Don't use Body shop maca root shave cream with a straight razor

Body shop Maca root is a nice shave cream and is actually pretty inexpensive. Works well with a DE but do not use it with a SR. If the cream builds up between your face and the blade it acts like a magnet and sucks the blade down to your face. A good example being at the start of your stroke where excess cream is. The first time this happened I thought it was a fluke but last night it happened again.
It just seems to have a lot of "traction", making it easy to misguide your stroke and cut your face.

That is odd. I used it last night without a problem. One small nick while doing the fools pass but that was because I'm a fool.

If that's what is happening I'd recommend adding more water to give it some more glide.

I use Maca Root with a SR without any issues so yours is likely a hydration issue :shrug:

Yea, I'd have to agree with what Ryan82 has said. I am another user of Maca Root with a straight.

Bob

I've used this one a few times as well. The only problem I had was with the bodyshop maca root ASB. Perhaps it's the propyl glycol content but it always bloats my skin. The creme I found not to be too bad provided you make a fairly loose lather.

The one to try if your on the UK high street is the Ted Baker 02 shave creme from boots. Again it's a little pricey £5-£8, The lather is good but it likes to sink, it gives a very nice refreshing straight razor shave. 3 squirts in a bowl should do 4 passes. Plenty of lubrication, and no irritation for me.

I agree with Ryan as well. I've been quite pleased with it.

I have used maca root with no problems..I actually like the cream .. Never had any problems with its use..

I'm still mastering the Maca Root Cream... sometimes it's fantastic and sometimes it's not. I know it's a water issue (as in quantity, not quality), though.

My main problem is pairing an aftershave with it, as the scent of the cream lingers for hours on my face. I use Master's Bay Rum the majority of the time now, but SWMBO can't stand the scent of it. She'll make do, since she knows my face really likes it, which is probably due to the glycerine content in it. That and I dig the scent. But, she has asked me to be on the hunt for something she likes while treating my face right.

The cream I got was to sticky. I have been using it straight out of jar and not adding water. I take it your suppose to add water like you would with a soap?

yup, Get a cheap shaving brush, A boar one is ideal.

Don't get the bodyshop brush it's awful.

You soak the brush in hot water, in a cup.

Then pick up some soap on the brush and mix it in a bowl. There are loads of video's.

How to Lather a Shaving Soap - YouTube

Yes, you have to add water. MR was the cream I used in my first sr shave!!!!

I loved it for its properties except one-the smell drove me nuts. I imagine it is how some folks dislike the smell of MWF.

I find that some soaps are just thirstier than others. A dry soap can get you in trouble quite quickly

Yea, Maca Root is a thirsty soap.

Bob

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Originally Posted by dash8guru

Body shop Maca root is a nice shave cream and is actually pretty inexpensive. Works well with a DE but do not use it with a SR. If the cream builds up between your face and the blade it acts like a magnet and sucks the blade down to your face. A good example being at the start of your stroke where excess cream is. The first time this happened I thought it was a fluke but last night it happened again.
It just seems to have a lot of "traction", making it easy to misguide your stroke and cut your face.

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dash8guru,
Maca Root, as all other shave creams, requires water to create lather. The other gentlemen have noted this. There are better creams, but Maca Root is still quality with good lather, cushion and glide.

Hi, I can't comment about the Maca root stuff, but I was having the same problem with T&H, which most people say is good stuff, but realised after that I wasn't using enough water in the lather.

Like many here, I too have had no issues with Maca Root, except for the scent. This is the cream I started straight razor shaving with.

This has been one of the most recommended creams for sensitive skin. I used it when I was struggling to learn how to use a straight. Definitely mix with water, I haven't seen a brush soap or cream that didn't require it. I remember one shaver who hated Maca Root for environmental reasons. Never pursued the reasons why he thought it was unethical to use. I didn't like the smell, but it protected my face while learning.

Might it be worth editing the topic title so other people aren't discouraged from buying a perfectly good product because of a simple misunderstanding?

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Originally Posted by crouton976

I'm still mastering the Maca Root Cream... sometimes it's fantastic and sometimes it's not. I know it's a water issue (as in quantity, not quality), though.

My main problem is pairing an aftershave with it, as the scent of the cream lingers for hours on my face. I use Master's Bay Rum the majority of the time now, but SWMBO can't stand the scent of it. She'll make do, since she knows my face really likes it, which is probably due to the glycerine content in it. That and I dig the scent. But, she has asked me to be on the hunt for something she likes while treating my face right.

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I've really liked Burt's Bees unscented after-shave lotion. It isn't oily and it has no fragrance to speak of.

Another Maca Root fan, been using it for years. I too use plenty of water and 2-3 drops of Glycerin for a rich, slick cream.

Maca was my go to until I tried Sandlewood AOS… and up until last week when I tried MDC.

Get some Glycerin, CVS 6 buck a bottle will last years.

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Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun

This has been one of the most recommended creams for sensitive skin. I used it when I was struggling to learn how to use a straight. Definitely mix with water, I haven't seen a brush soap or cream that didn't require it. I remember one shaver who hated Maca Root for environmental reasons. Never pursued the reasons why he thought it was unethical to use. I didn't like the smell, but it protected my face while learning.

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Hey cajun, hope you are well, i think you may be talking about me, i dont hate maca root, in fact i like the product, but i dont buy it because TBS is owned by nestle, or last i heard it was, and they are ( again last i heard, i havent looked into it of late) somewhat unethical in the way that they promote their baby formula in developing countries. I am not posting this to garner support for any cause, just to clarify CC's comment.
And i agree about the thread title, it is misleading, i cant imagine shaving with any sort of razor would be easy if you were using any shaving cream neat.

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Originally Posted by Iceni

yup, Get a cheap shaving brush, A boar one is ideal.

Don't get the bodyshop brush it's awful.

You soak the brush in hot water, in a cup.

Then pick up some soap on the brush and mix it in a bowl. There are loads of video's.

How to Lather a Shaving Soap - YouTube

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I have a WSP high mountain badger brush and loads of various soaps. I can whip up a nice lather with all of them. I just assumed maca root cream was not the type that was suppose to be whipped up.

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Originally Posted by dash8guru

I have a WSP high mountain badger brush and loads of various soaps. I can whip up a nice lather with all of them. I just assumed maca root cream was not the type that was suppose to be whipped up.

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That sure would explain everything.

Bob

Maca Root is one of the standard parts of my super lather. Thirstier than a Saturday night drunk. As for the scent, I guess I've been "blessed" with one of the lousiest senses of smell around. It has to be stronger than a horse stable at noon on a hot Summer day before I'll even get a suggestion of aroma. But Maca good. Lack of water bad.

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

Hey cajun, hope you are well, i think you may be talking about me, i dont hate maca root, in fact i like the product, but i dont buy it because TBS is owned by nestle, or last i heard it was, and they are ( again last i heard, i havent looked into it of late) somewhat unethical in the way that they promote their baby formula in developing countries. I am not posting this to garner support for any cause, just to clarify CC's comment.
And i agree about the thread title, it is misleading, i cant imagine shaving with any sort of razor would be easy if you were using any shaving cream neat.

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It definitely wasn't you, it was someone over at Badger and Blade and it was several years ago. I think we all boycott some companies when we don't agree with their business practices. I know I do.

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Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun

It definitely wasn't you, it was someone over at Badger and Blade and it was several years ago. I think we all boycott some companies when we don't agree with their business practices. I know I do.

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sorry, i didnt mean to sound confrontational or use the thread as a soapbox if that was how it sounded.

I use it frequently and love it, no issues with glide

As it happens, I found a pot of the product in question this evening - i can only guess it was a gift, given quite some time ago. I really liked it - It gave a great shave and aside from the smell, I couldn't fault it. For giggles, i tried it without added water and it was certainly not optimal for shaving!