Introduction
The great thing about review sites I find is that they often introduce products and ideas to me which under normal circumstances I would miss. There have been plenty of occasions where I have specifically bought something after reading a review on it and the subject of this review; the King of Shaves Shave Oil is one such example. Before reading what others had to say on Shave Oil I didn't even know it existed and have always used either Gel or Foam when having a wet shave, however now that I have discovered the wonders of Shave Oil I have to say that I am pretty much converted and can see why so many people rave about it.
Shave Oil - What is it?
For anyone who doesn't know what Shave Oil actually is (like me a week or so ago) it can be used as either a replacement or in addition to traditional Shaving Foam or Gel. When you first see it for sale you would be forgiven for thinking it looks like an expensive product in a ridiculously small bottle (just 15ml for over £3.00) but as the instructions for use explain, a little goes a very long way with shave oil and only 2 or 3 drops are required to be added to your hands then massaged into the beard and moustache area of your face. Essentially the formulation of the oil softens the facial hair after a short while and facilitates a smooth, close shave with a razor and unlike foam or gel there are added benefits from its use.
What's Good about it?
As the oil is completely clear when it is applied to your skin it allows you to see exactly where you are shaving therefore if you are someone who grows thier sideburns or has a goatee or thin beard then there is very little chance of you making a mistake and removing hair which you didn't intend to. Unlike some foams or gels there are no chemical or artificially-soapy smells from the oil and it has the added benefits of leaving your face and neck feeling smooth and nourished. There is no need to wash your face after the shave to remove any residue oil and it is recommended that you pat your face dry rather than going over it roughly with a towel. I've used the oil on a couple of occasions this past week and whilst I probably made the mistake of using too much on my first go the second time I used it I became accustomed to how it should best be applied and how it actually feels on my skin.
What's Bad about it?
The only negative point I would raise with Shave Oil is that the first time it is used it actually feels 'wrong'. If like me you have used foam or gel for many years prior to trying oil then it does take a leap of faith to actually follow the instructions as they are directed. I didn't imagine for a minute that only 2 drops of oil massaged into my face would allow a razor to cut through the hair and was more than surprised when it actually left me with a clean and close shave. The oil does feel odd as well, it's kind-of greasy and well, 'oily' for want of a better description and although it is designed to soften the hair it is massaged into I didn't really like how it actually felt on my skin.
You are supposed to make sure your face is wet before adding the oil to the beard area and for the initial few seconds the oil and water mix together you do think that there is very little chance that it is going to work, however once my razor started to glide through the hair without any snags or pulls I was reassured that it does do exactly what King of Shaves says it's supposed to do.
Shave Oil is a product which does take some getting used to I must admit and now that I have used it a couple of times it is something that I will continue to use as-and-when it is needed and for me it has become a full time replacement for the gels and foams I previously bought.
Overall Thoughts
Shave oil can also be used in conjunction with foam and gel and can act as a base layer, personally I don't see the need for using both products together but if you are looking for an ultra-clean shave then there's no reason not to try it out for yourself. I haven't used it with anything else so can't comment on it's effectiveness and do feel it would be a bit of a waste if I'm being honest but King of Shaves do state on their packaging that it can be used both with foams/Gels and even an electric shaver.
Unlike foam and gels, I can see the benefits from using the oil with an electric shaver though, the hair softening properties the oil has lends itself well to the sometimes harshness of an electric shave and I can understand why some people would find this beneficial. When I used my electric shaver I often found that my face felt really dry after a shave and developed a patch of red irritation on my neck, shave oil could have provided a little moisture and nourishment to that area for me and it is something that I will try for myself in the future.
As far as irritations go I have had none with Shave Oil, my face and neck have felt smooth and clean after being shaved and although shaving is still the most boring and tedious thing in the world to have to stand and do I can honestly say that my shaving routine has actually speeded up since using this. I no longer have to prep my face, I don't need to stand and apply any gel or foam anymore I simply wet my face, drip a couple of drops of oil into my hands and rub in into my beard and moustache. A wet razor glides through the hair growth and removes it effortlessly (even the crappy Bic razors don't have any problems) and once finished I can simply pat my face with a towel and I'm done. There is no mess, no foam or gel spots in and around the bathroom sink so less clean up time and best of all my face feels smooth to the touch.
I'm a big fan of shave oil now and would thoroughly recommend it, give it a go would be my advice.
Conclusion
I bought the King of Shaves Shaving Oil after reading a review about it here, from Boots a 15ml bottle costs £3.05 and this gives upto 100 shaves from a single bottle. Value for money wise this is fantastic in my opinion and definitely better than cans of gel and foam, there's less packaging with a bottle of Shave Oil so far better for the environment too.
Five stars from me even though I have only used it a couple of times, it has revolutionised my shaving routine and although I'm still not a fan of the actual shaving process Shaving Oil has made the job a little more bearable.
Thanks for reading my review, please note that this is also on dooyoo under my username
Raving about Shaving (For a change...) 
