I have come to appreciate Weleda products over the course of the last couple of years because I have used them to bathe my son and to take care of any and all of his rashes that have appeared from time to time. I know my wife also uses their creams, but not being a big fan of creams and moisturizers (I have never found one that did remain greasy) I never really thought about using Weleda products myself.
While I was picking up some diaper cream a while ago, I noticed that there was a tube of Weleda Shaving Cream nearby and was surprised because I thought they only did baby and skin care products like body creams. I probably would not have given it a second thought, since I have my favorites already, and Weleda just does not show up on the shaving radar, but I was curious.
It has been two weeks since I started to use Weleda’s Shaving Cream, After-shave Balm and Smooth Shave Tonerand my face has been very satisfied with the experience. I did not doubt they had great products because of the positive experience with my son, but I just assumed that they would not have the same know-how as companies that specialize in shaving products (then again some that make that claim make utter garbage).
The Weleda Shaving Cream has overtaken a few of my favorite soaps and creams after this brief, yet passionate, two-week relationship. I love discovering a great new shaving cream to add to my personal barbershop. I tried different brushes and different amounts to see what fit my routine best. The scent is subtle and has a pleasant herbal (not medicinal) smell that is a nice break from the many musky and leathery soaps and creams available that are often quite overpowering. The lather with a brush is nice and thick. I also tired it without a brush and it lathers just as well. The safety razor’s head glides effortlessly without losing its weight as it shaves. Many creams either create a layer of slime that is almost impenetrable or are so thin that razor burn is inevitable. Weleda’s Shaving Cream is one of the best I have tried at striking the balance between glide and close shave. An added bonus for frequent flyers is the 2.5oz tube it is packaged in that makes it travel ready for carry-ons so you can just pack it without needing a measuring cup.
I alternated using the Weleda After-shave Balm and the Smooth Shave Toner to see which I liked best, although I already had a biased for balms going into this comparison. Not surprisingly, I preferred the after-shave balm. I never liked the “astringent” after-shaves because they always give me that Home Alone Macaulay Culkin meets Munch’s Scream face when I slap them on. In its defense, the Weleda Smooth Shave Toner does not have that shocking sting that many astringent and antiseptic after-shaves have and it has a brief and pleasant citrus zest and spice smell to it that gives your state of early morning grogginess a bit of a jolt before fading. In fact, the balm is exactly what I am looking for in an after-shave. Non-greasy, soothing, quickly absorbed and, just as with the toner, after an initial whiff of citrus and spice it’s gone.
Weleda did not let me down. Just as it performs for my son it has done a great job with my shaving routine and I am going to add it to the rotation. Grab some shaving cream and balm next time you reach for some Weleda diaper cream for your baby and let me know what you think. I was certainly impressed.
Although this is discussed far and wide as well as already having made an appearance on my New York Dad’s Blog, The Dapper Dad cannot ignore discussing shaving since it is part of every man’s often daily routine (even those of us with beards and mustaches must trim and shave to keep things in some semblance of order). I do believe it should not, however, be seen as a chore. You should look forward to it as one of the few moments still left to yourself before the blizzard of kids, significant other, work, appointments, to do lists and the rest of the daily grind hits you.
I know it certainly does not replace the real thing, but consider this ritual the closest you’ll get to a day spa, but without having to use mud and cucumbers or spend a fortune (and, unfortunately, minus the massages). The bathroom or shower is already full of steam and you are hopefully feeling a bit revived from dousing yourself with water. Now that your whiskers are at their most vulnerable whip up a nice lather with a brush, smell the eye opening pepper, tabacco or musk that your shaving soap slaps on your face and commence the shave. Rinse. Towel off. Put some cream on your face so it does not become a raisin. And off you go singing Zip-a-dee-doo-dah (until of course you open the bathroom door and your daily grind is their waiting for you! And it’s usually whining about something!).
To talk about shaving in more detail, you really have to talk about blade preference and selection (I am much more opinionated on the use of a shaving brush and soap versus cream). There are three basic kinds of blades: straight blade, safety razor or even-safer multi-blade razor and my humble opinion on the three (going by aforementioned order) is: crazy, closest shave and best for travel.
A straight blade is something only my grandfather (and still a few old school barbers) could use after doing it everyday for 70 odd years, you need that steady hand and unthinking sweep of the hand with the blade at just the right angle. And yes it does induce “razor envy” when I find anyone who does it regularly in this day and age. One of the most common blades is by Dovo in satin stainless (Solingen, Germany is renowned for its stainless steel and razor blades in particular – the call it the City of Blades).
A safety razor (a.k.a DE or Double Edge) is really a great compromise. Your face has to get used to the burn as you learn, but it shaves closer than any disposable you are using. If you want a solid first DE, again look to the Germans and Dovo’s subsidiary Merkur Solingen (yes… the one that produces everyone’s favorite starter – the Merkur HD – seen in the picture above). Otherwise you can do some research and find some great deals on vintage DE’s at online auctions. Make sure to get a box of blades (I will not bother getting into that debate!) and switch them out when you feel them getting dull (if it hurts and you are nicking yourself switch out the blade. If it still happens your technique and angle is wrong).
The Mach-conFusion end of the spectrum with its dizzying array of blades (how many will the eventually be able to fit into that tiny strip?) and even more daunting price tag, has the benefit of carry-on travel ease of use. Believe me when you have to hit the road for just a couple of days and do not want to add to the nightmare of air travel by checking your overnight bag this is the way to pack. Then again if you can take the train none of the above applies! If you want to go all out and spend a ridiculous sum of money on a really sleek looking multi-blade set I would for the Art of Shaving Gillette Chrome Series Manuel Shaving Set with stand and fine badger brush (not sure if a vibrating razor with a…spotlight?! is worth the extra $50).
Now here is where my opinion is unwavering. Brush and soap only. I am not debating this point. It is the only way to prep for a shave – period. I would spring for a badger brush right-off-the-bat unless you want to add brush burn to razor burn. My personal favorite is one I purchased from Fortnum & Mason in London, but everyone has their own personal favorite (e.g. Kent, Edwin Jagger, Vulfix etc.) and it is fun to try out a few and get different shaving experiences from each.
The soap/cream is really a matter of taste. Scented or Unscented. More or less glide. Richer lather Etc. etc. So try a couple out to find your fit. I was quite surprised to find what a nice shave Nomad from Crabtree & Evelyn gave me (they also happen to have some very nice badger brushes). Then again I also like Proraso and Taylor of Old Bond Street. So many choices and luckily so much shaving to do!
The wet shave itself is pretty straightforward and here is how I do it (to each his own on finding variations that work):
Use hot water (CAUTION: Content is very hot so don’t blame me if you dunk your hands or face under the faucet!)
Use your slightly wet brush (water should not be dripping from the brush!) to whip up a thick lather (think of Santa’s beard) in a wide mouthed mug or directly in the soap dish if that is what you are using.
Apply lather with brush to your face and neck using a circular motion to help the whiskers stand up and salute the razor (unless you like ingrown facial hair?)
Pull the razor with the grain or across it – never against it (unless you like ingrown facial hair?)
Wash your face to get the residual soap off and rinse your razor and brush (hang the brush upside down for optimal storage… do yourself a favor and buy a bush stand)
Apply cream/balm (unless you have gashes from shaving do not use alcohol-based after shave… if you do have gashes you should be worrying about technique or replacing/sharpening your blade not about which after shave to apply!)
Now admire your masterwork in the mirror and whistle appreciatively!
For more tips and incredibly detailed discussions (CAUTION: incredibly detailed!) about shaving you can go to Badger & Blade. I’m guessing if you cannot find an answer there you are out of luck!
The Weleda Shaving Cream has overtaken a few of my favorite soaps and creams after this brief, yet passionate, two-week relationship. I love discovering a great new shaving cream to add to my personal barbershop. I tried different brushes and different amounts to see what fit my routine best. The scent is subtle and has a pleasant herbal (not medicinal) smell that is a nice break from the many musky and leathery soaps and creams available that are often quite overpowering. The lather with a brush is nice and thick. I also tired it without a brush and it lathers just as well. The safety razor’s head glides effortlessly without losing its weight as it shaves. Many creams either create a layer of slime that is almost impenetrable or are so thin that razor burn is inevitable. Weleda’s Shaving Cream is one of the best I have tried at striking the balance between glide and close shave. An added bonus for frequent flyers is the 2.5oz tube it is packaged in that makes it travel ready for carry-ons so you can just pack it without needing a measuring cup.
I alternated using the Weleda After-shave Balm and the Smooth Shave Toner to see which I liked best, although I already had a biased for balms going into this comparison. Not surprisingly, I preferred the after-shave balm. I never liked the “astringent” after-shaves because they always give me that Home Alone Macaulay Culkin meets Munch’s Scream face when I slap them on. In its defense, the Weleda Smooth Shave Toner does not have that shocking sting that many astringent and antiseptic after-shaves have and it has a brief and pleasant citrus zest and spice smell to it that gives your state of early morning grogginess a bit of a jolt before fading. In fact, the balm is exactly what I am looking for in an after-shave. Non-greasy, soothing, quickly absorbed and, just as with the toner, after an initial whiff of citrus and spice it’s gone.
