You probably read the 'Proraso - what's the hype?' post of last week. That came to be after shaving once with the Proraso Green (Verde for you @Marco) and lathering the rest of the line (Red, Blue, White, Azur Lime and Cypress & Vetiver) for scent. Using an almond size equivalent of the Green, I was left scratching my head - what's the hype? I was not impressed. With that mindset, the shave went normal, though the post-shave was great.
The next day, we went to visit family out of state for the 4th. I took with me several loads of extra tubes I had to give away. My brother, a cousin and a brother-in-law, none had tried Proraso, texted/called me wondering what was wrong with me. They all absolutely loved it. I clearly wasn't seeing this through and so, upon returning home, I was set to leave no stone unturned.
The setup for a second shave with Proraso (Green) was the R41 GS, QED Best and a (used once) Voskhod blade. I used the two inches worth of cream. I was once again left scratching my head; this time at the opposite end of the spectrum. After spending more time (and by that I mean 30 second more) swirling the brush in the bowl, the lather was plaster thick. I added drops of water as I would go while face lathering. After three full passes, the lather simply would not die, neither on the skin or in/on the brush. Everything else I've used so far would, to a different extent, dry out but not this cream. I don't know what's the magic behind it. I had enough to go few more times. Overall performance (cushion, glide, protection) and post-shave were nothing short of spectacular. The skin was soft for hours (used nothing else). The scent is also, and in some odd ways for me, addicting. Odd because I tend to avoid anything mentholated. This feels different.
The setup for the third shave was the same expect for the blade: new Feather. Lately, the R41 GS/Feather combination has not been the most comfortable for me. To a point where I can barely finish a second pass. With this cream, I comfortably finished a full three passes and irritation was reduced by easily three quarter. While the cream's post-shave did its thing, I had to apply a moisturizer.
The setup for the fourth shave (today) was nearly the same expect for the blade (Rapira Lux) and the cream (Proraso Single Blade Cypress & Vetiver). I read there isn't much difference between the regular Proraso creams and the Single Blade line but I would disagree to some extent. It's thicker out of the tube and quite a bit more once lathered. It's truly impressive. The shave was as comfortable as it can be.
How does it compare to other creams/soaps: I'll just say that I'll take Proraso over AdP, SMN and MdC (to name some of the higher end stuff I tried).
All in all, I was preemptive and unfair in my judgement of Proraso. I get the 'hype'. It's cheap, accessible and it works great consistently. The little to no need of 'tuning' is another advantage - squeeze, lather and go. The scents are all growing on me as well. I've always liked the Green and I would be happy to only use that. Cypress & Vetiver is also excellent. I have yet to shave with the Blue, Red, White and Lime.
Forza Proraso!
The next day, we went to visit family out of state for the 4th. I took with me several loads of extra tubes I had to give away. My brother, a cousin and a brother-in-law, none had tried Proraso, texted/called me wondering what was wrong with me. They all absolutely loved it. I clearly wasn't seeing this through and so, upon returning home, I was set to leave no stone unturned.
The setup for a second shave with Proraso (Green) was the R41 GS, QED Best and a (used once) Voskhod blade. I used the two inches worth of cream. I was once again left scratching my head; this time at the opposite end of the spectrum. After spending more time (and by that I mean 30 second more) swirling the brush in the bowl, the lather was plaster thick. I added drops of water as I would go while face lathering. After three full passes, the lather simply would not die, neither on the skin or in/on the brush. Everything else I've used so far would, to a different extent, dry out but not this cream. I don't know what's the magic behind it. I had enough to go few more times. Overall performance (cushion, glide, protection) and post-shave were nothing short of spectacular. The skin was soft for hours (used nothing else). The scent is also, and in some odd ways for me, addicting. Odd because I tend to avoid anything mentholated. This feels different.
The setup for the third shave was the same expect for the blade: new Feather. Lately, the R41 GS/Feather combination has not been the most comfortable for me. To a point where I can barely finish a second pass. With this cream, I comfortably finished a full three passes and irritation was reduced by easily three quarter. While the cream's post-shave did its thing, I had to apply a moisturizer.
The setup for the fourth shave (today) was nearly the same expect for the blade (Rapira Lux) and the cream (Proraso Single Blade Cypress & Vetiver). I read there isn't much difference between the regular Proraso creams and the Single Blade line but I would disagree to some extent. It's thicker out of the tube and quite a bit more once lathered. It's truly impressive. The shave was as comfortable as it can be.
How does it compare to other creams/soaps: I'll just say that I'll take Proraso over AdP, SMN and MdC (to name some of the higher end stuff I tried).
All in all, I was preemptive and unfair in my judgement of Proraso. I get the 'hype'. It's cheap, accessible and it works great consistently. The little to no need of 'tuning' is another advantage - squeeze, lather and go. The scents are all growing on me as well. I've always liked the Green and I would be happy to only use that. Cypress & Vetiver is also excellent. I have yet to shave with the Blue, Red, White and Lime.
Forza Proraso!
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