I have recently aquired an upopened tube of this in a trade. How good really is it & what is the scent like?
I haven't tried this one in a few years. As I recall, the tube is no longer in production. I believe it was last produced a few years ago.
In any event, I loved this product. It is very cool and soothing - too cool for some.
I picked up a NOS tube last year from Chimensch, who found a couple on the shelves of an Italian pharmacy. It lathers great and performs very well, but I am a bit torn over it. After all, it smells like Noxzema, and, well, I have a little problem with that. That said, I disliked the smell of proraso at first, and convinced myself otherwise in the name of a good shave.
... You know, I'm beginning to sound a lot like my Dad...
+1Ingrams shave cream is very similar to Noxema, though it comes out a bit runny from the tube it is very good stuff and has the same "healthy" mentholated Noxema fragrance quality.
If you want to duplicate this experience but take it up a notch in the menthol department may I suggest the following: Apply Proraso Green Pre-shave after the shower to a wet face, use Caties Bubbles Mile High Menthol shaving soap (it is a French style soft soap) followed up with your favorite mentholated aftershave. (Proraso, Myrsol Antesol, etc.)
If you want to go nuclear: try applying an ice cube to wet your face after a warm shower, apply the Proraso Pre, use Cryogen shaving soap with cold water, rinse brush, razor with cold water, "rinse" face in between passes with ice cube followed up by Cryogen Aftershave then 444 balm.