Review - Olivina Shaving Cream

Company: Olivina

Product: Olivina Flash Foam Shaving Cream

Website - https://olivinamen.com

New Company 2016-2017

Last week I thought I found what had to be the worst product ever for shaving but my last shave with Olivina Flash Foam Shaving Cream has made me crown a new King. All Hail The New King!

The first thing that caught my eye was the packaging. This bronze and white tube popped right out at me from the shelves at Target. I picked one up and did the next thing any respectable wet shaver would do I tested the scent and what a scent it is the bourbon and cedar was so intoxicating I knew this was going to be a great shaving cream. To be honest I made the mistake of judging something purely on scent alone and should have known better.

Review - Bull Dog Shave Cream

Company: Bull Dog

Product: Original Shave Cream

Location: United Kingdom

Website: https://us.bulldogskincare.com/

When I was roaming the aisle of Target last week I came across a new shaving cream called Bull Dog. A product of the UK this “Original Shave Cream” comes in packaging reminiscent of days gone by it’s in a squeezable metal tube. This tube retains the shape of where you pressed. I’m not a fan of this kind of packaging the product looks terrible on the counter after a few uses. I found out from the company’s website that they do sell it in the plastic tube but I couldn’t find it here in N.Y. but I was able to locate it online.

The cream includes Aloe, Camelina and Green Tea on the package I’m not sure what they bring to the product but my assessment is not much.    

Review - Lather Bros / Calle Ocho

Company: Lather Bros.

Product: Calle Ocho

Location: Miami Lakes FL.

Website - LatherBros

Today we have something new in the den from Miami Lakes FL a company called Lather Bros provided us with one of their shaving soaps and after shaves called Calle Ocho or “Eight Street” the center of Cuban life and culture in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood. This vibrant street is known for its Cuban restaurants, popular ventanitas, Cuban bakeries, Cigar Shops, Domino Park and colorful street festivals. 

Review - Retro Shave Shop / The Black Pearl

Company: Retro Shave Shop

Product: Route66 The Black Pearl

Founder: Kathleen (Kt)

Location: Arizona

Website - RetroShaveShop

The first thing that impressed me with Retro Shave Shop was its website. I really dig the retro look. The clean appearance and nostalgic feel adds to the pleasure of making purchases.

I tend to order samples when available and we had lots to choose from here. I have to hand it to Kt not too bad for a one woman show! I narrowed it down and ordered two “Cavendish” and one “The Black Pearl” The samples arrived in a bag that reminded me of when I was a kid buying candy. Each sample was individually wrapped in the same type of bag but much smaller and sealed with a piece of tape on the back. The soaps were in an Italian ice like paper cup approximately .5oz. with a clear label on the outer packaging denoting the scent. This packaging looks great but I do have issues with this method. When I used The Black Pearl for the review I noticed the soap was a bit dry and had a top layered crust which was due to not having an air tight seal. I did manage to find fresh soap under that top layer and was able to bowl lather with no addtional issues.

Review Long Rifle Soap Co. / Hunting Lodge

Company: Long Rifle Soap Co.

Product: Hunting Lodge

Founder: Amanda Brooker

Location: Wisconsin

WebSite - Hunting Lodge

I remember getting my first pucks back in 2015 and since then Long Rifle has grown into an amazing company. They offer much more than they did 2 years ago and have reformulated their shaving soaps and added shaving creams to the mix. I have to disclose the fact that we are currently running a giveaway but I felt it was time to give a brief update to this artisan.

Review - Wheat State Soap / Sweet Tobacco

Barbershop plastic tub shown

Company: Wheat State Soaps

Product: Sweet Tobacco

Founder: Keith Barger

Location: Derby, Kansas

Website - WheatStateSoap

I try my best to help other artisans who reach out to me and ask for my opinion. Whether it’s an after shave or a shaving soap I always try and give them good feedback. Sometimes life just gets in the way as it did with Keith from Wheat State Soap. I just didn’t have to time to send him my feedback but now things have settled down and more than ready to contribute. I’m also allowed to do a video which was not allowed before so don’t forget to check that out as well.

Review - Yesto Natural Man Shaving Cream

Company: Yesto

Product: Natural Man - Shaving Cream

            When I find myself wanting something new to try in wet shaving the first place I look at my local CVS, Target and Walmart stores. I don’t always come across something new but this time I found what I feel is a gem. It’s a shaving cream for men called Natural Man shaving Cream. The Yesto brand offerings are vast including face, body, hair, lips and baby but now this new line called Natural Man includes Shower to go cleaning cloths. A daily face scrub plus face lotion, charcoal bar soap and for the wet shaver a post shave cooling balm and shaving cream.

Can something be called Natural if 4% of ingredients are not? I’m not sure but it’s states this proudly with a circular stamp on the outside of the packaging. I guess just having the word natural appearing on your products is a win for the brand but regardless of that this is still an amazing shaving cream.