Acqua Di Parma---- Expensive?.... Not Really!

[goby]

This morning I used ADP. I usually just scoop it out with a butter knife, and there is a chunk left over after my shave. Today I scooped out the littlest bit, and pressed it around my bowl so it was a micro-millimeter thin (you know what I mean). There was hardily any cream visible in my cream-colored bowl.

I was really shocked to get enough amazing lather for 4 passes. Wow!!! I know the $62 price tag is shocking, but it is amazing how little is needed. This was the first time I didn't have a chunk left in my bowl. Wow.

Great shave, and I think think jar could last me 300+ shaves, if not more. I really used that little.

 

[blade08]

Yes, the amount of lather you get from just a little cream is really amazing. The only thing that put me off from buying a new tub was not so much the price, but rather that there is some ingredient in it that irritates my skin.

 

[Cuttingboard]

I twirl the top of the cream with my brush and face lather and get tons of lather. I've been trying to tell people for the past year how inexpensive it is once you consider how many great shaves you get from a tub. I've been using mine for about a year now and it still looks almost brand new. Not to mention the great smell and the cushiony slick lather that's produced. Definately worth the price!!

 

[HoratioCaine]

Wow, is it really $62 now? Every time I turn around, the price of the AdP has gone up. Four years ago, it was $48, and even that's more than I'd want to pay now. As good as it may be (and I wouldn't know, since I've not tried it, and won't, as long as it's that expensive), I fail to see how they can keep justifying those kinds of price increases. Personally, I think it's insulting. Admittedly, T&H may be an even bigger offender in terms of sheer percentage increase (five years ago their tubs were $22), but at least they offer a substantial discount on their website.

Price increases aside, as far as AdP being worth the price currently charged, I guess that's subjective. When I think of all the other super high-end creams that retail for a fraction of AdP's price, though, I remain skeptical. Castle Forbes, which is considered by many to be the best of the best, is also exremely dense, and produces a lot of lather with a little product. Is AdP so much better that it's worth nearly triple the cost on an ounce for ounce basis? (Here's a little FYI: if AdP came in a CF-sized tub, it would cost $95. CF costs $35.) I know we all figure we get what we pay for, and a lot of us justify high prices based on our subjective appreciation of the product. I do that with aftershaves a lot of the time. But with shaving creams, I've tried a lot, and I know I'm at the top of the curve with kinds of shaves I get from my favorites. I'm really hard-pressed to think AdP could give me something that much better so as to warrant its price.

 

[Austin]

Wow, is it really $62 now? Every time I turn around, the price of the AdP has gone up. Four years ago, it was $48, and even that's more than I'd want to pay now. As good as it may be (and I wouldn't know, since I've not tried it, and won't, as long as it's that expensive), I fail to see how they can keep justifying those kinds of price increases. Personally, I think it's insulting. Admittedly, T&H may be an even bigger offender in terms of sheer percentage increase (five years ago their tubs were $22), but at least they offer a substantial discount on their website.

Price increases aside, as far as AdP being worth the price currently charged, I guess that's subjective. When I think of all the other super high-end creams that retail for a fraction of AdP's price, though, I remain skeptical. Castle Forbes, which is considered by many to be the best of the best, is also exremely dense, and produces a lot of lather with a little product. Is AdP so much better that it's worth nearly triple the cost on an ounce for ounce basis? (Here's a little FYI: if AdP came in a CF-sized tub, it would cost $95. CF costs $35.) I know we all figure we get what we pay for, and a lot of us justify high prices based on our subjective appreciation of the product. I do that with aftershaves a lot of the time. But with shaving creams, I've tried a lot, and I know I'm at the top of the curve with kinds of shaves I get from my favorites. I'm really hard-pressed to think AdP could give me something that much better so as to warrant its price.

So Nathan, are you going to buy some?

 

[goby]

Nathan,

Is it worth $62? Maybe not.
Is it my favorite? No.
Is it nice to use? Yes!
Is it economical? Yes!
Do you get more lather than CF? Yes! (believe it or not!)
Did I pay $62? No!
Are you going to try it after finals? Yes!

 

[Cuttingboard]

I buy it on 20% discount using Sephora friends and family discount. If it were the only cream that I used, I wouldn't mind paying $62 but that's my limit. IMHO, I do think its better than CF because of its moisturizing ability and scent. CF and AdP are my two favorite creams by far.

Are there any other creams that demand this much of a premium?

 

[coolbluewater]

The only one I know that comes kinda close is Pen's Blenheim Bouquet at $50/5oz. but I haven't tried it.

 

[HoratioCaine]

The only one I know that comes kinda close is Pen's Blenheim Bouquet at $50/5oz. but I haven't tried it.

Yeah, but it comes in a glass jar with a sterling silver plated lid...and Acqua di Parma still costs 50% more.

:grumble:

 

[Austin]

Gents, ADP as well as Castle Forbes are hard shave creams. A little goes a long way. A tub will last a long time when used sparingly.

 

[thunderball]

Yes, the amount of lather you get from just a little cream is really amazing. The only thing that put me off from buying a new tub was not so much the price, but rather that there is some ingredient in it that irritates my skin.

It doesn't like my skin much either.

 

[inspectoring]

Yes, the amount of lather you get from just a little cream is really amazing. The only thing that put me off from buying a new tub was not so much the price, but rather that there is some ingredient in it that irritates my skin.

I have bought this cream about 3-4 times and sold the tub right after using once on different occasions. I love the smell but I have the same problem you describe. Now I am going to go and post a WTB thread..

 

[inspectoring]

I buy it on 20% discount using Sephora friends and family discount. If it were the only cream that I used, I wouldn't mind paying $62 but that's my limit. IMHO, I do think its better than CF because of its moisturizing ability and scent. CF and AdP are my two favorite creams by far.

Are there any other creams that demand this much of a premium?

IMHO - SMN....hands down...

 

[Cuttingboard]

IMHO - SMN....hands down...

Yeah, I have SMN also but find myself reaching for AdP more often because of its moisturizing properties, especially during the winter months. I do love SMN during the warm months and have it ready to go in anticipation of warm weather.

 

[SubmarinerLV]

It doesn't like my skin much either.

It despises my skin seriously, its like a terrier and a badger i.e not pretty. Shame really as I love all three colognes.

Regards Grant

 

[Cuttingboard]

It despises my skin seriously, its like a terrier and a badger i.e not pretty. Shame really as I love all three colognes.

Regards Grant

I wonder what's in the cream that causes skin irritation?

 

[Aevum]

i have 2 jars, one i paid full price, the other was a half price becuase it was on display for a while,

the thing is, im not even half wait through the first jar, its lasting forever, im starting to think this is the shaving cream equivalent of a straight razor, you know every time you hone it and sharpen it, a bit if it is eaten away, but not enough so it wont last you a life time,

 

[inspectoring]

Yeah, I have SMN also but find myself reaching for AdP more often because of its moisturizing properties, especially during the winter months. I do love SMN during the warm months and have it ready to go in anticipation of warm weather.

a classic example of one of the few things causes our experience to vary
1. My inadequate prep/technique
2. Impatience - every time I bought the tub I used it only once or twice
3. Differences in skin
I always found that ADP dried my skin whereas SMN was like a mother - no matter what I did with the razor - it always made it better

 

[Will P.C.]

I think Domenico Carceni 1913 commands its high price. You get almost double in a tub as well, but it is crazy good.

I wasn't impressed with SMN and consider it to be a nicer "proraso"

 

[slickster514]

Yes, the amount of lather you get from just a little cream is really amazing. The only thing that put me off from buying a new tub was not so much the price, but rather that there is some ingredient in it that irritates my skin.

Hmm, what do you mean by irritate you?

I had the same problem with this cream when I first started using it. First, and second pass were ok. My final (3rd), I would start feeling a bit of tingling or slight burning.

The trick for me was to use a dryer lather, as opposed to runny. It retains more lubricity this way minimizing the chances for irritation. You can always use your spare hand to condition the lather on your face just prior to passing the blade.

From my experiences, I've found out that this irritation can happen with any cream or soap, including Tabac. It boils down to a lathering issue. As a group, myself included, we tend to have way too many product in rotation at the same time. There are slight variences in lathering techniques from one soap or cream to another that may be overlokked when we switch products too quickly.

One more point, many times it may take more than one day to fully recover from a prior days' bad shave. Don't evaluate a new product on that particular day loll