Proraso Shaving Cream 5.2 oz (147 g)

Maybe it's the Italian name that makes it difficult to market to the masses (it's available at Bath and Bodyworks as a re-packaged CO Bigelow product). In any event, no living, breathing man should be denied the opportunity to indulge in this superb shaving product.

Though it might not get the kind of enthusiastic endorsement reserved for the higher-end English made creams from the discerning wet shaver/hobbyist crowd (shave geeks), Proraso is a quantum leap in quality compared to the canned stuff on the drug store shelf. For the uninitiated, a tube of Proraso cream is an excellent first step in the journey toward a vastly improved shaving experience.

Aside from the luxurious, cushioning lather one can make using a decent badger hair shaving brush (highly recommended), Proraso's strength is also its drawback. The cooling, tingling sensation of menthol and eucalyptus oil is a pleasurable experience for many, but harsh for those with highly sensitive skin...Read more

Proraso Shave Cream is the best bang for the buck in hi-end, non drugstore shave creams. I've tried them all and keep coming back to proraso. The texture, consistency and effectiveness of the cream are first rate - and you don't need a badger hair brush! I initially missed using a brush at first, but don't miss all the product I wasted that were left behind in the bristles. Couple proraso with a good safety razor (may I suggest Merkur) and you'll get a shave that trounces anything a Mach III can throw at you. Trust me.

Without question the best shaving product in my experience. Used with plenty of hot water, a double edged razor, and a brush (up and down strokes are best) and you can expect the closest, most comfortable shave ever. The scent is manly but not macho, and is very light in any case after you wash it off, and you don't need to use aftershave either. Wonderful.

If you use a brush, make sure to get a good badger hair brush (expect to spend anywhere from twenty to forty dollars for a decent but inexpensive brush that will last a decade or more.) Make sure to also get a brush stand like the Nickel Shaving Brush Holder to keep water from seeping into the handle, which shortens the life of the brush.