This time of year is a killer for skin, and when you have to shave this just adds to the irritation! I have been testing some of the shaving foams, cremes and lotions we have at Mankind, and my first review is on Jack Black Beard Lube.
First off don't be put off by the name, I think the creators at Jack Black were in a humorous mood when they named this shaving balm. But even though you wouldn't normally associate lube and shaving in the same sentence, this conditioning lube works as a pre-shave oil, shave cream and moisturising treatment in one, and in my book that is definitely worth a try.
So here's how I got on:
I tried the Beard Lube for two weeks, and I normally shave every few days if i'm being good and once a week if i'm being lazy; for the trial however I shaved every few days, so used the Jack Black Beard Lube 4 times.
The first shave was a bit weird if i'm honest, the smell of the Beard Lube is quite strong (Eucalyptus and Jojoba) and as i'm used to using shaving foams, the texture was also foreign to me. The beard lube comes out as almost a paste, it has a see-through appearance to help you see where your shaving.
It doesn't necessarily foam on the skin, as i'm used to but it does create a great base to shave over. My blade glided over my face with ease and it didn't snag or give any restrictions during my shave, I felt like I got a clean, smooth result and left no patches of hair as I could see clearly where I had shaved.
The Beard Lube claims to "help prepare your beard by penetrating and softening whisker growth, it holds in moisture so your shaving blade glides easily. Refreshes skin, too, for an easier, smoother shave and less razor burn."
The unique formula of the Beard Lube contains phospholipids - a rich source of essential fatty acids that are essential to the function of cell membranes, these bind moisture to the skin and support the natural skin barrier decreasing the chances of razor burn and ingrowing hairs.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised by the results I got with the beard lube, the bumps i get from shaving definitely decreased and it made shaving a more pleasant experience.
Compared to other brands I have used I would score it 8/10 for efficiency and results and 7/10 for cost, because although it is on the expensive side, you only need a small amount per shave, so it lasts a long time.
Take a look at the entire Jack black range here.
MK Olly
shaving balm
