[bbshriver]

I ordered some samples from Truefitt and Hill. They sent me very small vials of each cologne, and a little sample of pre-shave oil "ultimate comfort" cream and aftershave balm. I also ordered from VintageBlades some Grafton aftershave balm.

Last night I decided to try out the ultimate comfort set did the pre-oil then did a superlather with TGQ and T&H, followed up by the ultimate comfort aftershave balm (unscented). It's possible that I just had a closer/more irritated shave than previous nights but the UC aftershave was MAJOR burn for me. I do not have this trouble with the Grafton (scented) aftershave. That struck me as really odd since most people suggest to stay away from scented stuff because it burns more if you have sensitive skin or close shave. anybody know why this would be?

Otherwise, it was a decent shave although I think I'm going crazy, this was my third night straight going ATG only.. I think I'm going to take tonight off! I'm just a perfectionist at this and coming to work with a shadow isn't appealing. I actually think I got a slightly better lather using the T&H cream than I have with my Castle Forbes, but I think that's at least partly due to technique, I tried soaking the cream in a small amount of hot water which I have not tried with the CF yet.

[Aurora Borealis]

Sounds like a more a closer/more irritated shave than previous nights. That will do it everytime "cause a burning feeling" when aftershave and even A/S balm is applied. Go easy on the first pass and the rest should feel much smoother and less painful. The first pass WTG is to clear the forest "so to speak" the next pass should be much easier on the face.

[JohnP]

FWIW I don't believe in using "superlathers" or any such to guage the performance of a product for the first time; it adds too many variables and becomes rather like an entirely *different* product than either of the original components used.
Creams and soaps should be able to stand up on their own volition and not have to be mixed with other products. IMHO the T&H might not even be the problem nor the soap you mixed it with, but the combination of all the different products.
Perhaps next time around, once your face is healed, give the rest of the sample a try without "superlathering" or any such thing. "Superlathering" at any rate, is IMHO best reserved for products which perform mediocre on their own due to ratios of fats/oils/saponification etc. in one product that is made up for by the other. It shouldn't be required for top quality products such as Truefitt&Hill. For that matter, Colleen's soap should stand up on its own as well.
I'm probably not telling you anything you didn't already know.
Give it a shot, hopefully it helps.

John P.

[elbonator]

The UC balm has Lavender essential oil in it which can be a major source of irritation for some. I don't know how concentrated it is though. Generally, the lighter the concentration the less irritation. But the only way for you to confirm this is to use something else with Lavender essential oil in it. If it turns out not to be the Lavender then perhaps you need to hunt down another ingredient. This is all predicated on repeating you results from this shave though because it just may be that you shaved too close.

Hope that helps.

Regards,
EL

[bbshriver]

We'll see. I liked the cream ok, and I love the scented aftershave I have from them.. but the UC just didn't seem that great, but maybe it was just overshave.

[dward]

I have used the T&H pre-shave oil with mixed results. Not sure it is really helping, but can't say that is not either. The only place I am using is in my chin area. I don't seem to have any issues that require its use elsewhere on my face. I am using a Merkur safety razor right now. But am excitedly awaiting the arrival of my first straight razor purchased from the classfieds on this site. Can't wait to learn the experience of great shaves.