On my last order from Luxury Barber some of the free samples they sent me were for Game Day Preshave and Aftershave. I decided to try them out on today's Ablutionary Adventure. First, let me be clear and say: I don't use Preshaves. I don't like them. Hot water is what's on my face before cream, and that's about it. There are some rare occasions, like if I'm having skin problems or have a lot scruff I may use Noxzema or Proraso Preshave before my first pass. No oils, etc. ever otherwise. I tore open the little pack the Preshave sample came in. I squirted it into my hand and smelled it. Nothing that stood out, but was just a nice 'clean' type smell. Not offensive and not too strong. Very goopy stuff. On my face, it became apparent that there was a decent amount of menthol in there. When it inevitably hit my lips, it was very apparent there was some kind of numbing agent in it. I lathered up some Tabac on it and went to work. I did not like this. The Preshave overwhelmed the Tabac quite a bit, right there it got strikes against it. Then, I noticed it was so goopy it was clogging my Merkur 23c pretty well and I was rinsing a lot more often and a lot more vigorously than I would like. What really struck me, with the menthol and the numbing agent, that this wasn't so much as a Preshave, but really should be considered a latherless cream its own right. I think it would be really good for that. As a Preshave, not a fan. But remember, I don't like Preshaves in general. I did two more passes, cleaned myself up, let my face dry and ripped open the Game Day Aftershave Balm. I tend to go less is more with AS balms, and applied it with that in mind. I was rewarded. I got a nice covering on my face that even 45 minutes later is feeling moisturized, but also starting to get a bit tacky feeling. The scent it pleasant, and is what I'd describe as soapy/general smelling for men. After getting menthol in the Preshave, I can't tell if there was any menthol in the balm, as my face still feels mentholy. I'll report back as I'll use the balm tomorrow with no Pre. For some reason Dove and Nivea balms both burn my skin, so I don't have a 'generic' balm to use, which I miss. I would definitely consider Game Day Aftershave Balm as a purchase for that purpose, although I haven't looked up the price yet If you like Preshaves and Balms, I can't find anything with either of these that would preclude me from recommending them. I think anyone who does preshaves rituals would be happy with this Preshave, and the balm was great. It actually reminds me a lot of the Art of Shaving Kelp Balm I have, but I'm betting it's a lot less expensive. Just thinking out loud here, as I seem to get the feel of a numbing agent in every non-oil preshave (aside from Proraso) that I've tried. I'm wondering how many of they guys who swear they only get a great shave if they use a preshave product are unknowingly sacrificing technique for a numbing agent? Just throwing that out there for anyone who gets a burn if they don't use a preshave first to think about.
There is a real simple answer for why you have so many products with numbing agents...Multi Cartridge Razors! The first blade on the 3 - 6 cartridge razor does all the heavy lifting, because it is always the first blade to hit the hairs. When it gets dull there is a double effect of irritation. The first effect is from the dull first blade and the second effect is from the sharper blades that follow plowing over irritated skin. Now since the price of cartridges are high and the fact that shaving lather companies want you to shave more, they will put numbing agents in the cream to reduce the irritation of shaving. When you go the traditional method or use only 2 blades in cart (less plowing and scraping) the shaving soap /cream companies that support traditional shaving does not have to use this gimmick or problem solver.
I've been using the Game Day post shave balm, and the more I use this the more it's growing on me. It has a salty scent (not scented, just naturally has that scent) that reminds me of AOS Kelp balm, which I like. It also has a great kick of menthol to it and is very moisturizing. It's becoming a favorite balm, I think.
