Rate the pre-shaves
- Thread starter BrianEsq
- Start date
I have tried AOS, Castle, and T&H and if I had to rank them I would say...
1. Castle
2. T&H(althought this is what I currently use)
3. AOS(this stuff is way too think)
I also have a few Skinfood samples that I have used as a preshave that work nicely.
1. Castle
2. T&H(althought this is what I currently use)
3. AOS(this stuff is way too think)
I also have a few Skinfood samples that I have used as a preshave that work nicely.
My favorites are:
1. Castle Forbes
2. GFT Skin Food
1. Castle Forbes
2. GFT Skin Food
My favourite pre-shave treatment is Proraso cream.
I use both the Original Green version and the Sensitive one.
I have tried many other brands, even more expensive, but Proraso is simply the best.
I use both the Original Green version and the Sensitive one.
I have tried many other brands, even more expensive, but Proraso is simply the best.
If I were going to rate pre-shaves I'd likely say:
Waste of money
Pointless
Unnecessary
Waste of time...
I'm not at all trying to be rude. In the beginning I got sucked into the hype. As I mastered the lather and my technique I found (for me) that all pre-shaves were simply a waste of my time, money and effort.
As always, YMMV.
Waste of money
Pointless
Unnecessary
Waste of time...
I'm not at all trying to be rude. In the beginning I got sucked into the hype. As I mastered the lather and my technique I found (for me) that all pre-shaves were simply a waste of my time, money and effort.
As always, YMMV.
I agree completely.
C.O. Bigelow also makes a PS oil that is less useless than the T&H.
Of all the preshaves I tried, conditioner works best. Also AOS actually made my shave worse than going at my skin raw.
The only preshave (actually the only non-can shaving product) I've tried is Pacific Shaving Co's Oil. It's been really nice (of course this is compared to a fusion + conditioner), but I'm looking forward to graduating to cream/soap 
Best preshave listed is Castle Forbes, but it's also the ONLY preshave I found worth a dam. The worst by far is AOS. Second to CF I guess is the T&H.
Ummm hot towel?
i'm sorry man, but I have to disagree...
i can definitely tell when i've used one and when i haven't. perhaps if my prep were better, i wouldn't notice as much...or perhaps it simply has something to do with my skin, but i get better glide, fewer weepers and generally more comfortable shaves with some kind of preshave treatment.
proraso pre/post works well for me although i dislike the menthol. i'm eager to try the new sensitive green tea and aloe formula. in preshave oils, the T&H is nice, as is the gentlemen's refinery. the AOS, which is olive oil based was far too thick and gummy for my taste. the pacific shave oil was on the opposite end, being uber-light and less helpful.
i think ultimately it depends on the skin being shaved and while it may be a waste of time for you, it may help others with their shave and i think that makes any time or effort spent experimenting worth the effort.
just my 2¢
i can definitely tell when i've used one and when i haven't. perhaps if my prep were better, i wouldn't notice as much...or perhaps it simply has something to do with my skin, but i get better glide, fewer weepers and generally more comfortable shaves with some kind of preshave treatment.
proraso pre/post works well for me although i dislike the menthol. i'm eager to try the new sensitive green tea and aloe formula. in preshave oils, the T&H is nice, as is the gentlemen's refinery. the AOS, which is olive oil based was far too thick and gummy for my taste. the pacific shave oil was on the opposite end, being uber-light and less helpful.
i think ultimately it depends on the skin being shaved and while it may be a waste of time for you, it may help others with their shave and i think that makes any time or effort spent experimenting worth the effort.
just my 2¢
It's all good brother, that's why I said YMMV. We all experience things a little differently in the world of wet shaving!
I find that I have pretty dry skin, especially in the winter months, and have been experimenting myself with pre-shave treatments. I have done kyle's prep with lather & hot towel, conditioner and pre-shave oil. Although, I've kinda turned it into a hybrid... I put the oil/conditioner on and let it soak on my face while I'm washing in the shower, then I do Kyle's prep while I'm still in the shower with a clean wash cloth and the shave oil/conditioner for a few minutes. This seems to work well for me, gives time for the oil to soak in or for the conditioner to soften, and the extra heat/moisture for the wash cloth just adds a little extra umph. I had good results with using Suave hair conditioner to soften my beard. Anyway, I'm still experimenting with pre-shave as you can see.
It seems to me that there are two aspects of pre-shave: skin prep, and beard prep. The oil seems to prep my skin very well, but doesn't do a whole lot for beard softening, and **surprisingly** conditioner does a better job at softening the beard hair, but doesn't do much for the skin. Using shave soap with Kyle's prep has always just dried my face out too much.
For pre-shave oils, I've tried straight olive oil, pacific shaving and shave secret. I have found that olive oil is too heavy; pacific is nice, but almost too light; and shave secret was the best for me, though I HATE the scent. That said, because of my dry skin the oils **seem** to help, at least that's the perception at this time.
It seems to me that there are two aspects of pre-shave: skin prep, and beard prep. The oil seems to prep my skin very well, but doesn't do a whole lot for beard softening, and **surprisingly** conditioner does a better job at softening the beard hair, but doesn't do much for the skin. Using shave soap with Kyle's prep has always just dried my face out too much.
For pre-shave oils, I've tried straight olive oil, pacific shaving and shave secret. I have found that olive oil is too heavy; pacific is nice, but almost too light; and shave secret was the best for me, though I HATE the scent. That said, because of my dry skin the oils **seem** to help, at least that's the perception at this time.
I use sweet almond oil. $8 for 8oz...works great
I have tried the following:
Taylors PSO
T&H PSO
DRH Arlington Pre-shave
GFT Skin food
Proraso Pre/Post
I would place them in order:
1. GFT Skin Food is a great product, but for me is a much better after than pre
2. I like the thickness of Taylors as I spread it across my face and neck, and I get better end results.
3. The T&H PSO has a citrus scent that is okay, but it is very thin compared to the unscented Taylors
4. Not sure what it is with Proraso products, but I break out big-time after using any of them, so not a good judge on those
5. As for DRH Pre-Shave once shame on me, twice will never happen Ill not waste my money on that again
I am thinking of mixing Taylors and T&H to see if I can make a consistency in-between the two to see if that increases my mileage.
Taylors PSO
T&H PSO
DRH Arlington Pre-shave
GFT Skin food
Proraso Pre/Post
I would place them in order:
1. GFT Skin Food is a great product, but for me is a much better after than pre
2. I like the thickness of Taylors as I spread it across my face and neck, and I get better end results.
3. The T&H PSO has a citrus scent that is okay, but it is very thin compared to the unscented Taylors
4. Not sure what it is with Proraso products, but I break out big-time after using any of them, so not a good judge on those
5. As for DRH Pre-Shave once shame on me, twice will never happen Ill not waste my money on that again
I am thinking of mixing Taylors and T&H to see if I can make a consistency in-between the two to see if that increases my mileage.
I'm in the school that thinks a pre-shave helps - read a post here that suggested the real advantage of a pre-shave oil is that it helps make the skin more supple. Whatever the mechanism, I feel like I get a better shave.
I've tried the AOS, too thick for me. I'm currently using Em's Place Preshave Oil. Really like this product.
I've tried the AOS, too thick for me. I'm currently using Em's Place Preshave Oil. Really like this product.
1. Kyle's preshave 
2. T&H preshave oil
3. GFT Skinfood
2. T&H preshave oil
3. GFT Skinfood
I was with you for a long time, Rob - my T&H oil was a waste of money to name one. Then I tried Castle Forbes. Any oil, like many have noted, does not seem to add any benefit and may in fact inhibit the lathering and shave. But the CF lotion does seem to improve the glide of my razor and if you believe their marketing hype, conditions whiskers for the blade's edge. I'll check in six months from now to see if I feel the same...
Noxzema cleansing cream works well as a pre-shave. About $4 for a large tub. Oh, and Cornhuskers Lotion. CHL is a great base for a shave cream; a bit 'industrial' smelling, but works well.
-- John Gehman
-- John Gehman
+1
I full agree with you. I feel they are a total waste of money, and even if they actually made a difference, they are vastly overpriced based upon the cost of the ingredients themselves.
If you are really sold on the idea of pre-shave oils, you can mix your own in huge quantities for a fraction of the cost.
I had a sample of AOS pre-shave oil, and that product has to be the worst of all of them. Very thick, feels sticky on the face, and really gunks up your razor, and brush. Fully worthless in my opinion.
I am all about products on the cheap, and have had great results using Dove Daily Moisture Therapy Conditioner, Aveeno canned gel (smells like almonds...yummy), and my present choice Kiss My Face Moisture Shave as pre-shaves.
The KMF seems to work really well to soften my beard prior to shaving.
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