Thread: Most underrated soap/cream under $20

Creams:
- Brut (Brazilian)
- Groomed Moisture Zone Smooth Operator
- Top Secret
- The Real Shaving Co. Traditional

Soaps:
- Palmira Albus
- Palmolive stick
- Proraso
- Tabac
- Wilkinson stick

I've tried a lot of artisan soaps and this is the only one I've made multiple purchases from.
Large tin, masculine scents, excellent performance, great post shave.

Most soaps run about $12

My samples I ordered from Mikes finally came in. it took over a month, but it did warn me ahead of time that it would be long since I basically ordered 1 sample size of everything he had. But that soap is really really good. it lathered up a really thick smooth lather. I looked like I had a santas beard. I already know I'm going to order a full sized tin, I just need to find out which scent I like most. Right now I'm leaning towards the peppermint and rosemary scent.

Originally Posted by Cangooner

I think I'd go with Body Shop's Maca Root cream. Lots of lathery boom for your buck there. And (on the Canadian site at least) they're clearing it out at the moment. Might be a good time to try it or stock up.

Great cream, one of my favourite. And the smell is fabulous!

Originally Posted by beluga

No sure whether I would include Proraso: personally I am not that impressed with Proraso and with the never-ending outpouring of excitement over Proraso, it hardly qualifies as "underrated" (if anything, "overrated" is more appropriate in my book).

Same applies IMO to Arko, often praised, performs o.k., but the "scent" just puts me off.

B.

This is another one of those YMMV experiences. Proraso Blue cream (vitamin E and Aloe) is the one I go to when test shaving a new edge. I am a cold water face latherer, and I rub it into my face with my hands, lather it it, then wipe it of after a lukewarm towel soak, then re-lather, usually with what's left in the brush. I get another great lather on my face and a great shave. The same is true with Arko for me. I think it is hard to over-rate something that works and costs less (in Arko's case a lot) than $10.

I agree Tabac cream is nothing to write home about. Haven't tried the soap.

A Tabac refill puck was a sure fire hit for me although I don't think it is an under rated soap being well recognized on various forums. The Tabac AS is also excellent.

Bob

Originally Posted by evnpar

No contest: Provence Sante at $10 or less for a puck that will last for months, is very easy to lather, has excellent skin conditioning properties (shea butter), and is known for slickness and glide. A wonderful French soap that is hard to beat at any price.

Gentlemen,

I agree with my friend Richard. Provence Sante, which comes in green tea and Verlaine scents, is a fine soap for the money. Provence Sante Verlaine has had a regular place in my humble shave den for years. This French soap lathers well, with good cushion, glide and moisture, and is sold around $10. Good stuff.

Institute Karite, another French soap priced around $15, is worth every penny. Like Provence Sante, it lathers well, with plenty of moisture, cushion and glide. The shave den has not been without this soap either. Another good stuff.

Trader Joe's has a moisturizing shave cream in an 8 oz tube that is Honey Mango with Aloe Vera & Vitamin E. In Trader Joe's it is with the soaps. If one isn't near you, they sell it on Amazon and probably elsewhere. I have it in my rotation with Proraso & MWF.

Originally Posted by PaBlum

Trader Joe's has a moisturizing shave cream in an 8 oz tube that is Honey Mango with Aloe Vera & Vitamin E. In Trader Joe's it is with the soaps. If one isn't near you, they sell it on Amazon and probably elsewhere. I have it in my rotation with Proraso & MWF.

This is the lotion I was using before switching to wet shaving. Good stuff but the unscented was better. Beat can stuff for sure.

To me, the most underrated soap out there is Barrister and Mann. While there are many members here that I see using it, it doesn't get the praise of some of the other high end soaps. Many of the scents are under $20 and I will say that IN MY OPINION, B&M outperforms many of the coveted creams/soaps. MDC or B&M? The answer, B&M. Truefitt and Hill or B&M?....B&M. Proraso?....B&M. Baume.be?....B&M. For my tastes, it hasn't dethroned Penhaligons, Xpec, or Castle and Forbes. But its beat the pants off of anything else I've bought or tried. I've found that the best way to get the most out of it is to buy the pucks and smash them into the bottom of a latte mug. Then build your lather on top of them. Its rich, slick, protective lather.