Effective but not tingly enough! (Nivea For Men Sensitive Shaving Gel)

Member Name: dididave

Product:	Nivea For Men Sensitive Shaving Gel
Date:	12/07/09 (75 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A little product goes a long way, smooth shave.

Disadvantages: Don't feel clean afterwards, messy.

I am a stingy sod. If it costs more than £1.99 then you will see me glaring at the price in an attempt for it to go down. It is therefore only because this was on offer at...you guessed it £1.99 that it ended up in my shopping basket instead of the cheap and cheerful supermarket alternative. £1.99 is the line I draw you see. This does however, make it particularly difficult when buying a laptop!

Anyhow, Nivea for Men Sensitive Shaving Gel is in theory ideal for me. As someone who frequently gets cuts and razor burn (perhaps as a result of my stinginess!), sensitive products are a must. Whether I believe the marketing hype of products such as this being PH balanced (especially since they are alcohol based) is a different matter. Nivea claim their gel has camomile in it to ensure irritations are minimised. Whether it is this ingredient or not, the end result is certainly a shave with less cuts and redness.

I prefer gel over the traditional shaving foam as it is so much easier and more economical to apply. However, this Nivea product is of quite a watery consistency when you dispense it into your hand and I do tend to overestimate the amount required leaving my face covered in more foam than intended. It does lather up quite quickly leaving me looking suitably santa like. However, do not expect a thick foam beard as it applies a thinner film on the skin than many of it's competitors, most notably Gillette.

When I shave using this gel and my usual razor (shop's own naturally), I find the thinner layer does help as I can see the results of my strokes far easier. With other products I tend to need to take several swipes at my face to reveal the baby smooth/poc marked face underneath, the relatively thin viscosity of Nivea allows me to see the results of my hacking straightaway. There is a disadvantage to the watery consistency however and that is I dare not step away from the sink as often the lather will drip from my face. This does not mean I need to apply more gel as the razor still glides effectively. It does mean my wife may not be too pleased by the mess I have left on the floor though!

When I have finished shaving I do feel smooth and surprisingly free of burns and cuts. However, as this product is fragrance neutral I miss a smell and sense of cleanliness that the strong fragrances of a Gillette gel leave. Ironically I solve this with a Gillette after shave balm which thoroughly burns my face off!

Nivea for Men Sensitive Shaving Gel is an effective but messy product which I will likely purchase again at the reduced price. However, I miss the tingly sensation and clean feeling of other products and despite this being better for my skin, it is not a gel I will use indefinitely.

Summary: A good, if flawed product.