As a guy with very tough and stubborn facial hair, I’ve developed a bit of a routine to prep as much as possible. I use a pre-shave oil ($20 CAD) to soften things up and started using a strop to sharpen my cartridge blades (this is now a necessity).
I also always try to follow the manufacturer instructions as best I can. Groom suggests using a shaving brush, but I don’t typically use one, so I applied by hand. Upon opening, a rush of coconut and sage filled my bathroom like a tropical paradise – certainly one of the more inviting aromas from any shaving cream I’ve used recently.
The cream ($24 CAD) itself is pretty thick to begin with, almost like the stuffing in a pillow, so it’s highly advised to use less than you normally would and mix in a few drops of water to even it out. Your razor won’t get as clogged and the overall shave is a better experience. (In the event your razor does get jammed up, I found a cotton swab over the blades cleans it out nicely.)
Once shaving commenced, the cream set a luxurious glide with little to no hair pull and irritation. The lather is fairly thick, so it does take a bit of time to work through an entire shave, but the experience is so enjoyable that it wasn’t a deterrent.
The end product was a smooth, clean mug. Plus, any shave where my stubborn hair and sensitive skin doesn’t end up too irritated or torn up is a success in my book.
Their entire line features a number of natural ingredients including seed oils, bark oils, and essences of pine and juniper – each plays a role in offering fresh scents and an even fresher finish.
Not surprisingly, Groom’s aftershave balm ($22 CAD) is much the same consistency, scent, and feel of their shaving cream (shout out to their inclusion of cacao butter). It’s a great moisturizer to cap up an overall really pleasant shave. As an added bonus, the balm created a bit of a matte finish on my skin–which is a boon since we’re moving into the warmer, sweatier months.
Consider me a fan of this Montreal brand – quality lather, great scents, clean finish.
All pricing is in Canadian Dollars. You can purchase your own Groom products here.
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