And for this day the theme for my shave was '
Outstanding
Sample
Packet'
Over sampling - Ikon B1 SB
Random sampling- Polsilver Lodz
Convenience sampling - Muhle ivory synthetic
Cluster sampling - OSP Chambre sample
Multi stage sampling - L'Occitane Cade aftershave
Purposive sampling - ADP Assoluta
A few days back I unexpectedly received a sample from OSP of a new cream by them called Chambre. I really must say this was first class of James and I am most grateful for including me as a tester. As James mentioned this was a purely vegan offering. Although I am not a vegan and quite happy to chomp my way through as many rump steaks as you could throw my way, I do understand their cause and always happy to enjoy vegan meals on occasions. To the same extent I am as equally open to a vegan shaving cream. I also have a pair of vegan Doc Marten shoes which I am not sure whether to wear or eat.
The first thing I noticed is that this cream is extremely thick (although I am presuming this was a cream not a soap) and extracting it from the small plastic sachet was like trying to peel chewing gum from the souls of ones shoes. I persevered though and eventually got as much as possible in to my trusty Mexican cereal bowl which I use as my good old faithful lathering receptacle. Add a damp brush in the form of the Muhle ivory synthetic and against what I thought might be the case, it soon whipped up in to one very thick rich lather. At first it was probably overly dense but nothing a touch more water couldn't resolve. What came out of the bowl and on to my face was first class.
What is noticeable is that the lather remained on my face throughout the whole shave whereas I find other creams are quite successful in managing to achieve a disappearing act. I am not sure if this is my skin or just a case of this is the way some creams and soaps are. Whatever it is I was happy with the longevity of this product and it gets big marks from me in this area.
Glide properties are outstanding and not once did I feel the blade trying to bite. This particular blade is now on its 5th outing and continues to be as good as the first time around. To this extent I feel this cream really did assist. Boxes. Tick. And another tick in the box. To tick another box I must also give big points for having some moisturising effect. Moisturising is usually part of my post shave ritual as I am often left with dry skin, but with this Chambre I came away feeling happily moist.
I am by no means an expert in fragrances and this one does puzzle me. Whatever it is, it is certainly very pleasant and inoffensive.
Altogether a great shave from a great new product from OSP. Surely I can say something negative? It can't be everything and more? Well, yes there is..........................................
I understand from James that the final version will be tallow based which rather kicks the vegan angle in to touch. I guess this rather rules some people out. From my own angle I just hope the tallow based final product is every bit the equal. If so, then this could be another great cream from OSP and one which is a little different.
Ikon B1 SB? - Effing brilliant. Nuff said
ADP Assoluta? - Effing brilliant. Nuff said
Of recent I have been having some brilliant shaves and I am really pleased that this one has just continued the trend. FGS? Too fucking right
Edit - And then I learnt that this is not a new soap/cream at all and that it is to be released as tallow based in February. A little reading goes a long way. Whichever way I really did enjoy this particular product and I wish I'd known about it earlier. You live and learn