Hi Guys,
My first review for a while.
I was on Jermyn St recently and popped into the usual Trumpers and Taylors. I was actually looking at brushes (again) and this visit reminded me just how much variation there is in their branded Simpsons and Rooney brushes. All were way too lofty and pretty floppy (even the ones with the Heritage handles). I'm beginning to wonder if they aren't only simply re-badged, but made to different specs to the regular non-badged brushes. Anyhooow...
On my way home I happened to pop into the Czech and Speake shop (which is mainly obscenely priced bathroom stuff, but also fragrance). They only seem to make the shaving soaps in No. 88 and O&C.
I've tried their No. 88 cologne before and everyone raves about the matching soap, but lately I have found myself going off rose scents in general. I do like the smell, but just don't want to smell of it! And it seems I'm bored by it.
However, I have been liking Lavender a lot lately. I'm not sure I'd want to smell of it all day either, but it's a really nice scent to wake up to and shave with. I also use Original Sauce's Lavender and Tea Tree Shower Gel, which is very nice indeed, and cheap.
So, their other soap, Oxford and Cambridge, really intrigued me. And here's why, from their site:
I paid the cool £20 for a refill puck and went on my way.
Now, if you've ever tried the Valobra stick, you have a pretty good idea how good this stuff is. I love it! However, I don't love the scent....
It's known that Valobra also make shave soap for Art of Shaving and C&S, and I've been meaning to get some AoS Lavender soap for a while, but never got round to it.
It's almost certainly the same soap base (it does say Made in Italy on the box). The quality and texture of the lather is identical, with one exception - the scent! :mrgreen:
Here is the link:
http://www.czechandspeake.com/products.asp?catid=14&deptid=1
If you like Lavender, you have to give this a try. The scent is mainly Lavender but it's more complex than a single note Lavender, totally different to anything I've smelt before.
Is it worth £20 for a 90g refill? Only you can decide that. I think the combo of Valobra soap performance plus a magnificent scent makes it worth every penny. And being a hard triple-milled soap, should last a long time.
John
My first review for a while.
I was on Jermyn St recently and popped into the usual Trumpers and Taylors. I was actually looking at brushes (again) and this visit reminded me just how much variation there is in their branded Simpsons and Rooney brushes. All were way too lofty and pretty floppy (even the ones with the Heritage handles). I'm beginning to wonder if they aren't only simply re-badged, but made to different specs to the regular non-badged brushes. Anyhooow...
On my way home I happened to pop into the Czech and Speake shop (which is mainly obscenely priced bathroom stuff, but also fragrance). They only seem to make the shaving soaps in No. 88 and O&C.
I've tried their No. 88 cologne before and everyone raves about the matching soap, but lately I have found myself going off rose scents in general. I do like the smell, but just don't want to smell of it! And it seems I'm bored by it.
However, I have been liking Lavender a lot lately. I'm not sure I'd want to smell of it all day either, but it's a really nice scent to wake up to and shave with. I also use Original Sauce's Lavender and Tea Tree Shower Gel, which is very nice indeed, and cheap.
So, their other soap, Oxford and Cambridge, really intrigued me. And here's why, from their site:
I paid the cool £20 for a refill puck and went on my way.
Now, if you've ever tried the Valobra stick, you have a pretty good idea how good this stuff is. I love it! However, I don't love the scent....
It's known that Valobra also make shave soap for Art of Shaving and C&S, and I've been meaning to get some AoS Lavender soap for a while, but never got round to it.
It's almost certainly the same soap base (it does say Made in Italy on the box). The quality and texture of the lather is identical, with one exception - the scent! :mrgreen:
Here is the link:
http://www.czechandspeake.com/products.asp?catid=14&deptid=1
If you like Lavender, you have to give this a try. The scent is mainly Lavender but it's more complex than a single note Lavender, totally different to anything I've smelt before.
Is it worth £20 for a 90g refill? Only you can decide that. I think the combo of Valobra soap performance plus a magnificent scent makes it worth every penny. And being a hard triple-milled soap, should last a long time.
John
