I've been a bit of an Italian soap nut lately ...

[JCinPA]

And loving it, mind you! RR Mughetto di Bologna, new Proraso, Santa Maria Novella, RR Don Marco, Cella ...

But that's all I've been using for about the last month. Decided to give it a rest and had a shave with a Valobra stick, TOBS Rose cream, a 20-year old D.R. Harris Almond, Tabac.

Man, I forgot how good those are! I have to not get fixated and run everything through more often.

 

[gwav64]

I love Cella and Proraso! There are so many soaps and creams to try!

 

[7 O Menthol]

Me too! Although this week I've ditched my "italian soap nut" ways to become a shave stick sellout. La toja just keeps bringing me back for more!

 

[Mick]

I try to rotate everything through when I am at home.

When I travel it is Cella (and Arko) that goes with me. No complaints

 

[Songwind]

I just reorganized my shave shelves and put the soaps I hadn't been using away to make more room. What was left? 5 RR soaps, Mystic Waters, and DR Harris Arlington holding the line for the harder soaps.

I just love the way those soft soaps lather.

 

[tbress]

Count me in. Currently I have RR Mughetto di Bologna, Cella, and Proraso in my rotation. It's not Italian, but whenever I use Arko I classify it as a soft soap too.

 

[Predict]

I'm the oposite all my Italian soaps and creams (except proraso) are sitting idle waiting.........

 

[OldGreyGuy]

All week I have been loving Cella

 

[BallisticBurrito]

Pff all I have is italian soft soaps..4 RR's and Cella.

 

[acesn8s]

I've been using the new Proraso for the past 2 weeks and just switched to P.160, before that it was Cella and a whole tub of RR XXX. I have noticed that the P.160 is slicker than Proraso, but I think the Proraso lather protects my face from irritation better. I'm going to give the P.160 another day, maybe use even less water to get a thicker lather, and then back to Proraso. Besides the menthol is so refreshing on these hot summer days.

 

[Foyle]

I don't know why but the Italian products seem to work best for me. Proraso has earned a permanent spot in my den for it's great performance and idiot-proof lather. I just received a tub of the Proraso soap and a red tub of Cella from Bullgoose. I've been without Cella for too long. When I got it I took a whiff and upon inhaling that lovely almond/cherry scent I was immediately reminded of the many great shaves I've had in the past with it. I also find both these products very friendly to my skin, especially Cella.

 

[Price]

Pretty sure I have more Italian soaps than anything else, but I do try to keep variety going as much as possible. What are your impressions of that SMN, John?

 

[BladeDE40]

I hear you...a bit of the Italian soap lover myself, but hey I'm italian so it's in my blood. I recently decided to branch out and picked up a few Mike's soaps as well as a couple sticks on La Toja.

 

[Marco]

For some unknown reason I'm in love with Italian soaps, too.

 

[Niles]

For some unknown reason I'm in love with Italian soaps, too.

Right, none of us has any idea why that is, Marco.

I love Cella, Razorock, and Proraso.

 

[eth]

I've had great success with Italian soaps myself, they are what I can rely on for consistently good lather. Lately I haven't felt for any experiments, so I've stuck to what has worked - TFS and Proraso. I like the new Proraso even better than the old one. And I haven't even tried the Cella yet...

Whoever invented this soft soap thing knew what they were doing.

 

[nomoore]

I certainly LOVE my Cella and my RR La Famiglia Zi' Peppino for scent and lather. But all the Italian soaps I've tried lather really good and easy, regardless of whether I like the scent. I still have 3 or 4 I own but haven't tried yet. I need to shave more.

 

[JCinPA]

Well, that was fun. Back to the Italians tomorrow!

 

[JCinPA]

Pretty sure I have more Italian soaps than anything else, but I do try to keep variety going as much as possible. What are your impressions of that SMN, John?

Sorry, Price, just caught this a bit later.

It's very good! However, I'm not sure I'll reload yet. You see, the new Proraso has improved so much, while I know SMN would just blow away the old formula, it is very close for me. Even after adjusting for the weight differences in the containers, the SMN is 4X the cost of the Proraso, and I'm not sure I can appreciate the slight differences between them.

See my experiences with it and my wine analogies here:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/296469-New-Proraso-Santa-Maria-Novella-Showdown!

I took a break from the Italian soaps for a few days, but I will get back to doing alternate day shaves with the Proraso and SMN in a couple days, tomorrow is Cella day. I think the SMN is very nice, but jury is still out on whether I'll pony up for more.

How did you like the Don Marco?

 

[Price]

How did you like the Don Marco?

Exceptional as expected. Criminally easy to lather, and smells fantastic. Thank you.