Thread: 1 soap, 1 cream

I like to try out different soaps, but I always make my own shaving cream from scratch using; glycerin, shea butter, aloe vera, cocoa butter, castor oil, and almond oil right now. I have been thinking about getting some essential oils to add to the mix, or adding some different things, but I am happy experimenting with different measurements. There are lots of recipes online. Making your own is more time consuming, however, you can use what ever you want! There are soaps out there that have lots of oils and butters in them already so you could just use shaving soap if it is loaded with oils and stuff.

Lots of great responses. Thanks for the opinions. I think I'll go with Tabac for sure. I was already considering this and it sounds like that's generally well thought of.

For the cream, I'll start with something reasonably priced and if I decide I like creams, I can always spend more and go for CF lime which seems to have a great reputation.

Cheers.

-Stub

Originally Posted by Stubbles

Lots of great responses. Thanks for the opinions. I think I'll go with Tabac for sure. I was already considering this and it sounds like that's generally well thought of.

For the cream, I'll start with something reasonably priced and if I decide I like creams, I can always spend more and go for CF lime which seems to have a great reputation.

Cheers.

-Stub

Stubbles,
After trying a few of her scents, and one of her last incarnations (the newest formula, which Robin just reviewed) I am of the opinion that one of CarrieM's creams would delight both your pocketbook and your face.

That said, it is impossible to make a 'wrong' choice. You have to try all the flavors to find out which ones you really like.

You can't go wrong with Tabac shaving soap, but I have also used Edwin Jagger Sea Buckthorn as well. I have not, as yet, tried CarrieM's creams, but have tried and like both Proraso and Ingram shaving creams. The fragrance of Ingram is more appealing, imho, than Proraso and it too is reasonably priced.

Originally Posted by jhenry

You can't go wrong with Tabac shaving soap

Yes, you can. For example, by using it.

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Yes, you can. For example, by using it.

So I assume you're not a Tabac fan then Robin..? Hehe!

You sound like you are a one soap at a time guy. If you plan on finishing the puck before moving to the next, I would pick a soap that is either unscented or has a mild scent you can live with everyday. I like Tabac, but I cannot see myself using it everyday. The scent is strong and lingering, and will limit your choices of aftershave and cologne, unless you are fond of the 70's sweaty disco dancer scent . MWF is, to me, just as good, and is more versatile scentwise. Some of the DR Harris soaps like Marlborough, may also be a good choice, as are the lightly scented triple milled French soaps.

AND LET THE AD BEGIN!!!

Like the above poster said if you don't plan on buying more than one soap and one cream, I wouldn't just go out and buy Tabac, you should try to see if you can get ahold of a sample first. I love Tabac, both for its performance and scent and I could live with using it every day, but it is a love it or hate it kind of thing. Also I'm not a huge cream guy, so I don't know what all is good, but the closest thing I have to a cream (outside of my cream samples I haven't tried yet) is a tub of Proraso and I love it.

Thanks to whoever it was that suggested CarrieM's cream. I contacted her and will be ordering the Black Rasberry Vanilla one, I think. Either that or Lemongrass.

Still deciding between Tabac and MWF for the soap--leaning toward MWF, though I've read a few places it builds a lather that is less thick and needs a little work to get it going.

Great advice. I may have to return to this thread the next time I'm ready for a purchase and try something new. I was on a bit of a budget and these two seem like good values based on what people wrote.

Happy shaves this weekend.

-Stub

I haven't tried the Black Raspberry Vanilla - and by the sound of it never will, either - but I really like my lemongrass. I don't like sweet stuff too much in general (and since taste and scent are closely related, that extends to shaving scents), and therefore suggested to Karen to try lemongrass instead of lime. For me, it works like a charm.

As for MWF vs Tabac - I hate the smell of Tabac, plain and simple. It was in very wide use when I was a child, and like everything from the 70s, it stinks:

YouTube - TABAC Original Aftershave