Shaving is the bane of my life, I‘m not constantly craving that lumbersexual look and to be honest shaving ranks as one of the largest thorns in my side when it comes to attempting to make my face look respectable. Sometimes I can go weeks without shaving until the resulting beard starts to itch - at that point out comes the razor, and to avoid a shaving rash out come lots of products to choose and use (look how I made that rhyme….).
Today I will be giving my thoughts on Clarins Men Rasage Ideal Smooth Shave, something that came in my Selfridges&Co male grooming box back in June. Yes, it has been sat around that long!
To put it quite simply (as I’m a simple kind of guy), I have been using a whole host of shaving gels and creams over the years as a kind of bathroom pre-emptive strike against the botchy red rash on my neck that I used to get when shaving.
Taylor of Old Bond Street Coconut Luxury Shaving Cream, Erasmic Lather Shave Cream and Gillette Fusion Proglide Shaving Gel are all favourites that have helped put pay to that rash in the past but fancying a change I decided to try out Clarins.
A foaming gel, ISS as it shall now be referred to (not ISIS) has a lovely fragrance, clean and fresh as you would expect but it is highly perfumed, almost floral. I love it, its much better than the synthetic fragrances you can get with other shave products.
Even though this is supposed to be a gel when you dispense it is comes out in a combination of gel and foam form and this is where it starts to go down hill. Quite a lot of the gel is needed to cover my face - yes, it may be a large face but it felt like I had used nearly half of the 50ml can. That wasn’t a particularly pleasing development but worse was to come….
The lather, if you can call it that is watery and runny, not rich at all and a bloody nightmare - as soon as it was on my face the lather started to deteriorate immediately, soaking in way too much to the point that I couldn‘t tell where I had applied it to my face. You would think that this would make shavng easy and the build up on the razor less - WRONG.
Even with short stubble the gel/lather mix (whatever you want to call it) acts like a natural barrier between the blades of the razor which meant vigorous cleaning in between strokes down my face. It took twice as long to shave and time shaving is not my idea of fun.
My skin felt hydrated in fairness to ISS, but have soft and smooth cheeks does not forgive the fact that an hour after shaving the dreaded red blotches started, and the stayed for two hours. Nothing would clam it down.
I won’t be finishing the can…..
NOT RECOMMENDED
I used to shave but now I just wax.
ReplyDeleteYou're all over this lumbersexual reference now aren't you. And if this stuff isn't good enough for BeautyKing then it won't be good enough for Ryan Gosling either...
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame this did not work for you but atleast it will stop you from buying another can :) by dad uses the gIllete one I think if that helps you :) x
ReplyDeleteIHonestly I don't know what to say! I do like your photos though!!
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame it didn't work for you. I won't be buying it for my other half x
ReplyDeleteI might try it on my legs if it is rubbish for you ;) x
ReplyDeleteThats not very good value at all. The husbeast has gone back to using hard soap and a brush - from L'occitane
ReplyDeleteOh dear, sounds like one to avoid
ReplyDeleteMy other half's looking for a new shaving gel...and it won't be this one! Shame it was so disappointing, Clarins normally way better than that!
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame it didn't work, you'd think being Clarins that it would be great! xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame that it was disappointing. I need to find a moisturising shaving foam for my husband.
ReplyDeletex
One of my friends has a hairy back that he hates and is always trying to find something to shave that with. Maybe this would work as I guess it wouldn't need to be so gentle as for your face?
ReplyDeleteOh dear! My husband hates shaving because it never looks like he has had a shave! He does get a shaving rash at times but I shall ensure this never enters the house!
ReplyDeleteNothing quite like the frustrating of shaving gone wrong. I've quite given up on foams, as they always seem to react poorly. :(
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame, I really would of expected more from Clarins!
ReplyDeleteAnnabel ♥
Mascara & Maltesers
It's a shame that this shaving cream wasn't great. The men in my family use electric shavers.
ReplyDeleteI would have thought Clarins would be good as well! My hubby uses an electric razor so don't have to buy this stuff!
ReplyDeleteI've just asked my brother in law as he is uing it as well, he couldn't fault it in any way.
ReplyDeleteShame it didn't work for you.
Shame that it didn't work for you , what is the cost
ReplyDeleteI won't suggest this one to hubby then lol
ReplyDeleteI quite like Clarins, sad that it wasn't good enough. :(
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame it was disappointing
ReplyDeleteAs a woman it always annoys me when products that should foam then go really watery straight away. I would have expected more from Clarins too, proof you don't always need to spend a fortune!
ReplyDeleteI will have to let my hubby know about this product. He too hates shaving but once his stubble/beard starts itching or he has to go back to work he has to shave again.
ReplyDeleteOh dear! At least you're being honest! It must be a right pain anyway for blokes having to shave every day! The last thing you want is blotchy skin, a sure fire no no!
ReplyDeletethanks for the honest review!
ReplyDeleteMy husband never uses products when he shaves. I don't think your review will persuade him to start either! Thanks for being so honest.
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