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Best Art of Shaving Kits

Updated August 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
The Art of Shaving Full-Size Kit, Sandalwood
The Art of Shaving
Full-size Kit, Sandalwood
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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

For shavers who want the best Art of Shaving experience in 1 kit, this is the set to consider. Expensive, but the components and products are top-notch.

Pros

Sandalwood fragrance is very masculine and popular. Wet shaving is great for sensitive skin. Contains both Pre-Shave Oil and After-Shave Oil for improved comfort.

Cons

Full-size kit may be too complicated for beginners. Price falls on the higher end of the spectrum.

Best Bang for the Buck
The Art of Shaving Travel Kit, Men's Razor with Oil
The Art of Shaving
Travel Kit, Men's Razor with Oil
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Best for Frequent Travelers
Bottom Line

When on the road, there's no need to let your shaving routine go with this elegant travel kit.

Pros

Compact yet comprehensive kit includes Morris Park Men's Razor, pre-shave beard oil, shaving cream and brush, and a soothing aftershave balm. Prevents ingrown hairs and razor burn. Overall, this kit nourishes skin and leaves you smelling great.

Cons

The razor in this kit is disposable and not as high-quality as other Art of Shaving kits.

The Art of Shaving 4 Elements Starter Kit
The Art of Shaving
4 Elements Starter Kit
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Best for Beginners
Bottom Line

A basic set with shaving essentials that work well for men who are new to the brand or are prone to skin irritations from scented products.

Pros

This beginners kit includes 4 travel-size products that are great for sampling the brand. Includes a badger brush. Formulated for sensitive skin.

Cons

Unscented items may not appeal to men who prefer scented shave products.

The Art of Shaving Gifted Groomer Kit
The Art of Shaving
Gifted Groomer Kit
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

These travel-sized products work great for keeping up a great shave experience even when away from home

Pros

Kit includes pre-shave oil, shaving cream, after-shave balm, and a badger shaving brush. Products work to keep the skin smooth, free from irritation, and moisturized. Comes with a canvas bag. Has a sandalwood scent.

Cons

Items were smaller than expected.

The Art of Shaving Iconic Duo Kit
The Art of Shaving
Iconic Duo Kit
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Best for Sensitive Skin
Bottom Line

This basic, 2-piece Art of Shaving kit is richly scented with sandalwood essential oils.

Pros

Sandalwood shaving cream is ideal for softening beard hair and hydrating the skin beneath. Rich cream keeps skin soft and prevents razor burn and irritation. Kit includes shaving cream and a brush.

Cons

The packaging tends to leak shaving cream, especially in transport.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

33
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162
Consumers
Consulted
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Researched
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Buying guide for best art of shaving kits

For some men, nothing beats the feeling of a good shave. Drugstore razor blades and canned shaving cream don’t cut it anymore, so we recommend investing in a kit from The Art of Shaving.

A shave is a multifaceted experience, and the details count. That’s why The Art of Shaving kits are equipped with pre- and post-shave products. There are full-size sets, as well as deluxe starter sets that include a top-quality razor and shaving cream. Perhaps the most distinctive Art of Shaving kit accessory is the shaving brush, which lathers up the cream for a barbershop-worthy shaving experience.

Take your personal grooming to another level with an Art of Shaving kit. We’re sharing this buying guide to catch you up on the entire product line, introduce you to the company’s Perfect Shave philosophy, and show you some of our favorites.

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Learn shaving techniques from expert barbers. Go to a professional barbershop to experience it yourself or watch tutorials on different shaving techniques.

Key considerations

The Art of Shaving kit components

The Art of Shaving kits come with high-quality items to offer the ultimate shaving experience. In fact, the company has named its philosophy “The Perfect Shave.” The kits include exclusive Art of Shaving products, which, according to some loyalists, are engineered to perfection. Here they are, in order of application:

Pre-Shave Oil: This oil is applied to prepare and soften the beard. It acts as a lubricant, also pulling hair away from the skin for a better shave.

Shaving Cream: The company’s signature Shaving Cream also softens the beard and, depending on the formula, moisturizes the skin at the same time. The cream helps the razor travel effortlessly across your face instead of catching or scraping, which can result in razor burn.

Shaving brush: The shaving brushes in these kits help the Shaving Cream create a second-to-none lather. The brushes are made of high-quality, densely packed badger hair. The Art of Shaving uses four grades of badger hair for its brushes: pure, best, super, and silver tip. Pure badger hair brushes are the most affordable and typically used in less expensive kits. Top-grade silver tip is typically sold as a stand-alone product or in limited edition kits. Each brush has a wood, metal, or plastic handle. Some handles stand upright on their own, while others can be hung from a stand.

Razor: There are several styles of razors included in the kits, although safety razors are the most common. Art of Shaving also has three- and five-blade razors in certain kits, which tend to be a bit more expensive. For others, the company partners with major razor manufacturers like Gillette or Morris Park. There are also a handful of kits with electric and straight razors, priced at the very top of the Art of Shaving’s price range.

After-Shave Balm: Once the shave is complete, the moisturizing After-Shave Balm is applied to the face. The formula includes essential oils and extracts that help calm newly shaved skin. The balm is free of synthetic dyes and alcohol, so skin irritation or burning isn’t something you have to worry about.

Features

Types of kits

Starter kits: These kits feature The Art of Shaving’s four basic elements, which include an oil for pre-shaving, the shaving cream, a balm for after shaving, and a trial-size badger brush. These introductory sets acquaint you with the company’s products and the order of application. Each kit has enough product to last for one week of shaving, and it’s enticing enough to encourage you to order more.

Travel kits: Travel kits include the 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave, and each product meets TSA guidelines. They also come with a dedicated zip-top toiletries case, as well as a Morris Park razor. They have enough product to last for approximately ten shaves.

Midsize kits: Midsize kits also include the 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave, and they come in the same sizes as those in travel kits. This kit is ideal if you already have a preferred razor and a toiletries case because these items are not included.

Full-size kits: The elegant packaging of the full-size kits makes them a popular choice for gifting. These kits contain generous sizes of the 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave, including a 5-ounce tub of Shaving Cream (as opposed to the tubes in other kits). This makes it much easier to control how much product is dispensed for every shave.

Scented vs. unscented

Scented: For those who enjoy fragranced shaving products, The Art of Shaving kits are available in four main scent profiles: Bergamot Neroli, Lavender, Lemon, and Sandalwood. They also have a broad range of exotic scents for their full-size individual products, including Coriander Cardamom and Eucalyptus.

Unscented: If you’re not a fan of scented shaving products, you’ve come to the right place. The Art of Shaving appreciates that a large number of its consumers prefer fragrance-free products. Unlike other manufacturers, The Art of Shaving doesn’t limit offerings for unscented products. Every kit size and product type comes in an unscented version.

Accessories

Shaving cream: The Art of Shaving Bourbon Shaving Cream
Try a new variety of The Art of Shaving Shaving Cream. We like this one, which has a sophisticated balance of Bourbon and amber notes. It’s considered one of their longest-lasting scents without being overpowering.

Shaving towel: Zeus Barbershop Steam Towel
You’ll need a fresh towel to pat your face dry after your shave. We like this six-piece set of 100% cotton towels from Zeus, which are easy to heat up for a hot towel facial or to hang around your neck. They feature an attractive embroidered logo and are machine washable for easy care.

Art of Shaving kit prices

The Art of Shaving kits range in price from $30 to $350, depending on the product sizes and quality of the razor and shaving brush.

Inexpensive: For $30 to $95, you can find starter, travel, and midsize Art of Shaving kits. Replenishment bundles cost around $95.

Mid-range: You’ll find a broad range of full-size Art of Shaving kits for $100 to $200. Some of these include the company’s four signature products, while others feature premium razor and blade refill sets.

Expensive: Premium Art of Shaving kits cost $200 to $350. These include premium shave brushes made with top-quality badger hair and exclusive razors with refill blades.

Tips

  • Use products sparingly at first. A little goes a long way, especially with The Art of Shaving products. Use a trace amount in the beginning, and work your way up to the required amount to avoid wasting an expensive product.
  • Take your time shaving. A shave should be a relaxing self-care session. Enjoy the moment and take your time to avoid nicks and razor burn.
  • Use clean towels. If possible, use a clean towel with every shave. This will help prevent grime or bacteria from transferring onto newly shaved skin, which in turn could cause irritation.
  • Store products in a safe spot. Some bathrooms can be a tight squeeze, and it can be hard to find a place to store your Art of Shaving products. Try to keep them as far away from the toilet as possible, for obvious reasons, especially the shaving brush.

Other products we considered

If you don’t see what you need in our matrix, we have a couple more choices for you. For travel, we like the six-piece The Art of Shaving Bergamot & Neroli Travel Set. This unique scent invigorates and revitalizes for a fresh start to the day. Enjoy 1.0- and 1.5-ounce versions of the Pre-Shave Oil, Shaving Cream, and After-Shave Balm for a quality shave on the go. The set, with its sleek travel case, is a favorite among professionals.

If you already enjoy The Art of Shaving product line, we recommend the two-piece The Art of Shaving Oud Fragrance Gift Set. It includes a deluxe 5-ounce Shaving Cream as well as 3.3-ounce cologne featuring an exotic, musky citrus scent. The set is ideal as a gift or the perfect addition to an existing Art of Shaving collection.

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Before spending money on a shaving kit, check the ingredients list to see if you have sensitivities to any of the ingredients or fragrances.

FAQ

Q. How long will the shaving brush last before I need to replace it?
A.
The Art of Shaving uses badger hair for its shaving brushes. The brushes can last for ten years or more if properly maintained. Always rinse it thoroughly after use and shake off the excess water before letting it air-dry. This helps keep mold and mildew from accumulating inside the bristles.
 

Q. I’m buying an Art of Shaving kit as a gift for someone, but I’m not sure which scent I should choose. What should I do?
A.
If you know their preferred scent style, you can select a similar one in a kit. If you’d rather err on the side of caution, choose one of The Art of Shaving’s unscented kits instead. These are especially popular if you’re not sure whether the recipient is sensitive to scented products.
 

Q. I’m running out of one Art of Shaving product more quickly than the others. What should I do?
A.
Once you get accustomed to the products, you’ll learn exactly how much you need for each shave. If you’ve already noticed that you burn through one faster than the rest, you should order twice as many replacement bottles of it.