Just ordered this............Aqua de Colonia Barberia Luxury Shaving Cream (200mls) Has anyone used it??
I haven't used it yet but I hear very good things about it especially the scent and skin conditioning. You can't be stopped, can you?
All in good fun.......................I do give a lot of the stuff away to family and friends though.
I'm the Director of Interstate Capital Projects at the New Jersey Port Authority. So yes, I earn a little more than the average individual. My salary is $34,456.00 a year but with kickbacks and under the table deals my annual income is somewhere around $2M. Of course, I have to split this with the Governor.
Mr. Wonderful - is it possible for you to narrow things down to, say, your favorite 5 soaps or so? Just curious what appeals to you. I see a lot of very fine products there. I assume you've been at this for a while, to have collected even a 1/3 of what you say you have. Surely a few have stood out to you over the years. What are they, if I may ask?
Please understand that "best" is a singular opinion. Shave products can be technically defined but are affected by distinct user perceptions such a technique, water supply, scent preferrence et. al. My personal 5 favorite soaps/creams (although I like a lot more) are: Acqua di Parma Penahligons Blenheim Bouquet Nancy Boy Signature Shave Cream Martin de Candre Xpec 2nd five would include: Art of Shaving Creams and soaps (both excellent products) Mitchells Wool Fat Truefitt and Hill Grafton Castle Forbes Trumpers Coconut Cream With the above said, there are still lots of quality soaps from artisan (read small) soap makers such as Mike's Natural Soap and LA Shaving. Bottom line is to experiment as often as your wallet permits.
I don't know if I'm thick, but what do u mean by that? =P Having alot of choices is nice, as far as space goes you can display your products on shelf systems like the ones in the pictures. You might need a little ladder while browsing though.
Mr. Wonderful - Thank you for taking the time to compile that list. Of course the individual factors you describe are assumed. I was eager to hear products, that made your upper echelon, that I had not tried yet. Curiously, I have never tried any of your top 5! If you would be willing, I would love to hear where you will place the Le Pere Lucien on your list once you've tried it. It is constantly compared to Martin de Candre, which I have yet to try. Great pictures, by the way.
But, he's not some crank espousing the supposed virtues of William's either! (stated with all affection and respect!)
As with DE razor blade preferences, the style and brand of shaving soap is definitely a YMMV situation. One can view other's lists of 'favorites'—but do consider that 'one size (or soap type) doesn't fit all.' IF I see a certain trend in user's listings where a particular product gets unanimous praises, I am more inclined to try this product. In the past, this has enabled me to sample some really nice shaving products I enjoyed, but I would be fibbing if I stated that my experiences with ALL types of recommended soaps, blades, or razors, etc., matched the joyful harmony of other reviewers.