First Time C.O. Bigelow (Proraso) Use

[COHunter]

SWMBO picked up 2 tubes last night (it was on sale!) Tried it theis morning for the first time. I have to say I really quite enjoyed the cooling menthol action it provided. The only complaint I have, and this might just be how I lathered in the bowl, it seemed to dry on me a bit and the razor "skipped" in a few spots. I didn't adulterate it with glycerin like I usually do with the KMF that I'm also using. Next shave I'll try to hydrate it a bit more, figured it easier to add water than try to take it away!

All in all I was happy with the performance, and the smell isn't bad either. Definitely will keep it in the rotation.

[duokun]

yeah, when you get the water right it is a super great cream. its the first one i ever used, and i love it.

[Krona Kruiser]

Proraso is definetly one of my top creams. It's one every wet shaver should try. There are few that don't like it but it's a great all around cream. It's inexpensive (as Bigelow), lathers easily, and is refreshing. It's been out of rotation due to the winter but it's my favorite warm weather cream. All brushes love it.

[magicman22]

It is good when the water/cream ratio is correct!! Enjoy!

[gtoface]

I've never had a bad lather from it. Dry or not it seems to work perfect wither way. I don't think you can mess it up really.

[Kostas1]

Hate to be a detractor, but this is one that just did not work for me...no matter how much I wanted it to. Love the scent, love the cooling menthol, but horrible skipping and burn.

[COHunter]

Hate to be a detractor, but this is one that just did not work for me...no matter how much I wanted it to. Love the scent, love the cooling menthol, but horrible skipping and burn.


Understand that, I think I would worry if it worked for everyone! I was concerned about the potential for menthol sensitivity myself. I seem to be in a popular club around here, sensitive skin and a fairly heavy, wiry beard.

[RichieRich3902]

I picked up a tube over the weekend and I love it too. My other go to soaps are Omega and Proraso, so I'm a bit biased I suppose. I did find that with the cream that once the water ratio looked right that I needed to add more water as it seemed to dry back a bit on me too.

[wwilson]

I tried Bigelow for the first time this morning and I had some skipping issues as well. I was also trying to stretch a 4th shave from my Shark blade, granted I have a full beard and only shave my neck. All in all it turned into a DFS after a clean up pass. I'm not much into menthol, however I'll continue to use the Bigelow...

[FonGu]

I prefer soaps or Italian soft soaps. This is the only true cream that I like.

[flatlinerz]

if you like that you gotta try Ingram cream its amazing

[camjr]

I've found the right amount of water for me is simply the water held in my brush. While I'm in the shower, I soak my brush in hot water in my lathering bowl. When I get out of the shower and go to the sink to shave, I dump the water, but don't shake or squeeze any water out of my badger brush. I add about an almond-size schmear of Bigelow in the bottom of the bowl, and start lathering.

It works for me, but as with everything else, YMMV.

cheers!

[Tomorrow]

Love the smell and the cool feel on my face; I only wish it were slicker. No amount of water I've used has made it lubricate as well as my other creams.

[Bflotom2]

I also enjoy Proraso Green- Like Krona Kruiser said it is currently out of rotation because of the cold winter months. I have tried Proraso White for sensitive skin- love the moisturizing and the scent of the white.

[BubbleBoy]

proraso/bigelow was my first cream. I've since tried Palmolive original and Italian menthol. Both of those seem to lather better and lubricate better (not night and day or anything), but Bigelow is a fine cream nonetheless - used it today.

[Azarius]

My twin brother, Bluesbishop, sent me a tube last week, I have used it four out of the last five days. Absolutetly will buy more, my wife even loves it to shaver her legs.

[ajs2294]

I still haven't tried this stuff, I really should especially for the price...

[gtoface]

I need to order the tub of shave soap and make an uber lather with glycerin and the proraso cream.

[salazch12]

I love Proraso/Bigelow cream. It does love water a bit more than other creams so once it gets wet enough it is nice and slick.

[The Easy Life]

I need to order the tub of shave soap and make an uber lather with glycerin and the proraso cream.

My first shave was with Bigelow. After two it did not seem slick enough. Not sure if it was the menthol on my skin or not. I am not a huge fan of menthol but will use the cream because I bought it. On the third shave I added 5 drops of glycerin. This made a big difference on how the razor glides across your face. I was very pleased.

Today I tried something new. I purchased some Mitchell's Wool Fat when I bought my razor as it was recommended by many on this site and seems to create such a following (my only other soap/cream in the den-for now). I decided to craft an Uberlather using the CO Bigelow, MWF and 5 drops of glycerin. Wow! It produced a great lather that was creamy, think and felt great on my skin. It was a strong performer during the shave and my skin never felt so good after a shave. I thoroghly enjoyed every stroke.

Another benefit was that (and only tried twice) I seemed to have a bit of trouble getting a great lather out of the MWF. I think it was becasue the puck was new and I have very hard water. The "how to lather MWF" post on this site definately help on my second go around but it wasnt superb-just good. By making the Uberlather, I was able to get the benefits of having the lanolin in the MWF without the troubles of creating lather.

The one problem I see with this method is that you use almost twice the amount of product and MWF isn't that cheap. So its can turn into an expensive shave. I may try using less to help out with this as I had enough creamy lather left to do an entire second shave routine.

[Schick_Fan]

I didn't want to start a new thread, however I do want to give my credence to C.O. Bigelow (Proraso). What a great cream! Picked up a tube from Bath and Body Works and I have zero complaints so far. Great performance and a great invigorating scent. My next tube to try when I finish this is Arko in whatever scent I can find on Amazon! haha

[itsmedave]

I need to pick some more up but every store around my house is sold out. Hopefully soon.

[mharris127]

I just used Proraso recently for the first time and was surprised at how much water it takes to get good lather from it. Great cream but you will probably need to have some water on the bottom of the bowl before attempting to lather. It is really easy to have way too thick lather from Proraso.

[DC_MPA]

Just add a half teaspoon of water in the bowl and you will have lather going everywhere. Also, I highly recommend adding. 3-4 drops of glycerin in your bowl with the Bigelow. WOW -- super slick!!

[Big_OC]

I'm a newie and based on alot of recommebdations here I bought two two tubes of this at Bath & Body works. I really like the stuff, especially the cool menthol feeling. It does require some additional drops added as I start up the lather but once it gets going it lather up pretty nice. To help it along I start off by lathering on a soap first, in this case Honeybee Fresh & Clean, and then lathering the cream in a bowl.

[mharris127]

Just add a half teaspoon of water in the bowl and you will have lather going everywhere. Also, I highly recommend adding. 3-4 drops of glycerin in your bowl with the Bigelow. WOW -- super slick!!

I have to agree that Proraso needs an additional half teaspoon of water in the bowl, maybe a bit more. As for glycerin I may have to pick some up although Proraso (green tub) seems to be a great shaving cream without it.

[Antique Hoosier]

Used the Bigelow Cream today.... Love it.

[ggamyang]

Adding more water have never been a problem for me. Last time I checked water was much cheaper than any of creams I have. :001_tt2: :)

[manicatel]

I use the Bigelow tube cream for travelling with, as its under the 100ml limit. I don't use a brush with it, just hand-apply it after a shower & a steamy flannel. Maybe not quite as good as my shaves at home (currently face-lathering using Razorock xxx & a silvertip brush) but still the best travelling solution I've found yet.
Matt.

[itsmedave]

I just picked up 3 tubes of it along with some KMF Lavender and KMF Patchouli.

[gfdoto]

Good stuff! Just waiting for it to warm up a bit so I can put it into my rotation.

[brother cavefish]

love it

[josie67]

It's my favorite cream, and I agree that you should have a good teaspoonful of water at the bottom of your bowl or scuttle. This cream responds very well extra water!

[SMF22]

It works great for me. To get a supper lather I add a teasponn of mayonase. Works great! Just kidding, I use mustard. I like the yellow color. Seriously, I love Bigelow. It's cheap and easy to find. I have exspensive soaps and creams but always go back to Uncle Bigelow. It's good stuff.

[Azarius]

What works for me is loading the brush with 20 swirls of VDH, an almond size squeeze of the Bigelow/Proraso, and about 2 teaspoons of water. I use a butter churning motion, and within about 2 minutes, my mug is over flowing with lather.

[ODJ]

This was the absolute first cream or soap I ever tried when I switched over to using a DE razor, and it has remained one of my favorites. The scent is classic and clean, refreshing, and for me at least, it's a pretty forgiving product and hard to mess up the lather. Compared to other soaps and creams that are more exact about the water ratio to get a good lather, this one is very forgiving. My desert island cream for sure.

[salazch12]

It would be perfect for a desert island! Imagine the hot sun being b-slapped by the cooling feeling of Proraso! Lol. I think I enjoyed my shave with this stuff a little too much today. :drool:

[drocu]

I like Proraso but also found out that it dries out easily. This isn't a problem when I'm using a familiar razor and can shave quickly, e.g. EJ DE89, but becomes an issue when I'm trying something new, e.g. straights, R41, adjustable, etc.

I do love the smell and cooling effect. Is there another similar cream out there that doesn't dry out as easily but has the same qualities as Proraso?

[drawonme]

For me, face lathering with the Bigelow cream is as good as it gets. I just smear it evenly around my face with my finger then go to town with my brush. Boars and badgers from Omega to Tweezerman to Simpson all work great. A minute or two and I have a slick rich lather that is good to go with the straight or DE.