Must try creams?

Ok, I now have the proraso thanks to you guys talking it up (and deciding maybe I should try something different than my Williams that I've used forever). It got me curious to try a few others as well.

What two creams would you consider "must try" options for someone who's new to this? I see everyone talking about Trumpers Violet or rose and Truefitt and Hill Lavender, but then I see everyone talking about all sorts of other stuff too.

I'm honestly not sure I'd be too keen on slathering flowery smelling stuff on my face, I tend to like citrus or spice scents the best but I'm willing to go out on a limb and try a floral one if there's a "you must try this". I just don't want to end up with 50 soaps/creams in my shaving drawer like some of you guys so can you guys pick a top two for me to experiment with? Bear in mind I already have the Proraso now and a feather (to tide me over until I get a regular straight)... so you guys are already going to have to answer to my soon-to-be-wife as it is :)

Thanks!

-- Gary F.

Personally, I like soaps better than the creams. That being said, I have a couple of creams that I really like. My favorites are Truefitt and Hill 1805 and Trumpers coconut. I have a few others that aren't very special like AOS. Lastly, if you're not sure what to go after, try writing Trumpers or Truefitt and Hill for some samples. That's how I found out which ones I like!
Good luck and please post your opinions of whatever you try!
-Fred

GFoster,

The floral scents may just surprise you.
I really like the Taylor's Lavender cream.
At $13.49 at Classicshaving. I've saw
where quite a number of the members
over at SMF tried the floral scents and
were loved them. Before trying they
had felt the same way as you.


Terry

Gary,

Start out by saving money and letting email do it's work for you. Visit the homepage of Truefitt & Hill and Geo F. Trumpers. Contact them and they will send you samples. Unfortunately, Taylor's won't send out samples.

My favorite creams are T&H 1805, Crabtree & Evelyn (they don't send samples, either) Almond, Taylor's Shaving Shop and Taylor's Avocado.

Start with the samples and go from there. If you have a Whole Foods or Wild Oats nearby, they sell Kiss My Face shaving creams. Low end on the dollar scale, but overall good stuff.

RT

I have yet to use a brush and traditional creams :o (soon!), but I have two on my list.

1. Based solely on putting my nose to the jar, Crabtree & Evelyn Sienna. I'm not much for traditional manly shave scented stuff. The only time I put Sandalwood Cologn on I kept looking over my shoulder to see which gentleman was following me around, but this one quite caught my attention. Manly without the attitude.

2. Based solely on the excellent word of mouth around here, Truefitt & Hill 1805. People talk about it like it's a Bill Ellis custom. Considering tha way my tastes run I might not like it, but I'd have to at least give it a try.

X

Taylors Almond, I never use soap, ever, never ever. Proraso is my second choice. All the others in my closet just sit there, unused.

I prefer soap because its what I was raised on, and it just seems more traditional. I have tested a few creams but the one that really stands out is Trumpers - coconut. It reminds me of the beach in summer, probably cause of the coconut scented tanning oils. I have also tried Trumpers violet and sandlewood, they are equally great, I just like the coconut scent.

I'll have to give the Trumper's coconut cream
a try. I wonder how the Trumper's coconut
soap compares to the cream scent wise?


Terry

Now we all know that real men don't use creams!

Soaps rule. Afterall you wouldn't find any 19 century man using a cream now would you.

For me the trumpers coconut is right there at the top of the list followed by haslinger herbal soaps sold by shavemac.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Now we all know that real men don't use creams!

Soaps rule. Afterall you wouldn't find any 19 century man using a cream now would you.

For me the trumpers coconut is right there at the top of the list followed by haslinger herbal soaps sold by shavemac.

---

Then Trumper's coconut soap it will be.


Terry

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wvbias

Then Trumper's coconut soap it will be.


Terry

---

Terry...when you order, order it from the trumpers site. Even though its over seas, its still cheaper even with the shipping than any place else I have found. Also, you should see if they will send you a sample of the coconut cream to compare the scent. Give us a report! I have only tried the samples of the creams they sent me when I ordered some cologne and skin food, if the soap is good I will have to order some of that next time.

JL,

Thanks for the tip. I'll tell ya one that ain't bad
and thats Classic Brand coconut. The scent is
strong enough to smell when lathering up.
I've just been wanting to try an English soap.


Terry

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wvbias

JL,

Thanks for the tip. I'll tell ya one that ain't bad
and thats Classic Brand coconut. The scent is
strong enough to smell when lathering up.
I've just been wanting to try an English soap.


Terry

---

I just bought a bunch of goat milk soap that I really love, so I don't need anything else at the moment. I dont have enough room in the bathroom to have more than one mug at a time :( I wish I could use a different soap each shave hehe!

If you want to try an English soap, Trumper's is a good one. Two better ones, in my opinion of course, are D.R. Harris and T & H hard soaps. Above reproach. As for creams, my favorite by a LONG shot is Castle Forbes Lime. Wonderful citrus aroma and the best lather I've found, period. Fills the bathroom with the smell of fresh limes, or is it green lifesavers..(?!) yep. I love the stuff. It's spendy, but it's worth it for when you're in the mood to indulge.

Jeff

I have heard that castle forbes is the absolute best without question...I have never wanted to try it bad enough to pony up the bucks...it is expensive.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wvbias

JL,

Thanks for the tip. I'll tell ya one that ain't bad
and thats Classic Brand coconut. The scent is
strong enough to smell when lathering up.
I've just been wanting to try an English soap.


Terry

---

The English soaps and creams rock. I use Taylors of OBS and Trumper both really great.:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xman

I have yet to use a brush and traditional creams :o (soon!), but I have two on my list.

1. Based solely on putting my nose to the jar, Crabtree & Evelyn Sienna. I'm not much for traditional manly shave scented stuff. The only time I put Sandalwood Cologn on I kept looking over my shoulder to see which gentleman was following me around, but this one quite caught my attention. Manly without the attitude.

2. Based solely on the excellent word of mouth around here, Truefitt & Hill 1805. People talk about it like it's a Bill Ellis custom. Considering tha way my tastes run I might not like it, but I'd have to at least give it a try.

X

---

If Bill made a soap or a shaving cream...these would certainly the type of quality he would turn out. Great shaving creams.

RT

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Now we all know that real men don't use creams!

Soaps rule. Afterall you wouldn't find any 19 century man using a cream now would you.

For me the trumpers coconut is right there at the top of the list followed by haslinger herbal soaps sold by shavemac.

---

There's nothing "unmanly" about using shaving creams, or even enjoying fragrances! Remember the shaving scene from "High Plains Drifter" where Clint Eastwood is about to get a shave, and the barber asks about adding Lilac Water? "The ladies love it. Shall we make it an even dollar?" Of course, one "no" and three dead men later, Clint left the building!

RT

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

There's nothing "unmanly" about using shaving creams, or even enjoying fragrances! Remember the shaving scene from "High Plains Drifter" where Clint Eastwood is about to get a shave, and the barber asks about adding Lilac Water? "The ladies love it. Shall we make it an even dollar?" Of course, one "no" and three dead men later, Clint left the building!

RT

---

I love all the old eastwood westerns...I think I own most of them. Great scene!

Thanks for the replies, all, lots of info here for the curious. I have some samples on the way from Trumpers and I also emailed Truefitt (although I haven't heard back yet). I'll go by Nordstrom's and see if they have any of the Truefitt that I can at least stick my nose into and get a whiff.

I have to say I was mildly embarassed. I thought what I sent was a nice respectful letter to Trumpers asking if they had a small sampler pack I could purchase. I thought my letter was phrased cordially yet wasn't too casual. The response letter I got back was so properly British, it almost stood at attention while I read it. First thing I thought was "well, I could've been a TAD more formal I think"

-- Gary F.

For creams, I'll go with Taylor's Shaving Shop first, maybe Arko second. All this may change if Colleen perfects a Cavendish Black cream, however. The best cheap shaving soap I've tried is Arko. It just has a clean soapy scent and lathers like nobody's business (and all for $1.50 a stick). I have too many creams and soaps to mention, but these are the best bang for the buck, IMNSHO.



Wayne

I bet you are right but for my buck I really love the Taylors of OBS St. James shaving cream.. It smells great and lathers up a storm. I just bought the matching after shave.

Gfoster,

You say you've got a sample package on the way from Trumper's, eh? How much do they charge for it? Or was it free?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Blade Wielder

Gfoster,

You say you've got a sample package on the way from Trumper's, eh? How much do they charge for it? Or was it free?

---

Trumper's samples are free.


Terry

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RichZ

I bet you are right but for my buck I really love the Taylors of OBS St. James shaving cream.. It smells great and lathers up a storm. I just bought the matching after shave.

---

Rich, tell me about the scent of the St. James, I haven't tried it yet.

My favorite scent yet is Taylor's Eton College, also performs well. I can't believe that nobody has mentioned Cremo. Cremo has a coconut scent, foams like Cujo, and is slick as, well... whale sh_t. I bought a tube of that stuff and I'll bet that it lasts me two years. 16 bucks, great value. Awesome product.

And what is this crap about not wanting to have 50 creams and soaps in your shaving drawer? C'mon! That's the whole fun of it.

Also Crabtree and Evelyn Nomad...momma, a scent straight from heaven.

Dr. Phong,

This is how www.qedusa describes the scent:

Quote:

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A very complex fresh herbaceous accord with crisp citrus top notes; it starts with bergamot and lavender on a layer of rosemary and coriander; it continues with juniper and clary sage on a heart of warm clove and thyme; then it finishes with base notes of patchouli and olibanum with a touch of amber.

---

It's good stuff!

RT

Yes, I must have some...It sounds like it has a good earthy scent like a sandalwood. I bought some Dr. Harris shampoo once and it had a very strong rosemary scent. Very nice. Thanks for the info.

Well it's hardly a scientific survey but I picked up some C&E Sienna and my fiancee really liked it. She walked in to the bathroom as I was finishing up my ablutions, started nuzzling up against my neck and sniffling and well, let's just leave the story right there and say that I give the C&E sienna "two thumbs up"

:)

She still won't watch me shave with the feather though.

-- Gary F.

I'm about to try my first creams....I recently recieved Colleen's and a trumpers sample :)

FYI,

I went into nordstroms to see what types of creams they had this weekend and all they carry now is AOS :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gfoster

She walked in to the bathroom as I was finishing up my ablutions, started nuzzling up against my neck and sniffling and well, ...

---

That's how they're supposed to work. ;)

X

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gfoster

Well it's hardly a scientific survey but I picked up some C&E Sienna and my fiancee really liked it. She walked in to the bathroom as I was finishing up my ablutions, started nuzzling up against my neck and sniffling and well, let's just leave the story right there and say that I give the C&E sienna "two thumbs up"

:)

She still won't watch me shave with the feather though.

-- Gary F.

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Funny, My fiance never does that...she just thinks Im silly and waste to much money on this stuff...