Nivea Sensitive Gel vs Any Soap

[Minas]

Please don't stone me for the title.
Hello guys, I am a head shaver for many years, the last 3 I am using SE, DE razors (Leaf Thorn, Rockwell 6S and now Henson AL13 Mild which is the best razor by far for me and the only one I am using)
My problem is that I always wanted to like soaps, I have tried Cella and Hasslinger, my lathering is good but when I use a soap sometimes I will get some small nicks and the slickness is not even close to Nivea Gel (again let me say that my lather is good).
I like using a brush though and I find it easier to re apply lather than using the Gel, also the ingridients better in soaps.
I was thinking of buying a Stirling Scots Pine Sheep as my last hope of using a soap that is slick also provides residual slickness and it is protective, any thoughts?
Does anyone else has tried Nivea Sensitive Gel and had a similar experience?

 

[Dave himself]

You could try using a Pre-shave. I've only recently started using Pears Soap and it's made a big difference in my shaves. I was always happy with my lather being slick and well hydrated. But with the added preshave it's a different ball game. Could be worth a try.

 

[tropic]

...I have tried Cella and Hasslinger, my lathering is good but when I use a soap sometimes I will get some small nicks and the slickness is not even close to Nivea Gel (again let me say that my lather is good)....

Nivea gel works great. So does Haslinger (never tried Cella), so perhaps you might try fine-tuning the lather you're making. Quick question: does your lather feel slicker when you're shaving or when you rinse the remnants from your face after a pass?

 

[The Blackadder]

For me Cella is just second to Saponificio Varesino, nothing else compares in protection and slickness. However, Cremo is just as slick, just not as protective. Maybe you experience the same with Nivea Gel

 

[Blade_Runner37C]

Honestly i was making a great soap lather. rich, thick and creamy looking. wasn't getting the slickness everyone was talking about. Found a video and saw I was using not near enough water in the mix and once I adjusted the water mixed in (a tiny bit at a time then mix) i've discovered that slickness. I know it sounds goofy but it really was night and day.

Also drop $12 on PAA cube 2.0 it's a pre-shave soap in a cube and it's super slick (same goes with plenty of water). Just give it a try. I have not used Nivea gel, but if that was the cure all, I would think i would have been reading more about it.

 

[thombrogan]

If Nivea Sensitive gel is doing the job, why not stick with that and use the money and holding space you’ve allotted for soaps for aftershaves or colognes instead?

 

[tropic]

Honestly i was making a great soap lather. rich, thick and creamy looking. wasn't getting the slickness everyone was talking about. Found a video and saw I was using not near enough water in the mix and once I adjusted the water mixed in (a tiny bit at a time then mix) i've discovered that slickness. I know it sounds goofy but it really was night and day.

Also drop $12 on PAA cube 2.0 it's a pre-shave soap in a cube and it's super slick (same goes with plenty of water). Just give it a try. I have not used Nivea gel, but if that was the cure all, I would think i would have been reading more about it.

My lathers work better the worse they look. Quick Stirling lather looks like the end of Akira, but it's very slick.

 

[Blade_Runner37C]

My lathers work better the worse they look. Quick Stirling lather looks like the end of Akira, but it's very slick.

View attachment 1988310View attachment 1988311View attachment 1988312

Has your brush seen a doctor? it looks like it has a case of the drips,

 

[tropic]

When I was a younger, that was easily remedied. Penicillin just doesn't pack the kick it used to.

 

[Jamolay]

I second the pre-shave soap. I started with the PAA Cube, which is a great product. But now I just use a glycerine soap (currently 365 brand, that is Whole Foods/Amazon, scentless).

First I wash (head shaver) with it, which supposedly removes oil from the hair follicles, allowing moisture in and glycerin is a good ph and hydrate for hair, although any soap may work. Then, after the hot towel soak, I rub the wet bar of glycerin soap over my stubble against the grain. My lather goes on top.

There is nothing wrong with the PAA Cube, it is a great product imo, but the scents are too strong for me and the only unscented and non-mentholated version has carbon in it and is black. It is for exfoliation, but I didn’t want that.

I need to try Cella, that Saponificio Varesino is out of my price range.

 

[Minas]

You could try using a Pre-shave. I've only recently started using Pears Soap and it's made a big difference in my shaves. I was always happy with my lather being slick and well hydrated. But with the added preshave it's a different ball game. Could be worth a try.

Thank you for your reply!
I was using Proraso preshave, to be honest last night I ordered Phoenix Artisan CUBE 2.0 preshave soap to try it. I also ordered a Stirling soap so fingers crossed!!

 

[Minas]

Nivea gel works great. So does Haslinger (never tried Cella), so perhaps you might try fine-tuning the lather you're making. Quick question: does your lather feel slicker when you're shaving or when you rinse the remnants from your face after a pass?

My only problem with nivea is that it dries quickly. I think I have found the correct amount of water in my lather to be slick enough, I guess it's slicker when I rinse but it's also thinner and for sure less protective!

 

[ajkel64]

I love Nivea Shaving Gels and Foams. I used them for years prior to joining this Forum. I still applied Nivea Gels and Foams with a brush. It was easy, spray some into the middle of the brush and apply. Worked really well for me.

 

[Minas]

For me Cella is just second to Saponificio Varesino, nothing else compares in protection and slickness. However, Cremo is just as slick, just not as protective. Maybe you experience the same with Nivea Gel

I have heard great things about SV, I just wanted to try other soaps before going to 30-40€ soaps, I don't think it's expensive as a soap because I know it will last "forever". I will try it in the future for sure!
Maybe you are right about cremo and nivea.

 

[Minas]

Honestly i was making a great soap lather. rich, thick and creamy looking. wasn't getting the slickness everyone was talking about. Found a video and saw I was using not near enough water in the mix and once I adjusted the water mixed in (a tiny bit at a time then mix) i've discovered that slickness. I know it sounds goofy but it really was night and day.

Also drop $12 on PAA cube 2.0 it's a pre-shave soap in a cube and it's super slick (same goes with plenty of water). Just give it a try. I have not used Nivea gel, but if that was the cure all, I would think i would have been reading more about it.

Thanks for your reply!
I think I am adding the correct amount of water but I will do some test adding more until it the lather collapse just to check the limits.
I was using Proraso preshave but last night I ordered a PAA 2.0 unscented cube, I don't know how I haven't seen this preshave all this time!

 

[Minas]

If Nivea Sensitive gel is doing the job, why not stick with that and use the money and holding space you’ve allotted for soaps for aftershaves or colognes instead?

My only problem with nivea gel is that it dries fast and the head has bigger surface than the face so more time to shave. Also you know how DE shaving is we can't live with just one product but also I like usingmy brushes etc, I enjoy the process!

 

[Minas]

My lathers work better the worse they look. Quick Stirling lather looks like the end of Akira, but it's very slick.

View attachment 1988310View attachment 1988311View attachment 1988312

Beautiful!

 

[Minas]

T

I second the pre-shave soap. I started with the PAA Cube, which is a great product. But now I just use a glycerine soap (currently 365 brand, that is Whole Foods/Amazon, scentless).

First I wash (head shaver) with it, which supposedly removes oil from the hair follicles, allowing moisture in and glycerin is a good ph and hydrate for hair, although any soap may work. Then, after the hot towel soak, I rub the wet bar of glycerin soap over my stubble against the grain. My lather goes on top.

There is nothing wrong with the PAA Cube, it is a great product imo, but the scents are too strong for me and the only unscented and non-mentholated version has carbon in it and is black. It is for exfoliation, but I didn’t want that.

I need to try Cella, that Saponificio Varesino is out of my price range.

Thank you for the reply!
I just ordered PAA Cube unscented last night! I was using proraso preshave but I've heard good things about PAA.
I am always shaving after taking a shower.
Cella is a good soap/cream it smells great if you like the scent it lathers easily and the price is great! I want to try SV too, when you hear the price you think it's expensive and it is don't get me wrong but it's triple milled and it will last for "ever"

 

[Minas]

I love Nivea Shaving Gels and Foams. I used them for years prior to joining this Forum. I still applied Nivea Gels and Foams with a brush. It was easy, spray some into the middle of the brush and apply. Worked really well for me.

Nivea gel with a brush? Hmm never thought about that, I will definitely try it! Thank you!

 

[tropic]

My only problem with nivea is that it dries quickly. I think I have found the correct amount of water in my lather to be slick enough, I guess it's slicker when I rinse but it's also thinner and for sure less protective!

I'm probably projecting, but how much air is in your lather? The more air, the less water touching your skin and available for lubrication. Why don't you give @blade_runner37c's method a try? Anyway, have fun! I'm curious what you think of the PAA Cube.... I've thought about trying it myself.