Thoughts On A Fine Lavender Cologne; Anyone?

[jluxton123]

Hello Badger & Blade members and spectators alike; I haven't been able to post as frequently as I'd like to due to the demands of college life. Four courses and four labs, stings not but as good as my Clubman Pinaud Original

That aside, as I'm venturing further into my wet-shaving regime (with credit due entirely to this community) I have developed a need for either, or, a lavender based cologne or aftershave.

If anyone has any thoughts or opinions on what they think would be my best choice at a reasonable price I would love to read them, and thank you for your time!

- JL

 

[Featherweight]

Cologne - Agua Lavanda Puig (the original in the green glass bottle, not the watered-down stuff in the plastic shampoo bottle)

Eau de toilette - Pour un Homme de Caron. Simply gorgeous lavender, especially when applied very, very generously. More of a cologne-strength eau de toilette, really. Which is why they offer it in splash bottles in Europe. This lavender is the best I've ever smelled from any perfume - it is truly a relaxing rendition.




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[jluxton123]

Ahh I appreciate the quick reply. I'm reading reviews across the internet on "Pour un Homme de Caron" and they all seem to be saying the same thing as you. Now I wonder if anyone on B&B is in possession of a bottle of it? I'd much rather buy from someone in this community than the Amazon website.

 

[joshmpdx]

Caron's lavender is really wonderful but is a little too soft for me with the vanilla.

be sure to check out This Threadfor lavender A/S's

and my favorite lavender colonge would likely be Nicolai's pour Homme, however it's got a little more going on and the lavender is really green, which i really enjoy.

 

[Featherweight]

the funny thing about Pour un Homme de Caron is that people love the lavender, but seem to dislike how it plays against the vanilla. I don't understand that myself. The point of the fragrance is that these two notes perfectly compliment each other. a very natural, non-gourmand vanilla that becomes very apparent after three or four spritzes, but hangs back with six or seven spritzes, with an extremely naturalistic - some have even said too naturalistic, lavender note. together they are magic. but the lavender is always there, and this never devolves into a sweet cloying mess.

actually you would not need to go crazy trying to find a bottle online - many perfume outlets sell this Caron for around $10 an ounce.

beware of alcoholic and astringent lavender scents . . . some of them smell synthetic.


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[DE Shaver]

I've been using Saint Charles Hydro Aftershave Splash and have been quite satisfied.

 

[The Nid Hog]

Cologne - Agua Lavanda Puig (the original in the green glass bottle, not the watered-down stuff in the plastic shampoo bottle)

Eau de toilette - Pour un Homme de Caron. Simply gorgeous lavender, especially when applied very, very generously. More of a cologne-strength eau de toilette, really. Which is why they offer it in splash bottles in Europe. This lavender is the best I've ever smelled from any perfume - it is truly a relaxing rendition.

Both very fine choices and quite reasonable. What about Geoffrey Beene's Bowling Green as another alternative? Citrus and lavender, but different than Puig. Out of production but easily found on the internet.

For an aftershave, I think that Caldey Island is absolutely the best. Not too pricey either.

 

[vertigo12314]

Popular reviewed lavenders:

Caldey Island Lavender (mostly pure lavender)
Gris Clair (more burned smell over time)
C & S Oxford Cambridge (more mint)
Caron Pour un Homme (more vanilla)
L'Occitane L'Occitan (more spicy)
Creed Royal Scottish Lavender (nice Sandalwood drydown)

There are lots of fans of each one of these.

 

[jluxton123]

I want to thank everyone for their replies to this topic.

I went ahead and bought 2 100ml bottles of the Caldey Island Lavender Aftershave.. I've read only good reviews about it and I feel good about contributing to the lively hood of the monks residing there. ($56 after shipping)

I also bought a Bulgarian Lavender premium scented shaving cream from MyTimeBathandBody, $13 after shipping and its 5 oz. I bought a seriously concentrated puck of menthol shaving cream a few months back from the person, Jean, that runs it. Absolutely wonderful to have the tinge of menthol in the morning.

Now just for the lavender cologne..

 

[john parker]

Popular reviewed lavenders:

Caldey Island Lavender (mostly pure lavender)
Gris Clair (more burned smell over time)
C & S Oxford Cambridge (more mint)
Caron Pour un Homme (more vanilla)
L'Occitane L'Occitan (more spicy)
Creed Royal Scottish Lavender (nice Sandalwood drydown)

There are lots of fans of each one of these.

Spot-on summary IMHO!! Personally going with Caron; like the scent and the price.

 

[kingfisher]

C&S Oxford and Cambridge is nice. Has a lot of peppermint in it, but the lavender shines through as well.

I like it and wear it from time to time.

 

[john parker]

While not a cologne, C&E Lavender Water is a very nice floral lavender. Don't know if it would also work as an aftershave splash, I plan to try it soon. Similar to Caldey, as I recall, but I think it lasted longer.

 

[blantyre]

Two inexpensive but decent quality lavenders are:

Yardley's English
Atkinson's English

Atkinson's is straighter lavender note, Yardley has a significant number of other notes as well.

A lot more expensive and only marginally "better" IMO is SMN Imperial Lavender.

 

[Jim]

 

[SmoovD]

I will chime in with Floris Lavender.

 

[Cuttingboard]

C&S Oxford and Cambridge is nice. Has a lot of peppermint in it, but the lavender shines through as well.

I like it and wear it from time to time.

This is what I'm wearing today!!

 

[andrewinman]

C&S Oxford and Cambridge is nice. Has a lot of peppermint in it, but the lavender shines through as well.

I like it and wear it from time to time.

+1 although i only have the shave soap it smells quite good, definately a nice lavender

 

[The Nid Hog]

On the higher end, I've tried C&S O&C and didn't care for it. Something about the mint that put me off. I recently got a bottle of Creed Royal Scottish Lavender on the B/S/T. I haven't tried it myself, but my wife opened the package to make sure it wasn't damaged in transit. She says that it smells fantastic. I'm looking forward to trying it out.

 

[Evbo]

On the higher end, I've tried C&S O&C and didn't care for it. Something about the mint that put me off. I recently got a bottle of Creed Royal Scottish Lavender on the B/S/T. I haven't tried it myself, but my wife opened the package to make sure it wasn't damaged in transit. She says that it smells fantastic. I'm looking forward to trying it out.

RSL is truly quality stuff. One of my faves. Your wife has good taste!

 

[Archerfire]

Why hasn't anybody mentioned Trumper's Lavender Water? It's very recognizably lavender, but it's balanced with wood and herbaceous notes. People will smell you and say "mmm, lavender, but in a manly way."

When I first tried Lavender Water I didn't care much for it. I recently gave it another go and found that I did, indeed, like it. Go figure. I think 'balanced with wood and herbaceous notes' is spot on.

I will also chime in on Pour un Homme by Caron. It's definitely a 'classic' lavender with a nice kick of vanilla. For my money it is simply the best lavender out there. Well.. at least of the ones I've tried!

I do have my eye on some Caldey Island Lavender which, if I understand correctly, is made as a soliflore and reputed to be good stuff!