Uneeka Life's Glorious Grooming Range

Every man knows the awkward moment when you go to have a shave and then you realise you have no shaving foam, gel or cream!!! It is the worst thing and I know from experience it is properly frustrating!

Luckily this has only happened to me once, mainly because I swore to never let myself be stuck with stubble ever again.

Choosing shaving products can be tricky (look at older post on different types of shaving products here) but I have found a wonderful collection of products in Uneeka Life based in my hometown of Truro!

As well as selling gorgeous lifestyle products for your home and having a superb little café full of pretty good cake they also stock the premium quality men’s grooming brand; D. R. Harris and Co Ltd . I have been lucky enough to test the Arlington Shaving Cream as well as a new addition to the range, the Windsor Shaving Cream.

Before I go into my reviews, I have to say that the packaging of the products is exquisite, they look like they could be pulled of the hit ITV show; Mr Selfridge!

Arlington Shaving Cream

Accordinfg the brands website, the D. R. Harris Arlington Shaving Cream “is the very best 'Luxury Lather' concentrated shaving cream” and I have to admit I have loved using it! The product is really thick and is lightly fragranced with Arlington, a classic blend of citrus and fern. Although the product does lather it is not overly foaming which is nice as normally overly soapy or foamy products can dry out the skin. This doesn’t, the cream formula hydrates the skin whilst you shave.

Directions for use: Wet the beard with warm water, apply the cream to the face with your fingers or a brush and lather with warm water. This product can be used with or without a brush. Shave as you normally would (for more advice on shaving see my other post Smart Shaving)

Windsor Shaving Cream

The Windsor Shaving Cream is the latest addition to D. R. Harris’ extensive selection of shaving creams. Windsor is a fresh, complex fragrance, which has overtones of citrus and grapefruit but with more matured undertones of black pepper and vetiver (traditionally masculine yet refreshing zesty). The formula, like the Arlington hydrates the skin providing a smooth smoooooth shave. Follow the same directions

The D. R. Harris shaving creams are so hydrating due to the highly concentrated, glycerin enriched formulas. The added glycerin binds water to the skins surface meaning you get a super hydrated shave. After using these creams my skin feels so smooth with little razor burn. All D.R. Harris and Co Ltd shaving products are available in a plastic jar (150g) priced at £16.50 or tube (75g) for travel coming in at £9.85. 

Both are available at Uneeka Life right now!! Give them a like on Facebook now and pop into their shop on Boscowan Street Truro for more lovely goodies and a spot of coffee and cake!

Much love
R x

smart shaving

Shaving, for me, is one of my most daunted tasks. I hate it. So, anything that can make my shaving experience quicker and more pleasurable is always a bonus. This post will share some shaving tips I've picked up along with some products I have used and found useful.

Shaving Tips 101 (hopefully these will be helpful)

1. Prep: always shave after a hot shower/bath. The steam will open up pores and allow for a smooth shave. If pores are closed hairs can be pulled which will lead to skin irritation.

2. Prep 2.0: exfoliate with a good face scrub. This will force the hairs to stand in the right place. If the hairs aren't in the right place for shaving it can cause a pulling which can irritate the skin. Also, if the hairs are pulled in the wrong way when shaving they can 'spring' back under the pores and therefore cause ingrown hairs. So... EXFOLIATE.

3. Use a sharp razor: a sharp razor will ensure a quick, smooth shape with less irritation.

4. Lubricate: choose a good lubricant (yes lubricant) before shaving whether it be shaving foam, cream, gel or oil. Choose the right one for your skin too. I will break this down below!

5: Follow the hair growth: shave in the direction in which your hair grows. If you don't you are prone to ingrown hairs as well as irritation.

6: After shave wash: always remove any shaving cream, gel, foam or oil after shaving. If you don't these products can sit in pores and cause breakouts!

7. Dry properly: Pat your skin dry post shave. DON'T RUB! Rubbing will cause skin to becoming irritated.

The Products
There are so many products to choose from now-a-days so which one do you go for? I suggest choose the product best suited for your skin. There are four types; cream, gel, foam and oil.

1. Cream

Cream based products tend to be formulated with glycerine which prevents them drying out the skin. This means they are great for guys with dry skin.

Apply with fingers to create a lather, however, when used with a shaving brush these really lather, whilst also making the hair lift for a clean shave.

Taylor of Old Bond Street Coconut Shaving Cream

Taylor of Old Bond Street Coconut Shaving Cream comes in at £8.95 which I thought was relatively well priced. The coconut fragrance makes this product stand out as it smells much nicer than other shaving products out their. It lathers well, brilliantly in-fact when used with a brush. It rinses easily and leaves skin feeling smooth.

2. Gel

I use gel as my main shaving method as they combine all the pro's of creams and foams. They are formulated to keep skin hydrated as you shave so are great for men in a hurry or young guys who are new to shaving.

Apply with fingertips in circular motions.

Clinique M Shave Aloe Gel

Coming in at RRP of £14 it is an expensive choice but Clinique's M Shave Aloe Gel is my favourite shaving product. Once lathered the product prevents razor drag so your blade will glide smoothly across the skin whilst holding in moisture and lifting hairs. Enriched with skin healing and protecting Aloe Vera, M Shave Aloe Gel soothes during and after shaving and helps reduce nicks and cuts. For a smooth, comfortable and close shave.

3. Foam
Foam is great for people in a rush as you don't have to spend time lathering it up yourself! However foams can have a drying affect on the skin so if you have sensitive skin choose one which is suited to this (I'd say even if you don't have sensitive skin go for a sensitive option).

Gillette Shaving Foam - Sensitive Skin

My favourite foam is by Gillette this can be picked up so cheaply at the supermarket, coming in at £1.70 at TESCO but it really is a steal, perfect for any students out there!!

4. Oil
I hadn't really heard of shaving oils until very recently and I was sceptical, but, they are great. The oil in the product means it won't dry out your skin and the oiliness of it will give tremendous razor glide for a superiorly clean, close shave!

King of Shaves Shaving Oil

I came across King of Shaves shaving oil when I was doing my grocery shopping! It was on offer in TESCO for £2.65 and retails at an RRP of about £4 so it is cheap in comparison to its premium brothers! The directions say 2 or 3 drops for your whole beard. Now anyone who knows me will know I don't suffer from huge facial hair growth but I would suggest using more than 2-3 drops as that small a quantity wasn't sufficient even for me!

You can use this product on its own or underneath a cream, foam or gel. I have used it both ways and have had brilliant shaves both times.

After use I'd suggest washing it off with a cleansing face wash, even though it says you needn't bother. Oil getting left on your skin can cause breakouts so was off just to be safe! I'd say try this if you want a super close shave, you won't be disappointed!

Let me know what you think, if you have any favourites yourselves! Comment below!
Much love
R x