First Time Cream, etc

[bryanalban]

So I'm new to wet shaving. Got my grandfather's old Fat Boy razor, and I'm gonna pick up a Body Shop brush (cheap, and not a lot of disposable income right now).

Could you guys suggest a good, somewhat inexpensive, cream for a novice? Some I'm thinking about are the Body Shop Macca Root Cream, or the Bigalow (which I understand is Proraso). Any other suggestions? I need to order razor blades from WestCoastShaving.com, so I also could order some cream there.

Also, do I need to get the same type (scent) of after shave balm as the cream I use? If I don't will the scents "compete"?

Thanks

 

[elsmooth]

Greetings and welcome!

Creams that I would say have relatively universal appeal here...

KMF (Kiss My Face, found at Whole Foods, I think)
Cremo Cream (find pretty easily online)
Musgo Real
Proraso/Bigelow (Bigelow's a rebranded Proraso, and is sold in Bath and Body Works)

Plenty of love for all the above...you can't go wrong with any of them for good slickness and protection. All have a pretty low price point.

Don't worry about clashing scents...the shave cream scent will dissipate very quickly.

 

[bryanalban]

So you recommend the Bigalow/Proraso overthe Body Shop cream?

 

[ginhud]

While at wcs you might consider erasmic and omega shave cream in the tubes, also good stuff, and not hard on the wallet. Enjoy

 

[Slivovitz]

One thing when looking at the prices of shave creams, don't forget that a little goes a long way. Generally a dab about the size of an almond is enough for an entire shave with at least three passes. As for specific brands, I generally agree with what elsmooth wrote above, except that I've never tried KMF.

I strongly prefer face lathering to bowl lathering, but that's another topic, and others may disagree. If you do prefer to bowl lather, any bowl, or bowl shaped tub will work fine. No need to buy something special at this point.

 

[joto]

I would recommend a Taylor of Old Bond St. cream myself. Only $14 or so for a tub that will last months, and I personally find it to be much superior to the Bigelow/ Proraso cream you are considering. Their Avocado would be an excellent first choice, as would Rose or Almond. Frankly, any would be great, but I was trying to think of the milder scents. I personally love the Sandalwood and Eton College, but those are more assertive scents. Best of luck as you begin this long (and expensive!) trip ito a new hobby!

 

[Iakona]

If you're ordering from WCS, I'd echo the TOBS suggestion. I've only used a few samples myself but it did seem to be better than co bigelow. Avocado is favored for its moisturizing properties - I hear it smells of cucumber rather than avocado (thankfully)...

 

[Ignatius]

So you recommend the Bigalow/Proraso overthe Body Shop cream?

NO!

The Body Shop cream is a class above Proraso. If they're similarly priced go for TBS.

Proraso is an excellent budget cream, if you can get it for budget prices (I don't consider $10 a tube budget really...)

 

[turkish]

#1 on Erasmic and Omega. They are both great inexpensive creams. Westcoastshaving also has a good variety of brushes for $ 10.00 -12.00.

 

[Empty Words]

You can get Speick, Kiss My Face, Musgo Real, and Taylor's from WCS, which are all good (Musgo is my favorite).

 

[michiganlover]

While at wcs you might consider erasmic and omega shave cream in the tubes, also good stuff, and not hard on the wallet. Enjoy

I love the smell of Erasmic. I have used Omega, and can tell no difference between it, Proraso, and C.O. Bigelow. They all seem to be the identical product.

Rite Aid stocks The Real Shaving Company shaving cream, which is made by Creighton's (the same people who makes some of the big name English creams). This cream is the same performance as Taylor of Old Bond Street, but for roughly 1/3 the cost ($5 per tube, vs. $14-15).

 

[Tony_B]

If you have a Body Shop near you get the macca root cream ( I used it today and its wonderful), you'll end up getting the other creams anyway .

 

[SRock]

C.O. Bigelow

 

[Gruder]

+1 on Bigelow. I like Musgo Real, as well.

 

[Barbash]

If you want to try a number of products on a limited budget(or you just want to try a number of products period) I would recommend looking at some of the sample packs.

Trumpers has a sample pack on their website for something like $7.50 that includes 4 of their creams and 2 of their Aftershaves(skin food).
http://www.trumpers.com/product_detail.cfm?ProductID=111547656

T&H has a sample pack on their website of their creams, preshave oil, and Aftershave for $10.
http://www.truefittandhill.com/detail_10103__37.html

If ShavingEssentials.biz reopens their website they offer a Taylor sample pack for around $25 that includes all of their creams.

 

[kingfisher]

So you recommend the Bigalow/Proraso overthe Body Shop cream?

I think the Maca Root stuff is better than the Bigelow. Some people disagree.

Many good suggestions already on this thread. Kiss My Face and The Real Shaving Company are both great creams that should be locally available.

 

[shortgamer]

I think the Maca Root stuff is better than the Bigelow. Some people disagree.

Many good suggestions already on this thread. Kiss My Face and The Real Shaving Company are both great creams that should be locally available.

When buying the Bigelow (Proraso) at Bath Body Works, there are generally two sizes available. The large size (5.1 oz) is $10 and should last a long time. You can also buy a 1.7oz smaller size for $5 OR 3 of the 1.7oz for $10. The good thing about the smaller size is that you can carry it on for air travel (1.7 oz is TSA compliant).

 

[coolbluewater]

If you're ordering from WCS, I'd echo the TOBS suggestion. I've only used a few samples myself but it did seem to be better than co bigelow. Avocado is favored for its moisturizing properties - I hear it smells of cucumber rather than avocado (thankfully)...

I also "heard" the same thing, which led me to buy mine.
Wrong.
Think Flower Shop vs. Women's Perfume.
I've used mine - once.

Just grab a tub of Cella or Tabac. They're soft enough to be thought of as creams; same (or better) performance.

EDIT: To the guys with TOBS Avocado: Try this little test - dab a finger into the TOBS, rub between fingers and wipe off. Don't wash your fingers. Smell your fingers after 30 minutes: If this isn't the definition of women's perfume, I don't know what is.

 

[Ceron]

If you have a Rite-Aid near you you can pick up a tube of The Real Shaving Co. cream for $5. I bought a tube earlier in the month and so far it's pretty good. You can also print a coupon for an additional $2 off found here.