Australian Traveling Box MkIV

[Mark1966]

Mark,

Figaro is good stuff - I opened my pot a couple of weeks ago. I think the smell is great, but then I've always loved marzipan and amaretto. Typical soft Italian soap, which is to say it works brilliantly. I'd dispute the "more available cella" remark 'cause I bought mine from a local chemist in a box with an, admittedly shit, brush.

I haven't looked extensively but I know Cella is readily available from Mensbiz and other common online vendors. Figaro I understand pops up here and there but is less predicatably sourced - but I could be wrong on that.

Ogallala Bay Rum is gold! I got their Bay Rum Bonanza box of 5 varieties a year ago and I've still got the Sandalwood and a bit of the double strength cologne left. The lime and pepper vanished last summer. If you are curious about the product email John and order this, I think it cost me about $35 including shipping but it contains five 2oz bottles so that's nearly 300ml in "samples"!

Yes I'm seriously considering this option. it just might replace my Pinaud Clubman in the Bay Rum department.

The group buy thing sounds interesting although I'm pretty much up to pussy's bow with aftershave right now.

When has a large existing stock EVER stopped somebody here grabbing another bargain?

Just for the record though I am NOT indicating that I'm organising a group buy - that needs Mod approval first. If I was to organise I would only publicise after approval.

[bjh618]

Brendan you really are a true M-A-N man.

Avatar changed to reflect true status.

Chuck Norris doesnt end up in the doghouse!

Count me in as interested if the group buy idea kicks off. With the good AUD at the moment, it may be a good time (hint, hint)

[Mark1966]

Avatar changed to reflect true status.

Chuck Norris doesnt end up in the doghouse!

Count me in as interested if the group buy idea kicks off. With the good AUD at the moment, it may be a good time (hint, hint)

Cool avatar - you inspired me to update mine. Being in the doghouse once is bad enough - imagine returning.....

[CptBlueBear]

I haven't looked extensively but I know Cella is readily available from Mensbiz and other common online vendors. Figaro I understand pops up here and there but is less predicatably sourced - but I could be wrong on that.

Nathan is stocking Cella?! I had no idea, I may just have to get me some.

Yes I'm seriously considering this option. it just might replace my Pinaud Clubman in the Bay Rum department.

Highly recommended if you like spicy, manly scents.

When has a large existing stock EVER stopped somebody here grabbing another bargain?

A bargain! That's what it is, not "more stuff", it's "a bargain". Must remember that.

Just for the record though I am NOT indicating that I'm organising a group buy - that needs Mod approval first. If I was to organise I would only publicise after approval.

Of course you weren't Mark, never crossed my mind me old china. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no moah!

Avatar changed in line with recent updates 'cause Clint Eastwood would kick the door of the doghouse in and shoot Chuck Norris through the eye. Harry Callaghan 'cause The Man With No Name didn't shave.

[Edit] There's slightly odd juxtaposition of avatar and subtitle. "I used more product... and it worked, punk"

[Mark1966]

LOL - love the juxtaposition

[bjh618]

Avatar changed in line with recent updates 'cause Clint Eastwood would kick the door of the doghouse in and shoot Chuck Norris through the eye. Harry Callaghan 'cause The Man With No Name didn't shave.

Neither did Chuck Norris

In all seriousness though, Chuck would kick the door of the doghouse out in order to rescue all the prisoners within. Clint would be going the wrong way....

Now, back on track *cough* group buy on aftershaves *cough*

[Mark1966]

Nathan is stocking Cella?! I had no idea, I may just have to get me some.

150g red tub here.

1kg brick here.

He now has Lucky Tiger too. ...you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

[CptBlueBear]

Neither did Chuck Norris

My point exactly...

In all seriousness though, Chuck would kick the door of the doghouse out in order to rescue all the prisoners within. Clint would be going the wrong way....

I've seen a few Chuck Norris films and with their budget the doghouse wouldn't even have a door.

150g red tub here.

1kg brick here.

"This is a Cella 1kg brick. The biggest shaving soap in the world. It could shave your beard right off..."

He now has Lucky Tiger too. ...you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

[GershwinInParis]

In rare instances, by simply looking at a kilo block of Cella, the whiskers become so afraid they actually climb back into the face for safety. Or was that a kilo block of Chuck Norris? hmm. Perhaps it was Chuck's beard that hid from the Cella... or vice versa? Oh, never mind.

[Picaro]

Don't give me any of that other stuff, punk, just hand me the Cella.

A mans gotta know his imitations

[bjh618]

Strangely enough, I found the figaro to be a much better soap than the cella, which seemed to burn me the last time I tried it...

[Picaro]

Yeah, I was just doing a really bad Dirty Harry line there.

I've found that burning sensation can be quite random, and am starting to suspect it has more to do with your skin at a particular time rather than a particular soap.

[bjh618]

You may have a point there, but its very weird. luc had a similar reaction to p.160 that I had to.cella, but I can use figaro easily... considering their ingredients are near identical it is a bit.confusing to say the least.

[Luc]

Yup, Figaro was all good to me. P.160 was fine the second time around, which is strange... Between Cella/Figaro, I didn't detect much of a difference (texture of the soap, lather, scent, performance).

[Mark1966]

OK guys - back on topic!!!!

Today I used the VDH deluxe soap. Same story, cut off a sliver and lathered in the hand to get things going before face lathering. While this is not the easiest way to create a lather I must say it was harder to do so with the VDH than any of the others.

On the face the lather was fine. Nothing special but nothing wrong with it. No particular scent. According to their website 'each hypo-allergenic Deluxe Shave Soap contains 40% moisturizers, including Aloe Vera & Shea Butter to soften even the toughest beard and help maintain the skin's natural moisture' - which may be great if you have sensitive skin but did nothing much for me.

So the VDH Deluxe soap works fine but nothing outstanding and I probably wouldn't bother buying - there are better soaps around IMHO. This is a for me.

Finishing off I tried the Pinaud Clubman Special Reserve. I've been keen to try this since opening up the box as my wife liked the smell in the bottle.

By way of background The Veg doesn't like me. I've tried it and it doesn't work. Clubman Bay Rum is just a straight bay rum - simple really - whereas the Special Reserve, like Lilac Vegetal, seems to be a love it or hate it experience.


So open the bottle, have a sniff, like what I smell.


Pour in hand and splash some on my face - ARRGGHHHH!!!! what is this stuff, it is horrible!! - this is the work of the ->


Wait, hang on, it doesn't smell so bad now - what is going on


OK, it is smelling different again! This is messing with my head


Seems to have settled down now. Hmm, do I like this or not?


In terms of efficacy it seems like a great aftershave/cologne. My face feels good after using it. The scent seems to be commonly described as leathery, and that is probably the core of it. But read some reviews and you will see people using a very wide range of descriptions for the scent. I think that this reflects the complexity of this product.

Between Lilac Vegetal and this Special Reserve I think Ed Pinaud must have really enjoyed messing with peoples ollafactory nerves - certainly an interesting experience.

So I think that the Special Reserve is a despite some reservations. It deserves further investigation and I think I'll decant some before passing the box on.

Till tomorrow!

[Luc]

Try the little bottle with green stuff in it!

P.S. LV is great!

[Mark1966]

Try the little bottle with green stuff in it!

P.S. LV is great!

Which one Luc? There was one bottle my wife smelt and forbade me ever opening in the house again - would that be the one?

P.S. LV may be great - but it doesn't like me

[Luc]

Which one Luc? There was one bottle my wife smelt and forbade me ever opening in the house again - would that be the one?

P.S. LV may be great - but it doesn't like me

Did she? I like to play with SWMBO's mind sometimes and move the bottles around so she thinks I used Bottle #1 (that she likes) but in reality it was bottle #2 (she dislike). It happened 30% of the time that she said Bottle #2 was great!

[GershwinInParis]

what happens when she catches you the other 70% of the time?

[Luc]

what happens when she catches you the other 70% of the time?

It ain't pretty!