Really softening preshave lotion

I've recently started using my wife's hair conditioner as a preshave, and have really liked the results, it softens my beard a lot more than just lathering up before stropping. The problem is that (a) the smell is very feminine (b) all the other conditioners at the store smell feminine (c) the combination of the condition's smell and the arlington smell is really noxious, and (d) the smell lasts for hours and collides pretty noxiously with any aftershave.

Is there a pre-shave lotion (not oil) that offers similar levels of beard softening with a reasonable aroma or in an aroma-free formulation? The Feather pre-shave maybe? Has anybody tried using harris face milk as a preshave?

Conditioner works. There are lots on the market for you to sniff, to find one you like. I haven't been bothered by the smell of any I've used. Usually when I lather up over it and shave everything seems to be gone.

I also use the Proraso pre-shave paste stuff in a jar. It smells like Vicks Vap-O-Rub but it works to soften the beard. The smell of that seems to go away after I shave too, but perhaps it just burns out the olfactory receptors in my nose.

A steaming hot towel works too, as does leaving the lather to set on your face for a while.

The steaming towel + lather routine is what I've been using, but it doesn't work as well as the steaming towel + conditioner.

I recommened before going to Whole Foods or Wild Oats markets for conditioner. Whole Foods own brand 365 has several that I've tried that don't have that smell - they're hardly scented at all.

Tom

Any el-cheapo conditioner will do the job. I've been using a herbal essences knockoff to a good effect.

I use whatever conditioner my wife has in the shower right when I get in.

Tried the harris face milk as a preshave this morning, it didn't work well...

I've also found that conditioner works well before a hot towel. Right now I'm using Aveda Rosemary-Mint conditioner. I snatched several of the small bottles from a hotel I was staying at. The scent is very mild and doesn't clash with other products. I'm sure any conditioner would work fine.

Jordan

I like Taylors of Old Bond - Pre Shave Gel. NOT the oil. They have a gel that is really good.

I recently tried the Proraso "Pre-Post" cream:

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522960/381280.htm

After I got out of the shower, I massaged some into my beard (after wetting it down well with hot water) before lathering up with Col. Conk bay rum. Overall, I'd have to say that I wasn't bowled over by the results... It's not bad stuff really, but it seems a little heavy on the menthol, which makes me wonder if the intention is more to artificially dull any potential shaving discomfort than necessarily enhance the shave itself. It did seem to produce a marginally more comfortable (although not necessarily closer) shave, but again – not sure if that was just the menthol talkin’… I’ll give it a few more tries and see if my results change.

I think I’ll try the Taylor’s gel next.