Thread: CarrieM's "Lemongrass" Shaving Cream

Well now, I have reviewed most creams from well known manufacturers. I have also reviewed two artisan products. One was ridiculously overpriced given its abysmal performance, the other was just overpriced. Karen (CarrieM) and I have been talking about lemongrass scented products for almost a year now. The first sample I received was good, but contained different ingredients. In short, it was not ready for prime time. Since then, Karen has changed the formula, and here is the result...

Packaging: The packaging is nice. Semi-transparent tub with a good, airtight lid. The sticker could use some more refined artwork, because the cream deserves it. As always, click to enlarge the images.


Texture: I received this tub along with 4 samples. The samples were exactly as one would expect it from a high quality cream. The lemongrass cream, however, was more liquid than I expected.

Interestingly, though, it was extremely easy to properly load the brush with it. So while not perfect, it was still perfectly usable.

Scent: I had always wanted lemongrass scented shaving products, but I could not find any that were worth using. This cream, however, is quite perfect. I am talking Castle Forbes "Lime" perfect. Fresh, fruity, intense, but in a sublime way. The scent does not linger for long, which I consider a bonus. Excellent!

Latherability: As we all know, Castle Forbes sets the benchmark, along with Domenico Caraceni. Let us see where this cream comes in. After all, we are talking about a product that costs a fraction of other lather monsters.

Brush loaded.


See my gallery for more pictures of the lather production process: CarrieM's "Lemongrass" Shaving Cream.

80 swirls. Ready for action in about 45 seconds.


What can I say? This is the best value for money in the latherability department so far.

Cushion: Lots of cushion. Enough to last a long time, too, because the lather refuses to dry up. Since we do not currently have a rating for glide, I am deducting one point, because the combination of cushion and glide that Castle Forbes and Caraceni deliver is just that little bit better. But still, this cream is up there with the very best.


Moisturising: While I am waiting for my lemongrass scented aftershave balm, this cream will have to do. And it does. Its moisturising performance is again top notch (and beats the other artisan product I reviewed by leaps and bounds).

Just for the record, this lather is more than 15 minutes old, and cold. But look at how good it still is. Outstanding.


Price: USD 12.5 for 4 oz. Yes, that is right. And this cream will go a long way. The amount used in the above photo session was pea sized, if even that.

Overall impression: If I were a beginner, I would be all over this cream. Its performance is so good that it is a match for Castle Forbes based on price alone. Now, I am not exactly a beginner anymore, but this cream will see a lot of use. Here is today's shaving setup, a Henckels "Friodur" 7/8 round point, a brush, CarrieM's cream, and my trusted Old Traditional shaving bowl. That is it, and it works. Recommended? Absolutely!

I've also tried this Lemongrass cream and think it's wonderful. To me, the lather is actually a little richer than Castle Forbes. It looks more like sour cream (slick but fluffy, hard to describe) whereas CF looks a bit like whipped cream.

Does that difference in latherability make for a noticeably better shave? Nah, not one that I can feel. I just prefer the way that type of lather looks. It does seem to hold water longer (than CF) though, so that's a plus.

Packaging is fine to me. It could be amazingly elegant, but then you'd have to pay an extra 25 bucks just for the tub holding the cream. I'd rather get a cheaper/standard tub and leave the nice custom packaging to my own tastes. Perfect example of this is Penhaligon's making you pay 35 bucks for their nice wooden bowl. If I have to pay that much for a container, I'd rather be able to choose what it is. Anyways, I digress...

I'm picky about my soaps and creams, but I don't really judge them by cushion and whatnot. Most quality soaps and creams are similar to me since I look for the following things:

Nice glide so that there is no dragging because of the soap/cream.
Lather that stays moist.
My face doesn't feel too dried out by the end of the shave.
My face doesn't feel irritated (more than if I were to use the same set up with another soap/cream)

Karen's cream is definitely a quality product in my book. It stays moist, has great glide, doesn't irritate my face, etc. Best of all, my face isn't dried out by the end of the shave; it feels great.

Thanks Karen!