Argan Oil Shaving Gel (£9.95/125ml)
This gel works much like a shaving oil – the sort of product I learned to shave with. It's quick and easy to use, and would be ideal for anybody who needs to shave quickly, every day. The gel is transparent and doesn't lather, which means you can see your face exactly to help get the right shave you need – particularly useful if you are cultivating a moustache for instance. I did find, however, that it doesn't allow for the same glide as a foam or cream tends to, and can drag slightly with a few days of beard growth. This wouldn't be important if you shave daily, or also if you use modern shaving equipment (i.e. a razor with multiple blades). Since the days of learning to shave, I have moved backwards in time, and started using cut throat razors, which this does not suit.
The gel feels that it is absorbed by the face, and although it doesn't feel it gives me as good a shave as some other products, it does leave my skin feeling nicer than most others – again this is similar to the shaving oils that I started using. If I were to forsake a post shave solution, this would become a preferable choice for shaving.
Verdict: If you plan to shave daily and speed is of the essence, then this product will tick all of the right boxes.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
Calm Balm (£14-95/50ml)
As a post shaving cream, this does a fantastic job of both repairing and moisturising my skin. Immediately after use my face will feel substantially better, and any irritation from shaving will subside straight away. Unlike other products, this also doesn't leave the face leaving greasy, but instead it feels ready for action as soon as you have finished rubbing it in. This is the epitomy of Rehabs dedication to products that do their job, but are also quick and straight forward to use. I look forward to using this after my morning bike ride to work, as the cold winds set in for the winter, as I feel like it will restore the feeling and moisture to my face that the weather has taken.
Verdict: A simple and quick, non-greasy face cream that leaves the face feeling fresh and new – perfect as part of the morning ritual.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
Revive Survive (£14.95/50ml)
I have been using the anti-ageing cream every morning (although hopefully I don't need to at 26) and although I don't feel like I look any younger, my skin often feels younger. In conjunction with the Calm Balm post shave cream (used the night before), my skin feels prepared for the rest of the day. The most noticeable effect of this, is how refreshed my face will feel after a bike ride to work in the early hours of the morning. I suspect that the increased circulation stimulated by the cream helps my face better repel the force of nature which cycling head on into winds. This ceremony would often leave my face feeling dry and sore, but this has been alleviated hugely by the application of this cream before leaving in the morning.
Unfortunately since using this cream I haven't had a slew of people comment on how young and fresh faced I look – I like to believe this says more about my face without products, than the effectiveness of Revive Survive.
Verdict: Another quick and simple to use cream from Rehab London, which has a significant impact on the comfort of my face.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
Rehab London products are available from Boots stores nationwide and Boots online. Perfect presents and stocking-fillers.