[Updated April, 2024] Barbasol, a classic brand that many wet shavers know but may not understand, recently launched a new brushless shave cream, Barbasol 1919 Classic Shaving Cream. I bought some to try.
Barbasol 1919 Classic Shaving Cream
From the Barbasol website:
“In 1919, Barbasol invented the very first no brush, no lather, no rub-in shaving cream. Today, we celebrate this milestone with a fresh take on THE ORIGINAL!
“Barbasol 1919 is the culmination of over 100 years of shaving excellence. Featuring improved visibility for a precise shave with a fresh, crisp fragrance of citrus and essential oils to soothe and awaken your senses, all backed by the Barbasol name you know and trust.
“Fragrance with notes of citrus and calming essential oils & herbs ensures a refreshing shave…”
Ingredients: Water (Aqua, Eau), Stearic Acid, Triethanolamine, Cetyl Alcohol, Beeswax, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Phenoxyenthynol, Glycerin, Fragrance (Parfum). Paraben and Phthalate Free.
My Experience With Barbasol 1919 Classic Shaving Cream
I’ve used Barbasol 1919 Classic Shaving Cream with a number of different razors, including single-blade and multi-blade models.
Although the web page referenced above says the cream has a citrus & herb scent, my (admittedly insensitive) nose gets a pleasant but mild, vaguely herbal (Verbena?) note from the tube. The scent softens considerably when applied to my skin.
This is a brushless, low/no-lather product. Per Barbasol’s instructions:
“Wet face with hot wash cloth and massage a nickel-sized amount of shave cream onto wet skin to form a thin slick layer. Add water as needed and shave as normal, rinsing razor with hot water frequently. A little bit goes a long way!”
They ain’t kiddin’ when they say a little goes a long way. The “nickel-sized” amount is actually probably generous: I can get by with less, depending on how I’m using it.
For a full, multi-pass shave with a single blade razor I find that a single application can last at least two passes: the first pass with the ‘full application’ then generously re-wetting the face to activate the cream’s residue for the second pass (there’s no visible lather by this time). A light third pass might be possible but I don’t tempt fate–I apply a peas-worth to very wet skin.
Using a modern multi-blade cartridge with Barbasol 1919 Classic Shaving Cream it’s probably best to use less then the recommended amount to begin with. The cartridges I used clogged much more easily if I used too much cream.
The no-lather application can be a positive or a negative depending on your shave conditions. If you have some facial hair this would be good for lining up the beard. But if you don’t have facial hair it could be a little more difficult determining where the blade has been.
Lather preference and razor considerations aside, I think the shave performance of Barbasol 1919 Classic Shaving Cream is excellent. Lubrication/glide is exceptional (especially for its class) and cushion/protection is excellent (particularly considering how little is used). Post-shave moisturization is just average for me, though.
Conclusion
Over-all I think Barbasol 1919 Classic Shaving Cream is a surprisingly good (especially for the price) brushless shaving cream for the consumer, or even the wet shaving aficionado who may find themselves without a brush for some reason (such as traveling). It is easily competitive with the best mass-market shave creams and can probably hold its own with many other “upgraded” products as well.
Right now Barbasol 1919 Classic Shaving Cream is available on the Barbasol website; Wegmans, Food City, Marc’s, Menards, Wynn Dixie, Shop Rite, Bashas’, Hannaford, and Giant grocery stores; and Amazon (affiliate link).
Have you tried Barbasol 1919 Classic Shaving Cream? What do you think of it? Leave a comment below!
I have used 1919 many times. I use the product in combination with another
product. I do apply 1919 as suggested on the tube. I then follow very quickly with Derby premium soap whipped into a rich lather. I can recommend the Derby as an awesome lather. The lather is made up with a badger brush and hot water. I proceed to shave using an open comb DE razor or a straight razor to complete my shave. One pass seems to do me just fine. I like to finish with an alum block. My after shave product of choice is Aqua Velma.
Have used Cremo for a few years. Tried this new Barbasol 1919 recently, and I find it *much* better than Cremo. I have since switched to 1919. It’s simply excellent. Smells great, too. I don’t know of any other brand shaving lotion that can beat it.
Cremo already does that in multiple ‘flavors.’ I’ll pass
This is a very nice product. It can clog a six-blade razor but much less than their old non-aerosol formula does. Agreed on all points of this review – great shave, two passes can be done but a third I like to reapply. Works great with the Barbasol six blade razor and also with a double-edge blade.
Like to rinse with a washcloth. Does not seem to dry my skin out too bad, but some after shave lotion feels good.
I have been using this for a while now and I concur that a little goes a long way. On a three pass shave, the stubble is gone and my skin is smooth. It does not dry my skin out.
The scent is mild and quickly fades, so it won’t interfere with whatever aftershave/cologne you choose.
My one niggling compliant is that your razor will need frequent rinsing. It will clog your razor quickly. Rinse frequently and it’s all good.
Overall, a fine product for home or travel. I just hope Barbasol manages to get into stores. It deserves wide distribution.
I’ll have to give this a try. It sounds very much like Cremo in concept.
A little bit definitely goes a long way. Great brushless shave cream I’ve been using regular now since it first came out.
One note I neglected to add was be prepared for a thorough rinsing off with this excellent cream.
I have found this to be a very good brushless cream, reasonably priced. For me, no harmful ingredients and nothing that dries the skin. Very light fragrance that dissipates before I can tell what it smells like. As you say, good glide and protection. For me, also a good post-shave feel.
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