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(This post was last modified: 06-25-2016, 08:03 PM by doc20. Edit Reason: Shave 5 and final thoughts )
Today marks my first day of a 5 day test/review of Nuávia Blu. I like a multi day test for anything to be able to share first impressions, get used to the lather and then final thoughts.
The background:
Last week I entered in the "guess the product to win it" run by The Handle Bar Supply Co. They drew my number from an RNG and Gareth promptly sent me a message asking which I wanted. More eager to try Blu, it was at my door that saturday. Great speed and service! This is the first soap I have ever used in this price range of $50+.
[Image: 5bf64c630920801ee09dd9545f53e6c8.jpg]
[Image: 740d90e7e5c9ca293bfaa5fbce6ffbbc.jpg]
[Image: 36e2def56d794fbaf0b07e123e35c349.jpg]
[Image: 3a10be6d065d76e943dcf83c8d1f09ec.jpg]
Unpacking:
The Handle Bar Supply Co. packed it very well with bubble wrap to protect the porcelain jar. The box was simple and inviting, upon opening I saw ... an instruction sheet? Sure! I'll set that aside for the shave. The porcelain arrived completely unmarred and the jar is heavy and sturdy feeling. I like it. I didnt expect the soap to have the coloration it did, but it didnt bother me at all. It smells... Wow. I'll get back to this more later, because it smells like something so familiar, but I can't seem to place it. It's spicy and clean with a very cool freshness to it (it is not mentholated, cool as if it were sitting outside on a humid, cold morning).
Shave time! The gear (Not to change):
Prep - Hot shower, glycerin soap and hot rinse
Brush - Thäter 4125 2 Band Silvertip
Razor - Murker Progress
Blade - Personna Lab Blue
Post Shave - Thayers Medicated
Aftershave - Will be the only variation between shaves.
Shave 1: Use as directed.
Following the instructions on the card to the T. I forwent the use of my usual pre shave oil as directed. After precisely 40 laps around the tub, my brush seemed adequately loaded and lathering began. It whipped up nice and quick although seemed sort of thin. I blamed myself for possibly too much water and got to shaving. WOW. This is surely the best performing soap I have ever used. The lather was slicker than thicker, which I prefer. The shave overall was excellent. It didnt dry out one bit and provided slickness and protection I believe surpasses anything else I have. I may have pushed it a little bit too far in touch ups, leaving a little irritation and having my reach for the Thayers. After a splash of that, I lightly squeezed out the brush to get the inside soaps and used that for an after shave, let it sit for a few mins, then washed the dry soap off. It was ok, it left my skin feeling very good, but I think I prefer to use a different product as aftershave. It will surely work as one though.
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading and stay tuned for shaves 2-5 and final thoughts!
Shave 2: Again I am amazed at the slickness this soap provides. I did everything the same as day one except I will be using a Fine aftershave instead of brush soap. The soap as am aftershave must have been very good for my skin. The first thing I noticed today was how little I felt. Usually can feel a little bit of blade or tug or SOMETHING reminding me there is a razor sharp blade on my face and to be a little careful. Today, I may have been running water over my skin. I am going to see if this is a result of the lather, or the properties of using it as an aftershave yesterday. Stay tuned!
Shave 3: To be honest, today was a bit of a rush job. The lather was definately quick and effective though! I will have more time tomorrow and hope to get a day and a half out of that shave. Turning up the progress will really test this soap!
Shave 4: I know I said I wouldn't change anything but the aftershave... but I found a blade I never used before, a Personna platinum, and decided to load that one up. Did not like that blade. It was a bit tuggy. I put up with it for the rest of the shave and made it out unscathed and irritation free, although it was not as close as I was hoping to achieve. I will not be able to skip tomorrow morning's after all which means a morning shave and an evening touch up. All in all, soap still provided a very slick and rich lather, no irritation out of a less than favorable blade? Still a winner! Let's see how tomorrow's double turns out!
Shave 5: Another great shave, very close. I have run out of things to say about this soap... It's great! I tried to do an evening XTG/ATG touch up, but my skin didn't like that one bit. I doubt it ever will.
Final thoughts:
Amazing performance from this. Easy lather and can definately be used as directed. Soap smells great, it's very fresh with a hint of spice. I definately recommend this soap, it performs better than any soap I've tried to include many of the popular artisans (not to say anything about their products, I love them just as well). The price point is a bit high for me to be honest, but the performance I feel to be worth it. I hope they will release some refills at some point to try to save some on another jar (which is awesome as well, just dont nees to accumulate em). I've never tried anything else at this price point to compare to, (mdc, c&s, etc...) but I can see why it is there.
Thank you for reading everyone!
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
The background:
Last week I entered in the "guess the product to win it" run by The Handle Bar Supply Co. They drew my number from an RNG and Gareth promptly sent me a message asking which I wanted. More eager to try Blu, it was at my door that saturday. Great speed and service! This is the first soap I have ever used in this price range of $50+.
[Image: 5bf64c630920801ee09dd9545f53e6c8.jpg]
[Image: 740d90e7e5c9ca293bfaa5fbce6ffbbc.jpg]
[Image: 36e2def56d794fbaf0b07e123e35c349.jpg]
[Image: 3a10be6d065d76e943dcf83c8d1f09ec.jpg]
Unpacking:
The Handle Bar Supply Co. packed it very well with bubble wrap to protect the porcelain jar. The box was simple and inviting, upon opening I saw ... an instruction sheet? Sure! I'll set that aside for the shave. The porcelain arrived completely unmarred and the jar is heavy and sturdy feeling. I like it. I didnt expect the soap to have the coloration it did, but it didnt bother me at all. It smells... Wow. I'll get back to this more later, because it smells like something so familiar, but I can't seem to place it. It's spicy and clean with a very cool freshness to it (it is not mentholated, cool as if it were sitting outside on a humid, cold morning).
Shave time! The gear (Not to change):
Prep - Hot shower, glycerin soap and hot rinse
Brush - Thäter 4125 2 Band Silvertip
Razor - Murker Progress
Blade - Personna Lab Blue
Post Shave - Thayers Medicated
Aftershave - Will be the only variation between shaves.
Shave 1: Use as directed.
Following the instructions on the card to the T. I forwent the use of my usual pre shave oil as directed. After precisely 40 laps around the tub, my brush seemed adequately loaded and lathering began. It whipped up nice and quick although seemed sort of thin. I blamed myself for possibly too much water and got to shaving. WOW. This is surely the best performing soap I have ever used. The lather was slicker than thicker, which I prefer. The shave overall was excellent. It didnt dry out one bit and provided slickness and protection I believe surpasses anything else I have. I may have pushed it a little bit too far in touch ups, leaving a little irritation and having my reach for the Thayers. After a splash of that, I lightly squeezed out the brush to get the inside soaps and used that for an after shave, let it sit for a few mins, then washed the dry soap off. It was ok, it left my skin feeling very good, but I think I prefer to use a different product as aftershave. It will surely work as one though.
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading and stay tuned for shaves 2-5 and final thoughts!
Shave 2: Again I am amazed at the slickness this soap provides. I did everything the same as day one except I will be using a Fine aftershave instead of brush soap. The soap as am aftershave must have been very good for my skin. The first thing I noticed today was how little I felt. Usually can feel a little bit of blade or tug or SOMETHING reminding me there is a razor sharp blade on my face and to be a little careful. Today, I may have been running water over my skin. I am going to see if this is a result of the lather, or the properties of using it as an aftershave yesterday. Stay tuned!
Shave 3: To be honest, today was a bit of a rush job. The lather was definately quick and effective though! I will have more time tomorrow and hope to get a day and a half out of that shave. Turning up the progress will really test this soap!
Shave 4: I know I said I wouldn't change anything but the aftershave... but I found a blade I never used before, a Personna platinum, and decided to load that one up. Did not like that blade. It was a bit tuggy. I put up with it for the rest of the shave and made it out unscathed and irritation free, although it was not as close as I was hoping to achieve. I will not be able to skip tomorrow morning's after all which means a morning shave and an evening touch up. All in all, soap still provided a very slick and rich lather, no irritation out of a less than favorable blade? Still a winner! Let's see how tomorrow's double turns out!
Shave 5: Another great shave, very close. I have run out of things to say about this soap... It's great! I tried to do an evening XTG/ATG touch up, but my skin didn't like that one bit. I doubt it ever will.
Final thoughts:
Amazing performance from this. Easy lather and can definately be used as directed. Soap smells great, it's very fresh with a hint of spice. I definately recommend this soap, it performs better than any soap I've tried to include many of the popular artisans (not to say anything about their products, I love them just as well). The price point is a bit high for me to be honest, but the performance I feel to be worth it. I hope they will release some refills at some point to try to save some on another jar (which is awesome as well, just dont nees to accumulate em). I've never tried anything else at this price point to compare to, (mdc, c&s, etc...) but I can see why it is there.
Thank you for reading everyone!
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
