Taylor of Old Bond Street Aromatherapy Pre-Shave Oil Review
Taylor of Old Bond Street Aromatherapy Pre-Shave Oil
The Taylor of Old Bond Street Aromatherapy Pre-Shave Oil is a great pre-shave for those who want a light lavender type of scent that is not overpowering on other soaps and shaving cream scents. It provided great added protection while I was shaving, and I am a big fan!
Pros
It made my shave easier and most definitely reduced the chances of irritation.
It is nice to have a mild scent that can be enjoyed during the pre-shave routine without affecting the scents of creams or soaps used after
It provides added skin softness and moisturizing effects after the shave
I can use a small amount, and it goes a long way
Cons
In some countries and even the US, you might struggle to buy it at a good price
It wasn’t that long ago that I used and reviewed another TOBS pre-shave oil, the Sandalwood scent version. Great stuff!
The Taylor of Old Bond Street Aromatherapy Pre-Shave Oil looked like it could be a good option for use with any shaving cream or soap, as nothing was stated about the scent profile.
I had the same experience (minus the scent) with this oil as I did with the TOBS Sandalwood Pre-Shave. The short of it–extremely good!
Description and Features
While we only get a 1fl.oz/30 ml small bottle, unlike a couple of others I have used, like the Taconic Pre-Shave Oil Unscented (2fl.oz/59ml) and The Bluebeards Revenge Pre-Shave Oil (3.4fl.oz/100ml), a little goes a long way with this stuff.
The top design is a standard screw cap with no dropper, so we have to pour the right amount out of the glass bottle onto our hands. It’s thick oil, so it does not run out of the bottle too quickly.
Ingredients
The TOBS website does not provide any ingredient information, which would be useful if they did, so I can only follow what is on the back of the bottle and box that it comes in.
The ingredients list surprised me that they were different from the Sandalwood. I expected the same ingredients, just with a different scent or no scent. I’ve no issue with that, but I wanted to mention it!
- Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil: A thick, moisturizing oil that softens hair and forms a protective barrier on the skin, reducing irritation during shaving. It is generally safe, but it may feel heavy or clogged pores for those with oily or acne-prone skin.
- Linalool: Provides a light, floral, and slightly spicy aroma, often found in lavender-based scents. It can cause skin sensitivity or irritation in some individuals, especially if oxidized.
- Limonene: This contributes a fresh, citrusy scent and adds a refreshing quality to the fragrance. It may cause irritation or allergic reactions, particularly when oxidized.
- Citronellol: Offers a sweet, floral, and citrusy aroma, similar to roses. It’s a potential allergen that can irritate sensitive skin.
- Citral: Provides a bright, lemony scent and enhances the citrus fragrance profile. Known to be a skin sensitizer, especially for allergy-prone individuals.
This TOBS pre-shave oil should be nourishing due to Castor Oil but contains several fragrance components (Parfum, Linalool, Limonene, Citronellol, Citral) that may irritate or sensitize the skin. I suggest patch testing for those with sensitivities.
Scent
While TOBS does not state anything about the scent, unlike the Sandalwood, it clearly has a scent, but it’s very light.
It is very lavender, which might explain why it’s named Aromatherapy.
I like the scent a lot as it is light and does not clash with any soap or cream scents used during shaving. It can be used with any shaving cream or soap scents.
Using The Pre-Shave Oil
Like the Sandalwood made by TOBS, a little goes a long way, and its texture is very thick.
I started using a larger amount after using it a few times and really enjoyed getting it massaged well into three or four days of stubble. Having the light lavender aromatherapy scent made it even more enjoyable.
I did a couple of YouTube safety razor videos while using this pre-shave oil, which included using two Merkur Safety Razors, the 37C and 39C. The added protection of the pre-shave was welcomed with these not-so-mild razors.
I used it with some TOBS Oud Shaving Cream and Sandalwood, and they both paired very well with the oil. I would love a bottle of Oud Pre-shave if they could make it, as I found it’s a great scent.
The pre-shave is good on my skin after the shave, too, and it prevents less dryness from the lubricant used. I get an even softer skin feeling after shaving from using the oil as well.
Value for Money
TOBS is not the cheapest pre-shave oil that we can buy, but I am more than happy to spend a little more when I get top quality, so I could say the price point is fair.
Some other brands offer larger bottle sizes at the same price. However, so far, I have found that TOBS is just better stuff.
In the US, you’ll pay around $18 or more, but I feel above $18 is too much, and another option would be better. However, in the UK, it costs around £13 – £18, which is okay.
Final Thoughts – Who Should Try It?
Anyone wanting a good quality pre-shave oil that provides a mild scent should have an improved pre-shave routine going on with a bottle of Taylor of Old Bond Street Aromatherapy Pre-Shave Oil.
I just wish they would make a bigger bottle that cuts down the price and then also maybe make it with a dropper-style top.
If you are looking for even less scent and a bit more oil for your money, then you might want to check out the Taconic Pre-Shave Oil Unscented Review. I did not find it as good as TOBS, though!
