Cheap local creams - Proraso vs. Toms

**fire101** · 10-10-2006, 02:10 PM

Here in South Orange County CA, we have two brands easily available at about the same price - Proraso from Target and Toms of Maine from Henrys Markets (C&E is too far away). I've been trying both for a while now, and decide I like the Toms better - you get a much thicker lather and better lubrication with the Toms of Maine. The Proraso gives a nice refreshing feel after the shave, which is nice, but it cant beat the Toms of Maine for overall effect.

I did find tubes of Palmolive for 25 cents (closeout) at Sav-On. Not really sure what to do with those???

**moses** · 10-10-2006, 02:28 PM

Somehow, I actually find it very refreshing to here someone say they don't find Proraso to be the best thing since sliced bread.

As for the palmolive, the obvious answer is try shaving with it. If you like it, use it. If not, well, it isn't really worth enough to sell, but you could send it to some newbies for the cost of shipping.

-Mo

**ratcheer** · 10-10-2006, 03:50 PM

Just my 2-cents worth, but I really like the Palmolive.

Tim

**Dinder1** · 10-10-2006, 03:58 PM

Another brand you might try is the Kiss My Face line of creams, usually available at your local health food store.
Cheers, DJ.

**Stauff** · 10-11-2006, 12:57 AM

Proraso - is there anything it can't do?

**rikrdo** · 10-11-2006, 01:03 AM

Originally Posted by moses

Somehow, I actually find it very refreshing to here someone say they don't find Proraso to be the best thing since sliced bread.

I dont really like sliced bread...

**Dennis** · 10-11-2006, 07:09 AM

Have you tried mixing them yet? You get the best of both worlds...

**Howard** · 10-11-2006, 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by Mike02

Have you tried mixing them yet? You get the best of both worlds...

I mixed the Proraso soap with Tom's mint cream this morning. The combo of eucalyptus and mint was refreshing and good.

I also often mix William's soap with a dab of Palmolive. $0.25 is a steal for the Palmolive. I'd stock up on the Palmolive at that price.

**NMMB** · 10-11-2006, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by Dinder1

Another brand you might try is the Kiss My Face line of creams, usually available at your local health food store.
Cheers, DJ.

I agree. KMF is great stuff that is inexpensive and available locally (in most areas) in a variety of varieties... but for some reason many B&B'ers seem to ignore/forget/dismiss it. If you see it, try it... I don't expect that you'll be disappointed.

**Dennis** · 10-11-2006, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by NMMB

I agree. KMF is great stuff that is inexpensive and available locally (in most areas) in a variety of varieties... but for some reason many B&B'ers seem to ignore/forget/dismiss it. If you see it, try it... I don't expect that you'll be disappointed.

I agree. I really lilke KMF Mint. Mixed with Tom's Mint - Super Minty!

Dennis

**tu00tf** · 10-11-2006, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by ratcheer

Just my 2-cents worth, but I really like the Palmolive.

Call me crazy, but I love the scent of the Palmolive cream.

That being said, the Proraso cream is a great combination of slickness and cooling refreshment. Plus, you can't beat the price...

**crispy** · 10-11-2006, 07:56 AM

I use the Tom's toothpaste, so I try not to use the shaving cream too or else I might shave with it!

**vespergo** · 10-16-2006, 11:25 AM

Yeah, load up on the Palmolive if it's only a quarter, that's such a good deal. I thought I was getting a steal on ebay for like 1.85 a piece. They're normally like 3 bucks if you can even get them locally.

I'll agree that the KMF is probably the best local cream that you'll be able to find. I think it beats all the others that you don't have to mailorder, very good job. Lasts forever.

**jduffy** · 10-16-2006, 11:58 AM

My truck was running a little rough so I put a few dollops of Proraso in with the oil and it's running BBS now. Plus anyone behind me gets a lovely dose of eucalyptus scent with their drive.

It's a win/win all the way around!

**JohnP** · 10-16-2006, 12:16 PM

Not sure I would like choosing between Toms and Proraso. I am a huge fan of both. I've used Tom's mint for quite awhile, and fairly recently (this year some time) added Proraso to the mix. Both are extremely good shave creams, IMO. Thankfully, they are different scents so I don't have to choose. I have both.
I also tried Tom's calendula shave cream this week, it is very good also. Originally they offered one in honeysuckle but I could never get used to it. Having grown up with honeysuckles growing wild in our yard, it is hard for a shave cream to do that justice.
Palmolive for .25? I will have to buy more. I like it a good deal also. It has a clean, soapy kindof smell. Nothing fancy, but I like it. It is an acquired taste, I imagine.
John P.

**nemurenai** · 10-16-2006, 12:18 PM

how do these two compare with Body Shop cream which is also cheap and available locally. Inquiring minds want to know!

**JohnP** · 10-16-2006, 12:35 PM

To be honest they are apples and oranges. I also quite like the Body shop cream, but it isn't minty or "cooling" as are Toms Mint or Proraso, which were being compared.
IMHO All deserve a spot in your rotation.
You can have all three for less than a new tub of Castle Forbes, or from some vendors, Trumper....although both of THOSE also deserve to be in your rotation, as well, if you have the cash to spend...

John P.

**ceebz** · 10-17-2006, 07:49 PM

In all honesty, I believe Tom's is the superior cream. Better lubrication, thicker lather, better scent and better cooling effect. Not to say that Proraso is bad, it still holds a place in my regular rotation but, I think the only area proraso beats out Tom's mint is in the packaging.

**vox_rox** · 10-18-2006, 02:53 PM

Geez, I WISH I could get Proraso and/or Tom's locally, both need to be ordered and shipped - Dang. Either way, I always have a tube of both. Both solid products, always a good bowl of lather, never disappointing.

The Body Shop is an intersting local buy, and I was doing that until I read that L'Oreal bought The Body Shop, and Nestle owns 26 per cent of L'Oreal. Both Nestle and L'Oreal are corporate whores and social bed sores and I can not, in good conscience, but from The Body Shop anymore knowing that a portion of the proceeds will go to animal abuse and human misery. </rant>

Sorry about that, having a bad day being a human. However, Tom's has a fairly natural ingredient list, and neither Tom's nor Proraso do animal testing on their products or on the ingredients in their products. Hooray!

Peace,

Pierre

**huxley_knew** · 10-28-2006, 06:58 PM

I'm not really sure where in OC you live, but there is a C&E in Newport if I remember correctly. But I would say Tom's of Maine is a good choice, and I also hear good things about the KMF line. I think the trip to C&E would be worth it though. They've got some good good stuff.