Generally speaking I'm a soap man, however from time to time I've been known to make forays into the world of shaving cream. Every time I do, however, I come away disappointed. With creams I always end up with irritation and nicks. With soap I very rarely encounter those problems. I've tried Proraso, Dettol, Kiss My Face, and Edwin Jagger creams, and none of them agree with me. Am I just trying the wrong creams, or am I simply not among the shave cream chosen?
Creams don't love me
- Thread starter amspratt
- Start date
I do better with soaps too.
I can't get a decent lather with soap...
Perhaps you should try either Castle Forbes or Santa Maria Novella, both premium creams provide rich, thick cushioning lather. Also, any of the 3T's provide superb lather as well.
hmmm.... I always get a better lather with creams than soaps. Not sure why though, so I don't have a lot of advice.
Creams give more cushion and soaps are slicker. So try adding a little glycerin or olive oil to your cream, or coat your face with pre-shave oil, or put a thin layer of glycerin or olive oil to your face. The added oil will give you a slicker cream. By having a slicker and cushioned lather you should obtain a good shave maybe even a great shave in my experience its better, it would be like you loading your brush with glycerin soap and then mixing it with cream except it will be cheaper then that unless you load with vdh. you may need to use less water also.
A serious question -- back when you first started with soaps, it probably took many consecutive days to achieve optimal lather. Have you given the creams the same time?
- Thread starter
- #9
I honestly must admit that I haven't given creams the same time I initially gave to soaps. I'm too accustomed to good shaves at this point to want to continue using a product which hasn't given me good results. Perhaps I'm being a bit too close-minded.
actually, one of the main problems soap users have with creams is that they tend to go overboard with the water, you can usualy tell when a cream has been overhydrated, it gets this dishwasher soap style sparkle in the lather,
remember, start with little water and add as needed, adding water is easier then removing it,
remember, start with little water and add as needed, adding water is easier then removing it,
+21 as i stated earlier in the thread less water, and someone turned right around and said more.
I would agree with trying the three Ts, or possibly even AOS. I've been revisiting AOS lately and have found it to be virtually idiot proof when using a face lathering technique. Personally, I would advise against either SMN or Castle Forbes at this point. SMN is close enough to Proraso that if you didn't get a good result from the latter, you might find the same with the former. CF is a great cream, but is temperamental and has a steep learning curve. You'll probably find something from the Three Ts or AOS easier to manage right now. Generally speaking, however, I would say don't write off creams until you've tried enough of the best ones, and have given them enough of a chance. Right now, I don't think you've done that.
ive always got on better with soaps myself. I have tried a few creams, most recently a treufitt & hill west indian limes variety, and its never as pleasant a shave as my C&E nomad or even my bargain basement remington shave soap.
I tried a variety of methods, including lathering in a bowl, lathering direct onto face by smearing cream over beard and then lathering up with a wet brush. Neither work for me as well as soap seems to.
very odd. I'll stick to soap
I tried a variety of methods, including lathering in a bowl, lathering direct onto face by smearing cream over beard and then lathering up with a wet brush. Neither work for me as well as soap seems to.
very odd. I'll stick to soap
I primarily use creams now, because it takes me much less time to lather them. I've been using Truefitt & Hill products and I really like them. I will admit it has taken me the better part of a month to generate lather on a consistent basis
Creams may not love you, but I do...
man love and cream all in the same thread. be afraid.. be very afraid
same here, and not for lack or trying or using many brands including 3T. I do love my ARKO, C&E, and DR Harris soaps though. Just on average I lean cream much more than soap.
