Cream and Splash Advice needed

[scytheye]

Hey all - I'm buying a Merkur 23C long handle today and up until now, I've been using a Mach 3 with AoS Lavender cream, pre-shave oil, and AoS aftershave balm. I get a rather oily buildup throughout the day and have had a couple of breakouts from it...

Since I am buying the razor from WestCoastShaving and it looks like they carry creams from Cremo Cream, DR Harris, Derby, Eshave, Lider, Menu, Musgo Real, Omega, Pre de Provence, Provence Sante, proraso, Speick and Taylor of old Bond Street - *whew*

-what is the most economical cream from these manufacturers that has a good scent and what should I use for an aftershave that is light?

Thank you!

:smile:

[ogopogo]

I love DR Harris, but I wouldn't say is very economical. I would probably get Musgo Real to start. You may want to try Proraso as well, but it might me more economical to buy it from Bath and Body under the C.O. Bigelow name

[kingfisher]

Some of the ones you mentioned as creams are probably soaps (Provance Sante and Pre de Provence, for starters).

I agree with the prior poster that C.O. Bigelow cream sold at Bath and Body Works is probably the best bang for the buck you're going to get from a cream.

[infotech]

I would say Taylor of Old Bond Street or Speick. Pre de Provence is a great soap.

Your face could be getting oily because you are using two "thick" products. I find that when I use a preshave oil I don't need to use balm. I would take out one of those two products and see how that works.

[strat1117]

AoS is very good stuff. The Lavender is for sensitive skin. If you already have oily skin, you probably would be better served with the unscented, lemon or sandalwood. Plus, you can leave out the pre-shave oil unless you really need it for some reason (which it sounds like you don't).

BTW, the first 2 guys are right about the CO Bigelow shave cream. CO Bigelow also has very nice ASB under the Barber name (several different flavors to choose from), all sold at Bath and Body Works at the mall nearest you!

:a5:

[scytheye]

Those were some terrific suggestions - man, you guys are fast!

Ok, I'm done with the oil then, :thumbdown , it did seem like by the time I applied the balm, my skin was already soaked...

I like the Bath and Body works idea - and I'll check out the others after I decide on a safety razor for sure.

Thanks to everybody who replied!

[bokaba]

I was at first reluctant to spend $18.50 on TOBS, but it is worth it and will last many months and maybe a year if you're stingy. As far as splashes, I am taking a vacation them for now, but I like Thayer's super hazel, Italian Floid, and Aqua Velva.

[strat1117]

I like the Bath and Body works idea - and I'll check out the others after I decide on a safety razor for sure.

I thought you had already decided on the 23C, which is a great razor, for sure. However, if you are new to DE, and haven't yet decided on a razor, may I suggest a vintage Gillette Tech or Superspeed as a more appropriate razor to start with. IMHO, they are much more forgiving than the Merkurs. I started with a 38C, which I still use regularly and I love it. But I was ready to give up DE shaving until I got my hands on a Tech. The Tech gives a milder shave, but it is almost impossible to cut yourself with it. As a result, you will be more confident and your technique will improve much faster. My 20 year old son has expressed an interest, and I am going to start him off with the Tech for that exact reason. You can always move on to the Merkur once you have your chops down, but I think it is much easier to learn on the vintage Gillettes. I have 2 different SS's now (a 40's SS and a 50's Red Tip) that each cost less than a new Merkur. For me, the 40's SS is absolutely the most fun razor to use, and would also make a great starter. I wish that someone had given me this advice before I bought that first Merkur, it would have made my first month of DE shaving much more enjoyable.

Good luck in your quest, and remember to enjoy it. Just let those BBS shaves happen -- don't try to force them.

:cool2:

[Bulldawg]

Musgo Real or Proraso SC and Proraso Splash :thumbup:

[Dink]

The whole Speick line is very nice stuff, I love the aftershave and the shave stick.

Cheers,
David

[joe201]

scytheye - I was recently in an AoS store and the person working there said that he would recommend just using the pre-shave oil and shaving cream for the same reasons you stated. Also, the sandalwood and lemon tend to leave less oil than the lavender.