SUMMARY: In my search for quality shaving products with a prominent, realistic lavender aroma, Art of Shaving's Lavender Shaving Cream and Lavender After-Shave Balm have been excellent, aromatherapy-based finds. Scented with 100% pure essential oils, the Art of Shaving products have been developed with a variety of skin types in mind.

ABOUT THE BRAND: Having recently (ca 2012) reformulated a number of their products to remove parabens, The Art of Shaving has become one of the most successful and visible non-supermarket men's grooming brands here in the USA with their free-standing stores in shopping malls and counter presence in major department stores (e.g. Bloomingdales).

BEAUTY ALMANAC TESTED

Lavender Shaving Cream

USE: The first thing I can report about the Art of Shaving Lavender Shaving Cream is that a little bit of product goes a long way! The product can be applied with a shaving brush or with fingertips.

The brand's website advises, "Always shave during or after a hot shower. Using hot water, lather up a small amount of Shaving Cream with a brush or your fingers and shave with the grain. For a closer shave, re-lather and shave lightly across or against the grain. Rinse with cold water and apply After-shave Balm."

The larger size is a jar with a screw lid (above) while the smaller size is a squeeze tube (right).

Marlen's Tip: Allow a shaving cream to sit on the skin for a couple of minutes to soften the beard before shaving.

AROMA & TEXTURE: The thick, whipped cream is made with lavender essential oil and though perceptible, I'd prefer a slightly stronger aroma; after all, aroma is half of the fun of shaving! The texture is creamy and produces a slight tingle on the skin, similar to the feeling of menthol.

INGREDIENTS: Water/Aqua, Palmitic Acid, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Coconut Acid, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Sodium Chloride, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Tetrasodium Edta, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool

PROS & CONS: The shaving cream contains coconut acid, essential oils and extracts from natural origins as well as a high concentration of glycerin to help promote the smooth glide of a razor. The product is also free from synthetic dyes and alcohol.

The inclusion of limonene and linalool are a bit dubious as they can be skin irritants; the aroma could be a bit stronger; and the product is a little pricey compared to supermarket alternatives.

WHERE CAN I BUY IT? $18 USD for 2.5ozs or $25 USD for 5ozs at TheArtofShaving.com

Lavender After-Shave Balm

USE: The Art of Shaving Lavender After-Shave Balm moisturizes while soothing dry and razor-irritated skin. It can also be used as a daily moisturizer in addition to a post-shaving product. The larger size comes in a glass jar with pour spout (above) while the smaller size comes in a squeeze tube (right).

AROMA & TEXTURE: The non-greasy, alcohol-free formula is deeply moisturizing and lightly scented. It dries quickly without leaving a greasy residue.

INGREDIENTS: Water/Aqua, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Peg-4 Olivate, Isohexadecane, Isopropyl Isostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Silica, Sodium Pca, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Wax, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Equisetum Hiemale Extract, Cetyl Lactate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Peg-4 Dilaurate, Peg-4 Laurate, Carrageenan, Xanthan Gum, Peg-4, Tetrasodium Edta, Tapioca Starch, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Caramel, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool

PROS & CONS: The alcohol-free product is formulated with grape seed, shea extracts and Vitamin C to offer maximum hydration.

The inclusion of limonene and linalool are a bit dubious as they can be skin irritants; the aroma could be a bit stronger; and the product is a little pricey compared to supermarket alternatives. The addition of an SPF ingredient would make this a multi-purpose product.

WHERE CAN I BUY IT? $18 USD for 1oz tube; $40 USD for a 3.3 oz glass bottle at TheArtofShaving.com