Firstly, after declaring that I'd like to keep posting on this blog steadily I've let a couple weeks go by sans activity. My family recently suffered a personal tragedy and I've been mostly absent from the internet. I apologize for the hiatus, and I fully intend on returning to my reviewing duties soon. However, now that I'm mentally ready to return to regular updates my body feels like I may be coming down with the plague, and I anticipate that I'll likely be mostly asleep until I can fight off this illness.
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With that said, let's review some consumer goods! Today I'd like to take a look at Ambrosia Shaving Cream from Lush, the pseudo-mecca of animal friendly, natural, tree-hugging, (good) smelly hippy commercial cosmetics. I know a handful of people that swear by Lush products, and in my limited experience with them I've been truly impressed.
For starters, the title of shaving cream is totally apt, but not really what I expected. Ambrosia is very much a cream, and it's very much for putting on your face to shave with. However, it has no foaming, no real lathering, no white beardy look when applied. The cream rubs into the skin (and presumably stubble) leaving a smooth and ripe canvas of a chin.
Let me state now, free of shame, that I have a sensitive, supple, bonny face that requires an exacting hand. I regularly suffer from razor burn on my under-chin and upper lip areas. Most of the products I've used in recent years have been focused on sensitive skin and razor burn prevention. I'm not sure if it's because of ingredients in the products or the fact that my face has a crotch-related identity crisis, but my experience has been that shaving creams, foams or gels that are marketed at "bikini area" shaving are the best for my face. Well, "bikini area" be gone, Ambrosia tackles the problem in a relatively-manly fashion. The natural ingredients have been moisturizing and protecting enough that over the course of a week using Ambrosia I haven't had any significant burn. I won't go so far as to claim that the product is a miracle, I have still gotten a bit of tenderness and irritation, but far less than usual. My skin has stayed soft this week. I've found myself repeatedly stroking my would-be beard zone in moments of longing for the caress of my special lady.
Personally I enjoy the scent of Ambrosia, but on the Lush website and on the internet abroad there seems to be a rift about enjoying the scent. A lot of people hate it, which becomes a bigger problem when the smell is attached to your upper lip and you have to over-clean (and dry) in order to get rid of it. I couldn't tell you what the cream actually smells like, but to me it seems gender neutral, soft, and pleasant.
I've read complaints that people have had razor clogging issues. The directions indicate clearly to sluice your razor occasionally, and that method has worked for me. I believe a lot of people probably either don't rub the cream in properly (leaving it super creamy when attempting to shave) or don't wait more than 3 seconds for the cream to properly condition your skin. My advice to anyone trying Ambrosia is to thoroughly "lather" it (no real lather develops) and to wait a moment for the cream to sink in and work it's magic before scraping it off. It shouldn't completely absorb, but it should create a well lubed jawline with minimal globs of product.
My overall problem with Lush products is the (usually) hefty pricetag. I can never justify to myself investing my retirement heavily in mall-bought cosmetics. To their credit, the Lush conditioners, shampoos, and hand soaps that my girlfriend frequently uses (along with this shaving cream) seem to go a looooong way. The Jungle conditioner bar that we use has lasted eons and stays solid. This bottle might be reasonably priced at $16+, and if it continues to work through this whole 8.8oz monster bottle that I received as a gift from someone awesome recently I'll likely purchase it with my own hard earned lettuce.
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The skinny:
* Pros: Soft, smooth, sensitive, stimac-worthy shaving solution
* Cons: May clog razor, expensive, it seems you either love it or hate it.
Make an Assessment:
This product seems to have pretty mixed reviews, a lot of people swear it's the worst shaving cream they've tried. I've had exactly the opposite experience so far. In fact, if it keeps working like it has it may be the best shave cream I've ever tried. Another reviewer at Associated Content claims it's "The Best Shaving Product for Sensitive Skin." I wouldn't jump into it face first, especially if you're pretty grizzled and opt for the scents like "Cold Steel" "Rugged Outback" or "Stag Musk". Fortunately, Lush will often let you take home a sample of any product you're curious about. A couple uses should be enough to fall in love with Ambrosia, it is, after all, crafted specifically for the Gods.
Overall Review Score (I haven't figured out how I want to do this yet):
* Grade: A
* Score: 95%
* If it were a movie: ★★★★½
* My Feelings: Woooo!
I know I'm a girly-man, insult me all you like, I know my hot girlfriend is gonna appreciate this.
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