Has anyone tried Cella Sandalwood cream or Reserva Fresca?

[Doc Dan]

Cella has put out the Sandalwood and Reserve Fresh shaving creams. They seem to be aimed at the artisan market with the complex scent notes. Has anyone tried these?

How do they perform? How do they smell?

 

[willk93]

They also seem to be aimed at the artisan market with their prices haha. Can’t bring myself to buy it when you can get the 1kg brick of Cella red for the exact same price

 

[Doc Dan]

@Marco , do you know anything about these?

 

[Marco]

@Marco , do you know anything about these?

No, Sir. And I do not think I am going to try them unless they lower their prices, which is what long-time Cella lovers do expect. The matching aftershaves in particular are unacceptably expensive. So far, the new Cella lines have not been successful.

 

[m949]

I have a sample of Riserva Fresco courtesy of @megamac . I have scheduled it for tomorrow’s shave. I will report back here with my findings…for shaving science.

 

[megamac]

I actually love the smell of the Riserva Fresco, really awesome. It seemed to perform the same as the original Cella red but just smelled great.

I have to agree with @Marco who i consider the go to lad for all soaps or shaving gear that is Italian. The price point isn't great and they are mostly available in large tubs which somehow doesn't make sense as most shavers would like to try out other soaps as well. Buying big quantities even the MDC Soaps etc in tehir original size tends to restrict most from dipping into the plethora of artisan soaps available.

 

[GR5233]

Buying big quantities even the MDC Soaps etc in tehir original size tends to restrict most from dipping into the plethora of artisan soaps available.

When it comes to the size of the product that doesn’t bother me too much. For me it’s the price versus the perceived quality. Most people would consider MdC a “luxury” or “premium” product and are more willing to pay the price for it. Whereas most people would consider Cella as non luxury or premium product and would be less likely to pay similar prices for it

 

[reformedshavr]

I have used samples (both soap and aftershave) of the Extra Extra Professionale line consisting of: Buongiorno Al Sandolo and Riserva Professionale. Out of the sample jars they are a bit softer than but the soaps perform exactly like Cella we know and love.

Both aftershaves to me seem more refined and high end, skin feel is fantastic ... both are mild (to my nose) and would likely only be something others would have to be inimately close after dry-down to smell. They are not particularly long lasting on my skin .... maybe 2-3 hours at a very low and pleasant level.

I'd be game to put them into rotation if they had consumer size offerings.

 

[megamac]

When it comes to the size of the product that doesn’t bother me too much. For me it’s the price versus the perceived quality. Most people would consider MdC a “luxury” or “premium” product and are more willing to pay the price for it. Whereas most people would consider Cella as non luxury or premium product and would be less likely to pay similar prices for it

Well said mate. I guess Cella has always been associated with products that were affordable and performed. Great bang for your buck with the longevity of each tub. A sudden change with a shift to he premium products range is always going to raise a few eyebrows.

 

[megamac]

I have used samples (both soap and aftershave) of the Extra Extra Professionale line consisting of: Buongiorno Al Sandolo and Riserva Professionale. Out of the sample jars they are a bit softer than but the soaps perform exactly like Cella we know and love.

Both aftershaves to me seem more refined and high end, skin feel is fantastic ... both are mild (to my nose) and would likely only be something others would have to be inimately close after dry-down to smell. They are not particularly long lasting on my skin .... maybe 2-3 hours at a very low and pleasant level.

I'd be game to put them into rotation if they had consumer size offerings.

Consumer Sized offerings, that's the key. I would have picked up both new offerings if they came in a regular sized container.

 

[m949]

So, I tried the sample of Cella Riserva Fresco today. I have to point out that I haven't tried Cella soaps before, so I won't be able to make a direct comparison. On the other hand, it might be good to have an unbiased view on this soap. I'll start with lathering performance.

I use a variation of the Marco method for lathering in that I, let's say, "infuse" my brushes in water. That's just another way of saying that they soak in water for a short amount of time, 2 minutes tops. Before I start to lather, I gently squeeze the brush but I don't shake any excess water out. They go in rather wet to lather. I bowl lather, or rather I prepare the lather in my modern scuttle. I used to load soap directly from the puck or tub, but nowadays I scoop my soaps into the scuttle. I'm usually quite generous with the amounts, but given my lathering method certain soaps require an additional scoop due to excess water. But generally, this method works well for me with any soap, croap, puck, or cream.

Now that we have the method down, on to the performance. I was quite generous with the scooping today and started to lather with the rather wet Maseto synthetic brush. This is a scratch & dent brush I got a while back for around USD 5; other than it being a 27mm synthetic knot, I have no idea what kind of fibers they are.
Within about 10 seconds of swirling in my scuttle, the Cella lather just "exploded" and this lovely, dense but well hydrated lather almost overflowed out of the scuttle. This was a complete surprise to me, as this kind of performance I only witnessed of PAA CK-6 soaps. I definitely scooped too much, as I had lather for more than four passes, and very quick. Cushioning was great and the soap really proved to be a top performer.

I've read that Cella has this almond / marzipan scent. Riserva Fresco doesn't. It's very citrus heavy on the top and there's is some woody profile in middle. I can't really say that it's Sandalwood because it is quite faint. I did detect some camphor notes though. I'm sure camphor isn't in there, but for me there was a very faint scent of "moth balls". Maybe it's the combination of the citrus with the basil note. But it's very faint and since Riserva Fresco isn't a scent heavy soap anyway, it doesn't really matter too much.

Its a well performing soap and the pricing seems to be on the higher side, compared to the "normal" Cella, but given that the bowl holds 300g and many artisan soaps hold around 120g, the pricing seems adequate to me. Would I buy it? Probably not. While I enjoy its performance, it isn't something other soaps couldn't do. I'm also not too keen on the scent, something in there is not to my taste. Post-shave, I felt a bit dry and had to apply some Aloe- Vera to rehydrate the skin. Again other soaps have much better post-shave performance.

 

[megamac]

Superb review @m949, I had the same experience with the post shave feel but was super happy to try out their new offering. In my early days of venturing into soaps a few years back, my first was the Cella sensitive in the green tub. I liked the gentle and fresh scent of the soap but always felt that Proraso sensitive was streets ahead.

To me the Cella Red is still iconic and performs well. I often mix it up with a Goodfellas soap in the bowl just to change things up a bit and it works beautifully.

 

[Doc Dan]

View attachment 1943886

So, I tried the sample of Cella Riserva Fresco today. I have to point out that I haven't tried Cella soaps before, so I won't be able to make a direct comparison. On the other hand, it might be good to have an unbiased view on this soap. I'll start with lathering performance.

I use a variation of the Marco method for lathering in that I, let's say, "infuse" my brushes in water. That's just another way of saying that they soak in water for a short amount of time, 2 minutes tops. Before I start to lather, I gently squeeze the brush but I don't shake any excess water out. They go in rather wet to lather. I bowl lather, or rather I prepare the lather in my modern scuttle. I used to load soap directly from the puck or tub, but nowadays I scoop my soaps into the scuttle. I'm usually quite generous with the amounts, but given my lathering method certain soaps require an additional scoop due to excess water. But generally, this method works well for me with any soap, croap, puck, or cream.

Now that we have the method down, on to the performance. I was quite generous with the scooping today and started to lather with the rather wet Maseto synthetic brush. This is a scratch & dent brush I got a while back for around USD 5; other than it being a 27mm synthetic knot, I have no idea what kind of fibers they are.
Within about 10 seconds of swirling in my scuttle, the Cella lather just "exploded" and this lovely, dense but well hydrated lather almost overflowed out of the scuttle. This was a complete surprise to me, as this kind of performance I only witnessed of PAA CK-6 soaps. I definitely scooped too much, as I had lather for more than four passes, and very quick. Cushioning was great and the soap really proved to be a top performer.

I've read that Cella has this almond / marzipan scent. Riserva Fresco doesn't. It's very citrus heavy on the top and there's is some woody profile in middle. I can't really say that it's Sandalwood because it is quite faint. I did detect some camphor notes though. I'm sure camphor isn't in there, but for me there was a very faint scent of "moth balls". Maybe it's the combination of the citrus with the basil note. But it's very faint and since Riserva Fresco isn't a scent heavy soap anyway, it doesn't really matter too much.

Its a well performing soap and the pricing seems to be on the higher side, compared to the "normal" Cella, but given that the bowl holds 300g and many artisan soaps hold around 120g, the pricing seems adequate to me. Would I buy it? Probably not. While I enjoy its performance, it isn't something other soaps couldn't do. I'm also not too keen on the scent, something in there is not to my taste. Post-shave, I felt a bit dry and had to apply some Aloe- Vera to rehydrate the skin. Again other soaps have much better post-shave performance.

Thanks for the review. You pointed out some things that I was afraid of, so I appreciate it. I love Cella Red (sweet almond oil), however.

 

[megamac]

@Marco, Mate a few months ago a fellow wet shaver shared a small portion of his Cella Brick with me and even though they smelled close, it just out performed the small red tub by a mile. It was a bit old so I mixed it up often with other soaps in a bowl to increase the volume of lather and slickness and that just boosted the performance big time. Truly it is one of the best shaving soaps that every wet shaver should have in his den or experience at at least once.

I understand that the 1 KG Extra Extra Purissima brick is a Barber's staple in Italy and many countries where Italian Barbers have their salons. Do you think that Cella will ever introduce this in 200 g or 300g tubs which would be convenient and more attractive for blokes like me?

 

[Vacumatic]

Thanks for the review. You pointed out some things that I was afraid of, so I appreciate it. I love Cella Red (sweet almond oil), however.

A favourite of mine also, in every respect.

I am under strict instructions however that there are to be no more soap purchases until the many tubes of Palmolive Shaving Cream show some signs of being whittled down.

Life can be very hard.

 

[megamac]

A favourite of mine also, in every respect.

I am under strict instructions however that there are to be no more soap purchases until the many tubes of Palmolive Shaving Cream show some signs of being whittled down.

Life can be very hard.

Those instructions from the Missus?

If yes, then trade a few tubes or give them away to good buddies to make way for more. My soaps are stashed behind the supplements in my medicine cabinet which has great depth.

 

[Vacumatic]

Those instructions from the Missus?

If yes, then trade a few tubes or give them away to good buddies to make way for more. My soaps are stashed behind the supplements in my medicine cabinet which has great depth.

Yup

I wouldn't care but she has more Clarins products than Clarins. It didn't even slow her down when she heard that a friend of hers had dropped a heavy glass jar of Clarins on to a washbasin and cracked it. This lead to a complete new bathroom.

When I point out that a (plastic) tub of Cella at 250ml costs $8 as compared to a $100+ 50ml jar of Clarins she reminds me that she puts together multi million global deals together and deserves the best.

 

[Marco]

@Marco, Mate a few months ago a fellow wet shaver shared a small portion of his Cella Brick with me and even though they smelled close, it just out performed the small red tub by a mile. It was a bit old so I mixed it up often with other soaps in a bowl to increase the volume of lather and slickness and that just boosted the performance big time. Truly it is one of the best shaving soaps that every wet shaver should have in his den or experience at at least once.

I understand that the 1 KG Extra Extra Purissima brick is a Barber's staple in Italy and many countries where Italian Barbers have their salons. Do you think that Cella will ever introduce this in 200 g or 300g tubs which would be convenient and more attractive for blokes like me?

No Sir, I do not see this possibly going to happen anytime in the future. I have memories of the Kilo Brick and Red Bowl since I was 4 and nothing has changed since then. Sorry, your best option remains the 1 Kg Extra Extra Purissima Brick and cutting out portions as needed.

 

[megamac]

Yup

I wouldn't care but she has more Clarins products than Clarins. It didn't even slow her down when she heard that a friend of hers had dropped a heavy glass jar of Clarins on to a washbasin and cracked it. This lead to a complete new bathroom.

When I point out that a (plastic) tub of Cella at 250ml costs $8 as compared to a $100+ 50ml jar of Clarins she reminds me that she puts together multi million global deals together and deserves the best.

Mate, I feel ya. I often get asked how many faces I have to shave with so many razors.

I'm always tempted to ask how many legs are needed to wear the multi pairs of shoes or how many hands to carry the numerous bags but I value my life

 

[megamac]

No Sir, I do not see this possibly going to happen anytime in the future. I have memories of the Kilo Brick and Red Bowl since I was 4 and nothing has changed since then. Sorry, your best option remains the 1 Kg Extra Extra Purissima Brick and cutting out portions as needed.

I guess you're right mate. Soon I'll be lugging a brick home and making portions of little bricklets to store in the refrigerator..