Australian Traveling Box No.5!

[Luc]

The box is probably stuck at customs off the Spirit of Tasmania...

[Mark1966]

Sorry mates, but the box has not yet arrived down here in the cold southern frontier yet. I even checked at the place we pick up parcels to make sure the delivery notice hadn't been accidentally dropped or something, but the box wasn't there. Don't get me started on the AU-Post... *grumblemutter*

Anyways, I apologize for the delay, but I'll post my initial reaction here as soon as it arrives.

Seems you were a day too early according to the Australia Post tracking - hope you get it soon!

[DrBerko]

At last Australia Post tracking comes through!

[TasMonk]

I finally got the box today! Apparently there were delays with customs at the Tasmanian border, some problems with the wooly yak caravan carrying it over the central Tasmanian highlands, and then the two-headed postman was off work because an argument with himself turned into a bit of a blue (the heads have been ordered to attend mediation).

Anyways, I opened the box up and... HOLY CRAP! There is so much stuff in there! Just the initial browse through the items revealed that there are heaps of things that I've been wanting to try. I'm really going to enjoy trying out a bunch of these items! Tomorrow I'll do a proper sort through it all and plan my sequence of attack.

[Luc]

I finally got the box today! Apparently there were delays with customs at the Tasmanian border, some problems with the wooly yak caravan carrying it over the central Tasmanian highlands, and then the two-headed postman was off work because an argument with himself turned into a bit of a blue (the heads have been ordered to attend mediation).

Anyways, I opened the box up and... HOLY CRAP! There is so much stuff in there! Just the initial browse through the items revealed that there are heaps of things that I've been wanting to try. I'm really going to enjoy trying out a bunch of these items! Tomorrow I'll do a proper sort through it all and plan my sequence of attack.

Post 1 updated

[bjh618]

Good to hear!

The box has certainly turned into an instant shave-den, so take your time and enjoy them all!

[GershwinInParis]

Ooh, new box. I don't know how I missed this. (Easy come, easy go.) Last one was good, and by the looks of things this one's got some gems in it as well. Nice posts so far, gents!

[TasMonk]

Let me preface my reviews by saying that I am still somewhat new to traditional shaving and don't have nearly the experience with various products that many here have. This is part of what makes the traveling box such a great opportunity for me, as there are a great many things in it that I have been curious about and wanting to try. Also, for reference, I generally use a vintage '50s Gillette Superspeed, various blades (haven't yet settled on a favorite yet), Proraso cream (green tube), my own witch hazel + tea tree oil splash (as I'm prone to T-zone acne), and Nivea aftershave balm.

The first shave was two products I've really been wanting to try: Cella Crema da Barba and Ogallala Bay Rum:
The Cella quickly worked up very nicely, yielding a thick and wonderfully almond-scented lather with an excellent degree of cushion and a commendable slipperiness. The shave with it was very smooth with no noticeable drag or irritation. As I am really fond of the almond scent and this gave a really good shave, I'll definitely be looking to buy a tub of Cella soon.

I used the Bay Rum as a light splash and found it very nice as well. I was expecting something of a burn as I know bay rum is traditionally made with a hefty alcohol percentage and spices such as cinnamon, but there was only a very mild warmth. The scent was one I quite liked, warm and spicy- a traditional masculine scent also reminiscent of winter and American Christmas- with a strongly dominant clove note. Although I don't think it's at all heavy on moisturizers, after letting it dry off I didn't feel the need for any balm.

I'm officially a fan of Bay Rum now (as is my wife, who really liked it on me ) but I think I would like one that is less dominated by the clove and a bit stronger on the cinnamon and other elements. Any recommendations?

The second shave was chosen with less consideration as I was a bit short on time: Arko Extra-sensitive with lavender & aloe and Aqua Velva Sport.
The Arko cream quickly worked up into a soft lather with a luscious feel but somewhat weak body. I was immediately disappointed that the scent wasn't very lavendery at all, but it otherwise seemed adequate in terms of slipperiness and such. The shave was adequate but nothing about the product excited me, though admittedly I don't have particularly sensitive skin which is its particular market. Gents who have sensitive skin might find it just the thing.

The Aqua Velva Sport was one of those traditional products I remember my grandfather having about that I've thought of getting so I was keen to give it a try. The scent in the bottle seemed quite nice and I was looking forward to a bit of menthol. On putting a few sprays of it on I was immediately attacked by an "OMG my face/throat is on fire!" sensation. Yep, this stuff is hefty on the alcohol burn! That tapered off as it quickly dried and then a nice cooling menthol sensation emerged. This grew to a cold numbing sensation that was itself a bit intense but not entirely unpleasant. As this cool numb sensation began to wane, I began to feel an uncomfortable burning sensation returning. This grew to the point that I went to look in the mirror and found that the skin where I had applied the Aqua Velva was bright fiery red and covered in white blister-like swellings! UGH!!! I took this to be some sort of sensitivity or allergic reaction, so I gave it a gentle wash and applied a hefty layer of balm. The burning and swelling persisted strongly for the next couple of hours and then dissipated over a few hours after that. In all a very unpleasant experience! Luckily it was the weekend and I was heading out to a medieval faire about an hour away where I didn't care what I looked like rather than work. Needless to say, Aqua Velva has been removed permanently from my to-buy list.

[bjh618]

Great Reviews!

Medieval Faire? Do tell!

[Mad Man]

Count me in on the next one lads if I've missed this one.

I've got some TOBS, TTT etc that doesn't get a look in much these days to contribute...

Mad Man

[djh]

Great reviews! Please keep them coming.

[DrBerko]

Nice review. There are a few differences in the ingredients between the AV Blue and AV Sport. I find the blue to be far more soothing compared to the sport. I can post an ingredients list if there is any interest.

[TasMonk]

Great Reviews!

Medieval Faire? Do tell!

Thanks!

I do a bit of medieval re-enactment from time to time and there was an event this weekend (http://mayhem.geeveston.net/). It was still a bit smallish from what I'm accustomed to from the old country, but it was a fair showing for Tassie, especially considering it used to be an annual event and this is the first one to be held for several years.

[TasMonk]

Nice review. There are a few differences in the ingredients between the AV Blue and AV Sport. I find the blue to be far more soothing compared to the sport. I can post an ingredients list if there is any interest.

Thanks! Ingredients would be excellent if it's not a bother. And it's good to hear there are differences between the versions because I really wanted to like AV. I might give AV Blue a go if there's time towards the end of my time with the box and I'm feeling daring.

I've never had a reaction to a product like I did to the AV Sport. Out of curiosity I put a bit on my inner forearm this evening but didn't get any reaction or redness there. Now I'm wondering if it might have been some reaction between the soap and the AS or something. Any opinions/advice from you more knowledgeable gentlemen?

[DrBerko]

Apologies for the link, for some reason I can no longer upload an image directly into a post. I think the methoxy cinnamate might be the culprit.

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/br...=3&userid=9103

Cheers

[GershwinInParis]

I'm no help. Though personally, the skin on my neck is much more sensitive than forearm, especially after running a razor over it a few times. Would be interested to see how/if the ingredients differ.

[Mark1966]

Great review - lousy outcome with the A/V!

[TasMonk]

I'm no help. Though personally, the skin on my neck is much more sensitive than forearm, especially after running a razor over it a few times. Would be interested to see how/if the ingredients differ.

Good point. It was my neck that reacted most intensely and I had gone over it a few times, with a lather that wasn't particularly slick to boot.

Apologies for the link, for some reason I can no longer upload an image directly into a post. I think the methoxy cinnamate might be the culprit.
http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/br...=3&userid=9103
Cheers

Berko, you rock! Thank you very much for the ingredient images. I'm doubly shocked- first because the ingredients differ so much between AV-Sport and AV-Ice Blue, and second by what some of the ingredients of the AV-Sport are. There are three different UV-stabilizers/blockers- and one of them (the Octyl methoxycinnamate that you mentioned) is somewhat controversial and not only because it has estrogenic effects that have produced shrunken testicles in rats.

I very much prefer my aftershave to be free of testicle-shrinking ingredients, thank you!!!

[stuart12dz]

I very much prefer my aftershave to be free of testicle-shrinking ingredients, thank you!!!

+1

[Mark1966]

+2