Thread: The Body Shop Maca Root Shave Cream

Oddly enough, this cream doesn't get quite the attention it should. Maybe because it is widely available from a Mall shop, not some obscure English concoction (though it is from an English company) or a cottage industry vendor? At any rate, this recent reformulation of an The Body Shop's Shaving Cream is all about quality.

I never tried the old formula, though I know some people love it, so I can't compare this one to that. I can, however, compare it to Truefitt and Hill, Trumper's and Taylor's...as well as J.M. Fraser's, Tabula Rasa, Musgo Real and a number of other very popular creams. The verdict? This cream is every bit as good as the best of them. Now, some may say that it is not quite as cushiony as T&H, and it's a bit more expensive than J.M. Fraser's, and so on, but in my book this cream gives as comfortable, enjoyable shave as any I have tried. I keep forgetting that, for some reason, and only use it occasionally...but every time I do, I think "Man, this is a great cream."

The scent is not a favorite for some. It is unusual...for me, it smells like someone made dessert out of freshly cut grass. It's a light, springy scent that at first seemed odd, but now smells like shaving. It does tend to linger after the fact--I could smell it on my face long after my aftershave was done. But I like it, and really, there's nothing at all offensive or overpowering with it. It's just there, saying "You had a fine shave today, sir. You're welcome."

The performance, as I said, is outstanding. The cream lathers up fast and well, and is very forgiving with water content. You can make it a bit dry or a bit wet, and it still gives great results. It's slick enough for straight shaves, and smooth enough for DE shaves, and it LOVES your skin. Seriously, it makes your face just feel good afterward--I like to rub the final lather into my cheeks and forehead when the shave is finished as a kind of cleansing moisture rub. Am I odd? Maybe.

So, as far as this one goes, seriously: go to the mall and get a tub. You won't regret it. If you do, send it to me. I'll give it a good home. 9/10 only because in Japan, it's more expensive than importing a tub of J.M. Fraser's.

+1. I like the Maca Root cream, too. I like its texture better than some of the softer creams around and it coexists well with pre-shave oils.

Did I just say "coexist"?

I just ordered one on line here in the USA.

Good review! I'll let you know how it works for me.

Regards,

Steve

I was looking at this, then i read how disappointed people were with it compared to the older formulation. I don't exactly need another cream, so i didn't bother with it. The shave balm was great though.
I've got a body shop a couple of hundred yards from my house. They do have tester bottles. I may go in there with my brush & give it a go!

Good to see that I'm not the only one who likes the scent. I haven't tried any other creams/soaps (a TGQ sampler is on the way though) but on its own it feels great.

I was tempted to get some of the other Maca Root items, but I like keeping the scent associated just with shaving.

I had a sample of body shop shave cream and its not bad but i don't think it compares to taylors and taylors is cheaper to buy the lather has alot more body than body shop cream i use taylors in my barbers shop every day on my clients its good stuff.

Originally Posted by gary haywood

I had a sample of body shop shave cream and its not bad but i don't think it compares to taylors and taylors is cheaper to buy the lather has alot more body than body shop cream i use taylors in my barbers shop every day on my clients its good stuff.

The price depends on your location. In the US, the Maca Root cream is cheaper (Amazon: $14.40 for 200ml of Maca Root vs. $14.50 for 150ml of Taylor's).

I like and shave with both brands.

Originally Posted by ben.mid

I was looking at this, then i read how disappointed people were with it compared to the older formulation. I don't exactly need another cream, so i didn't bother with it. The shave balm was great though.
I've got a body shop a couple of hundred yards from my house. They do have tester bottles. I may go in there with my brush & give it a go!

Like I said, I haven't tried the older one, but from the comments I read, the only real difference is the scent. When most people are pressed, they seem to admit that the lather is the same. Who knows?


Gary, I will freely admit that Taylor's is a top shelf cream, and you customers are lucky to be getting a high quality product from their barber. Good on you!

Thank You.. for the excellent review, I saw this last time I was in a mall, and have been using the original for quite some time... I am going to give the new stuff a try....

I must agree. The Body Shop Maca Root cream is definitely a top quality shave cream - for me it just works beautifully and in South Africa, believe it or not, its pretty cheap to buy. We've got a store pretty close to where I stay and the tubs are only $8.00 - (pretty good price it seems). I bought two a few months ago and scooped them both into my custom made ceramic shave pot. It just lasts and lasts... really good cream for sure.