Aqua Di Parma Vs Santa Maria Novella
- Thread starter CoolBurn
- Start date
I like both but would go with SMN.
I'm interested in the SMN too but I have no idea where to buy them from. The few places I've managed to find via google don't ship international 
Both terrific creams. Aqua Di Parma cream has a great fragrance but is somewhat more conventional than Santa Maria Novella. I give the edge to the SMN cream, because it is much denser and produces unbelievable lather. SMN is not really that expensive, while the price is high about $55, the tub is huge. In addition, you really should get the pre-shave, to experience the fragrance and the amazing moisturizing and softening. All SMN products are available here: http://www.lafcony.com/
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ADP is good shaving cream, some guys love it and others can't abide the way their nose interprets the fragrance. Some guys report that the smell of it reminds them of something very unpleasant. Others say they really enjoy it.
I had a tub of ADP and my interpretation of the fragrance was "a ripe persimmon". As kids, in the summer we used to find and eat ripe persimmons growing wild around this part of the country. I'm the world's worst to describe how something smells. Try to get a 2 or 3 shave sample of ADP before you spring for the $60+ tub.
SMN is dense, and truly, will last a very long time. It's been proven that loading the brush directly on the soap is the best way. It's almost too dense to be scooping it out and trying to get it to dissolve in a bowl.
If you should end up with either product and decide it's not for you, remember that you can easily sell either one here on the BST without any problem at all.
I had a tub of ADP and my interpretation of the fragrance was "a ripe persimmon". As kids, in the summer we used to find and eat ripe persimmons growing wild around this part of the country. I'm the world's worst to describe how something smells. Try to get a 2 or 3 shave sample of ADP before you spring for the $60+ tub.
SMN is dense, and truly, will last a very long time. It's been proven that loading the brush directly on the soap is the best way. It's almost too dense to be scooping it out and trying to get it to dissolve in a bowl.
If you should end up with either product and decide it's not for you, remember that you can easily sell either one here on the BST without any problem at all.
I absolutely adore ADP...
Both are good, but I'd opt for the Santa Maria Novella. AdP smells wonderful, but doesn't shave quite as well. Also, because it is so heavily frangranced, it irritates my skin on occasion. Perhaps least importantly, you get a lot more SMN. The tubs lasts a long, long time.
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- #8
That has been disputed here too. I am of the camp that, while SMN is similar to Proraso, the two are distinct.
I, too, have tried both creams. The Santa Maria Novella is very thick and pasty... almost like a dry soap. The scent is also much milder than the ADP. I really like the scent of AdP but I could see it offending some. It's very cologne-like.
A user, Handy, on B&B used to sell small samples of both SMN and AdP. It might be worth tracking him down to see if he still does this.
A user, Handy, on B&B used to sell small samples of both SMN and AdP. It might be worth tracking him down to see if he still does this.
That was one of the sites I found but as I've said, they do not ship internationally.
I was actually told that SMN is much more closer to the Omega cream than Proraso and I love the Omega cream.
Let me be honest here, I have SMN, rumored to be made by the same makers of Proraso. I have have Proraso.
Although they're somewhat different, at the same time time they're quite similar. So try Proraso first, if you like it, you will surely like SMN too. The SMN frangrence is a tad less pronounced, but it's about 85% there.
I also have Adp. I prefer Adp and I'll tell you why. First off, I'm not a fan of mentholated creams because they mask the feedback while shaving, that's just a personal thing.
Secondly, SMN is too similar to Proraso, and I cannot justify its price level. Its clear that Proraso makes it for them, however they didn't go the extra step and make it their own if you get my meaning. As an example, many english creams all come from the same factory however each retains its own characteristics, particularly in the scent and texture department.
If you have very specific questions about each feel free to ask. I've since sold my SMN, and held onto Adp, actually my 2nd tub now
Although they're somewhat different, at the same time time they're quite similar. So try Proraso first, if you like it, you will surely like SMN too. The SMN frangrence is a tad less pronounced, but it's about 85% there.
I also have Adp. I prefer Adp and I'll tell you why. First off, I'm not a fan of mentholated creams because they mask the feedback while shaving, that's just a personal thing.
Secondly, SMN is too similar to Proraso, and I cannot justify its price level. Its clear that Proraso makes it for them, however they didn't go the extra step and make it their own if you get my meaning. As an example, many english creams all come from the same factory however each retains its own characteristics, particularly in the scent and texture department.
If you have very specific questions about each feel free to ask. I've since sold my SMN, and held onto Adp, actually my 2nd tub now
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Let me be honest here, I have MN, rumored to be made by the same makers of Prioress. I have have Prioress.
Although they're somewhat different, at the same time time they're quite similar. So try Prioress first, if you like it, you will surely like MN too. The MN fragrance is a tad less pronounced, but it's about 85% there.
I also have ADP. I prefer ADP and I'll tell you why. First off, I'm not a fan of mentholated creams because they mask the feedback while shaving, that's just a personal thing.
Secondly, MN is too similar to Prioress, and I cannot justify its price level. Its clear that Prioress makes it for them, however they didn't go the extra step and make it their own if you get my meaning. As an example, many English creams all come from the same factory however each retains its own characteristics, particularly in the scent and texture department.
If you have very specific questions about each feel free to ask. I've since sold my MN, and held onto ADP, actually my ND tub now
I too have Prorasso and SMN and they are very different products. SMN is not, to my nose, mentholated. Remember, Volkswagen makes the VW, the same company also makes Bentley and Audi, so there are different quality products from the same manufacturer. Now, when it comes to pre-shave, the Prorasso is a very good product, (especially the non-mentholated Green tea & aloe) but the SMN product, actually made by SMN and not Martelli is incomparable to anything else out there.
I know it might sound really funny but I absolutely hate Santa Maria Novella shaving cream. It is a densly packed Proraso at best. It is not worth the money as far as I am concerned. I do love ADP. I love the Colonia line and to me the choice is very clear. Adp without a doubt.
I wouldn't go that far, but I agree with the previous post about SMN pre or aftershave splash. Really nice stuff (actually made by SMN) and well worth the money.
Not to argue on the differences between SMN and Proraso as I have not tried SMN, but your nose has no relevance over the ingredient list for SMN on Lafco web page which states: "This formula, enriched with coconut oil, menthol, eucalyptus, and camphor is perfect for all skin types".
You may wish to give SMN a try. While you are correct with respect to the listed ingredients, Prorasso has a pronounced menthol aroma, while to my nose, SMN does not.
I am not raving over the SMN line, I actually like the pre-shave cream a lot. But If I could swap SMN cream for ADP I would do in a second.
As a matter of fact SMN is on my "to try" list, even I am not a die hard Proraso aficionado. Going to Italy during summer, so....
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- #20
I appreciate all the feedback. I have used so many shaving creams and soaps over the years and have many favorites. But I posted this thread to get opinions on some of the most expensive shaving creams in the whole world. I am used to spending 15-20 dollars for a shaving cream. But ask me to spend $62 and it surely has my curiosity. Santa Maria Novella and Acqua di Parma need to be much better than others due to their price. So are they? I don't want to hear that it is similar to Proraso. Proraso is cheap. So is Omega. They need to be the best of the best or who would ever buy them. Very anxious to try these products.
