Pinaud Eau de Quinine-What should I know

[oakeshott]

A few weeks ago, while rummaging through some cabinets in my wife's home office, I found an old bottle of Pinaud Eau de Quinine. The first order of business was to make sure there wasn't a vintage barber with whom she was canoodling and it was quickly determined that the provenance of the bottle led back to my step father. Several years after he died, my mother gave the bottle to my wife who admired the label. It's been in a cabinet ever since.

I still keep a sharp eye out for any vintage barbers hanging around the house though.

Anyway, while the Veg hasn't had a chance to select or deselect me, Clubman has and it is one of the things I keep in my Den no matter what. Of this product, however, I know nothing. Can anyone here enlighten me? Says it's a hair tonic. Any other uses? Should I empty it down the sink and just save the bottle? I cannot imagine putting it in my hair. It smells like cheap dessert wine. Not even a decent Sauternes or an Eiswein.


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Says $1.76 . How old do you think it is?
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[tinashubby]

Are you a professional?

 

[Phog Allen]

Do NOT dump it down the sink! You have a somewhat vintage bottle of a very decent hair tonic. If that is a glass bottle then for certain do not pour it out. The newer EdQ is bright red, comes in a plastic bottle and the cap is red as well. You also cannot get it with oil anymore. So I have no idea how old your bottle is but at that price I am think early 1970's or maybe late 60's. Just don't chuck it till you find out whether it is worth something in trade to someone. If not for the oil I would have already tried to buy it from you. Heck, I may anyway. Oh, by the way, Eau de Quinine is supposed to smell a bit medicinal.

Cheers, Todd

 

[oakeshott]

Are you a professional?

Well they don't specify what sort of professional, so yeah, I'm a pro.

 

[oakeshott]

Do NOT dump it down the sink! You have a somewhat vintage bottle of a very decent hair tonic. If that is a glass bottle then for certain do not pour it out. The newer EdQ is bright red, comes in a plastic bottle and the cap is red as well. You also cannot get it with oil anymore. So I have no idea how old your bottle is but at that price I am think early 1970's or maybe late 60's. Just don't chuck it till you find out whether it is worth something in trade to someone. If not for the oil I would have already tried to buy it from you. Heck, I may anyway. Oh, by the way, Eau de Quinine is supposed to smell a bit medicinal.

Cheers, Todd

Todd,
It is glass.

So I'm assuming that this is the sort of thing that Floyd the Barber would have had in his shop, right? And is that what people today would use this for? How would it be used? In the shower? After the shower?

 

[The Nid Hog]

You can use it as a hair tonic or an aftershave--probably more people use it as an AS. Trumper's makes a higher priced version, but it doesn't have much in common with Pinaud. The GFT versio has citrus and powder; I think that the Pinaud EdQ smells like cola syrup. It's still in production (although the current juice is a little deeper in color) and I think it has a loyal following here. I like it a lot myself.

At one time, Pinaud also made a quinine shampoo. One of the products that Ian Flemming name checks in the Bond novels. Sadly, it is out of production.

Anyway, you should give it a try as an AS. If you don't like it, serve it up on the BST. Someone will be delighted to have it.

 

[Phog Allen]

Just remember, it has oil added. This is intended for hair use and I would be a bit hesitant to use it as a/s. You will have an oil sheen on your face. The newer version has no oil and can be used either way. If you use it in your hair I would splash out a bout a dime sized bit in your hand and rub it vigorously into your scalp with fingertips and not nails. Again, it will leave an oil sheen.

Cheers, Todd

 

[man00ver]

I wouldn't put this version on my face, but I'd use it on my head. Due to the oil, a dime-size would probably be too much. I'd sprinkle 3-4 drops in my damp palm, rub my hands together, and work it vigorously into my damp hair. A little brushing in front of the bathroom fan, and you're set.