Proraso Pre/Post - That matte feeling

[K.T.]

Hello,

I've been using Proraso Pre/Post for several months, now, and I like it overall. Love the Proraso scent, and the cream makes my skin soft.

One weird quirk, though, is that the surface finish of Pre/Post is very matte. There's no sheen or shine to it at all. It's kind of unnatural looking in that way. It's as if someone had put a layer of base, foundation, or powder on my face. Though there's no color to it once it's on, it does make my skin look a little more whitish (the paste is white), and it reminds me a lot of the skin of someone who's put on way too much makeup - very matte without the natural sheen of healthy skin.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Previously I had been using the discontinued L'Oreal Men's Expert Hydra-Energetic Turbo Recharger. That was my favorite. It gets absorbed quickly and leaves a healthy, buffed-looking, sheen. Not shiny, not matte, but a good healthy looking sheen. Proraso Pre/Post doesn't get absorbed like that but settles in a thin film on top of the skin. Unless I dilute it with just enough water or witchhazel, it will feel too heavy.

Does anyone else find the matte texture disconcerting?

K.T.

 

[HoratioCaine]

Has anyone else noticed this? Does anyone else find the matte texture disconcerting?

Yes. Like you, I like a "healthy sheen" to my skin. Truly matte looks unhealthy - it reminds me of what chain smokers who spend too much time indoors look like. I'm no big fan of the Proraso pre/post as an aftershave anyway. I find it to be too heavy, as do you. There are plenty of good aftershaves out there, though. Honestly, I never would have used that L'Oreal stuff, solely on account of the incredibly stupid and insulting* name they gave it. You can do better than that.


*It's insulting insofar as they evidently think most people are too boneheaded NOT to find it to be a stupid name.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Hey! Dont discount LOMEHETR!

Its actually good stuff! You're judging a book by its cover!

In all seriousness to the OP however, I'm not a fan of pre/post as a "post" either...too thick for me for an ASB.

 

[HoratioCaine]

Its actually good stuff! You're judging a book by its cover!

No doubt I am. I think I would actually be more inclined to use an ASB named "Turds in a Tube" than I would "Expert Hydra-Energetic Turbo Recharger." At least with the former, if someone were to say to me, "You smell like sh*t," I could say, "You know, there's a good reason for that...." It would be a good ice breaker.

 

[K.T.]

Well, I agree L'Oreal went overboard with the name on that one. It's good stuff, though. Maybe the name disuaded folks from buying it, so they discontinued it.

I think the Proraso Pre/Post incorporates better into the skin after some time with body heat, but it still has a residual matte look. I don't dislike it, but if I could find better post shave that's nearly as economical, I would definitely go with it. The Pre/Post is my workhorse daily post because it's so economical.

K.T.

 

[FLTiger]

The only way I could see Proraso pre/post used as an aftershave is if you applied it, let it sit a couple of minutes, and then rinsed it off. That said, I've never tried using it in this fashion--something for another day.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

No doubt I am. I think I would actually be more inclined to use an ASB named "Turds in a Tube" than I would "Expert Hydra-Energetic Turbo Recharger." At least with the former, if someone were to say to me, "You smell like sh*t," I could say, "You know, there's a good reason for that...." It would be a good ice breaker.

Ok...you had me laughing there!

Although, by that same arguement...if someone said..."damn, you smell good!" And you responded with: "its my Expert Hydra-Energetic Turbo Recharger...." I'm fairly certain that would break the ice as well!

 

[Drubbing]

I'm a fan of the pre post as an AS. But don't get any of the matte issues. I use very little on a damp face, it goes a long way and absorbs very well with no heaviness.

Using more on a dry face, and I can see how it might build up instead of absorb. I used to use way too much and it left my face tacky.

 

[drifwood]

Hi,

Since I'm already loving my Proraso green soap, I'm interested in the pre/post balm. I haven't spotted it in any of the stores I shop at here in eastern Canada.
Do any of my fellow Cnuckleheads know if any of our national chains sell this product? Same for Proraso in the tube. I'd like to pick some up for travelling.

TIA,
Ian

 

[HoratioCaine]

Although, by that same arguement...if someone said..."damn, you smell good!" And you responded with: "its my Expert Hydra-Energetic Turbo Recharger...." I'm fairly certain that would break the ice as well!

Good point.

 

[theologist]

I'm a fan of the pre post as an AS. But don't get any of the matte issues. I use very little on a damp face, it goes a long way and absorbs very well with no heaviness.

Using more on a dry face, and I can see how it might build up instead of absorb. I used to use way too much and it left my face tacky.

That's the thing: use it on a MOIST face, and not too much.

I use it fairly generously as pre-shave, but sparingly after.

It is especially good if you've had a bit of a rough shave for some reason - very soothing...