Cella and MWF, kind of bummed.

[Chefbaze]

Hi ive been shaving with a de (de89), feather blades for about 2 months now, so I'm fairly new. Using just creams GFT coconut, tobs lavender and poraso. Ive from day 1 gotten consistently close irritation free shaves. Some days obviously better than others. I guess I was lucky being new and taking to it so well. So I decided last week to try some soap as I can sde how flyinng through tubs of gft coconut cream(my favorite) can get expensive. So I bought some cella. I was amazed. Super slick, creamy lather. I got a great, close, comfortable shave. Until the next day that its. The next day brought a prickly irritating feeling. If I touched my face it felt like my growing whiskers were sharp like pin heads. I let my face recover for a day, and wdnt back to the pharmacy and picked up MWF. Again, great lather, super slick, bad shave. Id chalk it up to inexperience but I've had such great shaves til now for 2months without the slightest nick. Im dissapointed as I thought I found nirvana with the cella. Is it that I go too close a shave, I dont think so, but maybe? Or are soaps just not for me? Am I doing something wrong? Is there a soap that acts more like the creams I've been using?

Thank you guys for ask of your help. Maybe I just stock to my,gft coconut since its the first time in my life I was able to shave close every consecutive day without issues. Its just so darn expensive.

[Chefbaze]

*thank you
Thank you guys for ask of your help.

Thank you guys for ALL of your help.......damn autofill !

[California Cajun]

Hi ive been shaving with a de (de89), feather blades for about 2 months now, stop I'm fairly new. Using just creams GFT coconut, tobs lavender and poraso. Ive from day 1 gotten consistently close irritation free shaves. Some days obviously better than others. I guess I was lucky being new and taking to it so well. So I decided last week to try some soap as I can sde how flyinng through tubs of gft coconut cream(my favorite) can get expensive. So I bought some cella. I was amazed. Super slick, creamy lather. I got a great, close, comfortable shave. Until the next day that its. The next day brought a prickly irritating feeling. If I touched my face it felt like my growing whiskers were sharp like pin heads. I let my face recover for a day, and wdnt back to the pharmacy and picked up MWF. Again, great lather, super slick, bad shave. Id chalk it up to inexperience but I've had such great shaves til now for 2months. Im dissapointed as I thought I found nirvana with the cella. Is it that I go too close a shave, I dont think so, but maybe? Or are soaps just not for me? Is there a soap that acts more like the creams I've been using?

Thank you guys for ask of your help. Maybe I just stock to my,gft coconut since its the first time in my life I was able to shave close every consecutive day without issues. Its just so darn expensive.

Try a less expensive cream. Look in the reviews section of this forum and price the various brands. This cream may come in a tube instead of in a tub. I'm sure you'll come up with a much cheaper alternative that works.

[Vlad]

I'm sure there's soaps out there for you. Sounds like maybe you just had a bad reaction to the Cella. Either your face just didn't recover, or maybe you have a lanolin sensitivity, which explains the MWF problem. I love both creams and soaps...don't give up on either.

[djh]

Maybe I just stick to my,gft coconut since its the first time in my life I was able to shave close every consecutive day without issues. Its just so darn expensive.

It sounds as if you may have had sensitivity problems before?! In my opinion, soaps provide a better shaving lather than creams but they do require a little more work. I would suggest that you test the Cella (and perhaps MWF as well) on your skin to see if you have any problems. You can easily rub some soap on the inside of your elbow and leave it there for a short while to see if any problems arise. In the event of a reaction, it might be a good idea to check out some other (maybe less expensive) shave creams as was suggested by CC.

[smalltank]

Try Derby..some love it..others hate it..but I get it for $5 at my local beauty store..so its worth the try//also Old Spice Fresh Lime/Original (Indian version)..works really well and nice scent..also very cheap on ebay or WCS.

[Trout Whisperer]

Good advice above. Do Cella and Mitchell's Wool Fat share a common ingredient?

[bkfist]

Good advice above. Do Cella and Mitchell's Wool Fat share a common ingredient?

The main shared ingredient is tallow... But it's unlikely you are sensitive to that.

Those two soaps are probably the two top irritation causers for a lot of people... The almond scent in the Cella seems to cause burning problems for a good many people (myself included) and MWF is one of the more likely to cause problems for others, possibly from the lanolin, or the perfume. (I don't have a problem with it.)

You may just be "lucky" and be sensitive to both. It also may be (especially with the MWF) that you didn't get your lather as thick as you did with the cream you have been using. Try taking the puck of MWF, rubbing it directly on your (dripping wet) beard in circular motions (like you would a shave stick - or another way to think of it, like you were lathering up with a brush.) (45 seconds is more than enough, and if it starts to get dry or sticky, wet the puck with a couple drops of water... then take a moderately wet brush to your face and face-lather the product you rubbed on your face. This will always produce a very thick/rich lather with MWF. If your face starts to burn while you are rubbing the soap on, stop right there and wash it off, that would be an indication you are actually sensitive to something in the soap, and not just getting a sub-par lather. If your face doesn't burn with the "concentrated" soap being applied directly from the puck, it's *probably* not a sensitivity to the soap itself.

Since you went to the store and bought MWF, I'm guessing that you live in the U.K. somewhere... There are other English soaps that don't have sensitivity issues like MWF... DR Harris is great stuff, as is Edwin Jagger, I'd suggest giving either of those a try if you find you *are* sensitive to MWF.

[Chefbaze]

Thank you for all your advice. No, I live in NYC a few blocks away from pasteur pharmacy which stocks probably every shaving item discussed here on b&b, with the exception of vintage razors and MDC. Its a blessing as well as a curse. Im in there every other day spending my money on stuff I really don't need, which is why I figured if I find a couple of soaps that work, they'll last longer than the creams and I can back off of the place for a long while. I happy with my razor and really don't have any desire for more razors. just a soap our two that work well for me would do.

[franz]

I would say that if you're a couple of months in, it may be hard to distinguish between a product reaction and an off shave. (It happens to the best of us -- really!)

David suggested testing the soaps on the inside of your wrist or elbow -- sage advice. Anytime you have an issue with something new in your routine, press the reset button; go back to what has worked for you in the past, then try again.

It may just be that you are new to soaps and your lather was too thin because you didn't load the hell out of your brush.

[The Soph Gent]

Thank you for all your advice. No, I live in NYC a few blocks away from pasteur pharmacy...

Lucky guy! :thumbup: . I was in NYC a few weeks ago and went to Pasteur's for the first time. Didn't want to leave.

[bkfist]

Thank you for all your advice. No, I live in NYC a few blocks away from pasteur pharmacy which stocks probably every shaving item discussed here on b&b, with the exception of vintage razors and MDC. Its a blessing as well as a curse. Im in there every other day spending my money on stuff I really don't need, which is why I figured if I find a couple of soaps that work, they'll last longer than the creams and I can back off of the place for a long while. I happy with my razor and really don't have any desire for more razors. just a soap our two that work well for me would do.

Ahh, in that case you have a LOT of stuff to choose from... :)

I might suggest Institute Karite, or Provence Sante (smell them first to make sure the scent is agreeable) as decent lathering soaps for winter use which should be pretty easy on sensitive skin. Also Valobra stick is almost scent-free. La Toja stick is also decently moisturizing and I don't recall anyone mentioning sensitivity to it. I think any of the 4 would be a good place to start for soaps, and are reasonably priced. Valobra is probably the most "drying" of the 4 mentioned, but still is not what I'd consider too drying for winter use.

Stay away from Speick stick, as quite a few people have had sensitivity to that one.

[jsj_297]

Try Kiss my face creams. Super cheap and worth every penny...One of those diamond in the roughs. :)

[JLuger]

I'll just throw this out there, but if you had a good Cella lather, a Feather blade, and got a good shave, then it could be your post shave treatment was lacking. I know that combination can shave me really close, and leave my skin almost too clean. I seal with some alum, hit the Proraso or witch hazel splash, and then a soothing balm.

The MWF can take a little work to get a good lather, but again, when the lather is good and the Feather is sharp, you need to treat your skin properly after.

[The Soph Gent]

I tried Cella for the first time yesterday. I added a little water (like always) but the soap was too thin. When I applied it to my face, it wasn't slick at all. I started over and used VERY little water, literally droplets. Results were a much better lather; thicker, slicker and tons of it. Got a great 3 pass shave from that. Not sure how your lather was (thin?) but like everything else in life, we lose track of certain fundamentals and take them for granted. Might be worth it to pay close attention to exactly how you are making your lather.

BUT more importantly, you stated that it was the NEXT day that you felt the stings. How was it right after your shave? Any irritation or burning then? JLuger's advice for post shave is excellent.

[Cary Grant]

It could be that the Feather blades aren't agreeing with you? and it is possible to build up a reaction to them. I would go back to square one and see how it goes and take it from there.

[CSG]

It's a shame so many people seem to get irritation from shaving this way. It's hard to imagine it's the products that are affecting people like the OP as they are wonderful in my and most user's experience. I'd expect it's a hardware/technique issue more often than not.

BTW, if you have found a product you like and consider how long it really lasts, it's not all that expensive per shave. My problem is that I like so many things and want to try more that's where it can get expensive. One tub of GFT is about $30-35 but 10 tubs, well...

[Montecristo #2]

What a shame. Two excellent soaps. Try Valobra Soft soap instead.

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Valobra-Almond-Soft-Shave-Cream-Soap_p_187.html

[jss4fish]

Lots of great advice already. I will only add that soaps are different than creams and lathering them is a different game. As mentioned earlier, you really need to load the brush heavily. I have also found MWF likes more water than many other soaps... I hope you find something that gets you where you want to be!

[Chefbaze]

Update*

I tried the Cella again today...I guess it was my technique our just a bad day, because today, it was wonderful. zero irritation! Thank God, beause I love this stuff.....The MWF on the other hand, well lets just say its become an $18 hand soap

[insomniac]

If you want an inexpensive version of TOBS/Trumpers, get The Real Shaving Company cream, made by the same company. Scents are different (generally milder) but the cream is quite inexpensive.

[Price]

Update*

I tried the Cella again today...I guess it was my technique our just a bad day, because today, it was wonderful. zero irritation! Thank God, beause I love this stuff.....The MWF on the other hand, well lets just say its become an $18 hand soap


You can probably get most of your investment back on the BST. MWF has quite the devoted following.

[Chefbaze]

You can probably get most of your investment back on the BST. MWF has quite the devoted following. Yeah, I tried. Im not allowed to post on bst yet..I was thinking of trading it for even a small piece of mdc to try before I plunk down $65, and pray I dont get burned...

[franz]

This is going to sound lame and run counter to all the good soap enabling that goes on around here -- but I would urge you to try mastering the soaps you have before plunking down the cash for another one. There's nothing wrong with giving up on a soap if it truly doesn't work. However, you have to have enough skill to be able to tell the good from the bad.

[Chefbaze]

This is going to sound lame and run counter to all the good soap enabling that goes on around here -- but I would urge you to try mastering the soaps you have before plunking down the cash for another one. There's nothing wrong with giving up on a soap if it truly doesn't work. However, you have to have enough skill to be able to tell the good from the bad.

Mastering soaps? Its not rocket science, no offense really. I know you're trying to help. Also, it doesnt take a skilled master, to know that his face is burning, and red as if sun burned.I could understand picking up new razor and having to learn angle and what have you, but I think we can all tell whether or not we have a decent lather on our faces.At least after the first few shaves with a brush and blade, we know, its to thin, watery,dry& fluffy etc. The shave just doesnt feel right, and we adjust. More product,less etc. til its right. Its something we all do most everyday..if I didnt have a decent lather, I would not have put the blade to my face..certain products irritate...for me its definitely anything with sandalwood, my upper cheeks burn, and become beet red, alot different than razor burn. I know its fun stuff here, and im with you guys, but really, it doesnt take long to figure out how to make a lather with a new product, and know when its right to put a blade to. My experience witn the MWF is purely from the some ingredient that doesnt agree with me, it just burns even if I just apply it without shaving....As for the cella, my first experience, im chalking up to a bad day, because the lather felt , so great that maybe I got a little sloopy with my razor technique, because the stuf was just that slick.the next day was just hell with bumps and irritation..that was the first time in a long time, that happened, even with carts..also..im In the middle a deep case of ssad, dont tell me I gotta ” learn” one soap at a time. I want them all, now!! More! Now!

[mwawrzyniuk]

Hi!

I don't belie that all creams/soap which you tried are bad. Something else is wrong stick with one razor/soap/blade. You re now two months experienced with wet shaving. Some people do basic mistakes over years :)))). Review grounds:

1. Hot water - everything before and during shaving hot.
2. Shave with grain specially neck can be very tricky.
3. Use pre shave oil can be home made castor oil with olive of oil.
4. If problems happen day after shave it might be ingrown hairs don't press too much razor.

Allergy symptoms usually appear straight after or in few hours after.


If you don't believe go to Barber and you will have proof is it something what you are doing wrong or problem with sensitivity.


M

[Chefbaze]

I don't belie that all creams/soap which you tried are bad. Something else is wrong

Who said anything about ALL soaps and creams? I believe the post was about MWF and Cella. PDP works wonderfully for me, as do all of my creams, gft coconut, tobs lavender,proraso. The cella was not the problem, it could have been a sensitive day and I may have face lathered too rough, who knows...I know sandalwood irritates me so I dont use it. Ive been trying new soaps, I thought the cella irritated me, but that wasnt the case. MWF however irritates me, burns me, even without shaving....I was just sharing my dissapointment, because I really wanted it to work for me,after learning of its almost cult following. part of the fun here, is trying new products that people.here.rave about, and sharing our experiences with those products.......im not claiming to be very experienced, but so far with every other product ive tried,other than sandalwood anything....I have had great shaves, thanks to all of the great info here and help.from people like you...everything from my razor de89, brush -berkley, soaps, creams,blades etc I found out about here. And I truly am grateful,thanks...

[Useless shaver]

I would say that if you're a couple of months in, it may be hard to distinguish between a product reaction and an off shave. (It happens to the best of us -- really!)

David suggested testing the soaps on the inside of your wrist or elbow -- sage advice. Anytime you have an issue with something new in your routine, press the reset button; go back to what has worked for you in the past, then try again.

It may just be that you are new to soaps and your lather was too thin because you didn't load the hell out of your brush.

+1

For me it sounds astounding that Cella is "irritating" for some people. In my case Cella works great. It's really another YMMV issue!

[Chefbaze]

For me it sounds astounding that Cella is "irritating" for some people. In my case Cella works great. It's really another YMMV issue

All good advice here..and definitely ymmv, as are most things..as I posted, I definitely had something off when I first tried cella. Coulda been too heavy with the brush when face lathering, who knows, but the lather was incredible. 2nd time for me proved it wasn't the cella, thank Good because I love this stuff.....mwf on the other hand, burns me to no end...I look and feel like I fell asleep in the sahara without sunblock when I apply da fat. Its definitely something in the product, because I tried it on for size without shaving. Alot of people seem to have issues with lanolin....Anyhow, just happy here,that I get to keep the Cella.....great stuff! And thanks to everyone for all the advice..now if I could just get my hands on some MDC before I plunk down $60 + and hope I dont get burned, literally...ssad, its a wonderful thing

[Teddyboy]

If you're having bad reactions to the soaps, perhaps you should try a glycerin soap. Check out Mama Bear's Soaps, they are excellent. Just make sure you use enough. It may take more swirling of the brush on the soap than it does with a cream to get enough product on your face. Also, make sure your blade has not dulled.