B&M Lavanille color

Thanks Eric. I think I will grab up a Leviathan from Maggard before it's gone.

do it. it was love at first read for me, i knew i'd be into it reading the note breakdown before i even ordered

I decided to shave with Lavanille and I regret ever saying I couldn't shave with it. The scent was always interesting and pleasant but I felt it wasn't something I wanted to shave with. Well, that is not the case anymore. I just had a very enjoyable shave and the scent was divine. The scent changed a little bit throughout my shave and at one point I even noticed a fairly strong lavender note. I skipped the aftershave which isn't really needed anyway for B&M, and I am still picking up the scent lightly. Also, the performance was exceptional as with every B&M soap I've used.

I'm glad it worked for you :-)

I decided to shave with Lavanille and I regret ever saying I couldn't shave with it. The scent was always interesting and pleasant but I felt it wasn't something I wanted to shave with. Well, that is not the case anymore. I just had a very enjoyable shave and the scent was divine. The scent changed a little bit throughout my shave and at one point I even noticed a fairly strong lavender note. I skipped the aftershave which isn't really needed anyway for B&M, and I am still picking up the scent lightly. Also, the performance was exceptional as with every B&M soap I've used.

Funny how things grow on people, isn't it? There are lots of people who have that experience with Lavanille and Leviathan; hate it at first sniff, but it grows on them rapidly.

The color is indeed a result of the oxidation of vanillin (not vanilla extract, but raw vanillin). The reason parts of the soap are still white is that those areas have not yet been exposed to atmospheric oxygen and thus have yet to discolor. As you work through the soap and they're opened to the air, they will begin to change color (usually takes a day or so).

Glad to hear that you changed your mind.

I didn't realize that Barrister & Mann Lavanille was so controversial.  I quite like it, great scent, excellent performance.  I can't recall any colour issues and to be honest if one of my brushes takes on the colour of a soap its not the end of the world.  It washes off eventually.  Try some of the Rose or Violet scented soaps that are pink and purple and you have a pretty psychedelic brush for a while but the brushes are there to be used. My heirs will have to buy their own dang brushes after I'm gone.
Mark

I decided to shave with Lavanille and I regret ever saying I couldn't shave with it. The scent was always interesting and pleasant but I felt it wasn't something I wanted to shave with. Well, that is not the case anymore. I just had a very enjoyable shave and the scent was divine. The scent changed a little bit throughout my shave and at one point I even noticed a fairly strong lavender note. I skipped the aftershave which isn't really needed anyway for B&M, and I am still picking up the scent lightly. Also, the performance was exceptional as with every B&M soap I've used.

Funny how things grow on people, isn't it? There are lots of people who have that experience with Lavanille and Leviathan; hate it at first sniff, but it grows on them rapidly.

The color is indeed a result of the oxidation of vanillin (not vanilla extract, but raw vanillin). The reason parts of the soap are still white is that those areas have not yet been exposed to atmospheric oxygen and thus have yet to discolor. As you work through the soap and they're opened to the air, they will begin to change color (usually takes a day or so).

Glad to hear that you changed your mind.

It grew on me alright. In fact, it may be my favorite scent yet.

TL;DR - Lavanille is one of my favorite scents from B&M. It's not for everyone, certainly... But I love it. The darkening is oxidation of the vanilla; totally harmless. I find it kind of cool.

I traded for some B&M samples recently and the first thing that struck me upon whiffing the Lavanille soap sample is "I know that smell!!".  My brain immediately went back to my youth in a small Midwestern town circa 1960's - 70's and a barbershop I frequented. However, it is there my recall  hit the wall.    For those who recall that era is it Clubman Eau de Quinine, Clubman Special Reserve or something else I am thinking of that smells like Lavanille?