Review of eBarbershop Samples

[ZackP]

Just got my samples (thank you by the way eBarbershop!). Here is a scent review...I have no idea how they feel thus far.


Menthol (Green): Has a scent somewhat similar to Osage Rub. Just very fresh and minty in a way. I'd say this would be a favorite of mine as I love this kind of scent. Very unoffensive, just minty/menthol.

Classic Blue: This is very similar to AquaVelva, very similar. It dries down quicker to the leathery/musky kind of scent AquaVelva can sometimes have, especially if you put too much, but it has a freshness to it so it's not completely offensive like AquaVelva can be sometimes. It also goes on with a light menthol/mint scent unlike AquaVelva. Anyone who likes AquaVelva will like this as it's actually lighter with the base notes much more defined. My wrist is kind of tingly so it must have good menthol in it.

Bay Rum: This one is pretty awesome. It's kind of like Pinaud's Virgin Island Bay Rum but with less clove and cinnamon. Otherwise it's the same. So if you like that bay rum but want more bay scent, this is a good one. Very nice.

Lilac: This is my least favorite but it's because it's floral. Imagine Lilac Vegetal without that pungent opening; it's kind of an improved version. Just fresh florals. Honestly, it's nice, just not for everyone, but isn't all aftershave like that?

Also included was deodorizing wipes. Never heard of them myself, but look cool. Hope this helps some

 

[Coachmnowak]

I just got mjne today and slapped the menthol one on the cheeks.... Will have full reviews later!
thanks ebarbershop!

m

 

[Steveareno]

Got my samples yesterday and want to add my thanks to eBarbershop for the offer.

First up for me this morning was Classic Blue. Having never used Aqua Velva, I can't compare it to that, but this scent definitely has that aroma that I associate with men from my youth in the 60s and 70s. Very cooling on application, and the cool hangs around awhile. I love these old time scents, and could see myself turning to this for a bit of summertime nostalgia. Very nice.

 

[clk]

I just got mine in the mail. Thanks Ebarbershop! Will try them soon.

 

[Steveareno]

Because I figured it was appropriate for Easter Sunday, I went with the lilac this morning. Very floral indeed, but even if you like The Veg (and I do) you probably won't like this one as much. Once it dries down, I found it to be less complex than the Veg. Plus it doesn't have the staying power that The Blue had. Kind of a blah scent for me.

 

[TheVez2]

I got mine a few days ago, and have used them all once.

BLUF: Not impressed. I disagree with just about everything that ZackP said about them. Of course, YMMV.

Menthol (Green): This is nothing like Osage Rub. OR is menthol and eucalpytus. This is just straight menthol, and not as strong as I had hoped.

Classic Blue: I didn't find that this smelled like AV at all. In fact, this smells EXACTLY like Master Blue.

Bay Rum: Nothing like VIBR. I detected no clove or cinnamon at all. Very light, almost watered down smelling as far as bay rums go.

Lilac: Very light floral scent, which was nice, but it was also VERY sweet smelling. Nothing like Pinaud or Master. Too sweet for me, I prefer straight floral.

With the exception of the Classic Blue, the other 3 were very light on the scent, watery, and I could not detect any scent left after about 5 minutes after use. The Classic Blue, just like Master Blue, a little goes a long way. The scent lasted all day.

I'm not sure what the ingredients are, and what the amounts of water, alcohol, or glycerine are, but they seem to be more water than alcohol (not what I want in an AS). They did feel like they had a bit of glycerine in them, almost felt a bit sticky on my face. I prefer my face to feel dry after I'm done using an AS.

I do appreciate the samples. Unfortunately these are just not for me. YMMV though, so maybe you all will like them.

 

[Steveareno]

Today's choice was the Bay Rum, and I have to agree with TheVez2. The initial impression was good, though it smelled more like a watered down Pinaud Clubman to me than a bay rum. I didn't mind that so much as it has a nice barbershop quality to it. But it is light and didn't seem to linger. I'll try the menthol tomorrow, but I have a feeling my impressions will match TheVez2's. The Classic Blue was nice, and definitely has staying power. SWMBO gave it only a 6 out of 10, however, for what that's worth.

 

[The Dean]

Here's my take for what it's worth. I'm not a real fragrance guy and don't really know the scents of the standard versions of these aftershaves. In the order I tried them:

Blue: I assume this is supposed to be Aqua Velva-like. Well this is way better, and milder, than from what I remember of AV--but that was many many years ago, and I never used it enough to really know the scent. So I think this is pretty nice, but not for me.

Bay Rum: Terrific! I don't know what Clubman smells like, but this scent is a winner for me. Not overpowering in any way and pretty masculine.

Menthol. I'm not a menthol guy, really. This seemed very mild (which is good, IMO) and the scent seemed fine. But it just isn't for me.

Lilac: I actually used Lilac Vegetal when I first started shaving (DE) as a teen. One of my uncles (the one with more sophisticated tastes than the others) turned me on to it. I enjoyed it for a very short time period. This lilac seems better to me, in that it is lighter/less cloying.

I'm buying a bottle of the Bay Rum. In the very unlikely event I ever decide to return to lilac, I'd consider this one.


BTW, anyone use the Niche towel yet? I'm keeping it in my car for an emergency. I will judge it by how it works when I really need it to work.

Once again, a big thanks to John and ebarbershop.com for giving us an opportunity to try these products.

 

[LoveThatBurn]

Well I haven't used them after a shave just yet, but based on scents (splashed about 2 or 3 straight onto my wrists/palms)...
Menthol smells super minty, won't lie, I freaking love it.
Bay rum...not very versed on it, but I loved its smell.
Couldn't smell the Blue very much so no comment.
Lilac was really flowery, still will try it. Still want to try the Veg though.

However, pretty sure I'll pick up the Menthol and Bayrum when I get a little extra cash, really liked them and would love to support John after this awesome favor he did for us.

 

[Steveareno]

I'm down to the menthol and while I found it very refreshing, it also doesn't have enough presence for me. (I have a sample pack of Wm. Neumann aftershaves on the way, which includes their new version of a menthol aftershave, so I'll be interested in how it compares.)

So, BL for me on the four is that even though SWMBO was not crazy about the Classic Blue, that one really stood out for me and is the only one I could see purchasing for regular use. I do wish it came in a glass bottle however, like some of the other ebarbershop classic aftershaves. My hat's off to John for the opportunity to try these at not cost. Many thanks.

 

[jesseix]

Of my samples, I tried the bay rum last week and the classic blue this morning.
The bay rum I found very light in scent and also on the face. Like others mentioned it seems to be higher in water content and doesn't have much of a kick or a lasting scent at all. If I remember correctly my face felt fine afterwards, wasn't too drying and at the same time didn't feel like it had any special moisturizing qualities.
The classic blue had a light scent to me at first, but a really lasting face tingle. Like I was in front of a cold fan for a good 10-15 minutes. Scent dried down to a mellow powdery scent, which I enjoyed as I was driving to work and can also get a nice whiff of on my hands still. I'm not a huge menthol/tingly fan but I really enjoy the scent of this once the tingle goes away. Face felt just a little bit dry about an hour after shaving, not too bad though.

 

[LouSee]

I received my samples last Friday and I've tried them all now and have to agree that they're really light on scent and presence. The blue had the longest affect, maybe 3 minutes of tingle but virtually no smell to it. Which is fine, I guess because who wants to smell like, umm, blue? The BR was nice but mild, as was the lilac - reminded me of the ditches growing wild with it back home in MI. Fleeting though, and gone in 5 minutes. I still haven't used the towelette. I don't think these were that great as aftershaves (watered down) and would probably keep some in the kit for a bit of scent after a shower at the gym or something like that. Maybe add a drop or few of glycerin to a bottle if I bought one. But then, I like a bit of alcohol in my splashes. I appreciate the opportunity and the generosity of the sample offers and will keep them in mind for a future order.

 

[rickboone1]

I got mine. Seems they're just rebranded products. Nothing special. Buys a bottle of Boosters or Masters and pours into something else? Bay Rum blows. Did not like this. Just very weak. Like a mixture of something. Towelette was odd to me...

 

[ShaverGN]

Here's what I received:

 

[The Dean]

I used the Blue for the first time yesterday (I had smelled it earlier but never wore it in public). As I noted earlier, I like it much better than what I remember of Aqua Velva--but it really isn't my cup-o-aftershave. Still I thought I'd give it a whirl.

It was a bit stronger than I thought and it seemed to last most of the day. I don't think I used too much, but I'm not used to smelling myself all day, either. Still not for me, but for those looking for something more long lasting, maybe this is it.

 

[manitou92]

Got my samples and used them all. I'm newer to the aftershave game so take that for what it is.

Classic blue - I've actually used AV already and I like this stuff better. It feels lighter on the skin and the scent isn't as over powering. Definitely reminded me of my grandpa, but not too old manish.
Menthol - Well, this was the first menthol AS I've used and now I'm addicted. I'd say the cooling effect lasted for 5 or so minutes. Minty scent didnt last much more than that.
Bay Rum - I dont think it smells anything like clubman. I like clubman VIBR; my wife, not so much. She really liked this stuff. Very toned down scent. Just a nice warm bay rum scent. It did not last long though.
Lilac - I thought this was going to be very feminine, but I actually ended up liking it. It wasn't too over powering and was almost a powdery lilac scent.

Besides the classic blue, none of them lasted more than a few hours, which didnt really bother me. I usually shave at night so I dont need a scent that lasts all day.
ALL of them left my face feeling nice, tight, and refreshed.
I'll probably pick up a bottle of the BR and Classic blue.

The Niche cleansing wipe was a nice add in. I used it one day when I didnt have time to take a shower and it felt like it cleaned me up pretty well.

 

[Alum of Potash]

I received some samples yesterday as part of a small order and tried the lilac earlier this evening. First thing I noticed was how oily it seemed in comparison to other aftershaves I have used. Coconut oil in particular. There was the nominal alcohol burn, which lingered a bit as it was more or less stuck on like napalm from the heavy oil presence. Really, the only scent I have smelled here has been coconut, and it is still there a couple of hours later. And yet, when I read the reviews of the lilac samples above, no one seems to mention either it or the oil presence.

Edit (one day later): I used the second tube of lilac and it was completely different. A delicate flowery smell and no alcohol burn. Very interesting, although the smell did not linger very long. So the first tube must have been a bad batch--coconut oil and ethyl alcohol.