Save! TWO Pre-Shave Powder Stick Derma Bloc by Blocmen

Long story short, if you have sensitive skin and use an electric razor, you will find these powder sticks very helpful. A light application of the powder seems to go a long way, and it does help the razor glide better. However, I'm not so sure it actually helps provide a closer shave. In my experience, I do have to go over some areas afterward, but this can be due to either the powder or the razor. For me, an application of an alcohol-based lotion helps the beard stand up better and does make for a closer shave vs Derma Bloc. The powder also tends to clog up the blades, requiring more effort to clean -- but that's not too unusual for most oil or powder-based pre-shave products.One more thing you should know... while the manufacturer claims this to be an unscented product, it is in fact lightly scented. Not offensive or overpowering, but the product does contain added fragrance. I'd prefer that it didn't, but haven't found the scent to be off-putting in any way.Most importantly, Derma Bloc does noticeably cut down on razor burn; and for that reason alone, I give the product 4 stars and will probably purchase again.

UPDATE: May 16, 2012:The last two Derma Blocs I ordered were much softer than previous ones. This caused powder to spread TOO easily and fall off my face more. I guess they changed the formulation. I will still get them and hope that it was just a bad batch, and will let you know. I'm dropping one star because of this new over-softness.-----ORIGINAL REVIEW:For years I used an electric shaver without any other shaving aids. No matter how good the shaver, there would still be some irritation afterward and I'd need the cooling "ahhh" of an aftershave lotion. I tried pre-shave lotions but they didn't seem to work.Then a family member gave me a pre-shave powder stick. I used it once and have been doing so ever since. I really can't go back to not using it. It makes a good shave a great shave. It somehow cushions the face and reduces the irritation for the cutting blades while at the same time making my stubble easier for the them to cut. It is applied like a big fat lipstick or roll on...just pass over your whiskers until you have slight coat of it over the areas to be shaved. The scent is light and mild, I like it. Don't be fooled that you can use regular talc (baby powder) in place of this. It is messy and it is a finer grain that doesn't work well with shavers.If you use a dry electric shaver, I can't recommend this product highly enough!

This product is disappointing to me. I had used a pre shave powder stick in the past and had good results. After a trial and error period of how much of this product to use I found that a very thin layer did make my razor glide easier, hence the 3 star rating. But for me, it did not improve the closeness of the shave and it clogs up the razor head very quickly. All in all, if you don't mind stopping part way through and emptying out your razor, washing it, then starting again, it might be okay. Still, the shave was not at all closer than without it.

This chalky material is supposed, in theory, to matte your face and allow the electric razor to slide around without the stickiness that may come from moisture. My concern is that the chalky material, as well as the whisker material is picked up by the razor and makes cleaning it more of a chore.I now use Lab Series pre-shave. It seems like diluted L'ectric shave and it works nicely without the residue.

This gives me a much closer shave without drying my skin; made of talc and paraffin. It leaves a lot of talc inside the razor so I would only use it with a razor that can be rinsed out. I had previously tried two alcohol-based creams (Kyoku for Men and Necessary Luxuries) and both dried out my skin without giving me a much closer shave compared to no pre-shave. I plan to keep using Derma-Bloc.September 2013 update: after using it for 7 more months, it seemed to be harder to get a close shave, and my face seemed to be drying out more and more. Thus, I decided to try a lotion-based product, "Shavetronic Ultra Gel," and after using it for a few days, I prefer it to the stick--it gives close shave and my skin is much less dry.

I have to say that when I was a lot younger, my grandfather suggested using sticks like this to shave. I was VERY skeptical and didn't understand how this product could make shaving easier. But after using this for a few months, I'M CONVINCED!!! Wash your face, then wait maybe 30-90 minutes before applying the stick to your face, and you will have a shaving experience WITHOUT severe irritation or the need for aftershave to sooth your skin. Honestly I have no idea how or why the product works so well, but it does.My only complaint is that as the stick nears the end, it crumbles and falls apart easily, which makes clean up a hassle, and makes it near impossible to use the remaining chunks to cover your face. Kind of annoying, but this is a minor quibble about a product that works.Use it and you won't dread shaving like I used to do.

the product is sented, but the real problem is the quality of the cake, it is way too soft, crumbles easily. I have used the face shaver brand so I do understand that these types of products are a little messy but they do work well. This product was not manufactuered properly, when I opened one of the units a piece about equal to 1/3 of the top broke off. They eigher did not use enough bonding agent or they do not compress the product enough. Eigher way it is a poor quality item. I did not save anything by buying this over facesaver. I will go back to using it.