King C Gillette Shave Gel Review – Nice Scent And Does The Job
King C Gillette Transparent Shave Gel
The shave gel from King C Gillette has a good ingredient profile, and the scent is refreshing and will last after the shave. The main negative was it seemed to dry out and become thinner than others I have used recently.
Pros
The scent is refreshing and has some nice citrus and woodsy notes with a hint of mint
It lubricates enough and provides glide for the razor
It contains Aloe, White Tea Extract, and Argan Oil that's good for the skin
Cons
I felt it dried out quicker than others and needed more gel amounts applied
It can be a bit pricey from some stores but priced well in others
Some of our experiences have been mixed with products from the King C Gillette range, and some were very good, including the King C Gillette Soft Beard Balm and King C Gillette Beard Oil that Robert used and reviewed.
The King C Gillette Transparent shave gel offered enough lubrication and glide for the razor, but it did seem to thin out and dry up quickly.
This gel definitely has its pros and cons. Some are going to really like features like the scent, while others won’t, and that could be the case with the scent, too (personal preferences apply).
Description and Features
The standard pop cap design, similar to a fat toothpaste tube, also holds the standard 150ml for shaving gels. There are no issues with leaking, even when the tube is stood up on its top.
The label has Arabic writing on the front, but it says on the back of the tube that it was made in Canada. I have seen other tubes advertised that do not have Arabic wording, which I guess is a non-issue, but it just made me curious about where it was made.
Ingredients
I am always looking out for free-from and organic signs as that seems to please a lot of gents of today, but there is no mention on the tube or the website. However, Gillette does state it contains plant-based ingredients.
Two stars of the show in this gel are Aloe and White Tea Extract. White tea extract is something new to me in a shaving gel. It is said to contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties . Aloe is common in shaving gels and is known to soothe, hydrate, and moisturize the skin.
It also contains Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil (Argan Oil) and Peppermint Oil. Argan Oil is an exfoliant used in many shaving lubricants and provides various benefits, including hydrating the skin. Peppermint oil provides a cooling effect.
It does contain parfum and other ingredients that you might need to check if you have skin sensitives, but most people are fine with small amounts.
I took the full ingredient list below from Amazon, as the Gillette website does not provide them. Keep in mind that this list does not contain everything shown on the tube.
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Coconut Acid, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Propylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone
Scent
Gillette states the gel offers a masculine scent. Here is what they tell us:
Discover modern masculinity with this new fragrance, which provides a perfect blend of fresh citrus and sparkling ginger combined with pink pepper and crispy mint nuances. The addition of geranium bourbon and soothing lavender adds a sophisticated depth and bloom, while creamy Tonka bean, warm woods, and rich amber leave you with a feeling of confidence.
That seems like a heck of a lot, and they almost make it sound delicious!
I definitely get the mild cooling mint, citrus, lavender, and woodsy tones of the scent that I guess are quite masculine. It’s clean and fresh!
The scent does linger mildly after shaving but is in no way overpowering. I’m not sure if it will clash with any after-shave balms or anything else, but it has the potential to clash.
I preferred this scent compared to the American Crew Shave Gel that I last used, which was supposed to be unscented, but I got a PVA glue smell from it.
Applying and Shaving Experience
I used the shave gel on a few consecutive occasions and used a Gillette Mach 3 and Gillette Fusion 5. I did a side-by-side video review of these two razors while also using the King C Gillette Shave Gel.
I also used the Schick Quattro Titanium Razor while trying out this gel.
I used only a small amount, as Gillette advised at first; it was a good blob dropped from the tube.
When rubbing the gel into my stubble, the gel does whiten up slightly (see images above).
It does provide plenty of glide and protection like other gels I have used, but it did seem slightly thinner than the BullDog Gel and American Crew.
I had to reapply and add water between shaving passes, which is normal, but this gel required more. It thinned out and dried up quickly, which meant I kept adding water.
I did not notice any cooling effect, which I guess I should because it contains Peppermint Oil. Maybe it was so mild I did not notice it!
About 15 minutes after the shave, the skin was quite dry and not moisturized very much, but I am finding that this is the case with shaving gels compared to the traditional soaps and creams I use. It’s about how my skin is, too, and it requires a little time for the skin to moisturize itself or adding some balm or moisturizing cream to bring it back to looking and feeling hydrated.
The skin feels nicely soft afterward, though!
Value For Money
I discovered various price differences in the US, from around $8 – $14 for the 150ml/5 fl oz tube. I would be fine with paying the $8, but I think $13 is too expensive.
In the UK, prices were more standard among stories and around £6. That’s a fair price!
There can be bargains to be had with value packs of two tubes or more, but I would make sure I like the gel first before getting lumbered with a few tubes.
Final Thoughts – Should You Buy King C. Gillette Shave Gel?
I enjoyed the fresh scent of the gel from King C. Gillette, and in a standard way, it provides enough protection like other shave gels.
The one thing that let it down compared to others I have been testing and reviewing recently is how it thins and dries so easily. I seem to get more out of other brands’ 150ml/5fl-oz tubes, including the stuff from BullDog, American Crew, and most definitely one I am testing now, Bump Patrol.
The refreshing scent and ingredient profile are something many are going to like with this one!
