Taylor of Old Bond Street St. James Wet Shaving Cream Bowl 5.3 oz.

I received a gift of Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream Bowl, 5.3-Ounce last Christmas, along with a new Merkur razor and Shark Stainless razor blades. I found the Merkur razor not to my liking (I prefer a butterfly design) and I purchased a Parker 99R to use with my new Sandalwood shaving cream. Alas! The Parker razor pulled and tugged! I changed blades to Personna double edged "comfort coated" blades. I found the "comfort" to be entirely misleading. I switched to the Merkur and got identical results with different blades. The only commonality (besides the facial injuries) was...THE SOAP!!! I swapped out the Taylor for "goop in a can" - old fashioned, inexpensive, Barbasol. Magic! The razor(s) sang and the blades rejoiced! However there was a fly in the ointment (or in this case, soap) - I liked the Sandalwood scent and the 'feel' of the Taylor. The Barbasol, while admittedly functional, brought no joy to the art of shaving (other than the perhaps important one of not bleeding all over the bathroom sink). I re-read the reviews of the Taylor and they were (mostly) quite positive. Could it be that I have the one face in a thousand that resists the charms of the Taylor? Unlikely! This called for experimentation. I put a dollup (a very, very small dollup) of Barbasol in the Taylor bowl, placed the combination on my brush and gave it a go. Again, magic! Not quite as smooth as the Barbasol alone, and the soap dried out faster than the Barbasol, but the tugs and pulls were reduced by a large factor. I noticed that other reviewers had commented on fact that the Taylor soap lasted (in the bowl, if not on the face) quite awhile - and yet my supply was rapidly dwindling. (I was not then shaving every day with the Taylor). Could it be...me??? Could it be my technique??? The Barbasol is a fairly simply application - squirt the goo out of the can onto the fingertips and apply to the face. The Taylor required a brush and...and what??? After doing a bit more research (thank you, You Tube!) I decided my lathering technique was insufficient to the task at hand. I was placing my wet brush in the bowl, gathering a goodly amount (as one might with house paint) and placing on my face. It was going on as a soap, not as a lather! I procurred from my wife's stash a small Tupperware container, perhaps 2" deep and 3" across, filled it with hot water and placed my brush in it to soak for 2 minutes (timed). I dumped the water, shook the extra droplets from the brush and dipped just the ends of the bristles into the Taylor bowl, using very little of the soap. I then placed the brush in the still-damp Tupperware container and proceeded to beat the soap like a cheap rug. To my surprise and joy the soap lathered up very, very nicely indeed and, when placed on my face, was obviously much closer to the consistency of the Barbasol. The razor cut through the lather like...well, like a razor cutting through lather. No pulling, no tugging, no nicks, no scrapes and no beard left over. The entire problem I had with the Taylor soap for so many dreary, pain filled months was my technique. I may even invest in a shaving mug, in which to beat the Taylor soap into submission - but the Tupperware container seems to be doing a fine job on it's own (making up in usability what it lacks in style). The Barbasol has been placed back on the shelf and a new cup of Taylor is on the way. I would HEAVILY recommend, if one has trouble with the Taylor Sandalwood Shaving Cream, one re-examine one's technique. Trying to swirl it in the bowl that it comes in from London simply didn't work for me - I couldn't work up the requisite speed to create the desired consistency of lather. A seperate container worked wonders. Five stars for Taylor and five lashes with a wet noodle for me because I spent so long figuring out the solution. HTH Jim

I've been using a soap and brush for my shaves for over 20 years, prior to that I used the canned gels and foams. I've tried a pretty good variety over that period of time. I can say that Taylor of Old Bond Street products rank quite high on my list of quality products. The grapefruit scent is a very strong, vibrant, "pure" grapefruit aroma. It really smells as if you had just cut a ripe grapefruit open and squeezed it. Unfortunately, after the shave is done and the face is rinsed, the scent doesn't linger on my skin. Some people may report some longevity, but most citrus scents just don't seem to linger on my skin. ( After my first shave with this, I splashed on some Lucky Tiger aftershave, and had a few moments of rich citrus bliss, that sadly faded all too quickly.) From a technical standpoint, this cream performs similarly to the other Taylor of Old Bond Street creams that I've used. That is: very rich and creamy lather that is easy to produce with a brush. I use a boar brush and face lather, and after a few swirls of the brush on top of the cream, I was able to quickly whip up a dense lather on my face. I use a DE razor, so I really prefer to have a soap/cream with good slickness to it, and ToOBS is always a safe bet in that regard. After the shave, this rinses off easily, and leaves the skin feeling good. I find this to be an above-average shave cream, the scent is quite nice, and the performance is top-notch. I will purchase again, and will recommend to others. **** The following information was not factored in with the above review, as it is a reflection on the seller, not the product itself. I know that there is a place for "seller reviews" but I want to make sure that as many people as possible see this so that they can be informed of possible issues. My tub of shave cream was purchased from the seller "eSource" and handled by Amazon. When the tub arrived, it was not sealed in any manner. There was no leakage in the shipping box, though. When I opened the tub, it sure seemed like an awful lot of container for such a small amount of product. As I stated in my review above, I've used ToOBS products before. I know that product is packed by weight, not volume, usually, and that some companies will put shave soaps/creams in big containers to leave room to lather. This seemed off to me, though, so I weighed my tub. I have access to certified/calibrated scales at my workplace, and my tub weighed in at under 4oz., inclusive of tub. The container specs 5.3oz. of product. This is a significant difference, in my opinion. Did I receive a return, or was this a filler error? Either way, this should not have shipped to me as a new product. I contacted Amazon through the standard "return item" protocol on the order page and listed my issue, and they refunded a portion of the purchase price. There was no discussion with me about anything, and it's practically impossible to actually talk to anybody, just a generic email that said, "we refunded X amount to your account, sorry blah blah blah". The seller never responded to me. Overall, I'm just very disappointed with the experience, despite being very happy with the actual product. I know that this is the danger of internet shopping vs. brick-and-mortar stores. Amazon is usually on-point, but this one slipped through the cracks. So, if you receive a tub of this that seems peculiar, do yourself a favor and weigh it. Get the amount of product that you paid for! This isn't the first item that I've received that I have suspected of being a returned product which is why I'm taking the time to write all of this out. I hope this helps somebody.

I just recently made the plunge into the world of "Real" wet shaving using a DE Safety razor. I did a lot of reviewing of products before I bought. From everything I read I knew I wanted to get a Best Badger brush 100% Best Badger Bristle Shaving Brush -- White & Chrome Handle with Free Stand From Parker Safety Razor and a good shaving cream. After doing the research on and off of Amazon I decided to give the Taylor of Old Bond Street a try as my first good shaving cream. After much debating I choose the almond scent. I found this shaving cream to be easy to lather. I'll explain how I form the lather later in this review. It goes on nicely and seems to work well for my face. The almond smell is nice but light. I would personally like it to have a slightly stronger scent. But I do like that it wears off quickly and does not conflict with my aftershave. Moving from the world of spray can foams, I think this cream is wonderful. This is my first brush on shaving cream so I don't have allot to compare this too. But this shaving cream does it's job and the cost seems reasonable. I would recommend at least giving this shaving cream a try. I plan on trying a few other scents in this line. I also plan on trying a few soaps. But I think the bar has been set high by starting with this cream. How I make a good lather: I did a bunch of research on how to create a good lather with a cream. After that research I found it was actually very easy. And this method works like a charm with this cream. 1) Prior to showering in the morning I run the sink to get the hottest water I can. I then fill a ceramic (non-white) bowl with hot water, then put the bowl in the sink and fill the sink to the top of the bowl. I then put my brush and razor in the bowl to soak while I shower. 2) After showering I pull the bowl from the sink (leaving water in sink) and dump the water from the bowl (back into the sink). I just pour out the bowl and do not dry it. 3) Shake your wet brush a few times to knock off the surface water. Just a few times will do it. When done you shouldn't have any visible drops on the outside of the brush. 4) Dip the brush into the tub of cream making contact and pressing down slightly. Then spin the brush 2 full rotations and remove from tub. A little goes a long way here. You can always add more if needed later. You should see a small amount of cream on the tips of all the hairs. 5) Swirl brush in bowl in one direction. I go clockwise. Perhaps those south of the equator would go counter clockwise :). Every 10th or so swirl pump the brush once or twice. Repeat until you get a good lather. If you don't start getting a good lather (to thin) in 30ish swirls, spin brush one more time in the cream tub and then continue swirling. I've found this method to be foolproof and gives you a warm and wonderful cream. There is a possibility that you get too much cream versus water with this method. It hasn't happened to me, but if it does (super stiff or chunky) then just wet your fingers in the sink and sprinkle a little water in the bowl. It's likely that different types/quality of brushes could require more or less spinning in the bowl. You'll get the hang of how many times to spin and how hard to press after a few shaves. Remember when spinning the brush in the bowl less is really more.

Love it! Great subtle lime scent that isn’t overpowering. Will last a long time as it doesn’t take very much to work up a good lather with a brush. Great lubrication for a close shave.

If you are using commercial shaving creams, this is a huge improvement. Unlike the commercial stuff, if you use it properly it will not dry on your face while you are shaving. I highly recommend using a brush, (no bowl needed, it just wastes product) it helps create a nice lather, don't expect this type of shaving cream to lather like the can stuff, but it does protect your face better. The proper way to use this product is to have a wet brush, I use a badger hair brush. I run it under hot water for 10-15 sec. while filling the sink, then lightly shake off excess water (this is called wet shaving so some water is needed), then push a small bit (about the size of a quarter) in the brush. I said push in the brush and not on the brush because when you lather it on your face, you need to press the brush down so the bristles spread out on your face. Make sure your face is damp prior to adding the shaving cream, and re-rinse then reapply shaving cream between strokes with your razor. Shaving cream is a lubricant, you don't ever want to shave without a layer of shaving cream. Youtube has videos to show proper shaving techniques. Always clean your brush, then store it hanging bristle side down and it will last a long time. Pros: This cream has a nice lather and good smell, I didn't find it overbearing. More product, cheaper purchase price and smaller container then Art of Shaving shaving creams (biggest competitor at this price point). On the negative side, I live in AZ, and ordered the shaving cream when it was about 82 F, and the product was completely melted. As mentioned in other reviews, some of the cream seeped out during shipping. Once cooled down it did solidify. Prior to using this product I used Art of Shaving shaving cream, and this product is not as thick, so you need to use more product per shave. I was a little disappointed because I was hoping to use this as a cheaper replacement for the Art of Shaving shaving cream, but between the extra amount needed per shave and the amount lost in shipping this costs the same or more then the Art of Shaving in the long run. The Art of Shaving product has a thicker container, so it holds .3 oz less, but it has never melted or leaked any product. I also have very sensitive skin, and being thicker, the Art of Shaving products work better for me. I used this product for a couple months before writing this review so I could give it a fair assessment. All in all, this is not a bad product, it works well, smells good, and is a far cry better then commercial creams out of a spray can. I will probably go back to the Art of Shaving products however because they are thicker and work better on my sensitive skin.

Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood - This is just plain the Finest Shave Cream on the planet !! I have to say the scent of the Sandalwood version here is just incredible as other people have said. Below is a fairly lengthy explanation of the use and application of this Excellent product. I hope that other guys who have never experienced this product and its application and use will read through my explanation below and experience for yourself one of life's very fine pleasures! This product coupled with Musgo Real Lime Glycerin Oil Soap simply provides the finest shave possible. First of all it really is best to acquire for yourself a Badger Hair brush for use in creating a lather from the Taylor Old Bond St. product. You can experience the Product without a brush; Yes a good quality brush can be costly, but they last a long time and you really cannot appreciate the full effect the Brush provides in both creating the Lather as well as the application onto your face of the lather. We all spend a lot of money on things, just break down and do yourself a favor and get a brush. Don't feel too distressed by spending $50.00 for one, It's well worth it and the benefit of using a brush is pretty much invaluable through its ability to create a wonderful lather of the cream. It just cannot be effectively created and experienced in any other way. Here is the process to follow in the use of Old Bond Street & Musgo: Run a good quantity of HOT water into your sink and place your Badger Brush into the Hot Water, this will Heat up the bristles of the Brush, Next Acquire a wash cloth and place it in a sink of HOT water, wring it out somewhat and then warm your face with it for approx.1 minute, place the wash cloth back into the HOT water a couple times as needed. The purpose here is to soften whiskers and warm the skin., Next lather up a small amount of the Musgo Oil soap with HOT water a spread around your face with your hands, this will pre-lubricate the skin and whiskers and provides the basis for a very smooth, gliding surface for the razor. Next retrieve the Badger brush from the hot water in the sink and shake out most, but not all of the Hot Water, then dip it into the TAYLOR of Old Bond St. and get a small quantity onto the Badger Brush. Next lather it up in a small bowl or cup, (you don't need to go out and spend much money on a cup or bowl) it will take about 30 sec. to 1 min to create a nice lather, and it will likely be necessary to add a little water to the bowl as you "fluff" up the lather. The point is to create a somewhat fluffy lather. If you use too much water, the lather will be runny and will pretty much just run off of your face when you place it onto your face, on the other hand not enough water and the product will not lather up much in the bowl, so there is a bit of a fine line here. When you are finished, shaving, I like to apply a small amount of water across my face and then reapply the remaining lather from the brush to my face and then shave once again in a different direction or pattern. Whiskers tend to grow in a certain direction on your face, and everyone's face is different so shave a second time in a different pattern or direction. Finally, rinse your face with Warm Water, and pat it dry with a towl, don't vigorously wipe your face with towel. You want to keep your face moist as you next apply an aftershave or lotion. May I here recommend one of my favorite aftershave cream which is NEUTROGENA RAZOR DEFENSE. This product will not sting or burn your face, it also moisturizes the face, and is so silky smooth. NEUTROGENA Razor Defense is simply the best. Give it a try!! Here is my summation of everything above. The process of creating a lather with the brush takes some practice, but stay with it and by and by you will get the hang of it. Once you familiarize yourself with the process of everything described above, it all becomes fairly easy and does not take as much time as in the beginning if you are new to this. Use of the products noted and the effort of skin preparation and application of the lather simply produces the finest shave you will ever experience!! There simply is nothing better!! Canned Shave cream does not even come close to this. People who have not tried this or experienced a shave as described are simply missing out on one of life's GREAT Pleasures. Your skin will feel so wonderful when you finish. Lastly I have to say the scent of the Sandalwood version of Taylor here is just incredible as other people have said. You will experience the masculine scent of this superb Product and feel invigorated and ready to Tackle the World in the day ahead of you. Shaving becomes a pleasurable experience you will look forward to and not a drudgery. Don't deny yourself one of life's simple pleasures any longer. ENJOY !!

It seems to me that it is nearly impossible to write an objective review for this product, because the experience of using it is largely subjective, just as one's experience might be with, say, brussels sprouts: you're likely either to enjoy them or positively despise them. I'm in the latter camp as regards those little green demons, but an aggregate of subjective responses proves useful to most, even if an individual's preference ultimately runs contrary to collective opinion. So, this shave cream... Other than shaving performance, criteria against which all creams, soaps, and lathers should pass respectably, the scent is what makes or breaks a lasting relationship of product loyalty. Personally, I enjoy the aroma of this shave cream. In the bowl, the aroma that comes to me first is mildly soapy, with a gentler background of sandalwood. The initial soapiness isn't off-putting to me as, to be honest, I expect that in most shaving creams that share common ingredients - and this is true across a broad spectrum of quality and price. What lingers, though, is the sandalwood aroma... which I rather like and don't find it overly strong. I find it to be masculine without being overpowering and indeed, as some reviewers have put it, slightly evocative of 'old-guy.' Now, as I am currently in apprenticeship to old-guy-ness, I don't find that unappealing. I think it's rather a nostalgic thing, bringing back memories of father, instead of being stale, musty. The strength of aroma also depends largely on how vigorously I rinse and also whether I splash on witch hazel as aftershave. It is worth a try, I think, as many will not find the scent as strong as some have. As for performance, this shave cream works well for me. I've got a tough, fast growing beard and sensitive skin and while I usually shave only every other day and while I must also take care to soak my beard in hot water, this cream does very well to protect my skin and produce proper glide for my double-edge safety razor. My skin feels nourished and smooth as it should with any high quality shave cream. A little goes a very long way and it produces a mass of thick, luxuriant lather for my usual two-pass shaving routine. Care must be taken, as with any other shave cream or soap, to get the proportion of water to shave cream correct. Too watery, and the lather will slide off your face; too dry, and your razor will drag... painfully. When I first began using this, I felt that it could have rinsed off the razor a bit better. As it was, it seemed to leave more residue behind than some other products I have used. It has never felt heavy or gummy on my face, however, and I have decided that it's not the negative it first seemed. I consider this to also be a very good value, reasonably priced and long lasting. This bowl should last me six months plus the way I am going. Everyone's shaving habits are different and individual's mileage will vary. This is a good value, then, that performs well and lasts a good long time. Perhaps the best thing I can say ultimately is that I'll be buying this again. Five stars.

Okay, so I was using Proraso for a while, which is fine, but I just grabbed this Taylor of Old Bond Street stuff, and holy cow, it’s in a different league entirely. The quality jump is just massive—like light years away. It's about twice the price upfront, yeah, but totally worth it. A tiny tap of my brush on the soap is all I need. Seriously, a little goes an extremely long way. I can actually see this one jar lasting me years, making it way more cost-effective than those wasteful canned gels. The lather is incredible. You get this dense, microfoam that spreads on super easy. It feels instantly moisturizing—none of that dry, tight feeling you get with cheaper stuff after a minute. My razor just glides right over it like silk. And the scent? The sweet almond smell is the perfect wake-up call in the morning. Honestly, no comparison. This is a must-buy for anyone who cares about a good shave. Love it.

Produit de qualité

Luktar gott

Unfortunately it was shipped in an envelope with no interior protection, the container was broken in pieces. Seller was quick to refund as they didn't have any in stock to replace it. I was able to salvage half of the shaving cream, it's excellent, very smooth and the Peppermint not overpowering. Worth the price !

Bajo mi punto de vista, tiene un aroma perfecto para el verano. Al principio, nada más abrir el tarro, se aprecia cierta acidez, algo químico que no acaba de encajar del todo, aunque a medida que se va usando esa sensación desaparece y deja un aroma muy limpio y sobre todo cítrico y fresco. Sin duda es perfecto para los meses de verano

As an aficionado of traditional wet shaving, I’m always on the lookout for premium products that enhance my daily routine. I recently purchased the Taylor of Old Bond Street Shaving Cream Pot in Oud scent from Amazon, and it has truly elevated my shaving experience. Here’s my personal review. From the moment I opened the pot, I was captivated by the rich, exotic scent of oud. The fragrance is deep and sophisticated, offering a luxurious start to my day. It’s not overpowering but has a lasting presence that makes the shaving experience feel indulgent and refined. The texture of the shaving cream is smooth and creamy, making it easy to lather. I use a shaving brush, and with just a small amount of the cream, I can create a rich, thick lather that provides excellent coverage. The lather is dense and cushioning, which is perfect for protecting my skin from nicks and cuts during shaving. It helps the razor glide effortlessly, ensuring a close and comfortable shave. One of the standout features of this shaving cream is its moisturizing properties. After using it, my skin feels soft and hydrated, without any dryness or irritation. This is particularly important for me, as I have sensitive skin that can easily react to harsh products. The Taylor of Old Bond Street Shaving Cream leaves my skin feeling nourished and refreshed. The 150g pot is generous and seems to last a long time. Despite daily use, I’ve barely made a dent in it, which speaks to its value for money. A little goes a long way, and the high quality of the cream makes it worth every penny. However, it’s important to note that this product is on the pricier side compared to other shaving creams. While the quality and luxurious experience justify the cost for me, it might be a consideration for those who are budget-conscious. Nevertheless, the exceptional performance and delightful scent make it a worthwhile investment for anyone who appreciates a top-tier shaving cream. Overall, I am thoroughly impressed with the Taylor of Old Bond Street Shaving Cream Pot in Oud. It has transformed my shaving routine into a daily ritual that I look forward to. The rich lather, moisturizing properties, and exquisite scent create a shaving experience that is truly unparalleled. For those willing to invest in a premium product, I highly recommend this shaving cream.