Thread: Regular shaving foam

What's all this advice about a brush and williams soap? Van Der Hagen deluxe is waaaayyy better........ lol


Somewhat tongue in cheek,

Remember these words..."Goo in a can." That's all it is. Stay away from it.

Utopian is right. You'll get better results with a mediocre brush and shave soap than with the goo.

You can, I did once in a pinch (left my regular cream at home by accident). It does not work very well, but it does work.

Thanks for the helpful replies everyone.
I wasn't planning on doing it, but just incase the scenario happened to come up one day and there was nothing else.

Oh h*ll, if that's all you are asking then sure. It's better than nothing. I have used motel soap and just worked up a slight lather by rubbing it between my hands. You can always make do with something. I thought you were asking if it was an acceptable alternative for all of your shaving. I guess we got our hackles up for nothing!

Originally Posted by Utopian

Oh h*ll, if that's all you are asking then sure. It's better than nothing. I have used motel soap and just worked up a slight lather by rubbing it between my hands. You can always make do with something. I thought you were asking if it was an acceptable alternative for all of your shaving. I guess we got our hackles up for nothing!

Of course that motel soap was still better than goop in a can.

Ok, I looked for some actual science behind soap vs. cream and couldn’t find any, so here’s my unscientific take on the matter. When I used disposables, I couldn’t use shaving soap I had to use cream out of a can. When I use a straight, even a disposable straight, I can’t use cream, I have to use soap.

When I used disposables, I didn’t shower first or do a warm prep before hand. This would actually make the disposable shave much worse. Now that I shave with a straight, the prep makes a difference.

Now that I straight shave, I simply run my shaving brush under hot water, give it a few shakes and apply some hot water to my face like I‘m doing a pretend lather with just warm/hot water. Hot towel or showering works well, but the hot water on the face just before the shave works every bit as well for me. Also, a more watery or thin lather works better for me than a thick creamy lather. Just the opposite was true for disposables.

Under no circumstances would I ever consider using cream or gel out of can with any straight. It’s most likely my skin/hair type, but for me, gels and creams out of the can are worse than a dry shave.

Also, for new guys: Don’t be afraid to re lather during your shave. Just like I used to do with disposables, I lather and shave my face then lather and shave my neck.

There are lot’s of good videos of guys shaving/getting shaved online, but after 2 years, I still can’t shave like any of these guys. Most likely my fault. I have bad skin and a caveman beard. Not everyone has the skin/hair type to shave the same way.

My understanding of why that goop in a can isn't good for shaving is because unlike shaving soap which breaks the surface tension and allows proper adheasion/hydration of the whisker/skin, the gel/foam sits on top of the oil on your face and doesn't provide any protection as the blade scoots under the oil (and subsequently the gel/foam) scrapping unlubricated skin. I can't back this up, but that's what I've heard and makes perfect sense to me...

Mark

Technical explanation.
Goop in a can, also known as 'Stuff' because that's what it does to your skin.

I tried a couple of times in a rush because I had to get out to work and I have to say it wasn't a nice experience.
It felt very dry - like I had just wet my face with water and then started.
Aside from that the main reason I hate them is the penetrating stink they leave on your face. I really can't stomach it. Really cheap, nasty fragrances that don't fade only make you smell like a teenage boy who uses too much bodyspray.