On a whim, I stopped in a local Indian grocery store today. Actually, the sign outside described it as an Asian grocery store, but it was all Indian products inside. They had several unusual shaving products. I bought a pack of Topaz blades (a bit pricey at $1.99 for 6 blades). They also sold nylon-bristled brushes branded as Gillette and as Palmolive (both for $5.99 I think), a Devang safety razor for $6.99, alum blocks (can't remember the brand) for $2.99, and two varieties of Palmolive shave cream that I hadn't heard of before: lemon (in a yellow box) and moisturizing (in a red box). I'll report on the blades after I give them a try. And I'll probably be back to pick up some of that Palmolive, and maybe an alum block too.
Yes, I also have the Palmolive lemon cream, and it is excellent. It's made in India, and has a nice, refreshing lemony scent, and lathers like a champ, and also has very good skincare. I don't know about the other kind.
I use the Euro Palmolive and the Italian Palmolive and they both are great creams with nice scents. I have the US Palmolive which lathers nicely but the fragrance is not very pleasant imo. Giovanni at Tryphon has the lemon as well. I might have to try some of that as well.
Gee, my area has two Chineese grocers, wonder if they would have something along the same lines. I don't think the area has any indian grocers.
I've got both. But I don't have time to track them down and peruse them. They're near work while I have Mexican stores near home.
In DC you want Rodman's at 5100 Wisconsin Ave NW 202-363-3466 or Crabtree and Evelyn 301-365-1423. Or Knifecenter at 5111 Berwyn Rd Ste: 110, 301-486-0901 shavingsupplies.com In Rodman's go to the back of the store then go downstairs then to the front of the store oposite the pharmacy. They carry a lot of brushes, creams and soaps down there.
I have an India type store right up the street from me! Thanks for the idea, I'm going to have to give it a visit.
Well, now I have tubes of made in India "refreshing lemon" and "moisturizing deluxe" Palmolive shaving cream. Interesting - the red label Deluxe smells exactly like Musgo cream! Thanks for the tip, Bob. Unfortunately, I forgot you said they had alum blocks and since I didn't see them, I don't have one. Oh well...next time I'm at Woodcraft... I did find out where to buy HUGE quantities of every spice known to man, not to mention rices, flours and fresh, though several were unknown to me, veggies. Most of the stuff I couldn't pronounce and would have no idea what to do with it. A little Indian/Asian food research is in order, I think. While there, I also picked up a bottle of Patak's Mild Curry Paste. I don't know why as I have ZERO idea what curry even tastes like! Sorry, JoAnna, but it's true! It said cumin, cilantro, ginger and garlic on the label though so I figured it couldn't be all bad. Decent sounding recipe on the label so tonight's the night. We shall see what "mild curried chicken" with tomatoes and sauteed onions served over rice (basmati, I would imagine) tastes like. New creams, new food - what more could a guy want?!
When I was there they were on the same end cap as the creams, but toward the right hand side and down by the floor, so easily missed.