Product Review - Eos Shave Cream

I don’t put much thought into shaving.

Maybe it’s because my dark and hairy heritage had me start shaving almost daily as early as 7th grade. Maybe it was my five years of being a lifeguard and living 50 hours a week in a bathing suit. Not sure, but razors have always been the cheapest ones that take up the least amount of landfill and shaving cream has been used only for the bikini line and is always the one that’s the cheapest at Target or CVS. Swipe, swipe, swipe and I am through. Sometimes I see scaly skin, a missed spot at the ankle but I don’t really dwell on it. Come on, is there really a difference between a $1.98 can of shaving cream and the more expensive ones further down the store’s shelf?

Recently I was asked to review a new shaving cream by eos™ (Evolution of Smooth). Sure, why not. My sale can of Target’s version of Skintimate was near its end and I rarely pass up a free version of something I already use or need.

I received a bottle of the Island Blue eos™ shave cream and immediately could tell this was not your typical shaving product. Instead of the aluminum can, this was a recyclable plastic container that had a pump similar to body lotions. The bottle was tall and thin and had a slightly rubbery texture that was easy to grip even with soapy, slippery shower hands. The pump was easy to use, even with one hand (while having it in the shower caddy or on a shelf). It never clogged or stuck and always gave the same amount of product.

I tried it out the next morning on underarms, legs and bikini line, using three pumps for each leg and two pumps between my two underarms. The first thing I noticed is not only is the pump like lotion, the formula is as well. This did not suds up like a traditional shaving cream or gel, but stayed as a lotion when spread on the skin. This may sound strange, but it still spread well, adhered to the skin well enough to get a good shave, and left my skin feeling silky and not at all greasy. The fragrance was light; not at all overly sweet and cloying like traditional shaving products. Most shave creams either have a medicinal smell or remind me of a Strawberry Shortcake doll (neither an appropriate smell for a lady).

The razor glided through the shave cream, and rinsed easily. Any residue cream rinsed easily from my skin. The scent did not linger on my skin or in the shower steam (a major plus for me). I found it terrific on my legs, and did a good job of gathering the hair and preventing irritation under my arms. The underarms is what impressed me the most – I am prone to irritation, bumps and quick regrowth. I believe the eos™ shave cream did a better job at preventing irritation than any other shaving cream I have used, and looked to give a closer shave too.

My bikini line was not quite as perfect – the cream isn’t as thick as a traditional shaving cream and I had to use a couple more pumps (started with two) of the product to achieve a comfortable and close shave. It concerned me that I had to use to very much of this product to get the job done – eos™ is far more expensive than what I usually purchase; if I have to use twice as much as the cheap stuff it doesn’t seem to be worth it. That being said, I had no issue with irritation, bumps and like the underarms it seemed to give a close and longer lasting shave.

After my shower, I decided to see how moisturizing the product actually was by going without lotion on my legs and wearing a skirt. Amazingly, my skin did not look ashy, scaly or feel dry. It wasn’t as soft and hydrated as it is after Body Shop Body Butter, but my legs were hydrated enough to look and feel smooth and comfortable all day.

I have now been using the eos™ shave cream for two weeks. Occasionally I go back to my old ways and just use the razor on my legs with nothing or the leftover lather of my body wash. However I am a total convert for my underarms and bikini line. I shave at least four times a week (usually more like six), and the bottle isn’t anywhere near empty. Though I seem to need more of the product, the container seems to hold more than a traditional aerosol bottle of shaving gel. It seems as though it will last the same length of time as a traditional gel or cream.

Would I purchase it again?

Probably not. It’s hard to teach and old dog new tricks, and I really haven’t had enough issue with my current ways. The eos™ price of $4.99 and even with the coupon offered (see below) it still is twice the price I usually pay for a shaving product. I would be willing to pay this much if the product performed miracles but it doesn’t. It gives a closer shave, but so may me taking some time when shaving. It claims to have natural ingredients, but it actually uses many chemicals (not yet available on Skin Deep to see how safe of a product it is). It is very hydrating, but so is my old stand-by of Body Butter from The Body Shop or Neutrogena Body Oil. However for those who have issues with very dry or sensitive skin and are looking for a change, you may want to try out eos™.

eos™ is available at Target, Wegmans and drugstore.com.

Click here to get a coupon for $2.00 off eos™ Shave Cream. This coupon can be redeemed at participating Target and Wegmans stores. Offer expires 9/15/2008.