Tom's of Maine - "Refreshing Mint" Conditioning Shave Cream

[Kyle]

This thread is for discussion of this review. (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=19468)

I would like to give credit to Joel, and all of the other B&B members from whom I stole formatting ideas for this review.

[Austin]

Kyle, amazing amounts of lather. Was it thin?

Thanks for the review.

[Kyle]

Not at all. It was every bit as "healthy" a lather as I've ever made with Taylor's Rose or Avocado. Very creamy, meringue-like lather.

[caloy24]

Our local Grocery Outlet store in Brookings, Oregon has Tom's "Refreshing Mint" shaving cream for $1.69 per tube (46.9 cents per ounce). Obviously, an even better price than Kyle mentioned in his review. They still have many tubes in stock, so get some while the gettin' is good!

According to the Tom's of Maine website, their Honeysuckle shave cream is the one that they are discontinuing, the website didn't mention anything about discontinuing the Mint cream. I would have liked to try the Honeysuckle cream, but the Grocery Outlet store doesn't carry it.

I like the cream as much as Kyle does, that's why I bought eight tubes of it!

[Kyle]

That is a CRAZY good deal. The $5.99 price that I listed is from an upscale grocery store, and while I was sure that the product could be found cheaper, I wanted to use a worst case scenario.

[Kyle]

I gave this cream the ultimate test today and used it while shaving with my slant bar. The result - fantastic!

This product is truly a diamond. I used it in combo with the Proraso pre-shave cream and whattatingle!

[roughrider]

Sounds like great stuff Kyle. I have to pick some up when I get a chance. On a sidenote, that show on TLC called "Made in America" did a segment on Tom's of Maine. They showed the factory, products, and talked about the history of the company. It was interesting.

[Kevin]

I went to the grocery store today which carries Tom's of Maine deodorants, but much to my dismay, no shaving cream. :mad3:

The local search continues.

Kevin

[rtaylor61]

I went to the grocery store today which carries Tom's of Maine deodorants, but much to my dismay, no shaving cream. :mad3:

The local search continues.

Kevin

I've only been able to find toothpaste. Still looking!

Randy

[mrob]

Went to the local "granola" shop and found 2 tubes of the Tom's--snatched them up based solely on this review.

My take? Wow--very cooling and nicely tingly, too--if that's a word! Much like Proraso, maybe even more dramatic in its effect? And at the price, a steal.

Thanks for the tip.

Mitch

[Kyle]

It really is good stuff. Every time I use it, I like it more and more.

[PoshRichM]

Mine arrived today. I'm itching to try it tomorrow.

-Rich

[Kyle]

I'm curious to hear your opinion.

[MJB]

Quick question--

As I entered into the world of wet shaving I was attracted to an AOS starter kit which included a book. In the book mint, menthol, and other tingly producing substances are discouraged. Reason being--the tingling is local anesthetic--which makes perfect sense to me. The local anesthetic then allows deeper shaving without realizing that you may be damaging the skin.

I certainly do value Kyle's experience but curious how you respond to the above-mentioned point made by the folks at AOS.

MJB (aka Marc)

[PottyDoctor]

Kyle,

I have never been able to use menthol shaving products due to a sensitivity to menthol. Much to my surprise, I have been able to use Nancy Boy shave cream which contains peppermint. I feel the same way about NB Shave Cream as you do the Tom's Shave Cream...I just keep going back to the stuff...I love it! I really enjoy the peppermint scent and feel, but the best thing about the NB Cream is that it is so luxuriously creamy and lubricating; more so than my beloved Taylor's Rose [gasp....I can't believe I said that].:blushing:

My question is, if you have tried Nancy Boy Shave Cream, how does the Tom's Cream compare, both in peppermint scent and in the rich & creamy department? I certainly hope someone can make do a comparison review of these two.

Thanks for the great review:thumbup1:

[Kyle]

Marc,

Good question. As the AOS book is somewhat of a teaching primer, I can see their point. If you are not yet an adequately accomplished shaver, I suppose that you could rough yourself up a little bit before realizing it (with the tingle creams). Once you have been shaving for a couple of months, however, I don't see this as a real issue. The biggest contributors to razor burn are razor angle, razor pressure and shaving naked (no cream) areas. If you have a handle on these issues, I don't think that a Proraso, a Tom's of Maine, or a Nancy Boy cream would give you any noticealbe issues. Also, while they tingle, I don't believe that I have ever experienced any noticable face numbing.

Ron,

Unfortunately, I have not yet tried the Nancy Boy shave cream. I am sure, however, that at least a few of our members have, and will respond to this post.

[woodbane]

This carries on from from my other thread here (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=2248), on where to find this great product.

I also am now a BIG fan of this product. For the price, it offers an amazing shave with a really nice, refreshing feeling. I shaved with it this morning and was really surprised at the quality of the shave.

As I mentioned in my other post, I felt the only slight drawback was that it seemed to dry out slightly quicker than my Body Shop cream. However, this could have been my fault in not using enough cream, my dollop was somewhat smaller than Kyle used in the review. I'll try again tomorrow! (Isn't that just half the fun:biggrin: ).

Just a word on the whole peppermint vs menthol debate. They are two very different ingredients that achieve a similar effect, that is to say they are cooling.

Peppermint is a natural product that gives a wonderful, cooling sensation with the aroma of mint but usually without irritation.

Menthol on the other hand, does have more local anesthetic properties and more people seem to have reactions to it (myself included - it makes my skin red and eventually erupt into little spots). I feel this could be partly attributed to the reasons given above,
i.e. the anesthetic properties may cause a slight numbing that means you are more likely to use more pressure and therefore damage the skin by being too aggressive with your shave.

Peppermint seems to be a more natural choice and gives a wonderful, fresh feeling when used. Maybe some of the guys that don't react well to Menthol could try Peppermint and see if the fare any better with it?

Anyhow, enough rambling....Tom's gets a big thumbs up from me!:biggrin:

[teamacacia]

For the guys in Oklahoma or anyone else who has an Akin's Healthfood Store, I found the T.o.M. SC at the local Akins while picking up the Thayer's Rose WH. I didn't pick up the Tom's but will venture back to pick some up tomorrow at $5-6 per tube.

[cooncatbob]

Went to Tom's website and used their locator, it show Rite-Aid drug store carry the shaving creme.
It's on my shopping list.
Checked out Riteaid.com $3.39 a tube.

[cooncatbob]

I went to Rite-aid and they didn't have it. Had to go to Whole Foods, the Yuppie store, paid more but got 2 tube and some Thayers Witch Hazel.

[Kyle]

Bob,

Be sure to let us know what you think once you've had a chance to use it.

[cooncatbob]

Bob,

Be sure to let us know what you think once you've had a chance to use it.
Very nice stuff and I love the natural peppermint smell. I put a dallop in my shaving mug on top of the Williams loaded my brush with hot water and whipped up a mug full of rich aromatic lather. Also test out my new HD which I also liked alot (different then a Gillette adjustable) and finish off with some Thayer Rose Pedal Witch Hazel also very good stuff. Guess I'll relagate the Dickinson's to cleaning the paint brushes. Lol. Bob.:w00t:

[rtaylor61]

Very nice stuff and I love the natural peppermint smell. I put a dallop in my shaving mug on top of the Williams loaded my brush with hot water and whipped up a mug full of rich aromatic lather. Also test out my new HD which I also liked alot (different then a Gillette adjustable) and finish off with some Thayer Rose Pedal Witch Hazel also very good stuff. Guess I'll relagate the Dickinson's to cleaning the paint brushes. Lol. Bob.:w00t:

I relagated mine to the trash bin. That Dickinson's stuff is putrid.

Randy

[Kyle]

I relagated mine to the trash bin. That Dickinson's stuff is putrid.

Randy

Not to be overly crude, but the smell of Dickinson's reminds me of cat pee.

[MJB]

I'm going to be a bit respectfully contrarian here.

I tried the Tom's. I can't say that I'm crazy about it. My criticisms:

(1) To me it looks and smells too much like toothpaste. I had to warn my wife not to accidentally load up here toothbrush with it.

(2) The lubrication is okay on the first stoke but seems to leave very little behind--it dries quickly so its a bit of a rush to shave or forces adding water along the way (which dilutes it quickly) or relatering even before I was done with the first pass.

(3) My gut impression is that it seems to dry out my skin and tighten it. It absolutely demands a moisturizing post shave balm.

It's not terrible--although it is pretty close if you try it without the brush as directed on the package. I will keep it for strange moods but when I run out (and since I won't use it often that'll be awhile) I won't purchase another tube.

Now, I hope not to offend because many of the people who have taught me so much have been very pleased with this product--but did want to express my opposite opinion of the potion.

Marc

[roughrider]

Now, I hope not to offend because many of the people who have taught me so much have been very pleased with this product--but did want to express my opposite opinion of the potion.

Marc


No problem. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Thanks for sharing yours. :smile:

[Kyle]

I for one, will never take offense to a gent's opposing opinions when they are well thought out and clearly stated (as your's are). True evaluation of an individual's experiences, good or bad, are of very high value to everyone who reads them.

Poorly thought out, snap judgments can, however, be very offensive and serve no purpose of value. When a person makes a simple statement (like, this product is bad) and they don't elaborate on what part of the experience was unsatisfactory or when they continue to beat the perverbial dead horse and restate their disagreement/dissatisfaction a multitude of times then they become nothing more than a town crier for their own ignorance.

The quality of your input (Marc and many others here) is what makes this site such a great place.

[rtaylor61]

I'm going to be a bit respectfully contrarian here.

I tried the Tom's. I can't say that I'm crazy about it. My criticisms:

(1) To me it looks and smells too much like toothpaste. I had to warn my wife not to accidentally load up here toothbrush with it.

(2) The lubrication is okay on the first stoke but seems to leave very little behind--it dries quickly so its a bit of a rush to shave or forces adding water along the way (which dilutes it quickly) or relatering even before I was done with the first pass.

(3) My gut impression is that it seems to dry out my skin and tighten it. It absolutely demands a moisturizing post shave balm.

It's not terrible--although it is pretty close if you try it without the brush as directed on the package. I will keep it for strange moods but when I run out (and since I won't use it often that'll be awhile) I won't purchase another tube.

Now, I hope not to offend because many of the people who have taught me so much have been very pleased with this product--but did want to express my opposite opinion of the potion.

Marc

Marc,

I'm not saying you will ever learn to love this shaving cream. I have only tried it once, and I was underwhelmed. But I will try it again. If you have only used it once or twice, re-read item #2. It sounds like your water/cream ratio is not quite dialed in.

And as far as your opinion, bring it on. That is why we are here. To share information and discuss things. Never be afraid to speak up, even if your voice is a dissenting one. And ignore that Black Dodge Caravan that is now parked down the street from you. It means nothing! :cool:

Randy

[cooncatbob]

I have only used this product twice, and both time I put it in my mug and whipped it up with the brush loaded with hot water so I can't comment on using it as per the directions. But there another shaving cream called Headslick put out by the same company that makes the Headblade (headshaving razor) alot of the guys on the headshaving forum love this stuff but I always found that in clogged my cartridge razor. Then someone on the board posted that they squirted some in their shaving mug on top of the soap and whipped up a mug of very nice lather. I tried it and have been using that method for the last several months. I say if you don't like it out of the tube beat it with a Badger brush. LOL. Bob. :tongue_sm

[RWelch76]

I tried the Tom's mint this weekend and I have a question: is the consistency supposed to be like toothpaste or harder? When I squirted my dab out onto the brush, it came out waxy and hard, not soft like toothpaste. When I lathered it, the bit I used was not even gone, as a bit was still in the bottom of my mug. Maybe I got a dehydrated tube??? :confused: :eek: :bored: :mellow:

What to do? Is this the right consistency or should I request a new tube?

Thanks!

[cooncatbob]

I tried the Tom's mint this weekend and I have a question: is the consistency supposed to be like toothpaste or harder? When I squirted my dab out onto the brush, it came out waxy and hard, not soft like toothpaste. When I lathered it, the bit I used was not even gone, as a bit was still in the bottom of my mug. Maybe I got a dehydrated tube??? :confused: :eek: :bored: :mellow:

What to do? Is this the right consistency or should I request a new tube?

Thanks!
Maybe it's seperated, try kneeding the tube.
Mine right out of the tube is very soft and slippery. It's also a little grainy with small white particles in a oil? Your's doesn't sound right.:eek:

[Kyle]

I would tend to agree with Bob. It sounds like your tube is a little off. You could try Scotto's cream revival techniques. (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=2502)

[guenron]

I tried the Tom's mint this weekend and I have a question: is the consistency supposed to be like toothpaste or harder? When I squirted my dab out onto the brush, it came out waxy and hard, not soft like toothpaste. When I lathered it, the bit I used was not even gone, as a bit was still in the bottom of my mug. Maybe I got a dehydrated tube??? :confused: :eek: :bored: :mellow:

What to do? Is this the right consistency or should I request a new tube?

Thanks!
Deja vu all over again? Get with Marc (MJB) and commiserate. I believe you had a similar experience... Sounds like there is a bunch of old stock out there and the two of you lucked into some of it. Of course this is just my opinion based on both of your observations.
One issue is that ToM products are all natural, etc. Perhaps the absence of preservatives and stabilizers has a price too?

[MJB]

I tried the Tom's mint this weekend and I have a question: is the consistency supposed to be like toothpaste or harder? When I squirted my dab out onto the brush, it came out waxy and hard, not soft like toothpaste. When I lathered it, the bit I used was not even gone, as a bit was still in the bottom of my mug. Maybe I got a dehydrated tube??? :confused: :eek: :bored: :mellow:

What to do? Is this the right consistency or should I request a new tube?

Thanks!

This actaully does seem very similar to my description. It was somethat hard to push out of the tube and maybe was old.

I actually was strangely motivated to by a different brand herbal shaving potion from the same earthy grocery store--it's called J/A/S/O/N. The o is with an umlaut (two little dots over it) so should be pronouned 'uh'.

Its not a lathering cream but a lotion. It's very, very odd. It has a really wierd smell like astringent or medicinal tea (I usually dislike teas) and somehow it brings back memories of something called green soap which my elementary school nurse used to rub onto every cut and scrape. Strangley so far I like it but two shaves does not count except for a very initial impression.

Marc

[guenron]

This actaully does seem very similar to my description. It was somethat hard to push out of the tube and maybe was old.

I actually was strangely motivated to by a different brand herbal shaving potion from the same earthy grocery store--it's called J/A/S/O/N. The o is with an umlaut (two little dots over it) so should be pronouned 'uh'.

Its not a lathering cream but a lotion. It's very, very odd. It has a really wierd smell like astringent or medicinal tea (I usually dislike teas) and somehow it brings back memories of something called green soap which my elementary school nurse used to rub onto every cut and scrape. Strangley so far I like it but two shaves does not count except for a very initial impression.

Marc
Lovingly known as Booboo soap? My goodness! You have found the fountain of youth in a tube! Or was it the water fountain at recess?:001_smile
I am amazed by how evocative some of these shaving scents are. Never being one to buy into aromatherapy and other new age rage, I poopooed and piffled at such comments until I ran into the QED (http://www.qedusa.com)Pine and Cedarwood Shaving Soap!

[NYLaw]

Re: Tom's... I'm still searching for it. You'd think it'd be easy to find, what with "eight million STORES in the naked city" and all, but so far, no dice. The Tom's of Maine website's store guide hasn't been all that accurate thus far in my search...

My search continues.

[woodbane]

Re: Tom's... I'm still searching for it. You'd think it'd be easy to find, what with "eight million STORES in the naked city" and all, but so far, no dice. The Tom's of Maine website's store guide hasn't been all that accurate thus far in my search...

My search continues.

Try the hippiest, crunchiest most granola like natural health food store you can find and look in the toiletries section, I'd be amazed if you couldn't find it.

[collinarose]

www.drugstore.com has it on sale if you can't find it locally.

-Collin


Re: Tom's... I'm still searching for it. You'd think it'd be easy to find, what with "eight million STORES in the naked city" and all, but so far, no dice. The Tom's of Maine website's store guide hasn't been all that accurate thus far in my search...

My search continues.

[teamacacia]

Just wanted to update and say that I have used this shave cream a few times, now, and am very impressed. It has been very moisturizing and produces a slick lather. Today, I did not even require an ASB it has been so moisturizing. The cooling effect from the peppermint oil is a joy, especially on these hot, humid days in the south. This will definitely keep it's spot near the top of my rotation, esp. in the summer months.

[Quagmire]

Tom's site said that most of the walgreens in my area carry the shaving cream. Well, I've been to at least 5 different ones and none of them carry the shaving cream. I even went to 2 different health nut stores here and they had just about every other tom's product except the shaving cream. Guess I'll have to venture out to Whole foods and see if they got it. I just don't want to drive an hour just to buy a $5 tube of shaving cream.http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/7072/dry4hz.gif

[Dennis]

Tom's site said that most of the walgreens in my area carry the shaving cream. Well, I've been to at least 5 different ones and none of them carry the shaving cream. I even went to 2 different health nut stores here and they had just about every other tom's product except the shaving cream. Guess I'll have to venture out to Whole foods and see if they got it. I just don't want to drive an hour just to buy a $5 tube of shaving cream.http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/7072/dry4hz.gif

Ask them to order it for you since they are a supplier. Seems like a simple solution to me...

[Queen of Blades]

Does anyone have pictures of the box the shaving cream comes in?

The reason I ask is it might help fellow shavers in search of said product. Tom's of Maine packaging is awful. I missed the shaving cream in several stores because I mistook it for Hair Conditioner! The single word on the package that stands out the most is "Conditioning"! Several stores had it mis-stocked in the shampoo aisle. :confused:

[ada8356]

I refer you to #1 and #7 in this POST (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4420).

[boboakalfb]

Ask them to order it for you since they are a supplier. Seems like a simple solution to me...
I agree...

If anything you can order it and pay shipping...I am not sure what kind of vehicle you drive, but for me...

1 hour each way...say 65 Miles one way...130 both...

130 miles / 15 MPG is 8.667 gallons of gas...

8.667 x $3 per gallon is $25.99...

I choose shipping...but I guess YMMV was never so true...

[fuerein]

This is the image of the box from their website (linked directly from the website so if it disappears, Tom's has redisned their site...)

http://www.tomsofmaine.com/images/products/shavecream.jpg

[Dennis]

Does anyone have pictures of the box the shaving cream comes in?

The reason I ask is it might help fellow shavers in search of said product. Tom's of Maine packaging is awful. I missed the shaving cream in several stores because I mistook it for Hair Conditioner! The single word on the package that stands out the most is "Conditioning"! Several stores had it mis-stocked in the shampoo aisle. :confused:

Direct from the site (hope this works - first time trying a photo...)

[fuerein]

Yeah! I won the race to copy from a website!! :a14: :tongue:

Okay. I'm done with my senseless gloating.

[Dennis]

Yeah! I won the race to copy from a website!! :a14: :tongue:

Okay. I'm done with my senseless gloating.

Only because that was the first time I've posted a picture. :lol:

[fret]

I like this stuff. Very cooling and protective. Monster peppermint smell! My tube seems dry, too, but I think i am past the dry plug and shave 3 ought to be like Kyle's.

[SalvadorMontenegro]

I know this is a really old thread/review, but I wanted to comment anyway.

1. Like some others have mentioned, I got a tube where the cream was rock solid. Before I had read this thread, my initial reaction upon opening the tube was, "How am I supposed to lather with THIS?"

Well, my Mom always said I was a smarty pants, so I put on my smart pants and put the tube of cream in a coffee mug (cap up), and ran extremely hot water into the mug for about 5-10 minutes. This softened the cream considerably. When I used it the next morning, it worked fine.

2. After one use, I like this stuff a lot. Seeing as how I'm on a budget, this stuff is perfect for me.

My only complaint was that by the third pass, the cream was somewhat dried up on the brush and in the bowl. A little hot water solved that, though.

[m00t]

Another fan of the Tom's mint shave cream... man, this stuff is nice!

I picked up a tube on the way home, speeding furiously afterwards in anticipation. Once there, I was struck by mere agony at having to wait for someone to get out of the shower, but soon enough I had squeezed 3/4 of an inch into my bowl and whipped up a huuuuge amount of lather. I applied it generously, massaged a bit with my brush, and grabbed the old gillette:

Yowsa - that minty aroma and the accompanying tingle were *absolutely* refreshing, and the razor slipped along my face as if it were ice. My skin felt refreshed afterwards, and it even left my brush smelling great... it was a bit expensive at $5.50 at the local natural grocers, but well worth it, as this tube will last months - it's that concentrated. Two cheeks waaaaay up!

-m00t

[netsurfr]

You all are really feeding my AD. Had to go out and buy some Tom's. OK, OK... yeah, I really like it. But then, I really like about a dozen others on my shelf. ;-)

[Lynchmeister]

You mean it's not supposed to be rock hard? Believe me when I say that this question is posed with no sarcasm. I bought a tube a few months ago and just assumed that was the way it's supposed to be. I've only used it twice due to this...Salvador, once you softened it, did it remain that way for an extended period of time?

[SalvadorMontenegro]

Yep, it did.

[PR22]

Anyone know of any local WNY (Western New York) chains that cary the shaving cream? I see Tom's of Maine toothpaste at Wegmans, but I haven't seen any shaving cream there. And we don't have a whole foods around here. :glare:

[Tiggercat]

Thought about the mint, but ended up buying the Calendula scent. Different smell, same great cream - Tom's of Maine is a winner, and man is it cheap!

[SilkySmooth]

KMF Cool Mint is also very nice!


==Tom

[ScottS]

Anyone know of any local WNY (Western New York) chains that cary the shaving cream? I see Tom's of Maine toothpaste at Wegmans, but I haven't seen any shaving cream there. And we don't have a whole foods around here. :glare:

Most of the bigger Wegman's carry KMF in their natural products aisle. In fact-- this weekend I saw that the really big Wegmans in Pittsford carries AOS unscented and lavender lines!!

[ScottS]

To me, the mint gives a very rich lather, but I can't stand the stuff. It's like shaving with toothpaste-- and I'm a menthol lover.