Ok, I am now officially into writing reviews. It has actually added to the enjoyment of the shaving ritual as it makes me more attentive to all the aspects that already make wet shaving so pleasurable. That being said, for my third go 'round I will be reviewing Al's shave cream in Palermo scent. I received it as a sample with my full size order of Piemonte (review coming soon). I can't believe it took me so long to try these products...
Price: 7/10. Unlike my initial impression with the sapone de barba, the price $18 for a 4oz. Tub of the shave cream versus $25 for a smaller tin of the sapone, this appears to be more affordable. This is not a commentary on it being overpriced, because believe me, between the unbelievable quality of the product and the very small amount required to get loads of lather, it is actually a steal if you look at it from this perspective. For soaps from big names that charge so much more and yield what I feel is far inferior of a product, this is an indulgence all wet shavers can afford and will be amply rewarded for doing so.
Scent: 10/10. Like my previous experience with Al's scents, it is amazing from the word go. Clearly the result of the use of high quality essential oils. The cream, prior to lathering seems complex but easily broken down into some components, but lathering transforms the cream into a sensory experience that begs contemplation and repeated use. For me, this is a Fougere-type scent. Heliotrope notes with some sweet essential oil (perhaps lemon or other citrus). Middle notes complement the heliotrope with a spiciness that, while muted, is extremely nice, and I pick up some woody notes throughout. It makes me think of a grove of trees near where my father is from in southern Italy. It is a sunny and warm fougere... Not deep dark Forrest fougere. This makes for an amazing morning shave. The scent has great strength that holds strong throughout the shave
Lather: 11/10. Using a 22mm silvertip badger brush from whipped dog, I placed a pea sized bit of the cream on my palm and began lathering (my favorite method). Several things I find impressive about this soap. First, it explodes into lather. The amount you get from the pea size amount is insane. Second, it has what seems to be a very large sweet spot when it comes to water addition. The lather you get is thick and unctuous. I had enough for four passes plus. It provides some of the best cushion I've experienced and the glide is unparalleled (for me it is similar in slickness to stirling shave soaps smooth line). Nick free shave and bbs with well hydrated skin. I am not sure how it moisurizes so well just from looking at the ingredients, but it does.
Overall, this is the BEST cream I've used and is amongst the best shave product I've ever used. I need to get a full size tub of Palermo and possibly the ASB Al sells as well. Al, if you are reading this, maybe it's time to expand into solid soaps? I would gladly be your tester for those formulations. Barrister and mann are the only artisans who are creating scents as complex and of great quality as yours and they are moving into the shaving cream arena. Your scents in solid soap form would find themselves occupying their own region amongst my shave den. Happy shaving, gents!
Price: 7/10. Unlike my initial impression with the sapone de barba, the price $18 for a 4oz. Tub of the shave cream versus $25 for a smaller tin of the sapone, this appears to be more affordable. This is not a commentary on it being overpriced, because believe me, between the unbelievable quality of the product and the very small amount required to get loads of lather, it is actually a steal if you look at it from this perspective. For soaps from big names that charge so much more and yield what I feel is far inferior of a product, this is an indulgence all wet shavers can afford and will be amply rewarded for doing so.
Scent: 10/10. Like my previous experience with Al's scents, it is amazing from the word go. Clearly the result of the use of high quality essential oils. The cream, prior to lathering seems complex but easily broken down into some components, but lathering transforms the cream into a sensory experience that begs contemplation and repeated use. For me, this is a Fougere-type scent. Heliotrope notes with some sweet essential oil (perhaps lemon or other citrus). Middle notes complement the heliotrope with a spiciness that, while muted, is extremely nice, and I pick up some woody notes throughout. It makes me think of a grove of trees near where my father is from in southern Italy. It is a sunny and warm fougere... Not deep dark Forrest fougere. This makes for an amazing morning shave. The scent has great strength that holds strong throughout the shave
Lather: 11/10. Using a 22mm silvertip badger brush from whipped dog, I placed a pea sized bit of the cream on my palm and began lathering (my favorite method). Several things I find impressive about this soap. First, it explodes into lather. The amount you get from the pea size amount is insane. Second, it has what seems to be a very large sweet spot when it comes to water addition. The lather you get is thick and unctuous. I had enough for four passes plus. It provides some of the best cushion I've experienced and the glide is unparalleled (for me it is similar in slickness to stirling shave soaps smooth line). Nick free shave and bbs with well hydrated skin. I am not sure how it moisurizes so well just from looking at the ingredients, but it does.
Overall, this is the BEST cream I've used and is amongst the best shave product I've ever used. I need to get a full size tub of Palermo and possibly the ASB Al sells as well. Al, if you are reading this, maybe it's time to expand into solid soaps? I would gladly be your tester for those formulations. Barrister and mann are the only artisans who are creating scents as complex and of great quality as yours and they are moving into the shaving cream arena. Your scents in solid soap form would find themselves occupying their own region amongst my shave den. Happy shaving, gents!
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