Creams and soaps

[mretzloff]

paul.c started a thread a while back in which he documented his use of several creams and soaps he had received as presents.

Everyone seemed to enjoy his thread, so I thought I'd copy him and make a similar one (thanks for the idea paul.c).

I have received an ample supply of creams and soaps as a high school graduation gift (thanks dad and mom) and wish to share my thoughts about them with you. Every day I will use a new one and offer my thoughts about them. This will be a nice threads for newbies and people who want an updated review (since few reviews in the review section have existed for a while). Also, a few of these creams and soaps are not in the review section, so I will transfer them once I am finished.

As a note, I will be using a Shavemac D01 for every cream and soap. I will also be alternating between a Merkur HD and a 6/8 German straight. I'm fairly new to the straight, but I don't think that'll affect a cream's or a soap's rating. I also bowl lather, so if you face lather, you can expect a better lather than I got.

Here we go...



Acqua di Parma

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Link to review: Click here

Introduction: I thought I would start with the "crème de la crème" first. It's said that AdP is some of, if not the best, shaving cream. If price is any indication, this must be Jesus Christ reincarnated on Earth.

Lather: My lathering technique is pretty good. I am sure that even a newbie could attain a superlative lather. Do I need to say more? One last thing, for those tallow lovers out there, I dare say this rivals the creamy lather of D.R. Harris and the like.

Scent: This is where AdP will lose you or win you. It lost me. Before lathered, the cream smells similar to fish. Actually, it smells for like rotten fish because fresh fish should have no scent at all. Once lathered, the smell gets a little better. Some say it smells like an Italian barbershop. Well, it probably does...if the barbershop is ten leagues under the sea. Bottom line, I did not like the scent. Sorry.

Time: It took five seconds to produce a rich lather. I added some water and stirred for ten seconds and my bowl started overflowing. I guess this is one of the things your money goes towards (top of the line efficacy).

Shave: This part of my review is probably inaccurate. I have been dealing with acne the past few days, so my shave wasn't the best. I can say, however, that if my face had no acne on it, I'd have probably gotten a great shave.

Packaging: Umm, would saying "perfect" suffice? The cream comes in a nice, round box. I feel like I'm the Queen of England when this sits on my counter. Well, maybe a male version of the queen...

Final thoughts: If you can bear the scent, get it. I do HIGHLY recommend trying to acquire a sample of this first, or not purchasing it at all. I will go back and use this cream again and post another review of it, but I have to admit, I feel kind of silly for asking my mother to purchase this cream for me. It costs a lot and the scent is subjective. Get a sample first and go from there.

Where to purchase: Sephora.com sells it for $62 with FREE shipping. If you have a Neiman Marcus nearby (and don't mind the snooty climate) get it there. It's $62 too (you'll pay taxes but you will too with Sephora).

 

[mretzloff]

QED Badger & Blade

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Link to review: Click here

Introduction: I'm sorry to admit this, but I am not expecting a lot from this soap. I have tried a few glycerin soaps and have been unable to create any type of lather. On the other hand, QED is supposed to be one of the best glycerin soaps, so I might, and hope that, I am wrong. Let's see.

Lather: Ok, I'll admit it: I was DEAD WRONG. I soaked the tub in water for ten seconds and then went to town. I produced just as much lather from QED Badger & Blade as I did with the D.R. Harris soaps that I previously owned. I am sorry I ever doubted you QED.

Scent: Holy cow! Before AND after lathering the soap it was intense. I prefer intensely scented creams and soaps, so this is right up my alley. The scent of the lather was so strong that I thought I accidentally left the tub open (I did not). QED Badger & Blade smells woodsy, or is supposed to. I got no whiff of wood at all. That, in my opinion, is not a bad thing. In fact, I don't care. QED Badger & Blade smells great. If you stick your nose right up to the puck, you might pick up a whiff of pine. Overall, the scent is AMAZING (yes, that needs to be capitalized and underlined).

Time: I spend ten seconds lathering. QED Badger and Blade's efficacy rivals that of the $62 Acqua di Parma, gasp.

Shave: I usually settle for DFS. This time I got very close to BBS. I received little irritation.

Packaging: It comes in a white tub. Nothing special, but good enough. Meh, I don't care. I'm only an 18-year-old kid. I don't need lavish packaging.

Final thoughts: This is a great soap. I truly feel like a jack*** for ever doubting glycerin soaps. If you love tallow soaps, please give QED A try. If you like top of the line efficacy, a strong scent, and a rich lather, this is for you.

Where to purchase: The only place to purchase this is at QEDUSA.com. It costs $17. This may be a bit pricey for a glycerin soap, but you pay for the essential oils. Charles LOADS his soaps with them and this is no exception. I look forward to my other QED soaps.

 

[OldSaw]

I saw the picture of what you received and am looking forward to your reviews and comments.

 

[mretzloff]

I saw the picture of what you received and am looking forward to your reviews and comments.

I just hope I don't enable too many people

 

[OldSaw]

I just hope I don't enable too many people

Enablers R Us. That's what we're here for.

 

[mretzloff]

Mama Bear's Aged Spice

Monday, June 1, 2009

Link to review: Click here

Introduction: As far as glycerin soaps go, I think Mama Bear's are the favorites here at Badger & Blade. I love the scent of Old Spice. When he was younger, my father would also wear the aftershave. Whenever he came out of the bathroom he smelled like it. I remember of Sunday mornings I would always catch a whiff of it when he would tie my necktie for Sunday morning Mass. I am really looking forward to this soap.

Price: The soap costs $7.99. That isn't too bad at all. I would say the price is good, especially when you consider that Mama Bear's has some of the best glycerin soaps out there. Good value.

Lather: The lather was the same as yesterday's QED, which is a good thing. It did not take long to load the brush and afterwards it only took ten seconds to make a nice, luxurious lather. Bravo, Mama Bear's.

Scent: Here is where I was a little disappointed. The scent is nowhere near as strong as the QED Badger & Blade shaving soap that I used yesterday. The scent was not a pure Old Spice either. Meh, maybe I'm being too picky.

Shave: I received a BBS shave in three passes. The soap did a good job at providing a slick cushion.

Moisturizing properties: My face felt great after my shave. I would say this soap did a good job in the moisturizing department.

Packaging: It comes in a white tub with a black lid. Overall the packaging is a little disappointing. The tubs do not feel as strongly-made as the QED tubs. In fact, they feel a little flimsy. Then again, you pay more for QED, so that might be it.

Final thoughts: Overall I enjoyed this soap. I will most likely be using it to make a superlather with some Old Spice shaving cream I purchased from The Shave Den.

Where to purchase: The only place to purchase this soap is at MamaBearSoaps.com. The cost is $7.99 per tub plus shipping.

 

[mretzloff]

Taylor of Old Bond Street Avocado

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Link to review: Click here

Introduction: Taylor of Old Bond Street (TOBS) is known for producing good creams at a low price. Avocado has evoked many praises and complaints alike. If asked what he thinks of TOBS Avocado, a wet shaver will either say it is the greatest thing since sliced bread or that it is highly overrated. I previously tried a sample of this cream and enjoyed it. Let's see how it fairs now.

Price: I paid $13.50 for a 5.3 oz. tub of this. For a British shaving cream, I would say that is a good price.

Lather: I swirled my brush about five times in the cream tub and then went to town in my lather bowl. I produced a rich, creamy lather within a few seconds.

Scent: I love the scent. If I were to ever stockpile this cream, it would be because of the scent. The scent is so good, some shaving soap-only wet shavers still use TOBS Avocado. It does not smell like an avocado, which has virtually no smell to begin with, but it does smell fresh and clean.

Shave: Here is where I was disappointed. I did not receive BBS but did receive a load of irritation. Maybe this is because I am on the third day of using my Personna (Israeli red pack), so I will be sure to revisit TOBS Avocado.

Moisturizing properties: My skin feels moisturized but much less that when I used QED Badger & Blade and Mama Bear's Aged Spice.

Packaging: It comes in a screw-down tub with a label. I like the packaging and thing it looks nice. Obviously, it doesn't hold a candle to Acqua di Parma's packaging, but still...

Final thoughts: For $13.50 this cream really cannot be beat. I will go back and use this again with a fresh blade. If I receive an irritation-free shave, I will definitely be using this cream for a while. Otherwise, I might sell it. Before purchasing this cream, I would recommend visiting Shaving Essentials and purchasing the $20 TOBS sampler. I am happy that I did.

Where to purchase: I purchased mine at ShavingEssentials.net for $13.50. I have found this to be the best price on the Internet.

 

[Bulldawg]

This is an awesome thread and is very much appreciated!!!

 

[Fernando]

This is an awesome thread and is very much appreciated!!!

Same here. We'll be waiting for more.

 

[mretzloff]

Thank you guys. I just want to help those who do not know what to get (and enable a few of you two ).

 

[Leche]

Cool posts. I had just the opposite reaction to the Taylor's Avocado. I found an incredible, protected, and moisturizing shave with a for lack of better words whatever scent. Nothing to right home about but nothing to complain about either. Try it again because this is a great cream.

 

[mretzloff]

Cool posts. I had just the opposite reaction to the Taylor's Avocado. I found an incredible, protected, and moisturizing shave with a for lack of better words whatever scent. Nothing to right home about but nothing to complain about either. Try it again because this is a great cream.

I will. I'm sure it's just the fact that I have some acne right now. Any irritation is probably blown out of proportion by that acne.

EDIT: What's weird thing is that I had no reaction to the sample I got.

 

[juleswinnfield]

Thanks for the reviews. Yea it is funny how everybody likes different things. I found I get a great shave with ToOBS Avocado but I didn't like the scent as much, and everyone rants and raves about it. I like the ToOBS creams a lot, I just think Sandalwood might be more along my style!

 

[mretzloff]

Thanks for the reviews. Yea it is funny how everybody likes different things. I found I get a great shave with ToOBS Avocado but I didn't like the scent as much, and everyone rants and raves about it. I like the ToOBS creams a lot, I just think Sandalwood might be more along my style!

Have you tried the sample pack from Shaving Essentials?

The Mr. Taylor and St. James are also good.

 

[juleswinnfield]

No I haven't tried it yet, but I love ShavingEssentials -- John is good people and the hand written thank you note shows class. I will try to always buy from him. When I get some extra cash I plan on getting the sampler pack and I'll look out for those two scents. Thanks for the recommendation. I remembered reading their website and St. James sounded good, I was like ohh Monopoly! lol My next thing is wanting to try the is the J.M. Fraser's Oriental Spice or J.M. Fraser's Polar Ice, I've heard good things about it from a friend....or more menthol creams besides Proraso. So many temptations!! lol

 

[mretzloff]

QED Luxury Lather (Vetiver)

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Link to review: Click here

Introduction: QED is known for powerful scents and loads of essential oils (EOs) in their glycerin-based shaving soaps. Vetiver is one of those scents that you either love or hate. I have no clue what vetiver smells like, but if it's a woodsy-like smell, like everyone says, I should love it. Let's see.

Price: I paid $13.50 for this soap. I think that's a lot for a glycerin-based shaving soap, but then again, Charles uses a lot of EOs. However, I still think $13.50 is a lot, especially when you consider that everything used to make soaps, except the EOs, is not that expensive.

Lather: I added a little too much water at the beginning but was still able to come up with a quality lather. As far as glycerin-based soaps go, QED is definitely one of the best in terms of lather-producing ability.

Scent: Vetiver smells like wood and Earth. To me, it smells like freshly chopped firewood and dirt. That might sound gross, but I think it smells great. As far as strength goes, I honestly thought Charles should have made this soap a little stronger.

Shave: I received a DFS with little irritation. Overall, I think QED Luxury Lather (Vetiver) provided a good shave.

Moisturizing properties: My skin feels very moist and healthy after using QED Luxury Lather (Vetiver).

Packaging: It comes in a white tub with a sticker on it. It's nothing special, but nothing terrible. I do not think glycerin-based soaps needs exorbitant packaging.

Final thoughts: I enjoyed this soap. The scent was great and it provided a slick, lather for my shave. If you enjoy strong scents, QED is a must as always.

Where to purchase: The only place to purchase this is at QEDUSA.com. The soap costs $13.50 for a 5 oz. tub.

 

[mretzloff]

QED Lavender

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Link to review: Click Here

Introduction: I really enjoy the scent of lavender. It's calming and it reminds me of my grandmother, with whom I have a very close relationship. QED, as most of you probably know by now, is known for overpowering scents. I am sure QED Lavender will not disappoint.

Price: I paid $13.50 for this soap. Some people will go to their grave defending the prices Charles charges for his soaps. I'm sorry, but I will have to disagree. Lavender essential oil costs about $7.00 for 10 mL. I highly doubt Charles uses that much, especially when you consider that he lists "natural essential oil(s)" as his last ingredient. In my opinion, QED soaps are overpriced.

Lather: There's really nothing to say here. QED soaps always lather like a champ, and this is no exception.

Scent: To make a long story short, if you like lavender, you'll love this soap. The scent is very strong in the tub and still strong once lathered.

Shave: I received a DFS with little irritation.

Moisturizing properties: My skin feels moist and healthy.

Packaging: It comes in a white tub with a sticker on it. It's nothing special, but nothing terrible. I do not think glycerin-based soaps needs exorbitant packaging.

Final thoughts: I enjoyed using this soap and would purchase it again. This is, hands down, the best lavender scent out there. I know Taylor of Old Bond Street Lavender shaving cream has a strong following. If you like that cream, you'd be missing out by not giving this soap a shot.

Where to purchase: The only place to purchase this is at QEDUSA.com. The soap costs $13.50 for a 5 oz. tub.

 

[Joshua Da Silva]

I just hope I don't enable too many people

What's wrong with that?

Also, I think you are failing haha. These threads are ALL about enabling. Now I want some QED!

I would recommend visiting Shaving Essentials and purchasing the $20 TOBS sampler. I am happy that I did.

I plan on it

That's actually been on my shopping list for a while...I just can't right now


By the way, this is a great thread, good job!

 

[mretzloff]

By the way, this is a great thread, good job!

Thank you.

 

[mretzloff]

Santa Maria Novella

Friday, June 5, 2009

Link to review: Click Here

Introduction: No shaving cream receives from controversy than Santa Maria Novella (SMN). Not even Acqua di Parma receives have the criticism for it price that SMN receives...and SMN is $10 cheaper. Some people will argue that SMN is nothing but overpriced Proraso. I'm a fan of Proraso, so let's see how SMN compares.

Price: For $52 you get 250 mL/8.4 oz. of shaving cream. Considering how much that is and how incredibly dense SMN is, I would say it's worth the price. Most people would agree that SMN ends up being cheaper per shave than Proraso.

Lather: You need to treat SMN like a soap. That means, you swirl the brush around a few times on SMN and then move to a bowl or your face. I produced a rich, creamy lather.

Scent: What strikes me as odd is that some people will go to great depths to say how horrid Proraso smells, yet no one ever complains about the SMN's scent. In my opinion, SMN smells good. It smells like an Italian barbershop (whatever that smells like...). It is not as strong as Proraso, which some, myself excluded, think is a good thing. The menthol is also not as strong as Proraso.

Shave: I got a DFS in three passes. In my opnion SMN shaves no different than Proraso. I am sure many will agree with me and many others will disagree with me.

Moisturizing properties: SMN is decent at moisturizing. Even though this about the last thing I care about (aren't men supposed to have rough skin?), I do think it should be mentioned.

Packaging: Does the word "horrid" suffice? SMN is packed in a three-part container. There's the lid, the tub, and another unit that holds the cream (see third picture below). That's a great idea, but the unit that holds the cream is not glued in place. So, the unit that holds the cream sometimes comes out. That's very awkward and appalling for a $52 cream. The quality of the packaging leads me to believe that SMN is secretly being produced at Italy's Fiat plant...

Final thoughts: I think SMN is worth the $52. For $52 you get an ultra-dense cream, and a lot of it. In the end, I think it will be cheaper per shave than a tube of Proraso. The packaging also looks nice. Plus, who doesn't want a cream that is/was produced by priests in Italy? Who knows, maybe there's some indulgence tied in with SMN...

Where to purchase: SMN can be purchased for $52 from LeesRazors.com. Make sure to use the promo code "BBSHIP". This will give you free standard shipping.

Terrible packaging: