SOTD - May 16, 2017

May

16

2017

0

By BoarderPhreak

L'Occitane "L'Occitan"

Shaving Product Review - Mickey Lee Soapworks "Jefferson Square" and
L'Occitane en Provence "Eau de L'Occitan"

Value (Cost, Packaging and Performance)

Lather (Density, Glide and Feel)

Post-shave (Healing, Moisture and Feel)

Scent (Quality, Strength and Longevity)

Each bar has three metrics, each representing 33% of the total (11% = below-avg, 22% = avg, 33% = above-avg, except cost)

When it's lavender season you embrace it... With Mickey Lee Soapworks Jefferson Square #soap and L'Occitane en Provence Eau de L'Occitan #EdT, #balm and #deo!

Created through the distillation of authentic A.O.C. lavender, blended with the peppery, nutmeg scent of burnt wood. A panoramic and complex fragrance, redolent with the rich scents of Provence, in all their ruggedness and mystery. Intended for men, but women love it, too.

I won't get into the soap, as that's not the focus today... I did an extensive review of Mickey Lee Soapworks Jefferson Square before, so check that out for more information on that. It did lay the groundwork for the real star of the show today... L'Occitane en Provence Eau de L'Occitan balm and deodorant! Now, I did another fairly extensive review of L'Occitane en Provence Eau des Baux in the past, which you should definitely check out. The only difference today is the fragrance, so let's stick to that. The performance is the same - that is to say, absolutely awesome by all measures.

The Eau de L'Occitan collection consists of eau de toilette, after shave balm and deodorant (and more) all carrying the same scent (I bought all three at once). The accord is all about lavender, but rest assured - they've injected testosterone and manned it up for even the most floral-timid amongst you. It features top notes of lavender and black pepper, middle notes of nutmeg and cinnamon and base notes of tonka bean and musk. On open you definitely get the lavender in all its glory, with the black pepper balancing it out so it's not a straight shot of floral... But wait, there's more! The nutmeg and cinnamon spice it up further as it transitions, detectable in the top and bottom. On full dry down, you still get the hints of lavender and spice but the tonka bean and musk take root. While the lavender is mostly gone at this point, it's not forgotten and you're left with a spicy, musky vanilla. It's somewhat similar to Eau des Baux but less wood and vanilla and more spice. The sillage is impressive, but not overwhelming - and longevity is excellent, lasting six to eight hours.

Hardware today was essentially the same as yesterday's shave where I used the #Mühle #R41 with a chill #Astra blade, here on shave two. Again, note the titanium RazoRock Halo handle, which I discussed yesterday in more depth. The #BSB Shaving Brush made quick work of lathering the lovely lavender explosion that is the soap. The only thing I want to add is that while the #R41 makes a great "Monday morning razor" it's not a daily driver, at least for me... It's just too much. Nevertheless, it made for a BBS shave, as it's wont to do... And thankfully, the fantastic balm dispatched any burn introduced.

I tell you, these #loccitane products are just gold. Don't let the higher than average [artisan] prices scare you; they're on par with commercial offerings of high quality, or even below average considering same. The performance of each of the L'Occitane en Provence products is beyond reproach. They all do what they do - and do it extremely well, from the EdT to the balm to the deo. While only the Eau des Baux fragrance has a stick deodorant (this is a roll-on) it's nothing to worry about unless you have a strong preference either way. And while that scent is warm, vanillic and woodsy - Eau de L'Occitan is more vanillic and spicy. Both have a peppery, floral open - taking a different turn towards the middle and bottom. Both are outstanding scents. I'm sure in due time, it's safe to say that I'll be picking up the Cade and Cedrat lines as well. Too bad Vetyver isn't more fleshed out (it's EdT only right now)...