Name | Origin | Size | Price |
Grave Before Shave Beard Oil | USA | 1 fl oz | $$ |
Itch Relief | Softening | Ease of Application | Value for Money |
You know a brand takes beards seriously when it chooses death over shaving.
Grave Before Shave is, no doubt, one of the most unique brands on the men’s beard grooming market. The artwork, packaging, bottle shape and color are all trying (and succeeding) to grab your attention.
I’ve always appreciated the care and effort from Fisticuffs LLC. (the owners of GBS), to make this a standout brand.
What started off as quirky and small brand with a few shops and local distributors in Southern California has now mushroomed into a national brand with a loyal fanbase.
They sell everything remotely related to beards – from beard brushes to fancy stickers.
I had the chance of trying out their beard balm as well as the beard wax. In fact, the GBS is one of the best beard balms I’ve used up till now.
The artwork is the main draw, all of it done by artist Charlie Halstead (a.k.a Lunchbarf).
The skull and bones aesthetic is playfully unique and some fans are willing to buy the artwork separately. Others are here for the beard oil which is a mix of mainstream oils and scents in an old-school medical bottle.
The bottle is that translucent amber-colored clear glass you see most other oils packed in. This color is meant to preserve the oil’s unique properties by blocking out ultraviolet rays from the sun.
There’s also a dropper lid that I find really convenient. The dropper lets you take just the right amount of oil every time you apply it.
The ingredient list includes the following: Tea Tree Oil, Pure Apricot Oil, Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, some essential oils.
That’s a pretty good list of quality ingredients, each of which is meant to help the hair become softer or even the skin skin in a particular way.
Now, the Tea Tree oil, for example, is extracted from a plant native to Australia. It’s also called melaleuca oil and is used in a number of grooming products for men and women. Turns out the oil helps fight fungal infections, acne and skin inflammation.
Vitamin E, of course, is an essential nutrient for hair and it can help your beard grow faster.
Aloe Vera is used around the world as a nutrient-rich conditioner. If you’ve felt the texture of fresh aloe vera gel, you know it’s great for consistency and moisture.
Apricot, Sweet Almond and Jojoba oils are all for either strengthening or moisturizing the hair on your beard. Each of these oils is likely to help your beard grow healthy and look better.
All the oils are mixed together in a factory somewhere in the US.
The bottles are reminiscent of old medical supplies and is the standard 1 fluid ounce in size. As for the cost, you’ll find out that it costs no more than mediocre products available online and comes with free shipping.
If you ask me, that’s a great deal.
Does it work?
In my opinion, yes it does.
The GBS original beard oil is a mild blend of excellent oils that work well together.
The oil isn’t fancy and doesn’t have any exotic ingredients, but I guess that’s part of the charm here.
It’s a simple mix of just the essentials. Everything you need for a smooth and effective oil packed into a useful bottle and packaged with some crazy-good artwork.
The first time I tried it, the oil stayed on for more than three hours. It feels a bit heavier than others and I have to admit I felt it linger on my beard, but I got used to it.
The fragrance is really mellow and everybody loved the scent. It wasn’t overpowering or too thick, which is something I wish other brands would learn from.
It doesn’t take more than a few drops to get your whole beard covered with the oil. 1 fluid ounce bottle isn’t very big but it will last you for a few months even if you’re using it on a daily basis.
The price is pretty mid-range. It’s almost twice the price of a Honest Amish beard oil -as that one comes at 2 fl oz bottles, but half the price of something from Can You Handlebar.
Those beard oils have a serious reputation as well. They’re both all-American brands with a knack for good customer service and great quality ingredients.
All in all, the price isn’t the cheapest you’ll find out there, though, I would put this under the ‘value-for-money’ category.
If you ask me, this beard oil is one of the best you can get. It does the job and makes you smell great.
If you’re into the branding and artwork, I guess it’s a no brainer.
The oil is smooth and easy to spread throughout the beard as long as you get the right quantity.
The oils don’t make the beard greasy, which is a plus.
Over the course of a week a lot of people noticed the fragrance and most of them really enjoyed it. My hair felt healthier than before, which I think is mostly a result of the jojoba and almond oils in the mix.
I love the way it smells and even opening the bottle for the first time was an absolute pleasure. It’s one of those fragrances that instantly put you in a great mood.
In conclusion
I think GBS has a base of followers who are thrilled to use these products.
There’s good reason for this – the branding is on point and the oils are great quality. Packaging and artwork is phenomenal.
The oil is non-greasy and really easy to spread. Great design for the bottle and really well picked essential oils make this a useful product for any beardsman.
A good product for the value and you can’t get many quality products are lower price.
If you enjoy the brand, the fragrances and the artwork here, the GBS beard oil is a good pick for you. It works as expected and the fragrances are lovely.
Overall, the GBS Original Beard oil worked as expected and the company has managed to deliver a great scented beard care product.