About those new Barrister and Mann tubs...

So much praise has been heaped upon Will (Barrister_N_Mann) and his amazing soaps and aftershaves, and rightfully so.  As I mentioned elsewhere, this morning was my first use of his Cologne Russe Shaving Soap and my first with the glissant formula and I was simply blown away.  I already knew I'd like the scent as I have a sample of the matching aftershave.  However, the facial properties, oh my!

I digress.  The main point of this thread is my thoughts on the packaging so here it goes.

A) I, for one, am delighted that he kept the same shape plastic tubs in almost the identical size as his 'white label' soaps.  I find it easy to hold and easy to use my brush to build a lather. The fact that it probably won't break, or worse, shatter, while I'm using it is paramount for me.

B) The tub is now clearly marked with a so I know it is safe to throw in my recycle bin, if and when the time comes.  Such a beautiful tub is much more likely to be reused though. However, every little bit helps and it's nice to see its recycle status so clearly embossed on the bottom of the tub.

C) The ingredient list, the company name and address, the web site, and the bar code are all clearly marked on the bottom of the tub for easy reference.  Because all of this information is on the bottom of the tub it in no way ruins the aesthetic of the label.

D) About that aesthetic, words that popped into my mind when I finally got to see the label up close were unusual, unique, clever, colorful, thought provoking, and even understated, at least for the Cologne Russe.  I had been a bit concerned about that because of the beautiful simplicity of the 'white label' tubs but I needn't have worried.  Except for the name of the scent, no other words disturb the artwork on the lid, not even Barrister and Mann or B&M.  Yet, because of the uniqueness of the label, the soap is instantly recognizable as one of Will's.

E) One of my favorite things about these new tubs is that the name of the soap is not only on the top of the lid but also on the side of the tub, in large letters, so when stacking several tubs, the soap I want is clearly labeled without me having to wonder which one it is.

F) If I had to find one nitpick, it would be that I did not see how much product was in the tub.  I actually had to go on the Barrister and Mann site to see that it was the same 4-ounces as my Cheshire in the white tub, which is clearly marked.  Having said that, it might be there and I just missed it.  One of my closest friends once told me, more than forty years ago, that I am the only one he knows who looks but doesn't see, so there is that.    If the weight is on the tub then I sincerely apologize.

To finish, let me say that the container itself will not make a shaving soap good or bad.  However, knowing the work that went into making a simple plastic tub into something so much more just adds to the high esteem I already have for Barrister and Mann.





 

E) One of my favorite things about these new tubs is that the name of the soap is not only on the top of the lid but also on the side of the tub, in large letters, so when stacking several tubs, the soap I want is clearly labeled without me having to wonder which one it is.

Great overview Freddy and I agree that at the top level it is the little attention to detail such as these that often can differentiate. I am a huge fan of artisans that include the soap name on the side, particularly when you have a number from the same supplier. Makes it so much easier to manage the "library".

E) One of my favorite things about these new tubs is that the name of the soap is not only on the top of the lid but also on the side of the tub, in large letters, so when stacking several tubs, the soap I want is clearly labeled without me having to wonder which one it is.

Great overview Freddy and I agree that at the top level it is the little attention to detail such as these that often can differentiate. I am a huge fan of artisans that include the soap name on the side, particularly when you have a number from the same supplier. Makes it so much easier to manage the "library".

LOL, got it in one, Kevin.

I like the 42 tub with the ingredients inside the lid.

The artwork on the outside of the lid makes me chuckle every time I see it.

I'm a huge fan of these tubs. I only have Adagio and Cologne Russe as far as the higher end B&M soaps but these are probably some of the most beautiful, artistic and eye-catching artisan soap tubs I own. i look forward to future releases to see what kind of art is planned. Typically I like opening a jar to smell the soap but I like looking at these as well.

I'm with bakerbarber , I like the 42 style tub much more...just feels better.

So much praise has been heaped upon Will (Barrister_N_Mann) and his amazing soaps and aftershaves, and rightfully so.  As I mentioned elsewhere, this morning was my first use of his Cologne Russe Shaving Soap and my first with the glissant formula and I was simply blown away.  I already knew I'd like the scent as I have a sample of the matching aftershave.  However, the facial properties, oh my!

I digress.  The main point of this thread is my thoughts on the packaging so here it goes.

A) I, for one, am delighted that he kept the same shape plastic tubs in almost the identical size as his 'white label' soaps.  I find it easy to hold and easy to use my brush to build a lather. The fact that it probably won't break, or worse, shatter, while I'm using it is paramount for me.

B) The tub is now clearly marked with a so I know it is safe to throw in my recycle bin, if and when the time comes.  Such a beautiful tub is much more likely to be reused though. However, every little bit helps and it's nice to see its recycle status so clearly embossed on the bottom of the tub.

C) The ingredient list, the company name and address, the web site, and the bar code are all clearly marked on the bottom of the tub for easy reference.  Because all of this information is on the bottom of the tub it in no way ruins the aesthetic of the label.

D) About that aesthetic, words that popped into my mind when I finally got to see the label up close were unusual, unique, clever, colorful, thought provoking, and even understated, at least for the Cologne Russe.  I had been a bit concerned about that because of the beautiful simplicity of the 'white label' tubs but I needn't have worried.  Except for the name of the scent, no other words disturb the artwork on the lid, not even Barrister and Mann or B&M.  Yet, because of the uniqueness of the label, the soap is instantly recognizable as one of Will's.

E) One of my favorite things about these new tubs is that the name of the soap is not only on the top of the lid but also on the side of the tub, in large letters, so when stacking several tubs, the soap I want is clearly labeled without me having to wonder which one it is.

F) If I had to find one nitpick, it would be that I did not see how much product was in the tub.  I actually had to go on the Barrister and Mann site to see that it was the same 4-ounces as my Cheshire in the white tub, which is clearly marked.  Having said that, it might be there and I just missed it.  One of my closest friends once told me, more than forty years ago, that I am the only one he knows who looks but doesn't see, so there is that.    If the weight is on the tub then I sincerely apologize.

To finish, let me say that the container itself will not make a shaving soap good or bad.  However, knowing the work that went into making a simple plastic tub into something so much more just adds to the high esteem I already have for Barrister and Mann.





 

Glad you like them, Freddy. You're right, though: there's no weight listed on the jars, which I honestly had not realized until you posted this. I've contacted my design team and it will be corrected for all future soaps (and, when we run out of these labels, for Cologne Russe as well).

Glad you like them, Freddy. You're right, though: there's no weight listed on the jars, which I honestly had not realized until you posted this. I've contacted my design team and it will be corrected for all future soaps (and, when we run out of these labels, for Cologne Russe as well).

I am so happy to know that, Will.  For once I looked and did see!

E) One of my favorite things about these new tubs is that the name of the soap is not only on the top of the lid but also on the side of the tub, in large letters, so when stacking several tubs, the soap I want is clearly labeled without me having to wonder which one it is.

Great overview Freddy and I agree that at the top level it is the little attention to detail such as these that often can differentiate. I am a huge fan of artisans that include the soap name on the side, particularly when you have a number from the same supplier. Makes it so much easier to manage the "library".

LOL, got it in one, Kevin.

Nice. I heard of "food library" aka the grocery store, but may need "soap library" at the home front.

Nice insight Freddy.

Love the B&M's packaging, it just screams quality. I'm also liking the revamp Rod made with his labels.

So much eye candy for such great products, what more could I ask.

I wonder what their lables and containers would look like by next year???