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Being that I am just getting used to straight shaving, I was hoping somebody here would know of any good products that these chain stores sell for straight shaves. I dont really like the soap that Im using. And Ive never tried creams, oils, etc... But before I go blow my wad and order a bunch of crap online, I would like to use any of the good products that I can get locally to atleast narrow down what I like. Anybody use / find anything good at these places?
The only things I have seen "worthwhile" at and chain drugstore has been the Williams shaving soap, and the Real Shaving Co creams. The creams seem to be no so bad, but the Williams is terrible to lather (though it'll learn ya how to get anything else to lather)
Van der Hagen shave soap is pretty good and can be found most places.
You can't go wrong with VDH Deluxe soap in my opinion. Kiss My Face is a decent cream that is reasonably priced. At the mall if you have a Body Shop, pick up a tub or tube of Maca Root Shave cream, it's one of the best creams you can get. Bath and Body Works also carries C.O. Bigelow cream which is made by Proraso and is very good as well. As fro pre and post shave Dickenson's Witch Hazel is my favorite, along with Afta balm or Nivea balm works for me. Potash alum is available in health food stores if you're inclined to use it, it'll be marked as a deodorant stone.
Wally world sells 100% Aloe Gel, which is part of my post shave cocktail. They also sell 100% glycerin, which will help keep some of the lower performing soaps from drying quite as fast. They sell Jergens Shea butter hand lotion with is a large component (with the aloe and a smear of cocoa butter) of my after shave cocktail. The Jergens is more pricey than their lessor types - about $6.70, but a read of the ingredient list shows the shea butter is the 2nd item listed, indicating a fair amount of the mix is shea butter. 'Leaves my old fart skin better than alternatives I've tried.
CO bigelow from Bath and Body is always on some kind of sale, and is a staple in my routine, mostly because it's cheap and works awesome. The Maca Root from the Body Shop is a great buy tok, same as the varieties from Crabtree and Evelyn. They'll help get you into a higher end soaps and creams. It's really just a matter of preference in regards to smell and feel. It's just something you have to try for yourself. Everyone above has has given great recommendations, the sky is the limit!
I love the VDH from Walmart.Also,I use Shave Secret,also from Walmart,on my face before I lather.Makes the razor glide much easier than just water.
My favorite shaving products at chain stores/drugstores are Pinaud aftershaves and Aqua Velva as well as Nivea aftershave balms.
The Van der Hagan soap and brushes are favs too.
I like C.O. Bigelow too; the Bath and Body stores near us sells quite a bit of it. I usually buy three because if you buy two, you get one free. Great stuff!!Quote:
Originally Posted by joshb1000
CVS and Rite aid carry pure glycerine. This stuff is quite useful...just add 4-6 drops to your bowl and it makes your lather super rich, creamy and smooth.
instant
+l for the C.O. Bigelow. I'm new at wet shaving and I have tried seven different brands of creams and soaps---Bigelow is the best of them. Better than VDH in my opinion.
What others have said is what I'd agree with.
Most stores sell an styptic pencil fairly cheaply for the occasional nick. Aqua Velva is a pretty good splash aftershave, and Nivea is a decent balm. VDH Delux is at Walgreens and is servicable. Bigelow is a decent creme, and isn't generally too hard to find locally at bath and bodyworks. You can find Williams at many stores, too. Some love Williams, and some hate it. What every one agrees on is that it is cheap enough to be worth trying.
Also, witch hazel can make a pretty good aftershave.
I highly recommend Kiss My Face from health food stores, plus Whole Foods, etc.
Almost all the drug stores sell Clubman Pinaud After Shave Lotion. This is one aftershave i overlooked for years, and it has become my favorite quickly. Aqua Velva is also a good one but that clubman is heaven in a bottle, and i have not meet a women that dose not dig it...
bedbathandbeyond has plenty of VDH
Old Spice, about $7 at Walmart.
"Shave Secret" at Walmart for $3.49 has been the best investment for my shaves so far.
I'm a newbie also, but I've had good luck with this preshave so far.
I don't mind Kaloderma shave cream in the squeeze tube. Also, Nivea products aren't bad either.
Sad deal today.........told the wife to get some Williams at Kroger. She came back with 8 cakes. Said it was discontinued, marked down to 20 cents each! Where am I gonna get my fix????
Gotta hit the Krogers~! ;)
You know you got me using the Williams too. I think you stuck a puck in one of my care packages one time. I here people complain about the stuff but I never had a problem with it drying out. Totally the most bang for your buck.
Shhhh! You will start another Williams bashing! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarkus
CVS Pharmacy –Tweezerman Brush (not all stores)
Pinaub Clubman
Udderly Smooth face cream
Wal Mart- Witch Hazel “T.N. Dickinson’s”
Glycerin “Humco”
Misc. graders for puck soap
NIVEA face creams, post shave balms
Van Der Hagen puck soap
Old Spice, Brute, Aqua Velva aftershaves
Wal Greens- Pinaub Clubman Virgin Island Bay Rum, address- 441 & Broward Blvd. (only)
Crab Tree & Evelyn- Nomad & Sienna brand soaps, crèmes, aftershaves, Edwin Jagger brushes
Dillards- Clinique brand shaving crèmes & post shave healers
Macy’s- Clinique, Art of Shaving, Lab Series brands of crèmes, soaps, aftershaves, brushes
GNC- GNC brand Aloe Vera moisturizing cream
Witch Hazel “Thayers”
Publics Supermarket- Williams mug shaving soap puck
Bath & Body Works- C.O. Bigelow brand creams, shave soaps, colognes
Sally’s Beauty Supplies- Pinaub products, Master Bay Rum, small China made boar bristle brush
L'OCCITANE- Cade Shaving Creams & soaps
I've found alum blocks at my local Whole Foods - about 1 1/2" cube - for $7.99. I also found one a little smaller at Sunflower Market for $5.99. They both carry a few of the Thayers products as well as Kiss My Face.
Good luck.
Check any Indian Grocery Stores. We have a Patel Brothers here in Atlanta, GA. Alum Blocks - $1.99
I've seen a few people mention the Maca Root Shave Cream from The Body Shop. I'm just getting into all this, and that's the first (and only) cream that I have thus far. Very good price, and seems to lather well (though I have nothing to compare it to). I'm glad to see that it's seen as a solid shave cream - it's very cheap, smells nice, and is convenient to pick up.
They also carry a shave oil in the same series of product - has anyone given that a shot? Any opinions?
Do you ever tried the dove soap.
I use dove soap now and it work very good.
Rich and slow to dry.
Ivory soap work good too, but dove is surprising
At one point in time I was wondering why regular bath soap didn't work for shaveing and I found out most bath soap isn't actually soap, which is why the boxes are marked "detergent bar". I do however happen to use Ivory and it is marked soap. I'm not sure about dove but I think it's real soap too. I know dial isnt real soap though its one that's marked "detergent bar" which is why I switched. before decideing if that bar of soap in the shower will work in a pinch it would be a good idea to check the box. It's always good to have a backup plan.Quote:
Originally Posted by mao
edit: oops I meant I use Irish spring and it's real soap (sorry its late here) Ivory I don't know about but I think its real soap too.