It goes into a small tube that becomes the handle, so it doesn't take up much room in my dopp kit.

If I'm going to shave, I want the whole thing, from prep to finish. With the travel brush, Merkur travel razor, or Parker SRW straight, I can have it all even when traveling.

 

[maxman]

As much as I like my brush and the 3T's, I get the closest shaves with Shiseido brushless cream. It's expensive so I save it for special occasions.

As good as it is, it's no fun. I mean you just slap it on and shave. Where's the excitement?

 

[masonjarjar]

As much as I like my brush and the 3T's, I get the closest shaves with Shiseido brushless cream. It's expensive so I save it for special occasions.

As good as it is, it's no fun. I mean you just slap it on and shave. Where's the excitement?

I've been shaving with a brush for over 20 years. Sometimes I actually enjoy going brushless.

My recent favorite is Sheffield Brushless. Probably not the easiest to find unless you live in northern Ohio. I'm also a fan of Barbasol Non-aerosol, which was mentioned earlier. Trader Joe's Honey Mango is good in a pinch, and the Clubman Luxury Shave cream works fine brushless as well. I've even been enjoying my can of Barbasol on occasion..

I've found that Proraso is just a bit thick to go brushless, and I really don't have a reason to use it that way since I have other true brushless products.

NOTE: ALWAYS READ THE LABEL. Most shaving creams that are in a tube that you'd find in a common drugstore are brushless/non-lathering.. (except for The Real Shaving Co. at Rite Aid!!)