I enjoyed a lovely shave yesterday with 1805, and captured a review of the product as part of a SOTD. Let me know what you think of the cream if you've tried it before, and please feel free to ask any questions you may have about the cream!
As always, a huge thank you for watching, please like and subscribe for more!
So ladies and gentlemen, I have been trying a new soap, designed with summer in mind, to give you a nice chill! Check out the video to see my thoughts!
And to see how it compares to another stalwart in the shaving world (Proraso Green) in terms of cold, check out the below video where I simultaneously face lather both soaps.
If you have any questions about either soap, please feel free to comment on the relevant video or here and I will do my very best to assist!
WHAT IS IT, AND WHAT DOES IT DO? Phoenix & Beau Albion Shaving Soap - It's soap that enables you to shave!
APPLICATION METHOD AND DESCRIPTION: I've been testing Albion over the last 5 days to ensure I get to know it's foibles and idiosyncrasies. For the first two days I bowl lathered, and the second two days, I face lathered. Day 5 I chose my favourite method out of the two to lather...what is it I hear you ask? Well, the video review below will show!
SCENT: Albion was listed as having a predominantly bergamot, lavender and grapefruit profile, with patchouli in there to bind everything together. My initial response to the long slow inhale was wow. This is a very fresh and light scent, ideal for those who prefer a milder scented soap. Upon shaving with Albion for the first time, I was greeted with a very familiar aroma. A split second later I identified it as Earl Grey tea, which makes perfect sense given the presence of bergamot. It is a classy, light, elegant scent, very nice indeed.
LATHERABILITY: As is typical with Phoenix & Beau soaps, Albion lathers with criminal ease. A short 30 second load provides more than enough lather for 5 passes EASILY. I've learned that soaking my Cadman 26mm silvertip, then two gentle shakes provides the PERFECT amount of water to lather a P&B soap without the need for additional water. Rich, creamy lather is produced with this level of water in a bowl. For face lathering however, I suggest starting with less water as the sheer volume of lather created can overwhelm you if you're not prepared for it :D
PERFORMANCE: There is a stylised image of Her Majesty on the lid of Albion, and the performance matches the expectation of a soap more than worthy of a Royal Warrant. Those in Buckingham Palace need to try this soap, it would EASILY earn this accolade. Slick as you like, more protective than a 20 man protective detail, there is no flaw in the performance at all.
POST SHAVE: I'll say it again, a soap that provides a fantastic post shave is paramount for me. Albion does not disappoint. I'm sitting here stroking my face, trying to find a chink in the armour, but am coming up empty handed. I cannot fault the post shave feel at all. Smooth, no dryness, no tightness, nada.
CONCLUSIVE COMMENTS:
So, what do I think of Albion? Well, it is plain as the nose on my face
that it is a brilliant addition to not only my shave den, but the
product line from Phoenix & Beau. It has a delectable scent,
performance that other soaps can only hope for, and a post shave feel
that leaves you feeling GREAT! After the initial shave, I thought I'd
want a stronger scent, however, like a fine Earl Grey tea, the subtlety
of the aromas is key, for it is meant to be gentle. Give Albion a try,
it is truly fantastic.
Today I videoed my shave to highlight the wonderful MWF, and how to get a cracking lather from it. Is it rocket science or is it best to revert to basics for it? Find out below!
As always, thanks for reading and for watching my recent installments. Please like and subscribe if you find the content helpful or entertaining. Comments and criticism always welcome, every day is a school day!
I've lovingly prepared a video shave of the day
today. All the info is in the video, check it out guys and I'd very
much appreciate your likes and subscribes!
Here's a little video I put together for the forum members on TSR after a thread regarding the Erasmic stick and how bad it's lather is. Tested four different brushes to show how much of a variable the brush really is:
I hope it is useful to all of you who have never tried the Erasmic stick, or indeed are curious as to the difference a brush can make to the lathering of a given soap. If you find it useful, please give the video a big fat thumbs up, and possibly a subscribe too if you would be so kind!
