Gillette and Barbasol foams versus Proraso Green Menthol & Eucalyptus Shaving Cream

[HUF]

I have been a wet shave enthusiast for four decades. Started with DE, later switched to SE disposables (mostly single blade BICs). When foams became so popular that it became difficult to find a nice cream, switched to foams. Nevertheless, I always applied foam with a nice wet brush.

After some lurking on this great forum, decided to try Proraso cream. How's it compared to Barbasol and Gillette foams one can buy anywhere for around a buck? Thanks!

P.S. Just ordered Edwin Jagger DE89LBL from soap.com. Because it was my first order they will ship it free and I used coupon EVERYDAY1 (expires on Dec 31, 2012) to benefit from 20% discount. So the total was $29.59. Hope someone will find this information helpful.

 

[mharris127]

I haven't used Proraso cream (I do have and use the tub, however) but can say that Gillette foam is awful and Barbasol is barely passable. Once you catch on to lathering you should have much better shaves with a good brush-required shaving cream. I hope you ordered a fresh brush to go with your razor and cream.

 

[Daiku]

Proraso is WAY better than Barbasol; I'd say it's an entirely different product.

I love the smell of Barbasol, and the way it's made in the USA, but the only way I find it usable is to incorporate LOTS of hot water with it (it's quite dry), and use something slick as a pre-shave (Noxema, Corn Husker's).

I have had good luck putting on a layer of Williams from a brush, then applying Barbasol Aloe. But Proraso is good to go as is.

 

[Redstickjohn]

I am a huge Proraso fan, and a dedicated wet shaver. When I'm in a rush, however, I do keep a can of Foamy around, so I can get in and out of the bathroom in a flash. Certainly not as good as traditional soap/cream and brush, but I get an acceptable shave, and whip through the process.

 

[HUF]

Thank you for the replies, gents. Wow... looks like Proraso does make difference. Frankly, I always thought that the condition of my skin is the most important factor when it comes to comfortable shave. I usually shave once every three-four days and can tell right away if the shave is going to be a blast when I rub my face with my hand.
Sure, a few hot water splashes, more rubbing, nice lather and sharp blade help too.

I used to have in rotation some three-four razors and remember it made huge difference what razor was used because of variety of aggressiveness. I am waiting for my first Edwin Jagger and also am bidding on a used Gillette Tech. I always had great respect for old stuff and want a piece of history in my bathroom.

As for the brush, I have been using what seems to be a natural boar bristle Muhle brush since 1991. Sure, it lost probably 10% of bristle but still does an amazing job and is such a beauty! Is not it amazing and sad how small stuff we use can outlive us?

I was wondering if badger brushes worth the money.

 

[bryan1980]

I used both Gillette Foamy and Barbasol before I saw the light. IMHO, neither matches the protection you get from a cream like Bigelow, Proraso, or Musgo (heck, or any of the other "brush" creams). Barbasol is still a decent product.

I have a soft spot in my heart for Colgate canned goo (the Original in the orange can). It's what I started on when I was 14. Too bad it was discontinued, I'd keep a can around just to take a whiff every now and again for nostalgia!

 

[The Kiwi]

I used both Gillette Foamy and Barbasol before I saw the light. IMHO, neither matches the protection you get from a cream like Bigelow, Proraso, or Musgo (heck, or any of the other "brush" creams). Barbasol is still a decent product.

I have a soft spot in my heart for Colgate canned goo (the Original in the orange can). It's what I started on when I was 14. Too bad it was discontinued, I'd keep a can around just to take a whiff every now and again for nostalgia!

I cannot recall any shave product other than Edge Gel in an orange can. It must have predated my first shaves in 1953, or at least, before I started using something other than bathroom bar soap, about 1955 or so. I used Noxzema shave cream in the big jar (was it a blue jar?) before using any canned foams . .

I also cannot recall using any of the "early" canned foams, other than Barbasol, Noxzema, and wasn't there also an Old Spice foam in the can for a while?

 

[dundak]

The first canned foam I remember was Rise. The big 4 were Rise, Foamy, Noxzema and Barbasol when I first started.

 

[bryan1980]

I cannot recall any shave product other than Edge Gel in an orange can. It must have predated my first shaves in 1953, or at least, before I started using something other than bathroom bar soap, about 1955 or so. I used Noxzema shave cream in the big jar (was it a blue jar?) before using any canned foams . .

I also cannot recall using any of the "early" canned foams, other than Barbasol, Noxzema, and wasn't there also an Old Spice foam in the can for a while?

Here's what I was talking about. I used the Regular mostly, but I also used the Razor Protection and Sensitive Skin versions a few times. There were still making this in '94, because that's when I started to shave.

 

[Buxwheat]

Yea, Colgate came in an orange can. My FIL used it exclusively. And Noxema came in a blue glass jar (although the cream was pink).

 

[Kevan]

My opinion of foams has changed almost 180 degrees since I've started using them once a week with a DE. And I give Gillette Foamy the edge over Barbasol. It's slicker in my experience. Barbasol is thicker, but dry.

But a water-mixed lather from a soap will always cut closer and be slicker than foam.

 

[Taylor of Bank Street]

I was wondering if badger brushes worth the money.

For me, the switch to a badger brush made a noticeable difference. I went with a relatively inexpensive one and haven't regretted this small investment.

 

[mharris127]

I haven't used Proraso cream (I do have and use the tub, however) but can say that Gillette foam is awful and Barbasol is barely passable. Once you catch on to lathering you should have much better shaves with a good brush-required shaving cream. I hope you ordered a fresh brush to go with your razor and cream.

I just shaves with Barbasol red from the 2.25 ounce travel size container, I purchased it this month at Wal-Mart. What I said about it stands but it would be OK for travel if you aren't checking a bag (that is probably what I will use it for). The travel size was 97 cents, the 11 ounce can was $1.28 (I still have most of a full size can under the sink so I only bought the travel size this month). I haven't used my older full size can to compare but from memory Barbasol red appears to be the same as when I used it regularly a few years ago.

I still have that Gillette red travel canister from a year ago in my medicine cabinet but don't plan on using it anytime soon.

 

[mharris127]

Yea, Colgate came in an orange can. My FIL used it exclusively. And Noxema came in a blue glass jar (although the cream was pink).

IIRC Colgate was a bit better than Barbasol and loads better than Gillette. I may still have part of a can from my late grandfather under the sink (when my grandparents died I inherited literally everything they had including the house and contents, I still live in the house). I will look and if I find it I may use it for posterity and post here.

 

[HUF]

I have just ordered Proraso green cream and two boar bristle brushes made by Semogue and Omega. Will share my impression and results as soon as I use them. Thanks.

 

[Deltaboy]

I still got a late 1980s Colgate can and I like Yellow or Green Barbarsol and I use the Red with Noxema cream as a base.

 

[Eaaqas]

This is actually something I wanted to talk about.

I'm using Proraso and it's not lathering well. Perhaps I got the technique wrong but in any event, I found Barbasol to be way more effective. Perhaps Proraso really shines with enough experience whereas Barbasol is better for beginners.

That said, the simplest solution is usually the best. Barbasol takes 10 seconds and Proraso takes 1-2 minutes.

Your assumption that you don't have good technique is right. I started with Proraso and it took me about 20 days of dedicated lathering and too many tutorials to finally figure it out. That being said, I think this would happen with anyone's first soap.

I would argue that the beginner should stick with a soap to learn what a good lather feels like as quickly as possible; the lather makes the shave.

 

[rlsinaz]

I prefer Gillette Foamy to Barbasol, but not by much. I use it daily. It works fine.

I'm not above shaving twice in a day just to get a touch-up in the evening. I prefer milder razors, but also use an R41...sometimes twice in a day. If I can use an R41 twice in a day with Gillette Foamy, then I suspect the 'canned goo' offers reasonable protection.

Of course, my first pass is often done with Ivory bar soap, lathered with my hand.

In the decade after canned goo was introduced, 2 out of 3 DE shavers switched. Something to think about. If you shave for the fun of the ritual or as a form of meditation, that is different. If you want to get a clean face, CCS or DFS level quickly before work, then the canned goo will be fine. I suspect a true BBS level shave all over the face & throat might require making your own lather so you can match the consistency of the lather to the blade & razor & pass. But for a DFS? You can do it with room to spare using Foamy. Or Barbasol.

 

[tlentz]

I've tried the Gillette and Barbasol but have never tried the Proraso. The first two are ok, nothing special. The Barbasol I bought more for the novelty and the fact that it was $1. Let me know how the Proraso is.

 

[Kevan]

In the decade after canned goo was introduced, 2 out of 3 DE shavers switched. Something to think about. If you shave for the fun of the ritual or as a form of meditation, that is different. If you want to get a clean face, CCS or DFS level quickly before work, then the canned goo will be fine. I suspect a true BBS level shave all over the face & throat might require making your own lather so you can match the consistency of the lather to the blade & razor & pass. But for a DFS? You can do it with room to spare using Foamy. Or Barbasol.

I agree. Canned goo is perfectly fine and perfectly effective. Especially with a DE or a single-blade cart like the Gillette Guard. In the past 3 years I've learned to just use it and enjoy it. It certainly isn't horrible in any way. Out of the foams I've used, I think Derby is the worst, but only because it's so dry. The others are pretty equal.

Proraso is good because it's so refreshing, but I miss the old Gillette Barbershop Clean. That was the best.

Mixed lather with soap or cream is more enjoyable and slicker, sure...but I like my foams too.