Tag Archives: Skin Care

West Coast Shaving Build Your Own Starter Shaving Kit

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On a rainy Saturday afternoon, I was bouncing around the Internet and came across West Coast Shaving’s Build Your Own Starter Shaving Kit. For $30 plus shipping and tax, you’re given a choice of badger brushes, double edge safety razors, shaving cream and razors to choose from. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Could this be? Would I go through the motions only to find out nothing I want is available or worse, the site hadn’t been updated and this offer no longer available? After poking around and building what I thought was a good set, I realize this is happening. This set is priced at $30 plus tax and shipping. I know we’re used to free shipping these days but I was so intrigued by this offering that I wasn’t going to be turned away.

I ordered the set on Saturday afternoon and by Wednesday night, it was waiting for me. Excited see the product, I tore into it that night, took a peak and knew I scored a set that would rival any. I held out though and did an unboxing via Instagram stories. If you missed it, be sure to follow my in the gram.

Out the gate, West Coast Shaving impressed me with it’s packaging. For $30, they are giving you a badger brush, razor, shaving soap and razors. No one could blame them if they bubble wrapped each item and sent it along in a brown box. Instead, each piece is packaged by itself in West Coast Shaving branded packaging. As for the razor, the handle and razor head came in separate boxes.

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The badger brush I choose has an ivory handle and I’m loving the blue tip. Made of synthetic badger hair, the bristles are soft and overall, it’s well constructed.

The stainless steel double edge safety razor is a thing of beauty and by itself, it will last you a lifetime. I’m loving the ergonomic design of the handle and its grip strips. What’s most impressive is its weight. It’s by far the heaviest starter razor I’ve ever held in my hand. This razor is a closed comb, three piece that requires breaking down by unscrewing the handle to dismount the head, which is an additional two pieces. If there’s one criticism, one could argue that a twist to open would be a more appropriate “starter” razor.

Astra Superior Platinum Double Edge Razors were the default or you could pay an additional $7 for a sampler pack. The latter would be a good option if you’re truly purchasing this as a starter kit for someone but kept the Astra blades since I knew I’d use blades I already have at home.

Lastly, the shave soap is West Coast Shaving’s own brand and comes in three scents, bay rum, ocean and lime basil. For a fragrance head like myself, I thought the lime basil would be the most interesting. It’s quite fragrant and I’m liking the juxtaposition of the lime and basil.

Bottom line, this is an excellent kit. It’s remarkable they are offering all of this for $30 plus tax and shipping. What’s pictured above is the set I put together and I love that even at this price, West Coast Shaving offers choices.

Father’s Day is right around the corner and this would make an excellent gift, even for someone who is a seasoned shaver. For a young man graduating college and moving into the professional world, this would make a great gift too.

Well done West Coast Shaving.

This product was purchased by me and all views are my own.

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Frederick Benjamin Shaving Regimen

Frederick Benjamin Shaving Regimen

If there’s one thing I love about shaving, it’s the ritual. I especially love using my badger brush. Yes, it takes more time but it’s time I deserve and love giving to myself. For that reason, I’ve never really been a fan of shaving gels. I have, however, met a few I like and I’ve found another.

Frederick Benjamin Grooming recently launched a three-step system that includes a primer pre-shave oil, hydro-Glaze cooling aloe shave gel and post shave bump treatment. The brand knows that African American men have an aversion to shaving so the shaving gel is touted as see through (cut down on shaving strokes and lessen razor burn) and the bump treatment gets to the heart of the fear, razor bumps. Smart!
This collection of products is fantastic. The pre-shave is light and sits close to the skin. I’ve found some pre-shaves are too thick and as a result feels heavy on the face. Not so here! Avocado, grapeseed soy and olive oil work well together to smoothen and lubricate the skin in preparation for shaving. The shave gel goes on cool (Aloe), which is a nice feature and provides a nice glide. The shaving gel also includes witch hazel, which soothes inflammation and castor oil, good for extra hydration.Together, the pre-shave and gel work well together. I actually found the glide was better when I used the pre-shave. The post shave treatment is good too; not too thick and absorbs into the skin quickly. It contains sunflower oil, which moisturizes and hydrates the skin.
I wish the gel itself provided a bit more after glide. After your first past when your razor and water removes most if not all of your shaving solution, what’s left back can provide enough of a glide that you don’t have to reapply. Perhaps turning up the gels emollients a tad bit more would help this. That said, as is, I’m really impressed and pleased I purchased this collection. I did shave time off my shaving regimen with no noticeable difference in the quality of the shave. I was so pleased with this collection that I didn’t use my badger brush for two weeks straight.
At $36.00 this is pound for pound a worthwhile investment that will deliver many happy returns. Well done Frederick Benjamin Grooming.

Racer Shave Cream by Portland General Store

When I was a youngster, I remember seeing soap commercials for Irish Spring, which featured hairy-chest man working up a good lather. I even remember my father working up a good one before he shaved. If it lathered, it must be doing something, right? As I got older and could afford to pay attention to my grooming regimen one of the first questions I asked was about how it lathered. The takeaway from these moments was that it is all about the lather, or so I thought. Continue reading