Acqua di Parma was founded back in 1916 in Parma , Italy , bringing one of the best scents out there , the Acqua di Parma Colonia Classica.The company was bought in 1993 by Luca Cordero di Montezemolo and re introduce it world wide.Since then , new scents and a shaving supplies line have been added to their offerings.Aqua di Parma offers shaving cream in two formats and with two formulations : tube and tub.Im going to review both , since I simply adore them.
Price : Acqua di Parma in tube cost 43 dollars for 75 ml of cream.The tub version , which contains 125 ml of cream , cost 62 dollars.Once a year you can get them on sale , on various sites , like Neiman Marcus or C.O Bigelow.Yes , I know what many of you are thinking : too expensive for what it is , maybe.But , for me , and I know that I sound like a broken record , shaving its a time to take care of myself to the extreme (if I can) and pamper my senses with the best scented shaving creams and soaps out there.The best ones for my likes and taste are ususally also , the more exclusive ones , and have to pay premium for that.But , thinking that in the past I was spending quiet a bit on multiblades razors , I dont find these prices outrageous.A tub of AdP could last you for 4 to 5 months of daily use , and the tube , around 3 months.These creams smells like heavenly glory and , again , are worth it every of my pennies.
This is the Acqua di Parma shaving cream on a tub :
![[Image: P1140964.jpg]]()
And this is the tube version (pic taken from internet) :
![[Image: apshavetube.jpg]]()
Quality : outstanding.If I would have to choose only one shaving cream , I will choose Acqua di Parma with no hesitation on mind.Yes , even over some like Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet or the Truefitt and Hill Lavender or 1805.I say that its outstanding due to its scent.We all know that making these shaving creams is quiet , quiet cheap , Im not that naive.However , their scents are the best for my taste , and its Italian luxury and elegance to the extreme.I need still to try the new Santa Maria La Novella Tabaco Toscano shaving cream , but , and again , for me , this is the best scented shaving cream from Italy.
Packaging : here are overcome by some shaving creams.The tub version comes on a plastic jar , which is not nearly as heavy as the Penhaligons Blenheim Bouquet one.Yeah , its a nice presentation , with a rounded hard cardboard box , but its not as nice and the Penhaligons Blenheim Bouquet one.The tube version comes also in a squared shaped hard cardboard box with a pastic tube.Be careful with its lid , since I heard that breaks really quick.I tried mine from a sample which was given to me at Neiman Marcus and also for a travel size 15 ml tube, that the great Johnny sent to me (thanks Johnny ! )
![[Image: images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTD0Ywyn0_G8yvODB86lKV...V1P-vG-hmg]]()
![[Image: P1140963.jpg]]()
Scent :Its scent is simply superb : its different than the EDT like Colonia Classica,Intensa o Ezzensa.This cream smells like sweet oranges mixed with chocolate and some notes of fresh coconut and citrus on the back.Yes , to me smells like that and I simply adore it.For some reason I can picture the great Marcello Mastroianni shaving with this cream in "La Dolce Vita", or maybe in "8 1/2".Yes, this cream represents glamour and its a finest example of Italian elegance. I also have founded the scent of the tube version being a little bit subtle than the tub version , but not by much.
Lather : both creams make great lather , but they have different ingredients/formulations :
These are the ingredients for the tub version :
![[Image: P1220590.jpg]]()
And these are the ingredients of the tube version :
We can see how the tube version has lanolin on its ingredients and also parabens , while the tub version doesnt.Both versions have the Wheat germ and Sweet Almond oils.
The lather is quiet similar is both versions , and not much amount of cream is required either (thats a plus , at least). Here are some pics using a Vie Long silvertip brush and the tub version :
![[Image: P1220595.jpg]]()
![[Image: P1220596.jpg]]()
Skin Care : due to the lanolin on its ingredients , the tube version wins.Yes , performs like old Santa Maria la Novella shaving cream , but with a better scent.The tub version is good , but I always use it with a pre shave oil , since my skin is very dry.With the tube version I dont need a pre shave oil , the lanolin is good enough to take care of my face and protect it during the shave.
Moisturising : You can bet that Im going to write that the tube version leaves my skin better "moisturize" than the tub one (if I dont use a pre shave oil , of course).Yes , you are right. Its that simple.Lanolin makes the difference , specially if you have dry skin.However , if you are lanolin sensitive , then you know what version to get.The tub one im sure will work fine for people with normal or oily skin , but with my type of skin , if I dont use a pre shave oil , the skin will be dry after the shave.Ill rather avoid that and use a pre shave oil , as I have pointed.
Slickness : I honestly don't find any differences in slickness between the two versions of this cream.Both are quiet slick , due to the oils (Sweet Almond and Wheat Germ , as well as the lanolin).Is it as slick as the old Santa Maria La Novella cream , or even the new Proraso green shaving cream? No , its not. It has the slickness of a regular shaving cream like Taylor of Old Bond Street (not Avocado or Jermyn Street , which are the slicker ones of that brand) , so you can have an idea.To use with a DE razor is fine , but if you use a straight razor, and you are looking for a slick lather , go for other options , I will say.
With time I have "learned" to appreciate these two shaving creams.I know they're overpriced , and the marketing plays a huge factor on that , but so far I haven't came across with a scented cream that I like more than Acqua di Parma.I can think of Penhaligons Blenheim Bouquet , Opus 1870 and even some shaving soaps from Creed and Martin de Candre , but Acqua di Parma is the one I truly enjoy and like the most (so far).
If you are looking for a cream to use only on special occasions , I can recommend you Acqua di Parma , you wont be disappointed. I also will recommend the tube over the tub version if you have dry skin , like I do , and are looking for an extra protection.Also if you are looking for a luxurious shaving cream to travel with.
Acqua di Parma represents what I truly like from the Italian elegance : modern , fresh style but with a touch of old classicism and some kind of opulence.Viva L'a Italia !
Price : Acqua di Parma in tube cost 43 dollars for 75 ml of cream.The tub version , which contains 125 ml of cream , cost 62 dollars.Once a year you can get them on sale , on various sites , like Neiman Marcus or C.O Bigelow.Yes , I know what many of you are thinking : too expensive for what it is , maybe.But , for me , and I know that I sound like a broken record , shaving its a time to take care of myself to the extreme (if I can) and pamper my senses with the best scented shaving creams and soaps out there.The best ones for my likes and taste are ususally also , the more exclusive ones , and have to pay premium for that.But , thinking that in the past I was spending quiet a bit on multiblades razors , I dont find these prices outrageous.A tub of AdP could last you for 4 to 5 months of daily use , and the tube , around 3 months.These creams smells like heavenly glory and , again , are worth it every of my pennies.
This is the Acqua di Parma shaving cream on a tub :
![[Image: P1140964.jpg]](http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/Hermes2005/P1140964.jpg)
And this is the tube version (pic taken from internet) :
![[Image: apshavetube.jpg]](http://www.bigelowchemists.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/a/p/apshavetube.jpg)
Quality : outstanding.If I would have to choose only one shaving cream , I will choose Acqua di Parma with no hesitation on mind.Yes , even over some like Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet or the Truefitt and Hill Lavender or 1805.I say that its outstanding due to its scent.We all know that making these shaving creams is quiet , quiet cheap , Im not that naive.However , their scents are the best for my taste , and its Italian luxury and elegance to the extreme.I need still to try the new Santa Maria La Novella Tabaco Toscano shaving cream , but , and again , for me , this is the best scented shaving cream from Italy.
Packaging : here are overcome by some shaving creams.The tub version comes on a plastic jar , which is not nearly as heavy as the Penhaligons Blenheim Bouquet one.Yeah , its a nice presentation , with a rounded hard cardboard box , but its not as nice and the Penhaligons Blenheim Bouquet one.The tube version comes also in a squared shaped hard cardboard box with a pastic tube.Be careful with its lid , since I heard that breaks really quick.I tried mine from a sample which was given to me at Neiman Marcus and also for a travel size 15 ml tube, that the great Johnny sent to me (thanks Johnny ! )
![[Image: P1140963.jpg]](http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/Hermes2005/P1140963.jpg)
Scent :Its scent is simply superb : its different than the EDT like Colonia Classica,Intensa o Ezzensa.This cream smells like sweet oranges mixed with chocolate and some notes of fresh coconut and citrus on the back.Yes , to me smells like that and I simply adore it.For some reason I can picture the great Marcello Mastroianni shaving with this cream in "La Dolce Vita", or maybe in "8 1/2".Yes, this cream represents glamour and its a finest example of Italian elegance. I also have founded the scent of the tube version being a little bit subtle than the tub version , but not by much.
Lather : both creams make great lather , but they have different ingredients/formulations :
These are the ingredients for the tub version :
![[Image: P1220590.jpg]](http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/Hermes2005/P1220590.jpg)
And these are the ingredients of the tube version :
Aqua(Water),Stearic Acid,Cocos Nucifera(Coconut),Oil potassium Hydroxide,Myristic Acid,Clycerin,Sorbitol,Parfum(Fragance),Sodium Silicate,Limonene,Lanolin,Linalool,Hydroxycitronel lal,Sodium Hydroxide,Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis(Sweet Almond)Oil,Triticum Vulgare(Wheat)Germ Oil,Hydrolyzed Rice Protein,Menthyl Lactate,Citral,Eugenol, Coumarin, Benzyl Alcohol,Benzyl Salicylate,Amyl Cinnamal,Geraniol,BHt,Malva Sylvestris(Mallow)Leaf Extract,Melissa Officinalis leaf extract,Phenoxyethanol,Butylparaben,Ethylparaben,M ethylparaben,Propylparaben,
We can see how the tube version has lanolin on its ingredients and also parabens , while the tub version doesnt.Both versions have the Wheat germ and Sweet Almond oils.
The lather is quiet similar is both versions , and not much amount of cream is required either (thats a plus , at least). Here are some pics using a Vie Long silvertip brush and the tub version :
![[Image: P1220595.jpg]](http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/Hermes2005/P1220595.jpg)
![[Image: P1220596.jpg]](http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/Hermes2005/P1220596.jpg)
Skin Care : due to the lanolin on its ingredients , the tube version wins.Yes , performs like old Santa Maria la Novella shaving cream , but with a better scent.The tub version is good , but I always use it with a pre shave oil , since my skin is very dry.With the tube version I dont need a pre shave oil , the lanolin is good enough to take care of my face and protect it during the shave.
Moisturising : You can bet that Im going to write that the tube version leaves my skin better "moisturize" than the tub one (if I dont use a pre shave oil , of course).Yes , you are right. Its that simple.Lanolin makes the difference , specially if you have dry skin.However , if you are lanolin sensitive , then you know what version to get.The tub one im sure will work fine for people with normal or oily skin , but with my type of skin , if I dont use a pre shave oil , the skin will be dry after the shave.Ill rather avoid that and use a pre shave oil , as I have pointed.
Slickness : I honestly don't find any differences in slickness between the two versions of this cream.Both are quiet slick , due to the oils (Sweet Almond and Wheat Germ , as well as the lanolin).Is it as slick as the old Santa Maria La Novella cream , or even the new Proraso green shaving cream? No , its not. It has the slickness of a regular shaving cream like Taylor of Old Bond Street (not Avocado or Jermyn Street , which are the slicker ones of that brand) , so you can have an idea.To use with a DE razor is fine , but if you use a straight razor, and you are looking for a slick lather , go for other options , I will say.
With time I have "learned" to appreciate these two shaving creams.I know they're overpriced , and the marketing plays a huge factor on that , but so far I haven't came across with a scented cream that I like more than Acqua di Parma.I can think of Penhaligons Blenheim Bouquet , Opus 1870 and even some shaving soaps from Creed and Martin de Candre , but Acqua di Parma is the one I truly enjoy and like the most (so far).
If you are looking for a cream to use only on special occasions , I can recommend you Acqua di Parma , you wont be disappointed. I also will recommend the tube over the tub version if you have dry skin , like I do , and are looking for an extra protection.Also if you are looking for a luxurious shaving cream to travel with.
Acqua di Parma represents what I truly like from the Italian elegance : modern , fresh style but with a touch of old classicism and some kind of opulence.Viva L'a Italia !