Crabtree & Evelyn shaving soap

Quote:
Crabtree & Evelyn's passion for travel, enlightenment and discovery, led them to the medieval hill towns of Tuscany, the inspiration for the Sienna fragrance for men. Its essence captures a feeling of old-world luxury in a masculine blend of leather, citrus and spice – with just a hint of fire and herbs.

It is a shaving soap, available at some online shops, and at the own-brand retail chain stores as well. Although it is commercialized under the Crabtree & Evelyn brand, it is made for them by an English producer, probably the very same maker of other well-known shaving soaps (T&H, Cyril R Salter, D. R. Harris, Plisson, Maison du Barbier, TOBS, etc.)



1 - Ingredients list:

Quote: potassium palmate, sodium palmate, potassium stearate, potassium palm kernelate, sodium palm kernelate, water (aqua), sodium stearate, glycerin, fragrance, palm kernel acid, (parfum), isopropyl myristate, tocopheryl acetate, bisabolol, sodium chloride, tetrasodium EDTA, tetrasodium etidronate, tetrasodium pentetate, bht, linalool, limonene, amyl cynnamal, coumarin, hydroxyisoexyl 3-cyclohexene, carboxyaldehyde, eugenol, titanium dioxide (CI 77492)

Veggie soap, based on Palm oil, stearic acid and glycerine - a typical Culmak formulation. Contains also Vitamin E and bisabolol.


2 - Presentation:

Soap puck with 100gr inside a carton box – there is also a version that includes a wooden bowl. The carton boxes are nicely decorated, and the wooden bowls are very pretty also – maybe the nicest ones, when compared with the ones from the 3 T’s.



3 - Durability:

I tis na hard, triple-milled soap that will certainly last a lot of shaves, probably something between 3 or 4 months, maybe more. I have used mine a lot, and you can nearly still see the engravings on the soap!


4. – Soap load:

The normal for na hard, tripple-milled soap: you have to load for a little longer than a soft soap, of course, and that can be variable, and depends of the backbone of the brush. The loading time can be shorter if you previously moisten the surface of the soap with a few drops of water.


5 - Ability to lather:

Good. With just a few turns of the brush, the lather starts to form, growing soon after that, both in quality and quantity.


6 - Water/soap ratio:

Permissive. It holds on pretty well a little excess of water, without loosing its protective characteristics.


7 – Lather quality:

Nice, creamy, dense and long-lasting. It adheres to your skin very easily, and if you manage to use the right amount of water, it has the typical “shine” that is the characteristic of a good lather.


8 - Protection and slickness:

Good. The slickness is very good. Perhaps it could be a little more cushioning and voluminous, but that is more a question of my own personal taste, rather than something that compromises the protectiveness and effectiveness of this soap.


9 – Skin sensation

Excellent. There isn’t any refreshing or mentholated feeling, but it gives a good sensation of comfort. It provides a very comfortable shave, every time I use it, without any nicks, cuts or irritation..


10 - Moisturising and post-shave

Good. I sure could be a little better in this parameter – the French and Italian soaps are a little better when it comes to moisturising properties, no doubt about it. But nevertheless, the post-shaving sensation is very good; the face feels clean and comfortable after the shave. A good aftershave of your choice and you’re ready to go.




11 - Fragrance:

Surely one of the best characteristics of this soap. A very pleasant mix of leather, citrus and spicy notes, I like it a lot! Medium intensity – it is not properly a unscented soap, but it isn’t overwhelming either. It lasts through the shave, and then it fades away quickly after rinsing.


12 - Price:

Don’t really know for sure the price of it in the USA. I bought mine on a web-shop called feelunique.com, it was on sale and cost me €13,50, including shipping and the nice wooden bowl. The refills are generally priced around €7,50, and in the USA, I believe to be something between the $8-$14 price range – a very good price for a nice triple-milled soap like this one.

13 - Conclusion:

C&E Sienna is an overall good soap that, without being an outstanding one, it is effective, provides a good and comfortable shave, and has a very pleasant fragrance. Recommended product? YES! For daily use or for a rotation, it is a good soap with an excellent aroma and at a good price, and deserves to be on everyone's nook.