Razor: check Blades: check Brush: check Face: wet Lather: ... Lather?: ... Uh oh. As of tomorrow morning's shave, I'm missing that one important ingredient. Sure, I still have a new can of the Fusion goo, but is that something I really want to use before I can get my hands on some quality product? There are only a couple of local stores left to check in the area, but I haven't found anything not in the can except for a tube of Clubman at the local Sally Beauty Supply. The traditional companion of the Super Speed back in the day was Gillette Foamy, but if I gauge the attitude of the board correctly, even the canned foams are considered "goo", and not worthy of serious consideration. Which leaves me at a couple of crossroads. Do I wait to break out my new acquisitions pending completion of a proper tool kit, or go with the goo with the better hardware I have now? Would a canned foam I can pick up with a quick dash to local mega mart before bedtime do me better than the gel? And the other, more thought-provoking question. In giving up the goo, and having given little or no consideration to either soap or cream in the past, which way should I go first? Since I have tried neither in the past, I have no preference or preconceived notion about what I want. I'm almost to the point of flipping a coin and letting fate decide for me.
Start using your stuff now. You don't have to have a good cream or soap to use what you already purchased. I think gel is better than foam. I would start with buying a cream before soap. I think cream is easier to lather for a newbie.
If you have a Rite Aid then try to pick up some Real Shaving Co. cream. It lathers great and really is very good stuff. If not then the goo will work. Some say noxzema and aveeno are the best of the goo's out there though.
I'm in Morgantown. The local mega marts like Giant Eagle and Kroger just carry the mass market canned stuff. Tomorrow's plan is to hit up Presenting the Soap Opera at Seneca Center to see what they've got there.
I just did a search on The Body Shop site. They do not have any stores in WV, but there are some in VA. If you are close to VA, I would highly recommend calling there nearest The Body Shop store and asking if they still have any of the "Old Formula" For Men shaving cream in stock. It is a top quality product that can be gotten for a bargain price right now. If not, go to any grocery store and get a can of Aveeno Naturals gel. It is marketed for women, but is a fantastic goo!!
Here is the closest TBS stores to you............. Monroeville Mall (55.4) 137 Monroeville Mall Monroeville, PA 15146 412-373-5040 Pittsburgh Airport (61.0) Midfield Terminal Project Pittsburgh, PA 15231 412-472-5292 Ross Park (62.5) 1000 Ross Park Mall Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15237 412-369-9779
On the quick and cheap, most Walmart stores have Van Der Hagen or similar boar brushes and Van Der Hagen or William soap. The whole cream vs. soap debate is really minor so long as you make a good lather. Watch Mantic's videos. You'll want better when you can (wait NO can, NO CAN). Seriously, welcome to TSD and good luck picking your goods.
Check in the health food section and you can find Kiss My Face shave cream. It lathers great and really works well. Very cheap also and the pump will last forever. The mint, patchouli, and lavender are nice scents. Right near granola bars....there should be a small soap section around there....Mine is near the pharmacy. Great cream to learn to lather as well and makes a ton of lather!
The Clubman is OK cream actually. I tried a sampler, and it struck me as similar to Proraso, a very respected cream. I don't know if anyone else has tried it, and can offer opinions, but if you did buy it, use it.
I know its weird. There is shampoo, soap, laundry detergent, lotions, deodorant, etc. Alot of good stuff in that section though.
KMF is the best locally available shaving product I've found and the price is outstanding. I love the Key Lime and Fresh Mint flavors. OTOH, some of the stuff I've purchase online is even better - Mitchell's Wool Fat shave soap being the gold standard.
Closest Whole Foods is in Pittsburgh, as is C&E and others. There's a Bath & Body Works at the mall only a mile or so from my house. Brands there include Anthony Logistics, C.O. Bigelow, and Murad. (edit: C.O. Bigelow is rebranded Proraso? Looks like my search is already done. )
Presenting the Soap Opera at seneca Center was a total score just from a browsing perspective. Col. Conk's, C&E, Jack Black products, among others. For soaps, I'm set. Had to search a little at the B&BW at the mall. The tube cream was in a sale bin, while most of the other C.O. Bigelow creams were canned stuff. The tube does in fact read "Made exclusively by Proraso for C.O. Bigelow". Five bucks. Just need a mug and/or bowl to complete the checklist. I'll need to find something for exclusive shaving duty, rather than absconding with something out of the kitchen. If worst comes to worst, I'll find a big-ass coffee cup or handled soup mug next time I'm out.
The Rite Aid closest to my house was out of Williams (they carry it, though), but they also had the Van Der Hagen. Splurged for the $8.99 soap/bowl/brush combo. Found a $2 latte mug at Kmart to complete the first acquisition phase. The first of many, I'm sure.
