Thread: Connaught Luxury Shaving Cream

Connaught Shaving, a UK based online wetshaving goods dealer, recently introduced their own line of Shaving Creams and I got a couple of samples. I am very, very glad I did!!!

I got two 15ml samples, Sicilian Lime scent and Peppermint. I've used both for several shaves, and this stuff is a winner on all counts.

Let's start with the presentation--for shaving cream samples, which are sent out for the cost of shipping, Paul Mayhew (proprietor) uses metal-topped glass jars--a very classy first start, if I may say so.

Opening the jar of limes, I was at first disappointed by the scent. It seemed very subdued, not at all like the lime smack in the face you get from Castle Forbes. But once you load your brush and start to lather, a lovely fresh lime scent starts to spread. It's not as sweet as the above mentioned cream, but still a very good, natural scent; all of Paul's creams are scented with Essential Oils, not Fragrance oils, so it should be natural.

The peppermint was much, much more potent on first opening. The smell climbs right up your nose and says "CHRISTMAS!!! COOLNESS!!! I AM PEPPERMINT!!!". And it is, it sure is. The smell was natural, and somehow very very soothing.

Of course, the lather is where it's at...and the lather, from both of these scents, is GREAT. I stuffed the tips of my custom Omega boar brush into the jar and went to my face (I'm a face latherer...). The lather sprang up fairly easily, though this cream does seem to want more water than some of the others I've used. Once I got the water balance right, though, I got a smooth, protective lather that lasted through a long straight shave. I wouldn't call this a particulary SLICK lather, but the blade glided over my skin with no trouble, and there was no irritation at all afterward. With the peppermint, of course, there was the added cooling zing, which I found quite pleasant; though it was a bit intense for winter use. In summer, I plan to use this one a lot. Also, when my shave was done with either cream my skin felt refreshed and well-cared-for. So, as far as skin care/moisturization, lather lasting power, scent and shave quality go: this cream is a winner.

I've used the Limes sample for three shaves, and I have at LEAST two more in it, leading me to believe that this cream, like the great English creams of the three Ts and Good Old CF, will last a good long time. The 7.90 GBP pricetag for a full jar should be more than worth it, just on number of shaves alone!

Thanks for the review, I've been looking at those creams for a while, and I just might need a peppermint cream soon.

Good review and I guess the first entrant in our reviews contest. Good luck!

The Peppermint cream from Paul smells sooooooo nice, it lathers for 5 guys to shave with, and is so cooling, it's a pleasure. The Sandalwood cream is the nicest and the most exotic scented sandalwood cream I ever had, with the same great lather and skincare.

Jeff