Pre-shave solution preps you before taking care of business

The Promise

The most unique item in the John Allan's men's grooming collection promises an instantly closer and more comfortable shave.

How It Works

When applied to your skin and facial hair, Slick Water acts as a smooth foundation for your shave. It should allow your blade to easily glide across your face by lifting follicles to reduce nicks and razor drag, which can cause ingrown hairs. An oat extract helps minimize redness and irritation, while a mixture of cucumber extract and tea-tree oil moisturizes the skin, removes dead cells and gives the solution a soothing scent.

How To Use It

Much like a pre-party, the pre-shave solution is used before you get down to business. Spread a thin coat of the liquid onto your face, wait a few minutes and then proceed as normal with razor and shaving cream. Just like that, you're done.

The Bottom Line

I wasn't skeptical that my stubble could be made to wake up before I was fully awake myself in the morning, but I was wary of the process: If I already have the most incredible high-tech advance-formulated shaving cream at my disposal, how much could "water" add to the experience? As it turns out, a lot. The solution has the consistency of a less-sticky honey and feels great to put on. I spend my two-minute wait grunting and rubbing my eyes open. At the end of the day, my skin was less red and irritated than normal, which was even more impressive since I had unadvisedly let my beard grow a few days too many. I never knew I needed Slick Water, but it's nice to have around now that I do.

$29 for 59 ml through johnallans.com and at the new John Allan's location at the Bay in Toronto.