Aqua di Parma

**slickster514** · 09-29-2009, 09:37 AM

I've had problems in the past with Aqua di Parma shave cream (tub). Now I realize what I was doing wrong, not enough water!
I was used to treating it more like a british cream, rather than a hard soap. Now that we're all speaking the same language, I couldn't be happier with it, well perhaps the price $$

**Maher** · 09-29-2009, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by slickster514

I've had problems in the past with Aqua di Parma shave cream (tub). Now I realize what I was doing wrong, not enough water!
I was used to treating it more like a british cream, rather than a hard soap. Now that we're all speaking the same language, I couldn't be happier with it, well perhaps the price $$

Yes the price is high but you will get your moneys worth of cream and at the end it will balance out.

**slickster514** · 09-29-2009, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by Maher

Yes the price is high but you will get your moneys worth of cream and at the end it will balance out.

I'm assuming that you've tried it before? If so, how do you feel it compares with others, in particular the British stuff?

**ChrisG** · 09-29-2009, 10:48 AM

You only have to use like a pea size for this cream , it pans out in the end price wise.

**Maher** · 09-29-2009, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by slickster514

I'm assuming that you've tried it before? If so, how do you feel it compares with others, in particular the British stuff?

it is a very dense cream, more like soft soap, a tiny amount goes very far but of course YMMV. Really it is very good cream that a tub will go miles, I just sold half of mine to another member as it will last both of us a long time. As for the British stuff, I have Penhaligons SC, it is softer than the AdP but as good, must confess that I love my Pen more did not sell half my Pen tub

thanks

**Cuttingboard** · 10-13-2009, 09:46 AM

I just bought a tub of Aqua di Parma shave cream for my birthday last week and would like to know whether you guys scoop out a small piece and bowl lather or twirl your brush in the tub and face lather?

**Maher** · 10-13-2009, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by Cuttingboard

I just bought a tub of Aqua di Parma shave cream for my birthday last week and would like to know whether you guys scoop out a small piece and bowl lather or twirl your brush in the tub and face lather?

you can do both but IMHO it is cleaner to scoop out a pea size amount as you will keep the cream free of water and any other stuff but it is totally up to you, great choice of cream, enjoy the shaves

**RoyalKooparillo** · 10-13-2009, 10:30 AM

Lots of 'twirlers around here...but I agree with Maher. I take a butter knife and scoop out of the tub to keep things clean and uncontaminated. Actually, I don't really scoop, I shave off thin layers, much like cold butter it makes it easier to spread. And before I put it on the brush I run it under very hot water for a moment or two to soften it. Good cream.

**Maher** · 10-13-2009, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by RoyalKooparillo

Lots of 'twirlers around here...but I agree with Maher. I take a butter knife and scoop out of the tub to keep things clean and uncontaminated. Actually, I don't really scoop, I shave off thin layers, much like cold butter it makes it easier to spread. And before I put it on the brush I run it under very hot water for a moment or two to soften it. Good cream.

you know what, this is even a better idea

to shave like butter, I will try it next time, thanks for the tip

**lrlevy** · 10-13-2009, 11:33 AM

I used the ADP just this morning and I usually swirl for about 5 strokes and that's plenty. But as people observed, trhe cream gets wet.

I'll scoop out now.

Should I leave the jar open to let it dry out?

Len

**Maher** · 10-13-2009, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by lrlevy

I used the ADP just this morning and I usually swirl for about 5 strokes and that's plenty. But as people observed, trhe cream gets wet.

I'll scoop out now.

Should I leave the jar open to let it dry out?

Len

yes maybe for a day or so but not more as creams will dry in open air that is another plus for scooping or scrapping a bit out ... how was the shave?

**Cuttingboard** · 10-13-2009, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by RoyalKooparillo

Lots of 'twirlers around here...but I agree with Maher. I take a butter knife and scoop out of the tub to keep things clean and uncontaminated. Actually, I don't really scoop, I shave off thin layers, much like cold butter it makes it easier to spread. And before I put it on the brush I run it under very hot water for a moment or two to soften it. Good cream.

So...you actually spread the cream on your brush, not in the bowl? I was thinking that I would scoop a pea size amount and put it in my lathering bowl and add a couple drops of hot water and soak while I'm in the shower. Then use a semi-wet brush to create foam. How much water does this soap take to make a pillow slick lather? Does this cream smell like AdP Colonia? I use AdP Colonia cologne on a daily basis.

**Cuttingboard** · 10-15-2009, 03:40 PM

I bought AdP shave cream last week and I'm scared to open the package because I may like it! Is there something wrong with me?

**FLTiger** · 10-15-2009, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by Cuttingboard

I bought AdP shave cream last week and I'm scared to open the package because I may like it! Is there some there something wrong with me?

The funny thing about your post is that I got an AdP sample from Handy some months ago and I can't bring myself to try it out of fear I may have to buy some.

**Zen Master Kool-Aid** · 10-15-2009, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by Cuttingboard

I bought AdP shave cream last week and I'm scared to open the package because I may like it! Is there some there something wrong with me?

Send it to me!
I'll let you know if you should try it...

Actually, I use AdP from the tube. Its a great cream. I wasn't sure about the scent at first, but since I've been using it, the scent has really grown on me and now its probably my favorite cream. I like it better than Penhalligon's BB, T&H Grafton, AOS, Castle Forbes... AdP is better than all of them imho.
I like trying new stuff, but once I find something I really like I sort of settle on it. 10 years from now when I run out of everything else, I'll probably be using AdP exclusively.

**RoyalKooparillo** · 10-15-2009, 11:14 PM

Originally Posted by Cuttingboard

So...you actually spread the cream on your brush, not in the bowl? I was thinking that I would scoop a pea size amount and put it in my lathering bowl and add a couple drops of hot water and soak while I'm in the shower. Then use a semi-wet brush to create foam. How much water does this soap take to make a pillow slick lather? Does this cream smell like AdP Colonia? I use AdP Colonia cologne on a daily basis.

Yup, cream on the brush. But I face lather. I shave off a little bit of cream with my butter knife, and I run it under very hot water for just a moment or two to soften it. Then I open my brush up and smear the cream in the breach (bottom center), and close up the bristles. Then, I add slightly more cream to the tips of the bristles. Then it's loaded and ready to go for face lathering.

I find having some cream in the breach greatly improves my lather consistency and makes hydrating the lather easier. AdP will take a LOT of water because it's such a rich cream...but only in small amounts. So if you're patient you can make mounds of lather with just a little bit of cream.

As far as the scent is concerned, some people find it to smell a little funky in the jar, but once lathered up it smells a bit closer to Colonia.

**Cuttingboard** · 11-10-2009, 09:39 AM

Used AdP for the first time this morning...placed a small amount of cream in a bowl and added a touch of hot water to soften cream while I showered. You guys are correct...tons of wonderful lather. I only need enough lather for 2 passes and touchup but had enough for 5-6 passes. I use Colonia edt everday, so the scent of the cream was really nice and not at all overpowering. I was able to purchase AdP for $49 using Sephora's 20% friends & family coupon. IMHO, definately worth the price, even at $62. The only negative that I can think of is that it doesn't moisturize as much as I was expecting. Although, I have been using Mitchell's the last several days and its difficult to beat the moisturzing properties of MWF.