Ok I tried a sample of the Art of Shaving Unscented Pre-Shave Oil. I am not sure how I like it yet.
To me it smells like olive oil.
What are you impressions of it's performance?
Which of their pre-shave oil scents do you like and why?
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Ok I tried a sample of the Art of Shaving Unscented Pre-Shave Oil. I am not sure how I like it yet.
To me it smells like olive oil.
What are you impressions of it's performance?
Which of their pre-shave oil scents do you like and why?
I tried their pre-shave oil. I found that it was too thick/viscous. Like it was too sticky because it was so thick.
The lemon (I got the full kit) smells great, and I like the cream. So the oil sits unused in the medicine cabinet. Maybe it will be the next generation's rare shaving item that gets people excited...
If you knew the oil types used in most of these pre-shave formulas you would make your own. Most are a combination of very light, highly refined vegetable oils. My son sprang for the AOS pre-shave oil, which I tried while visiting him over the holidays last year. The water in Florida makes a poor lather. He uses distilled water. He also really likes the AOS pre-shave oil. I have not use for it. Nothing surpasses a palm full of pure glycerin (I buy it by the gallon) applied directly to the face before applying lather. It is slick and water soluble. The oil loaded my brush up, requiring me to use mild shampoo to remove it.
Say no to oils.
Say yes to glycerin. Attachment 153480
I have the AOS lemon oil and I do like it, but it does cause a lot of oily build-up on my brush and sink. I've been considering making my own pre-shave oil, but the glycerin idea sounds interesting. I'll have to try this for my next shave. I imagine it helps build a good lather on the face as well, since many add glycerin to their lather anyhow.
The Art of Shaving pre-shave oil is olive oil based. It has no synthetic dyes or alcohol and the scents are from natural botanical ingredients. It comes in unscented, lavender, sandalwood and lemon. Some like it and some don't. I do not use their pre-shave oils — Castle Forbes and Edwin Jagger pre-shaves for me — although I have tested them. Scent preference is personal. Make mine lavender and sandalwood. Use an amount the size of a dime or a nickel, massage it in and lather over it. Make sure you wash your hands with soap to avoid the razor slipping in your hands.
For clarification I have tried a few others before. I even make my own. This was a sample given me so I tried it. Having tried it for 4 days not, it's not bad. It is a little thicker than I am used to, but not by much.
Without a doubt the top note scent is olive oil. The "Unscented" oil actually has Lavender, Clove, and Black Pepper Essential oils.
So I made a little change in my shave routine. After showering I added the pre-shave oil and left it on for about ten minutes. In the steamy bathroom the other scents came out, and though faint I liked them.
Now I am looking to add these oils to my homemade shave oil in larger quantities. Amazing what you can find in an unscented oil!
I agree with gammaray. So many pre shave oils have ingrediants you can buy almost at any pharmacy or grocery store. I made my own lavender one and it works great
In the past I would sometimes use a pre-shave oil. Did not like the AOS..my choice was/is Truefitt & Hill.
Tried one of several free AoS oil samples; pitched them. Later tried olive oil and it seemed about the same. Not for me. It was too thick and left my hands crazy slippery. I am a Proraso preshave guy or nothing at all.
I use the Sandalwood scent. It is very thick, and honestly think it is Olive oil. My grandfather pre shaved with Olive oil, and then lather. I like the scent but then you have to clean your hands after to get the oil off. I am going to try different one from the top brands to see if there are any difference. I am waiting on some Proraso pre shave to come in, and i will up date and let everyone know.
I've got a couple bottles of the sandalwood scent that I've been going through the last few years. I usually use it. It feels nice on my skin and smells great. It doesn't do anything for the quality of shave, though. I've never had a problem with it making a mess, of course I wash my hands with soap after applying.
It's nice to have, not essential.
I also have AoS sandalwood kit. I really like it a lot. Then again, I haven't used other soap or oils as of yet. I have shaved with and without the oil and I can tell you one thing, I notice a much better shave as a result of using the pre-shave oil. The blade just seems to glide much easier and I really do enjoy the sandalwood scent.
For the past couple months I've been using coconut oil, with great results. I tried olive oil, but it was too viscous and gummy. Coconut oil looks like wax (it solidifies at room temperature) but once you touch it, it melts into a thin, clear oil. I rub a bit into my face after I shower and dry my face. Then I lather on top of that. It doesn't interfere with the lather or gum up the brush either. It works well for me.
Also, unlike olive oil, coconut oil absorbs into the skin quickly, without being oily. I find that olive oil just stays on my skin, making a greasy mess.
I like the AOS Sandalwood oil and like the scent and performance. It helped me when I was new to straights.
For anyone in Australia catchoftheday.com.au has it going cheap ($11 / $14 for unscented / lemon scented)
I have the AoS lemon pre shave oil and I really like the performance and clean, bright scent.
I haven't had any problems with my brush or sink but I do rinse and wipe my hands after applying the product.
Hmmmmmmmm,I tried it with a lime scent, it worked ok ,but I prefer the proraso pre-shave cream.:shrug:
I use the unscented pre-shave oil. It's an olive oil base with some black pepper added. I actually like the thickness, finding it easy to apply. I use just a drop or two, which covers well and provides glide without leaving leaving an oily feel, and a bottle lasts a long time. I tend to have dry skin so it also work great to add moisture. I don't know how important it really is for a good shave but it's fun to use.
What ever turns you on bro.thats the way to go.where do you find this stuff??-------james
Hmmm, that sounds good always looking for new products:idea:Thank you.
I have the AOS sandalwood kit and love the smell but I have heard that the oils are no good for your pores?? Not too sure but I use it and can't gripe at all. Does seem quite thick though.
yep,not everyones needs are the same,just have to go with whats right for you.
Agreed!! I have a inexpensive oil called shave secret that I used for awhile. The shave was better but the scent was awful!!
yep the one I have is a lime scent but its a bogus oil,might as well spray with wd-40:gaah:Theres no scent at all.So have to be more careful rather than buying this fly-by-night brands.
I tried the sample Marty passed out at the meet too. It got me to thinking about using a preshave but not that one. I will be hunting for an unscented aftershave so I can have a variety of colognes without duplicate after shave bottles all over the place.
Remember ,after shaves with alchohol dry up your pores on your face:shrug:after shaving come back with a post shaving cream to your face and neck it keeps it moist and smooth.if you need scent use it around the ears.This seems to work really well ,but everyone has a different preference ,what ever works for you stay with it:gl:
pre-shaves are great proraso seems to work great for me and others.
I like using AOS Pre shaving oil, I do not like paying for it. I recently mixed up about a pint of the stuff using equal parts Olive, Castor and grapeseed oil with a couple dashes of cedar wood and clove essential oil. Use it sparingly and its not greasy. Now I have like 5 years of oil for less than 10 bucks.
Works great.
I hope that this thread is not too old to get a response...
I was wondering if it matters what kind of glycerin I use for my pre-shave? I have been using AOS oils (and dislike the thickness and the price) and have been searching for a replacement. I have very sensitive skin. After Gammaray's comment I want to try the glycerin and have noticed that there are different kinds of glycerin to choose from. Just want to make sure before I go purchase some and get the wrong kind.
Hmmmm,never used glycerin I use a pre shave "praraso ''cream and shave cream with the red & white stripes.Not cheap ,but what is now days?When you talk about oils you get just what you pay for do a search on 'CAMELLIA OIL" its been used in china and japan for the face and used on their razors and sumari swords.E. bay has lots of it but its not cheap ,16 oz container is cheaper per ounce.also theres a shave cream called :"CREMO" wal-mart ,drugs stores have it also a product called "SLICK",suppose to be made for shaving heads,but also for all shavings its great stuff---yellow plastic bottle with black top, about $6.it never drys stays slick.
hope this helps.:gl:
The grade is not important. The highest pharmaceutical grade is for human consumption. Just buy a gallon of vegetable based glycerin and apply liberally before each pass. There is a reason why almost every high quality shaving cream or soap is glycerin based. There is no substitute. Get it near your mouth and you will discover why it is also used as a good food sweetener.
Enjoy
Attachment 161554
I loved truefitt and hill when I tried it.
where are you getting yours:thinking:
All this oil and glycerin talk got me to wondering... So I just mixed equal parts AOS oil (sandalwood), and glycerin to see how it would feel. It felt good! On the hands anyway. Smoothed out the oil a bit. We'll see next shave.
I think I'll add a touch more glycerin to the mix and see how it works out. If anything, it makes the glycerin smell good!
I loved the idea of the oil, but never really found enough benefit from it to incorporate it into my daily prep. Maybe this will change that :) .
So I mixed the oil and glycerin in a small plastic bottle and as I was soaking my brush, I threw said bottle into the sink with my brush.
When I got out of the shower, I pulled out the bottle, mixed vigorously, and applyed it to the old face. Oh man! Nice and warm! Smelled great too! But then of course, I needed to wash my hands and that's when I remembered why the oil was always such a problem for me!! I only have one sink in my den. So I had to wash my hands in the bathtub.
As you may or may not imagine, washing my hands in the bathtub is kind of a buz kill. I mean there is no way I am putting oil in the sink my brush is soaking in.
So that's that. But note too that I didn't notice any desernable difference in my my shave to make me pine. That said, my skin feels fantastic even all this time later. I bet dayly applications would be something!!
how many parts of oil to parts 0f glycerin:hmmm: