Acqua di Parma & Santa Maria Novella shaving creams?!

[111ImNumber1]

I bought a pot of each from Rome a couple of months ago. IMHO, I believe these creams/soft soaps have received greatly a lot of hype not because of the quality they offer, but primarily because of the houses they belong to, and hence the price. Are they top quality? Maybe! Actually, I find AdP to be not really that gentle to my skin and it causes skin irritation sometimes.

I'd love to hear from you all concerning these two shaving creams.

Thank you,

 

[Lamb Root]

I only have problems with the price of SMN cream, otherwise no problems.

 

[The Chandos]

I have not tried the AdP cream so I cannot comment on it but I'm a big fan of my SMN cream. The price is high, but so is the price of XPEC and Knize Ten, and I suspect that fragrance materials may have something to do with it. My SMN cream lathers fantastically, smells and feels great, and I love the menthol cooling. For the money, perhaps you're better off with something else (I think there are several mentholated creams out there) and if the cooling menthol is what you like I guess you just can't beat QCS Vostok (woah!), which is less than half the price. But I've been using SMN products for several years now and have always loved it. Compared to Cella, P160, and Acca Kappa - the only other Italian creams I've used - it is hands down the best of the bunch. (I have a big tub of P160 too, though.) Granted the price of SMN cream has jumped to $65, which I think is a bit too high, but I bought mine before the price hike ($52 is still pretty high.) In short, I paid a premium for it and enjoy it immensely. It's not my daily cream but I do like it on the weekends, especially over the summer.

 

[CFSoto]

I bought a pot of each from Rome a couple of months ago. IMHO, I believe these creams/soft soaps have received greatly a lot of hype not because of the quality they offer, but primarily because of the houses they belong to, and hence the price. Are they top quality? Maybe! Actually, I find AdP to be not really that gentle to my skin and it causes skin irritation sometimes.

I'd love to hear from you all concerning these two shaving creams.

Hello 111ImNumber1,

I've tried them both. I had problems with the Santa Maria but only because I can't tolerate much menthol on my face. But I absolutely love the AdP. Its pricey but a superb overall cream,IMO. And I really love that 'old fashioned scent' Worth the high price to me but perhaps too expensive for a lot of folks who rather spend their $ on other things.

Craig

Thank you,

 

[Wildalaska]

I have used both and I dont feel they are in the same class as my top tier creams such as Floris, Pens, T&T and Trumpers

 

[AABCDS]

I love AdP but can't stand the eucalyptus in SMN.

 

[Isaac]

I love SMN. Its a soap/cream that will stay in my rotation till I am gone from this earth

 

[Antique Hoosier]

I have been using the Santa Maria Novella lately and I also had a back to back day with Acqua di Parma as well. Both are very very nice and I think they are very well thought of around B&B and the traditional wet shaving community in general. I'd give the nod to the SMN over the ADP for my tastes, but BOTH get trumped by Blenheim Bouquet if I had to choose ONE luxury cream.

 

[CHSeifert]

I love them both, but I feel that you get close to same quality in GFT, TF&H, DR Harris and Musgo Real products.

And Proraso Green is also pretty darn close in quality to SMN - made in the same factory, but SMN has lanolin in it - but still Proraso is a great alternative for 1/8 of the price.......

 

[Mad Man]

AdP is my hands down fave scent.

Having said that I reacted so badly it is reserved now for SWMBO and her legs - so I get to enjoy the scent, the lather & .....

 

[professorchaos]

I'd agree that AdP can be more irritating. It is more highly perfumed. SMN is and has been for years, my favorite. If I could have only one, SMN Crema da Barba would be it.

 

[Cuttingboard]

I wish you had a more positive experience. SMN & ADP are my favorite creams and I will never be without. I never have a bad shave with either? Pen's Endymion & Blenheim Bouquet are also wonderful creams.