#11

Member
San Francisco
(02-25-2016, 12:39 AM)celestino Wrote: The most 'luxurious', or rather expensive soap I have tried that is excellent is Panna Crema Nuavia.
Personally, I think it is extremely over-priced. Nonetheless, it is a wonderful soap.

I agree it's wonderful, though I don't find it to be terribly overpriced for what it is (and given that it's priced similarly to AdP, SMN, etc.). Of course I'd be happy for it to cost less, but I'm glad it's out there at all.

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David : DE shaving since Nov 2014. Nowadays giving in to the single-edge siren call.
#12

Posting Freak
Canada
(This post was last modified: 02-25-2016, 12:55 AM by celestino.)
David, I completely understand your point of view, but all of the other items you mentioned are, what I would consider, over-priced, compared to the artisanal soaps that I use. I guess I just might be frugal when it comes to soaps. Big Grin

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Celestino
Love, Laughter & Shaving  Heart
#13

Member
San Francisco
(02-25-2016, 12:54 AM)celestino Wrote: David, I completely understand your point of view, but all of the other items you mentioned are, what I would consider, over-priced, compared to the artisanal soaps that I use. I guess I just might be frugal when it comes to soaps. Big Grin

Actually I think your perspective makes good sense! Given the performance of something like Barrister & Mann, especially with the new Glissant base, there's no need for anyone to spend more for an excellent soap. Even a classic like Tabac, with its fantastic lather, is thrifty given how long it lasts. I suspect NeoXerxes can talk about this further, but the experience of some of these luxury soaps and creams is a little bit of that "extra" that many people won't find worth the cost, understandably.

With the Nuàvia soaps, I also consider how well-judged their fragrances are, both in terms of composition and quality. Then I consider how much 100ml of a good eau de toilette costs, and while those are two different things, it puts the price of Nuàvia in perspective for me.

In these high-priced products, we're definitely in the realm of diminishing returns. But I have to say, I really enjoy the indulgence now and then. Smile

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David : DE shaving since Nov 2014. Nowadays giving in to the single-edge siren call.
#14
(This post was last modified: 02-25-2016, 01:53 AM by brucered.)
If money was no object, I'd have Haslinger commission a run of Lavender and Lime shave soaps.

Until then, their current line up is the best soaps I have ever used. I've used $2 soaps and $60 soaps, they are tops at any price.

One of these days, I may break down and get a full puck of C&S as I enjoyed the Vaolbra based stick I used.

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#15
I figured the concept of "luxury" would come up Smile.

What is luxury? For me, luxury is - to paraphrase onethinline - "a little bit of extra". It's a combination of intangibles that is hard to define, but a product either is or isn't 'luxury'. Naturally this is an extraordinarily subjective categorization.

But ultimately, what luxury is or isn't is entirely immaterial to the purposes of this thread, as is the concept of "over-priced". I'd be interested in finding out your opinions on the very best soaps and creams. Consequently, "money no object" is an essential aspect of this sort of this discussion, else it will inevitably devolve into debates over price and value.

For me though, price is correlated with quality, especially in some areas, but it isn't a perfect correlation. As onethinline has identified, scent is one of the areas where price and quality are sometimes correlated. For instance, if you have a bigger budget, you can hire a better perfumer and/or purchase expensive fragrance oils. Packaging often works similarly (but not always). And while we all might wish to be democratic in suggesting that price and quality have no correlation, I'd argue that this correlation is simply a fact of life, however imperfect. There will be exceptions, and those exceptions should be noted. Each and every one of you are welcome to your own opinion on this matter, and that's perfectly ok Smile.

In any event, I have evaluated my slate of products without reference to price. Personally, I don't care how much a product costs - I care about how well it performs. And if a product that is 100% more expensive performs ~10% better for me, to me it's worth it. For others it might not be. Let's try to leave it up to the individual reader to determine whether or not a product is worth the price.

I want to know your picks for the very best soaps/creams, without reference to price or value. What is the best for you?
#16
As for the picks that we've already seen, I'm happy to see Nuavia represented Smile. I really enjoy that soap.

Sartorial is one that I'd be interested to try, assuming it is different from the usual Penhaligon's cream base. Pen's products tend to work very well for me, and I do so love the fragrances.

Haslinger is another great option. For me it doesn't compare to the best I've tried, however it is still an excellent soap. I'd enjoy one in lavender!
#17
Added a few disclaimers into the original post before starting on my reviews. First up will be Tabula Rasa Vetiver & Tangerine.
#18

Member
Woodstock, VT
(This post was last modified: 02-25-2016, 04:04 AM by vtmax. Edit Reason: spelling )
(02-25-2016, 02:10 AM)NeoXerxes Wrote: I want to know your picks for the very best soaps/creams, without reference to price or value. What is the best for you?

I have tried Nuavia Red, full pucks of SdM, Boellis, Saponificio, Santa Maria Novella, XPEC and others.

My picks for the very best:

Haslinger
C&S Oxford & Cambridge and No. 88.

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#19

Member
San Jose, CA
(This post was last modified: 02-25-2016, 05:14 AM by waveflow.)
Given my thoughts today, I would be very happy only using the following 25:

Acqua Di Parma Shaving Cream (new formula)
Barrister & Mann Night Music Shaving Soap
Barrister & Mann Seville
Barrister & Mann Vetyver Santal
Beaver WoodWright Queen Annes Revenge
Beaver WoodWright Thomas Tew
Boellis Panama 1924 Shaving Soap
Cold River Soap Works Oliva
Czech & Speake No. 88 Shaving Soap
Czech & Speake Oxford & Cambridge Shaving Soap
DR Harris Arlington Shaving Soap
La Savonnière du Moulin
Le Savon des Volcans by Savonnerie du Bon Berger
Mystic Water Egyptian Dragon
Mystic Water Poggio dei Pini
Nuavia Blue
Nuavia Red
Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet Shaving Cream
Penhaligons Endymion Cream
Santa Maria Novella Crema da Barba (new formula / v3)
Santa Maria Novella Crema da Barba (old V1 formula)
Saponificio Varesino Tundra Artica Shaving Soap (Beta 4.1)
Tabac
Truefitt & Hill Lavender Shaving Cream
XPEC Unscented

A variety of soaps & creams, artisan & commercial, and performance characteristics & scents

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#20

Posting Freak
Canada
Here is my short list of my favourites:

* Panna Crema Nuavia Blu and Rossa
* Barrister & Mann Cologne Russe
* Jabonman/Eufros: Vetiver de Haiti, Lima Canela, Brise de Oriente, Ylang Ylang/Patchouli/Naranja
* Mystic Water: Bay Rum, Vetiver & Oakmoss, Poggio dei Pini, Egyptian Dragon, Marrakesh, Sandalwood Rose, Vanilla Sandalwood, Sardinian Honey, Jasmine, Irish Traveller, Jeff's Lavender, and a few others

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Celestino
Love, Laughter & Shaving  Heart


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