Editor’s Note: This post has been updated to reflect new selections for 2016.
There are three main factors to every shave: the razor, the lather and the man. While the latter is out of our control (everyone’s skin is different), you have options when it comes to the razor and lather of choice. For razors, there are straight, safety, disposable, electric and cartridge options, each with its own benefits. The same is true for the shaving medium: Creams, oils, soaps and gel all behave differently. Mainstream foams that come out of aerosol cans, like Gillette or Barbasol, can actually irritate skin — in fact, some claim that those foams do little more than show men where they’ve already shaved. Instead, we suggest using higher-quality creams, like the ones here. Unlike the foams, these creams contain more hydrating and conditioning elements, without many of the chemicals that dry out skin. The result is a healthier face and a more comfortable shave.
– Additional Contribution by K.B. Gould
Crown Shaving Co. Shave Cream
This rich and hydrating shaving cream is made in Toronto. According to the brand, it’s meant for “vagabonds, gentlemen and ruffians,” which we take as hyperbole to simply mean: men can, but don’t have to, use a shaving brush with it.
