I recently had a very good conversation with a fellow board member where we discussed the differences, pluses, and minuses of a few different products. As I listened to his descriptions and his likes and dislikes of each product, I began to realize that while we often times shared very similar views of an item, we would still end up with very different reviews or overall rankings of them.
After some thought on the matter, I've come to realize that an individual's evaluation or overall opinion of a wet shaving product depends largely on their view of wet shaving in general.
The two differing views of my friend and I are Quality and Luxury. 1) Quality, meaning the degree or grade of excellence and 2) Luxury, meaning sumptuous and conductive to pleasure and comfort but not essential.
For me, wet shaving is the Quality way to shave. I choose to use this method of whisker removal because I find it essential in achieving the level of excellence that I expect. Likewise, when I review an item, my primary focus is the quality of that item. If the item performs it's assigned duty in the removal of facial hair and the maintenance of healthy skin, then it is a quality item.
While my good friend may share the same view of wet shaving, his primary focus when evaluating a product is based on Luxury. For an item to be Luxurious, it must not only be a Quality item, but it must be sumptuous and pleasurable, two things that are inessential to a quality shave.
As an example, for my last couple of shaves, I have been using Arko products. While I will hold my final judgment until I have used the Arko more extensively, it appears to be a Quality product. It provides me with a close and irritation free shave and does so with minimal work on my part. I do not, however, find this to be a Luxurious line of products. There is nothing about them that makes me feel as though I have been pampered or that by using them I have achieved anything beyond the results that I perceive as essential.
In contrast, when I use Taylor's Rose shaving cream, I not only get a Quality shave, but I also feel like I've given my face (and nose) an inessential treat. I have enjoyed a bit of Luxury.
Based on these facts, I believe that there are a lot of Quality wet shaving products on the market. I also believe that there are a lot of Luxurious items, however, Luxury is a far more subjective thing to quantify.
If I've gained nothing else from all of this, I know that in future product reviews, I will make sure to separately address Luxury. I will not allow my like or dislike of an inessential factor to reflect on my grading of Quality. I will always, however, base my repurchasing decisions on Luxury.
After some thought on the matter, I've come to realize that an individual's evaluation or overall opinion of a wet shaving product depends largely on their view of wet shaving in general.
The two differing views of my friend and I are Quality and Luxury. 1) Quality, meaning the degree or grade of excellence and 2) Luxury, meaning sumptuous and conductive to pleasure and comfort but not essential.
For me, wet shaving is the Quality way to shave. I choose to use this method of whisker removal because I find it essential in achieving the level of excellence that I expect. Likewise, when I review an item, my primary focus is the quality of that item. If the item performs it's assigned duty in the removal of facial hair and the maintenance of healthy skin, then it is a quality item.
While my good friend may share the same view of wet shaving, his primary focus when evaluating a product is based on Luxury. For an item to be Luxurious, it must not only be a Quality item, but it must be sumptuous and pleasurable, two things that are inessential to a quality shave.
As an example, for my last couple of shaves, I have been using Arko products. While I will hold my final judgment until I have used the Arko more extensively, it appears to be a Quality product. It provides me with a close and irritation free shave and does so with minimal work on my part. I do not, however, find this to be a Luxurious line of products. There is nothing about them that makes me feel as though I have been pampered or that by using them I have achieved anything beyond the results that I perceive as essential.
In contrast, when I use Taylor's Rose shaving cream, I not only get a Quality shave, but I also feel like I've given my face (and nose) an inessential treat. I have enjoyed a bit of Luxury.
Based on these facts, I believe that there are a lot of Quality wet shaving products on the market. I also believe that there are a lot of Luxurious items, however, Luxury is a far more subjective thing to quantify.
If I've gained nothing else from all of this, I know that in future product reviews, I will make sure to separately address Luxury. I will not allow my like or dislike of an inessential factor to reflect on my grading of Quality. I will always, however, base my repurchasing decisions on Luxury.