Confused about Gentlemen's Refinery ASB samples

[Lockout]

I recently received a set of shaving product samples from the Gentlemen's Refinery, which I had been interested in after seeing all the positive reviews and recommendations of the aftershave here at B&B. I managed to get samples of both the standard and unscented ASB versions to try out, but oddly enough I don't smell much of any difference between the two... so I'm somewhat confused. :confused:

Those of you who've tried the unscented version -- does it still have a smell, due to the ingredients? Or does it sound like I may have gotten two samples of the scented version by mistake?

Both of the ASBs seem to work pretty nicely, but honestly I think the scent would keep me from buying them -- I'm not fond of it. On the other hand if it turns out that the unscented version isn't actually supposed to have a noticeable smell, I might have to give it a try.

So what's the deal? :smile1:

[Textbookninja]

I must say when I first wafted my unscented sample I thought it had more scent than it should, but it was all just the "base notes" of the balm itself. It just smells creamy and, uhm, balmy to me. They fade very quickly and lack the...flourish...of the standard standard balm that I wasn't crazy about. I wouldn't rule it out, it's good stuff.

[mankini]

I too recently received samples from TGR and do not notice much of a smell from the unscented asb. I liked their samples so much I ordered the cream, asb and moisturiser all in the standard scent. I must say the smell of the standard is nice but does not last, so I assume the unscented would have similar characteristics. I really like these products, my face has felt and looked hydrated since using them.

[morrisnk]

I recently received some samples of TGR aftershave balm. To me there was a noticeable difference between the two scents, The Standard had a scent reminiscent of lemons and tires, while the unscented had a scent of just tires (I was wondering if I got some bad samples). I was somewhat put off by the scent of both, but the unscented one wasn't so bad, and neither of the scents lasts more than a minute or two.

Anyway, the product works great. I was getting desperate for a good moisturizing aftershave balm that actually moisturized my face and didn't burn it. I was about to buy this (even with the scent) until I tried the Proraso Pre/Post and Balm combo. I think I'll be holding off a little while on that TGR purchase.

[Lockout]

Interesting... Well, I appreciate the responses. :001_smile I don't think I'll be buying a bottle of this stuff, though, as I really can't seem to get past the scent.

At the moment I'm thinking I might like to try an AS splash next... Speick, maybe.

[RoyalKooparillo]

The Standard and Unscented TGR A/S balms definitely have different scents. I bought the Standard and tried hard to like it, but in the end I sold it. The efficacy was superb, but I really didn't care for the scent--and it didn't fade as quickly as I would have liked.

I went ahead and got the Unscented version, and it is excellent. All the good parts of the Standard, none of the 'bad.' It does have a VERY minor scent, but this one actually does fade almost immediately. Doesn't interfere with cologne at all. I tend to use an A/S splash before this balm, and after applying TGR I can still smell the splash very well. I can't recommend this stuff highly enough! I'll certainly never be without a bottle of it.

Incredibly nourishing balm. :smile:

[thevelvet]

I own them both and they are completely different. The standards scent (according to the bottles) comes from the addition of lime, sandalwood and geranium essential oils. Whereas the unscented has the same beneficial ingredients but without the lime, sandalwood or geranium essential oils. Hope this helps. To mine and my gf's nose, the unscented has absolutely no scent at all, but I prefer the standard personally. Really solid stuff.