Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Pre-Shave Oil Review
Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Pre-Shave Oil
The Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Pre-Shave Oil gave me a lot of scent and improved comfort while reducing irritation. There was little to dislike about this pre-shave, and if you are a fan of Sandalwood–you are already onto a winner!
Pros
It most definitely reduces irritation and provides added comfort
The scent is refreshing and woodsy, which makes the pre-shave experience scentiful
Provides added skin softness and moisturizing effects after the shave
A bottle goes a long way, and only a small amount is required for each use
Cons
The scent could be strong if you don't like sandalwood
You can gum up your razor and shaving gear
It’s been a while since I cracked open a bottle of pre-shave as I have been busy with all other sorts of shaving gear reviews.
On this occasion, I got myself a bottle of Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Pre-Shave Oil to test, use, and review for you guys.
TOBS (Taylor of Old Bond Street) is a UK-London brand that anyone wet shaving for any length of time would be well acquainted with. You might have even used or at least seen TOBS Sandalwood Shaving Cream or Soap, which are best sellers in many countries.
We won’t go down the road of whether you need or don’t need a pre-shave as you have landed here. My guess is you like to use or need to try a pre-shave to prevent irritation or improve the shave and results, and the TOBS Sandalwood Pre-Shave is one on your list to possibly give a try.
—Spoiler Alert: This stuff is scentiful to the max, will reduce irritation, and will leave the skin super comfortable. Just need to watch that oil residue, though!
Description and Features
I’m surprised TOBS does not provide more details about its products on the website. The page for this oil just tells us it gives a closer and more comfortable shave and to apply a small amount before shaving cream or soap is applied (nothing about ingredients, etc).
The 30ml (1 fl oz) bottle is a clear thick glass type with a screw top, without any sort of dropper functionality. A plastic top that controls or reduces the amount that could be used or a dropper would be great (like many of the beard oils have).
Ingredients
The pre-shave oil mixture typically contains oils and ingredients that will lubricate and moisturize the skin (i.e., Castor oil and Grape Seed oil) and Paraffinum liquid for hydrating and cleansing.
If you are sensitive to parfum, then the list below is worth you checking to see if you have sensitivities to any of these. Otherwise, there is a great combination of ingredients that make up the Sandalwood scent in this pre-shave.
Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Paraffinum Liquidum, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Parfum (Parfum Contains: Coumarin, Evernia Prunastri Extract, Limonene, Evernia Furfuracea Extract, Benzyl Cinnamate, Benzyl Benzoate, Eugenol, Citronellol, Benzyl Salicylate, Geraniol, Linalool).
Scent
If you already like the scent of sandalwood, then you are on to a winner here. As soon as I unscrew the top cap, the scent lets me know straight away that this is sandalwood. It’s fresh, woodsy, and pleasant!
The scent is very apparent once I apply it to my face, too. If you have never tried a sandalwood shaving product before, you’ll soon know whether you like it or not–once you have applied this oil.
I would definitely advise using a sandalwood cream and soap with the pre-shave to keep that scent going rather than creating a clash with another.
Using The Pre-Shave Oil
Before writing up the review, I used this pre-shave on three occasions, as that was more than enough to give you guys feedback and my verdict.
I had the perfect setting as I had been testing many other electric shavers (I test all types of razors and shavers–totally unbiased). A safety razor hadn’t seen much of my face for a few weeks. I opted for the Muhle R41 a few days before using the TOBS Sandalwood Pre Shave Oil to use the razor with and without the pre-shave oil–to see if the oil improved my experience.
As I hadn’t used a DE razor for a few weeks and went straight to the Muhle R41, I picked up some neck redness (quite normal as the skin must adjust to using different razors and shavers). This was perfect as the next shave 3 days later was with the TOBS pre-shave, and that slight neck redness irritation did not appear.
I did not have any TOBS Sandalwood Cream left. However, I had some Muhle Sandalwood Shaving Soap left I could lather up, and that went very well with the oil.
Without a doubt, I enjoyed the scent, the additional comfort, and the overall added sense of skin being moisturized after the shave that I would not have gotten with the soap alone.
How is the Texture?
The texture is definitely thick and oily, and only a small amount needs to be used. It does gum up the razor somewhat like many other non-mineral-based pre-shaves.
It’s best to apply the oil and then wash the hands to make sure the oil does not get on the razor handle or anywhere else. If it does get on anything else, then you will need to use a dry cloth first to remove it and then wash it with soap.
The potential to gum up razors is the trade-off with pre-shave oils.
The texture left on the face is not slippy, even though it’s an oil.
How Easy is it to Use?
As mentioned above, a bottle with an eyedropper or a top that only allowed drops to be poured out rather than an open top would be better. That’s not a deal breaker, though!
Use very sparingly at first, as this stuff goes a long way.
Massaging it well and spreading it out worked well for me, but you’ll find your own way or already have experience with pre-shave oils.
As said above, apply and then wash that oil off the hands to prevent having to get oil off your razor, shaving bowl, or anything else.
Value for Money
It’s not the cheapest pre-shave oil, but it’s not that pricey either, and as we get a heck of a lot of shaves out of one bottle, it’s worth its price tag of — $15 USD (£15 GBP – €18 EU).
Based on its quality and how it works very well, I am more than happy to pay the price and find it offers value for money.
Final Thoughts – Who Should Try It?
TOBS Sandalwood Pre-Shave Oil is a great pre-shave. The scent and its effectiveness at reducing irritation while providing added moisturizing effects after the shave make it a great option for me.
If you know you like sandalwood, then it’s a no-brainer–grab a bottle.
The only gents I could think would not like this pre-shave are those who don’t find sandalwood a good scent as the aroma is strong and maybe those who have very oily skin, but I have oily skin, and it’s fine.
I am just really pleased that my testing with the Muhle R41 proved to me that a pre-shave will reduce irritation, among other things.
I was impressed and can’t wait to use and review another pre-shave oil!
