Caldey Island Lavender AS

[Evbo]

Received a 100ml bottle of this stuff yesterday & used it this morning.

Wow. Just ... wow. What a great, natural lavender scent! The alcohol burn was there but very mild (along the lines of Harris Pink). Felt great going on & my skin felt amazing afterwards. The scent dissipates very quickly so it won't interfere with whatever your SOTD* is.

Any other opinions of this product? I'm planning on posting a review but want to use it for several more days first. So far, though, so good.





*Stinkum of the Day

 

[HoratioCaine]

Are you able to post the ingredients?

 

[The Nid Hog]

Have you tried their cologne?

Received a 100ml bottle of this stuff yesterday & used it this morning.

Wow. Just ... wow. What a great, natural lavender scent! The alcohol burn was there but very mild (along the lines of Harris Pink). Felt great going on & my skin felt amazing afterwards. The scent dissipates very quickly so it won't interfere with whatever your SOTD* is.

Any other opinions of this product? I'm planning on posting a review but want to use it for several more days first. So far, though, so good.





*Stinkum of the Day

 

[Evbo]

Are you able to post the ingredients?

You know, right after I threw out the box I knew someone would ask me that.

All I remember from the ingredient list is denatured alcohol, parfum, & menthol. There were a few other fragrance components in there as well. I can't remember if glycerin was another added ingredient but I think it was. And after I used it yesterday I really noticed the menthol. It's mild, but most definitely present & noticeable. Felt great!

Have you tried their cologne?

I have a sample of their lavender cologne, yes. I used it yesterday.

It smells great, but it's gone almost instantaneously. Like, within 1/2 hr. And I must've applied 5-6 sprays; it's not like I skimped. So while the scent is fantastic, it's just not worth the $$.

 

[HoratioCaine]

Evbo, sounds promising. I've been looking for something to replace my Santa Maria Novella lavender AS splash ever since they reformulated the scent. The AS itself is great, with a relatively low alcohol content, menthol, and buffers like glycerin and hydrogenated castor oil. It is definitely a "skin friendly" alcohol splash, but then they reformulated the scent to something I can't stand. Based on your description, the Caldey Island AS might be a reasonable alternative. I should look into it. Thanks for the post.

 

[HoratioCaine]

Evbo, BTW, I read your review on the Czech & Speake Oxford & Cambrigde "aftershave." Seems we are both the lavender fans, no? I know you said Cambridge Chemists confirmed it was the right stuff, but I'm not so sure. According to the Czech & Speake website, the aftershave is only available in a shaker top, and the cologne only comes in a spray. (Cambridge's own website only offers those options, as well.) Since you got a spray bottle...well, I think you know where I'm going with this. My O&C cologne spray has an adhesive label around the neck that says "lavender cologne." Does your bottle have any sort of label around the neck?

Having said that, traditional alcohol aftershaves that only use alcohol, water and fragrance - like Trumper - still burn like hell, so if the Oxford and Cambridge is that way, it might not solve the issue for you. Still, it would be nice if you got what you ordered, and that you were able to base your opinion on what the product really is, and not a case of mistaken identity.

Back on topic, how was your experience ordering through Caldey Island? How would you rate the staying power of the aftershave scent?

 

[EL Alamein]

Horatio, as I'm sure you're aware most lavender based scents are fleeting by nature. The Caldey Lavender in the cologne strength is supposed to be a lavender water with staying power but clearly for this person it's not one that stays very long. I have the cologne version and it's nice and it does have longevity - but that's on me. I suspect you'll have to try it personally to see if it will last on you.

Since you're a lavender fan have you tried the Atkinson's English Lavender water? It's classic. Yes, it's fleeting but it's still one of the best, if not thee best lavender water out there.

Hope that helps.

Chris

 

[paydepst]

Chris on the Atkinson is it really good stuff? I have been considering stocking it but I wasn't sure of the interest.

 

[HoratioCaine]

Hi, Chris and Mark,

Yeah, I have the Atkinson. Good stuff, reminds me of the old TOBS lavender cream scent, or the Coate's lavender - a real classic, English lavender "perfume" type scent. I know lavenders are fleeting. The one exception on me is Oxford & Cambridge, which hangs around a good long time. I get decent longevity out of Santa Maria Novella Imperial Lavender cologne. For an aftershave, I'm not so concerned about longevity as just the quality of the scent itself; I was just curious how the Caldey Island stacked up. I still wish I knew what was in it. I can't tolerate alcohol aftershaves that are too drying, but have no problem with types like SMN, Proraso, or Harris Pink. Unfortunately, Caldey Island's website doesn't give much info, so I might have to do a blind buy. The fact that it has menthol is encouraging, because it indicates they formulate it with face application in mind. Evbo, how would you say the Caldey Island lavender AS would complement a shave using Martin de Candre's shaving soap? That's another one I'm looking to try. I might get both at the same time and just have a lavender free-for-all when they get here.

 

[john parker]

On the lavender topic, Rorschuck has samples of TOBS lavender water which he has said doubles as an aftershave splash. I haven't tried it but am keeping it in mind for if/when I go back to lavender scents. My personal problem with some lavender products is that I just can't pick up the aroma.

 

[Evbo]

Does your bottle have any sort of label around the neck?

Yep. It says "aftershave."

Back on topic, how was your experience ordering through Caldey Island? How would you rate the staying power of the aftershave scent?

Ordering direct from Caldey Island was no trouble whatsoever. It took just over a week for me to receive the products. The staying power of the AS's scent, however, is non-existent. On me it's gone within around 15-20 mins. But the menthol is indeed a very nice touch. It's subtle, but definitely present.

Evbo, how would you say the Caldey Island lavender AS would complement a shave using Martin de Candre's shaving soap?

Fabulously well. In fact, I might try that combo tomorrow!

This stuff was a blind buy for me, too. I don't think you'll be disappointed -- far from it. I highly recommend it!

 

[HoratioCaine]

Thanks for the input, Evbo. Weird about your C&S "aftershave." I'd be interested to know how Cambridge Chemists explains why yours came in a spray bottle when the aftershave only appears to come in a splash. Am I missing something?

 

[Evbo]

Thanks for the input, Evbo. Weird about your C&S "aftershave." I'd be interested to know how Cambridge Chemists explains why yours came in a spray bottle when the aftershave only appears to come in a splash. Am I missing something?

I think that's only what's offered on C&S's website. In other words, I think C&S makes some additional items over & above what they offer online.

It's been awhile but I seem to remember bringing up exactly this point when I called Cambridge. They were adamant that it was the aftershave & according to the label on my bottle, they were right.

 

[HoratioCaine]

They were adamant that it was the aftershave & according to the label on my bottle, they were right.

The reason I was so curious was for a long time I wondered if I should try the aftershave, but after reading your review decided not to - especially at the price they charge. I'll accept that you did indeed get the right product, and that it's just not that great as an aftershave. It's not beyond comprehension. Like I said, Trumper Limes aftershave burns me so bad, I fail to see how anyone can enjoy it in that capacity - but some people do. Just one of those things, I guess.

I look forward to your "official" review of the Caldey Island AS.

 

[HoratioCaine]

I e-mailed Caldey Island, asking them about the ingredients of the lavender aftershave, and they were kind enough to reply. Interestingly, it is a pretty simple formula not all that different from Harris Pink - although perhaps different enough to make a difference in terms of how the product works or feels. For one, alcohol is the first ingredient on the list of the Caldey Island, whereas it comes second (after water) in the Pink; water comes second in the Caldey Island. Pink's only moisturizing ingredient is glycerin; Caldey Island's only moisturizing ingredient is isopropyl myristate, which is a synthetic emollient and moisturizer - both ingredients are third on the list. The only other big difference is that, as noted, the Caldey Island has menthol, whereas the Pink does not.

Evbo, how would you say the Caldey Island compares to the Pink in terms of mildness as well as moisturizing potential? I know you said the two have a similar alcohol sting, but has your opinion evolved as you've used it more? I can wear the Pink, so if the CI is similar, it's probably a go for me. However, its presumably higher alcohol content makes me a bit nervous, given that it doesn't have as many moisturzing "buffers" as the likes of Santa Maria Novella or Proraso to help balance it out.

 

[Evbo]

Evbo, how would you say the Caldey Island compares to the Pink in terms of mildness as well as moisturizing potential? I know you said the two have a similar alcohol sting, but has your opinion evolved as you've used it more? I can wear the Pink, so if the CI is similar, it's probably a go for me. However, its presumably higher alcohol content makes me a bit nervous, given that it doesn't have as many moisturzing "buffers" as the likes of Santa Maria Novella or Proraso to help balance it out.

On the whole, I'd have to say that Caldey Island isn't quite as mild as Harris Pink.

I had rather a rough shave this morning. When I used the Caldey Island afterwards, well ... let's just say I was aware of it. The burn didn't last too long, tho. And after it faded, my skin felt great.

As far as moisturizing goes, I don't find either product to be particularly strong in that capacity. However, I think it also has a lot to do with the soap or cream used beforehand. If you're coming off of a Tabac shave (or any other rich, tallow-based soap) your skin is going to feel more moisturized than if you've just used a glycerin soap. (At least, that's the way it works with me.) That being said, I think that both the Harris Pink & Caldey Island products are top-notch. They both smell great, they both work to close pores & heal the skin and they both help make your skin feel great afterwards.

 

[HoratioCaine]

Thanks. I think that's about as much background work as I can do. At this point, all I can do is pull the trigger, or stop thinking about it altogether (like that's going to happen). I agree that the Pink isn't the most moisturizing application out there, but compared to how my skin feels after high-alcohol content splashes, it's pretty nurturing, and it does what I need it to do, for the most part. That's why I was intrigued when you compared the CI to the Pink in your first post. Anyway, thanks for all the input.

 

[tg16]

Received a 100ml bottle of this stuff yesterday & used it this morning.

Wow. Just ... wow. What a great, natural lavender scent! The alcohol burn was there but very mild (along the lines of Harris Pink). Felt great going on & my skin felt amazing afterwards. The scent dissipates very quickly so it won't interfere with whatever your SOTD* is.

Any other opinions of this product? I'm planning on posting a review but want to use it for several more days first. So far, though, so good.

*Stinkum of the Day

Thanks for the tip. I'm a big fan of lavendar shave products. I'll be ordering some today.

 

[Evbo]

Thanks for the tip. I'm a big fan of lavendar shave products. I'll be ordering some today.

I've been using it virtually every day. It's like blasting your face with lavender right after your shave. Amazing.

 

[The Nid Hog]

I appreciate your nice discussion of this--it's on my birthday wish list now.