Review (4/5): S&S Hydrate and Clubman Pinaud Review
This review compares the Clubman "Pinaud 2-in-1" and Stubble & Stache "Hydrate" face/beard moisturizers, so I'm posting this same review for both products.
I have a short beard and have tried many brands and product types to manage the itchy skin and stiff hair. Over the years I experimented and decided that I did not like beard oils (for skin under beard) nor beard balms (conditions beard). So, I wanted to try something else - and discovered "beard friendly" leave-in facial creams. These are not wash-out conditioners, but are used after cleaning/shaving and left on your skin and in your beard. I only found these two products, so maybe this is a new product type?
Bottom line: Clubman is more like a traditional facial moisturizer that isn't bad for your beard, whereas S&S is a beard conditioner that isn't bad for your skin. I prefer S&S, but is much more expensive.
-- review --
Feel: The Clubman's thickness is more like a traditional facial moisturizer and spreads easily over the skin. S&S is thicker that the average facial cream. I applied the Clubman on the face/nose first, and then worked down to the neck, finishing with the beard, but with the S&S I started on the beard and worked out. Different, but both are workable.
Scent: The Clubman has a sharp floral scent, and other reviews say this scent is the same across the Clubman products. The S&S has a subtle metallic scent. I prefer the S&S's scent compared to Clubman's, but that depends on the person (and who you let close to you).
Effectiveness: The Clubman's product seems to evaporate/absorb more quickly over the day, so it must be re-applied more often. I could twice-a-day the S&S (or even only once-a-day), but need to three-a-day the Clubman. Clubman leave my beard more controlled that S&S, but (for me) not in good way. I'm looking for beard softening, but style control.
Cost: There is no getting around this, S&S is five times more expensive that Clubman (per ml). Yes, it costs 500% as much.
Final: I find the Stubble & Stache Hydrate the better product - it spreads easier and lasts longer. However, S&S is not 500% better than Clubman. If S&S was only cost 3 times more I would recommend with no hesitation. I prefer S&S as a stand-alone product and I will use it. But I will continue to look for companies to produce products like this.
Note: I also tried the ArtNaturals "Beard Conditioner", but that is a traditional wash-out conditioner. It also has a very strong floral-medicine scent, so I stopped using it after one time.