This topic pops up every so often on the forum, and it hasn't been so often for a while.

I know that many folks around here already know this stuff: but there are always new-comers. Also, I for one would love to hear about the different ways people play, advice, and other info.

And, coincidentally, I found myself in conversations lately with pie-curious people about how to start with the ol' "giant pie in the face" routine, using shaving cream pies. So, starting another thread (again?) about the subject.

Here's what's worked for me.

Either Gillette sensitive skin (green can), or Barbasol Soothing Aloe, or Sensitive Skin. Let the cans sit in a sink, or tub, of hot water for 20 minutes or so before use. This allows the contents to expand in the can before you pfooosh all of it out. Also: WARM. Feels good. Warm feels good.

For a crust: I found the Keebler 9 or 10 inch ready-crusts to be easy to find in bulk, and the shortbread versions are slightly sturdier than graham, if you can find them. Just about any ready-crust will do nicely.

Better, but more work and more pricey, are frozen pastry crusts. Poke them with a fork (not a euphemism for something else, you naughty person you), bake for 12 to 15 minutes at 400 degress F, let them cool, and remove the tin. They should be baked and sturdy enough to actually throw without a tin. Don't poke too many holes (stop that!), or the crust will lose its integrity before it collides with a willing victim's face.

Shake the can, and pour the contents into the shell. The whoooooole can. You may need to shake a couple of times during the process. If you want a slightly "gloppier" texture add a little warm water and mix it in. Not too much, I find a quarter-cup is about the most, per can, if water is added. Then sculpt the pie so it looks like a huge, ridiculous pie. Want a bigger pie? Add more shaving cream, sculpt. 'Sup to you.

If you don't add any water, mix the shaving cream around anyway as you're sculpting it. It helps get the propellant evaporated, which can sting the eyes.

(And, no crust at all, in a tin or a wide picnic plate, is always fun as well!)

What works for you shaving-cream-pie WAM enthusiasts? Any brands, techniques, options, preferences? Anyone mix anything into theirs, like Karo syrup or massage oils?

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Other than that one time I took a shaving cream pie in the face and didn't close my eyes quickly enough, I've never had a pie irritate my eyes. Even then, it was more the irritant of a whole lot of it on my eye, and didn't "sting". (Lemon cream pie was MUCH worse. Yeeowtch.)

I don't want to get into "real pies are better", because a lot of us love the consistency and texture of shaving cream (especially in mass quantity). And, they look ree-dic-u-lous, which is a part of the fun.

So this one time in Vegas, a friend of mine and I spent the weekend in slapstick pie-in-the-face play. A lot of our cans were "Normal" variety, and not sensitive skin or aloe varieties. By the end of the second day, our skin (everywhere) was terribly dry. She has very sensitive skin to begin with, so it was a higher price to pay for a weekend of incredible fun. For what it's worth, YMMV.

If you can find them, restaurant-supply large aluminum tins can be found. They're 16 inches in diameter and 2 inches deep, and it took 3 cans each tin to fill and create a towering, insanely ridiculous pie. They're light, too, so you won't deck your target into unconsciousness. No crust unless you create your own.

Shaving cream is, as you know, slippery as f***, especially if you add a leeeetle bit of water. If you're playing in a tub, or something with a slick bottom (STOP THAT), throw some towels down, or an old sheet.
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That's all folks. Tune in next time and we''ll discuss "Nondairy topping in bulk", or "How to spend ALL of your paycheck without trying hard at all". Subtitle, "How did that cool whip get on the ceiling and how long has it been there?"

For an absolute basic, basic emergency stuff-you-already-have-in-the-house DIY crust for the classic paper plate variety, I found crushed corn flakes... surprisingly effective, and about as easy to clean up as graham cracker crusts, give or take.

Great post, a couple of additions I tend to go with:

- Always keep the can upright while squeezing! When playing with others I often point that out as otherwise the air gets out first and you end up with a sloppy white juice.

- If the can is getting to the end when you get dribbly slops, go ahead and use that part for the start of another pie. Save the great first part of the cans for topping your pies as you get better consistency and appearance. Sometimes I leave a whole can aside for topping.

- Speaking of that last can for toppings, I have a little trick - I get a nozzle you use for icing bags, then I get a chunk of blu-tac (sticky tac) and shape the nozzle over the standard can head, forming a seal. Then you can 'pipe' the shaving cream just like real cream.

I've attached a couple of pics to show the cans in question, you may recognise the lovely ladies who were about to get smothered in them

Actually I really love the making pies bit, gives me an idea for another thread.

Great advice, thanks! The trick with the piping nozzle is cool.

From my experience, here's my recommendations. (based on UK brands and stuff)

1. Best shaving foam brand I've found is Boots own brand. Cheap (usually about £1) and expands nicely so you can get about 3-4 pies from one tin (depending how big you prefer them)

2. Mix the foam with food colouring or poster paint for coloured pies. They're easy to wash out of clothes as well as your face.

3. For a base, I prefer a foil tin or a paper plate. you can get about 5 foil tins or 20-30 plates from Poundland

4. To reduce stinging, let the pies sit out for at least 20-30 minutes and, obviously, keep your eyes closed.

Some of the tips mentioned in here are good advice as well. hold the can upright, warm the tins in warm water. Another thing that's good to mix with shaving foam is custard. IT makes the pie a bit more sloppy but still gives good coverage and is relatively easy to clean up and doesn't stink after a while.

hello, an old pie buddy showed me another trick: if you like to spray shaving cream at each other, put a pin in the nozzle. Heat up very quickly with a lighter then pull out the pin. The smaller nozzle will make the shaving cream shoot a lot further away. Enjoy!