Thayer’s is a well-known brand to many enthusiast wet shavers, with a number of products based on their witch hazel formula. So when they announced new shaving products, I wanted to give them a try.
Background
Back in September I received a public relations email that Thayer’s announcing their new “Gentlemen’s Collection” of men’s shaving products. Since Thayer’s is a well known brand to “classic” shavers I reached out for more information. The PR contact offered to send me a sample of the new products and I accepted.
Thayer’s Gentlemen’s Collection
While waiting for the products I also browsed Thayer’s website for more information. Here are some of the relevant texts from their webpage:
Thayer’s Gentlemen’s Collection Shave Cream
“Our unique formula features Thayers certified organic Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) grown exclusively for Thayers on a family farm in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Witch hazel soothes the skin throughout the shaving process, and filet of Aloe Vera hydrates the skin, leaving it supple and smooth to the touch. With a refreshing, woody aquatic scent and a splash of sophistication, you’ll be looking forward to your next shave.”
Ingredients: Water, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cetyl Alcohol, Certified Organic Witch Hazel Ext Blend (Hamamelis Virginiana Extract (Witch Hazel*), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Filet of Aloe Vera*)), Coco-Glucoside & Glyceryl Oleate, Glycerin*, Fragrance, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Gluconolactone & Sodium Benzoate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gym, Potassium Sorbate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil*, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Citric Acid
* Denotes Certified Organic Ingredients
Thayer’s Gentlemen’s Collection Aftershave Lotion
“THAYERS Aftershave Lotion works to tone and soothe the skin after a close shave. This refreshing lotion will help maintain your smooth, high-quality shave by helping to avoid unwanted and unsightly bumps.”
Ingredients: Purified Water, Denatured Alcohol, Certified Organic Witch Hazel Ext Blend (Hamamelis Virginiana Extract (Witch Hazel*), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Filet of Aloe Vera*)), Natural Fragrance
* Denotes Certified Organic Ingredients
Thayer’s Gentlemen’s Collection Aftershave Balm
“Witch Hazel soothes skin and filet of Aloe Vera, Coconut, Rosehip and Jojoba Oils hydrate the skin, leaving it supple and smooth to the touch. With a refreshing, woody aquatic scent and a splash of sophistication, you’ll be looking forward to your next shave.”
Ingredients: Purified Water, Certified Organic Witch Hazel Ext Blend (Hamamelis Virginiana Extract (Witch Hazel*), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Filet of Aloe Vera*)), Glycerin, Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil, Rosehip Oil, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sucrose Stearate & Sucrose Disterearate, Gluconolactone (and) Sodium Benzoate (and) Calcium Gluconate, Fragrance, Cetyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Tocopherol
* Denotes Certified Organic Ingredients
My Experience With Thayer’s Gentlemen’s Collection Shaving Products
Thayer’s says the scents in the shaving cream (and the aftershave balm) are a “refreshing, woody aquatic scent” but I get a woody/medicinal (Witch Hazel?) scent myself. It’s very mild to me though so I doubt it will bother most people.
The shave cream is most definitely “brushless” and has a consistency I have not seen before: almost (but not quite) foamy–it seems to expand slightly after dispensing from the tube. But at the same time it’s relatively low-lathering. Hard to describe, you kind of have to see it for yourself.
Cushion and lubrication are very good–better than most mass-market brushless products in my opinion–and I got great results with both single blade and multi-blade razors. I was able to do a multi-pass shave, including an against the grain pass (re-lathering for each pass of course), without causing problems.
The real surprise to me here is the shave cream’s post-shave feel. It’s really excellent. My face felt really soft and moisturized. The performance in this respect is better than even many “traditional” lathering creams and soaps I’ve tried.
You may need that great post-shave moisturization if you follow up with the aftershave lotion. It’s not really a lotion or a toner, it’s more like an astringent splash as it has a very high alcohol content. If you’re one of those shavers who want to “feel the burn” this would be right up your alley. I like to use toners for an post shave cleaning wipe-down but this is way too drying to my skin.
The aftershave balm, on the other hand, is more conventional. I think it maintains the post-shave feel of the shave cream well.
But the real star of the line is the shave cream as far as I’m concerned.
Conclusion
(Note: Amazon links are affiliate.)
Thayer’s new “Gentlemen’s Collection” of shaving products marks a bit of a departure from their other products but doesn’t stray too far from familiar territory. The performance from each product is solid. But the stand-out for me is the post-shave feel of the shave cream.
Thayer’s Gentlemen’s Collection is available on their website and on Amazon however I’m told it will not be available in “brick and mortar” locations anytime soon.
Have you tried the Thayer’s Gentlemen’s Collection products? What do you think of them? Leave a comment below.
