Let's Hear It From the Cream Lovers!

When I started wetshaving again in mid 2005 I bought a tub of Taylor's Rose and a tub of Trumper's Violet, along with a cake of Colonel Conk Amber. Within the first few weeks I knew that my preference was probably going to be for creams. The Conk couldn't hold a candle to the luxurious lather I could get from the creams. I have since tried numerous soaps, but I must admit I always go back to my creams!

Now understand, I am not starting a flame war here. This thread is not about which is better, soap or cream....it's about those of us who have a preference for and/or a love of good shaving creams. So let's hear it from you cream lovers...tell us why you love 'em!

My big reason for liking most really good shaving creams is that they seem to provide a good bit of 'cushioning', kind of an additional 'protective layer' between the blade and the skin. This is a subjective advantage for sure. The reason I prefer this 'cushioning' is that I have sensitive skin and I have experienced much less irritation by using good creams.

Next, I love the thick, rich, creamy, luxurious lather that creams can produce. Some may prefer a thin lather but I have a preference for rich and creamy. It just plain feels good brushing and painting it on. Matter of fact this is possibly my favorite part of wetshaving. I find myself sometimes spending too much time 'playing with the lather' as I brush it on my face. I have to remind myself to put the brush down and start shaving.

For me, I can produce lather very quickly and easily with a good shaving cream. I also make less of a mess with it for some reason, so there is less cleanup around the sink.

Additionally, I really enjoy lathering in a mug, of which my favorite is my huge green latte mug. It sits on top of my mug warmer and I thoroughly enjoy the endless supply of warm, rich lather that can be had from this setup.

Scents of creams are somewhat more limited than soaps, but I don't have a problem with that. Before returning to wetshaving I was using Edge Gel Clean and nothing else and I was happy with it [well, sort of]. I'm the type of guy who can be happy with a 'single' choice in a product if I like it really well. I've owned quite a few creams in the last two years and I've now narrowed my selection of creams down to about half a dozen and could possibly be happy with even less. If I find something that works really good, I typically stick with it.

I know you're gonna' be asking, "just what are your favorite creams?" If I could only have one it would be Nancy Boy Signature. If I could have a second one it would be D.R. Harris Lavender, third would be Kiss My Face Lavender & Shea. I have also found J.M. Frasers to work well.

Some other creams I haven't tried yet but will probably try in the future are eShave White Tea, eShave Floral, MB Attar of Roses, MB Tassi Lavender, and a couple of Olivia's and Em's creams.

Suggestions and comments on your favorite creams, and why they're your favorites???

 

I am not a big creamer.

But Fraiser's, Erasmic, DVH are all good (sorry I can't pay 20 + dollars for a tub of cream when I can get my soaps for under 10 ). That and I do not think the English creams are any better then the likes of KmF and ToM, YMMV.

Fraiser's adds a nice slickness much like a soap!

Not a Hater I am an Enabler.

 

If I want rich, creamy lather with excellent cushion, I reach for a Honeybee Spa soap. None of the creams in my collection can beat it. I use creams occasionally for a change of pace or for slightly easier lather generation.

 

I wouldn't say that I have a preference for creams, but I sure do enjoy them! I agree with the cushioning effect that they usually have, and the luxury of spreading the fluffy lather around (especially with a softer, floppier brush -- Savile Row 208 or Omega 6215).

Some of my favorites:
Musgo Real--
I love the whole line, so this isn;t a surprise; goes right along with the soap, and EdTs

Cyril Salter--
I've got tubs of Almond and Fresh Mint, but have also had samples of their Sandalwood and Vetiver. Always makes a great, thick lather for me with no fuss. It's supposed to be detergent-based, and I think that is why it's somewhat foolproof in lathering up. I've also never had any adverse reactions with their formulas or scents.

The Gentlemen's Quarter--
Colleen's creams are outstanding all around (lathering up, skin conditioning, scents).

Saint Charles Shave--
I don't have alot of expereince with hers, though I have a couple of tubs. I do like the shaving & skin conditioning from her Shea & Avocado créme.

There's also so many more that I'd like to try that there too numerous to name out.

 

Crabtree & Evelyn Sienna is a fave! I have mostly soaps, but I like the rich lather I get from the Sienna. I use it about once or twice a week.

I use the Kiss My Face creams for travel, because they lather easy w/o a bowl. So far I have only tried the Key Lime, but I would definitely like to try their other scents (and they're cheap!)

 

Ron, I pretty much mirror your sentiment to a T. I've had great luck with creams and love the lubrication, cushion, ease of lathering, and scents. I have to confess that my soap experience is limited, but when you know what works for you and what doesn't, why fight it? I'll be a Speick devotee for life!

 

Speick....tell me more!

 

Ron, Speick truthfully is a wonderful cream, with a great scent, lather, and excellent skincare. Check the review on it that I wrote, and feel free to ask me any questions.

 

I'm much more of a soap guy these days, but I can't believe no ones mentioned Vulfix creams yet. Sure, the scents maybe a bit synthetic but if you want rich, creamy lather they can't be beat. The lavender is one of my favourites.
Regards,
Alex

 

If I'm going for a cream, I reach for the C&E Sweet Almond Oil or the Nancy Boy Signature first. I like unscented creams to create superlathers on occasion. And then there is the "classic" shave day. Proraso Green w/prepost and Balm. Right now, I'm having too much fun going through soap scents.

 

I do personally favor soaps to cream, but this right here is the only reason why I ever pick up a cream.

 

Thanks for mentioning the Vulfix Lavender. I plan on getting a tub of this on a future order. I love good Lavender creams and I have heard some good comments on the Vulfix.

 

JoAnna, again, many thanks for helping out. My thread-showing skills need some improvement!

 

Ron,

You need to try Mitchell's Wool Fat soap. Heaven on earth.

St. Croix

 

+1 for the DR Harris. I got the Almond in a trade, and it is a very fine cream indeed, and gives a wonderful shave.

 

How would you compare that to say, a GFT or T&H? I've been meaning to pick up a Mitchell's.....forgot to add it to my Kent order :mad:

 

I do indeed plan on purchasing a Mitchell's Wool Fat Soap at some point. Like most here, I've got too much 'stuff' on hand already and am trying to use some of what I have before buying too much more.

 

Sorry it took me so long....

Ron,

Speick is a line of German skincare products that utilize the extract of the speick plant, which supposedly has many beneficial qualities. I'm no authority on the matter, but I can tell you that I love absolutely everything about this cream...except for the tiny 2.5 oz. tube.

The lather is slick, luscious, protective, and oh so wonderfully scented! Which brings me to bullet point #2...the scent! As best as I can describe it, it is a mixture of pine, spruce, cedar, and maybe even a hint of lavendar and citrus. It blows my mind everytime I use it, which is why I've since expanded the hoard--er, collection to include (6) tubes of cream, (6) bath soap bars, and 1 bottle of the Eau de Cologne. On the horizon is the aftershave "lotion," which is really a splash.

There's a German made gummi bear called Haribo and their slogan is: "Haribo macht Kinder froh!" -->Haribo makes kids happy!

As a testament to my appreciation of Speick, I'm going to modify and adopt the following as my new mission statement/creed/life motto : "Speick-o macht mich froh! :: "

Hope this helps Ron.