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What I like
- Good lubrication
- Virtually eliminates skin irritation
- Skin feels great
What I don't like
- Since it's clear, you can't always tell where it's been applied
Overall
- An excellent shaving lubricant
- Highly recommended
Shaving oil is a marvellous substance. I'd previously tried the Total Shaving Solution shaving oil and absolutely loved it. The only downside was that I couldn't purchase it locally, and had to order over the Internet. So you can imagine my delight when I found Somerset's Original Shaving Oil on the shelf at a local Shopper's Drugmart store. [Note: I'm informed that Shopper's Drugmart no longer carries this product. July 11/03]
Shaving oil mixes with water to lubricate your skin while you shave. As such, it's important to make sure your head is thoroughly wet before you start shaving (of course, you should always ensure that your head is thoroughly wet before shaving, no matter which lubricant you use). Once wet, you put a couple of drops of shaving oil in your hand and rub it in the the surface you want to shave. I use 3 drops for my face and 4 for my head, which is generous.
There's not as much lubrication with shaving oil as with shaving gel, but it is more than sufficient for the task. If you feel like your scalp is drying out, just splash on more water, which reactivates the shaving oil.
I get about the same closeness with shaving oil as I do with shaving gel. I've heard from people who insist that shaving oil results in a closer shave, but for me it's almost exactly the same. It's an extremely close shave, though, and I'm not sure how it could be closer.
Skin irritation virtually disappears for me with this product. Nicks and cuts are very rare. The protection provides by shaving oil is absolutely remarkable, and the best I've ever experienced. Somerset's also comes in an 'extra sensitive' variety which I haven't tried yet, but it's hard to imagine that it could be even better than the regular variety in this regard.
I purchased Somerset's for $5 (Canadian) for a 12ml (4 ounce) bottle (prices may vary by location). That sounds pricey, but since you only use a few drops per shave, the bottle lasts a long time. The package claims you can get 90 shaves per bottle, but I figure that shaving your head probably cuts that in half. I consider it an excellent value.
Overall, Somerset's Original Shaving Oil is an excellent product, and I highly recommend it.
The David Somerset Skin Care company
Trafalgar Shop - A retailer that carries Somerset's.
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