If you grew up in NW Gainesville there is a good chance that you ate at Golden Lights at some point in time. I've heard mixed opinions over the years, but it was my family's favorite casual Chinese restaurant until it closed. Many residents were surely as heartbroken as my family was when we learned of their closing a couple years ago. I've even heard tales of farewell feasts in those final days of cheap and delicious fried rice and chow fun. Well, worry not Gainesville, the Golden Lights proprietors are back with a new establishment right around the corner. It may not be pure gold, the owners have grown humble and downsized by a precious metal, but the Silver Dragon is here, so get it on.
I've visited the Silver Dragon twice now, and I've been pleased overall. For those who never experienced Golden Lights, the fare is straightforward Chinese-American. There are a few chef's specialties and loads of platters (realistically at least 50) with the standard Chinese-American food formula. You can imagine any type of meat, then add a handful of random veggies, then slather it in white/brown/peanut/almond/honey/orange/spicy/fish sauce and place it on top of rice or noodles. If it's done right, Voilà! Instant delicious.
My first visit to Silver Dragon disappointed me overall. I was expecting to walk into Golden Lights, transported magically from the building that is now The Flying Biscuit, on NW 16th and 43rd, into the building that used to be Moraghot Thai, on NW 39th about 1/2 mi. west of 43rd. There was no such magical transportation. The Silver Dragon instantly looks and feels more cheap, generic, and boring than Golden Lights did. They've managed to keep a nice aesthetic of stereotypical Chinese decoration (it's obviously a Chinese restaurant and not a gastropub), but the overall ambiance is somewhat lacking. I will give them aesthetic bonus points for having family children playing, doing homework, and being very cute in a corner booth. The restaurant is clearly a family affair, and that makes any small business just a tiny bit better in my personal opinion.
Who cares about what the new location looks like though? What's the food like? The food is certainly the most important part, and I give my stamp of approval here. The prices are good. With main dishes ranging from $6-$20 there is a good option for any budget. Both times I've gone I've ended up taking at least half of my dinner home, which means if I get a $8 dish and it feeds me twice I'm really paying $4 per meal. That's the kind of math I'm a huge fan of. Also, there is a stereotype about Chinese-American cuisine, let's say, "unbinding" one's lower GI tract. I've never had an unpleasant visceral experience after eating at Golden Lights or Silver Dragon. Whatever ingredients they use are relatively stomach-friendly. I can't say that all of the food tastes perfect, which I'll weigh more heavily on in a moment, but most of what I've tried so far is above average. I'll break my experience down by course:
Drinks:
The only thing I've tried is their (hot) tea because it's a must-have. The same ridiculously hot metal teapot that you've seen a thousand other times at a thousand other Chinese restaurants is presented steeping a very simple and soothing Oolong. The tea service is also helped by cute tiny teacups that I always fill endlessly from that magic metal pot, leaving only a pile of empty sugar packets behind.
Appetizers/Soups:
Silver Dragon does good crispy noodles. Try them with either mustard or duck sauce, both are good. Their egg rolls are almost a perfect reproduction from Golden Lights, crispy and flavorful. They are good but not mind-blowing. The spring rolls are totally average, tasty but skippable. There is some type of pork dumpling that is very good. I'm inclined to say they are fried but I can't remember completely, I only remember liking them a lot. The egg drop soup is homemade and better than a mix, but really only filler, again nothing special. It's almost always the case, but the crab rangoon is delicious and highly recommended to anyone that likes cream cheese.
Entrees:
The selection in the dinner menu is impressive for such a small operation. They've added some pan-asian noodle bowl options (phở and the like) to their already extensive menu, and have kept some duck dishes available as well. My advice is to steer clear of the Vegetarian options if possible. The Buddha's Delight is a staple of Chinese-American cuisine and Silver Dragon's rendition left something to be desired. The meat dishes I've tried are all good. A few notes would be that the Almond Shrimp Ding (and most likely all Almond Ding dishes) is bland but the shrimp in it are abundant and awesome. The Beef with Chinese Black Mushrooms is great all around (the chef's special sauce is a typical savory brown sauce, but they do it well). A personal favorite of mine has always been Orange Chicken, and Silver Dragon pulls it off well.
Accompaniments:
Golden Lights always made a terrific fried rice. I don't know what has changed, but Silver Dragon's fried rice doesn't compare. Either the ingredients or the recipes have changed, and not for the better. Going along with the more pan-Asian side of the menu are a few pad thai options which both looked and smelled tasty, but I haven't tried any yet.
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The skinny:
* Pros: good value, friendly service, tasty, stomach friendly food
* Cons: nothing extremely impressive, hit-or-miss standard dishes, poor vegetarian showing
Make an Assessment:
Overall I don't want to be too critical of Silver Dragon because despite the few flubs I've experienced there my opinion of them is generally favorable. They are definitely my family's standard for casual Chinese in NW Gainesville. Some things should be done better, but they are without a doubt worth trying for dine-in or takeout. Don't be afraid to try something new or ask for recommendations, stay away from very veggie-heavy options, and drink the tea.
Overall Review Scores:
* Grade: B
* Score: 85%
* If it were a movie: ★★★½
* My Feelings: "Good food for a fair price and I don't even have to figure out how to pronounce Qing wen, xi shou jian zai na li? Awesome."
3.25.2010
3.21.2010
The Paul Sikivie Trio - Gainesville, FL 03/17/2010
Paul Sikivie is an amazing bass player. As the Gainesville Sun article (in the post link) explains, Sikivie has a great jazz education and a lot of experience under his belt for such a young musician. The Gainesville Friends of Jazz and The Thomas Center were recently lucky enough to host an evening with Sikivie and two other extremely talented young musicans, creatively dubbed "The Paul Sikivie Trio."
The New York City based Paul Sikivie Trio consists of Sikivie on bass, Aaron Diehl on piano, and Lawrence Leathers on drums. Individually these three are each very talented, but together they are a more than the sum of their parts. The combination is a handsome, young, energetic, and tight ensemble.
The setting for the show was very mellow. There was a small crowd nestled in the cozy atrium of The Thomas Center. It could easily have been billed as "An intimate evening with The Paul Sikivie Trio." I didn't make it to the show in time for any introduction, but as soon as I took my seat it was readily apparent that the talent of this group was much larger than the audience there to support them.
From the first note to the last, the most pronounced features of the music were a strong sense of whimsy and superlative individual talent from each member. The whimsical quality came out numerous times, bringing a humorous tone into the songs which pulled the audience closer to the music in a much more gratifying way than predictable passages based solely on technical skill. The solos weren't a dizzying flurry of fingers and drumsticks, but ranged from simple to highly technical while providing a great depth of rhythm and melody. Dynamic swells and subtle shifts in style from phrase to phrase made literally every solo worth clapping for.
The group succeeded in making music that not only displayed their ability to play with a level of skill that is rare, but also in making truly entertaining music that engaged their audience. Going into the performance one fear of mine was that either the group would present an extremely avant-garde session, completely inaccessible to the small-town audience, or that they would play watered-down elevator jazz standards meant to entertain a group of totally naive listeners, like scientists playing nursery rhymes for a room full of orangutans.
I'm not a very experienced jazz listener, so I'll be the first to admit that I can't fully appreciate much of what happens in good jazz. I can say though, that what the trio actually presented was probably somewhere in-between high-brow, inaccessible jazz and the "Jazz for Dummies" version. There weren't any sounds that could be described as really experimental, but they steered well clear of the elevator genre as well. I would have enjoyed perhaps a little more experiment with grooves and playing around with meter, more of a freestyle jam at times. I would love to hear what would come out of a jam session with these three musicians deep, like Mariana Trench deep, into a groove. However, remaining fairly straight, and away from a total jam wasn't necessarily a mistake because the arrangements were clean and good, never completely expected, and always fun. There were good, tight passages with substantial groove a number of times. Sikivie brought together a lively mix of well written arrangements that flowed well. I would love to hear a collection of jazz standards arranged by Sikivie and performed by this group.
______________
The skinny:
* Pros: Great Jazz, Cheap, Right here in Gainesville
* Cons: You missed it
Make an Assessment:
I am still very impressed by this performance. I haven't seen any good jazz ensembles in a couple years and this was a fantastic surprise for the Gainesville jazz scene. Thank you to Gainesville Friends of Jazz for pulling this together.
As The Paul Sikivie Trio is based in New York, be sure to try and check out Paul Sikivie, Aaron Diehl, or Lawrence Leathers if you're in the city. You will not be disappointed by any of these three awesome young musicians.
Overall Review Score (I haven't figured out how I want to do this yet):
* Grade: A
* Score: 95%
* If it were a movie: ★★★★★
* My Feelings: "I wish I had practiced more when I still had musical potential. These guys are awesome. I want to start a jazz jam. Where'd I stash all my Mingus LPs?"
Bonus points also to Mr. Sikivie for acknowledging his mother during the performance. It takes character to stand in front of a room full of people, a grown man, and thank your parents before playing a song specifically for your mom. Speaking as a true Mama's boy, I know my mom would have been proud.
The New York City based Paul Sikivie Trio consists of Sikivie on bass, Aaron Diehl on piano, and Lawrence Leathers on drums. Individually these three are each very talented, but together they are a more than the sum of their parts. The combination is a handsome, young, energetic, and tight ensemble.
The setting for the show was very mellow. There was a small crowd nestled in the cozy atrium of The Thomas Center. It could easily have been billed as "An intimate evening with The Paul Sikivie Trio." I didn't make it to the show in time for any introduction, but as soon as I took my seat it was readily apparent that the talent of this group was much larger than the audience there to support them.
From the first note to the last, the most pronounced features of the music were a strong sense of whimsy and superlative individual talent from each member. The whimsical quality came out numerous times, bringing a humorous tone into the songs which pulled the audience closer to the music in a much more gratifying way than predictable passages based solely on technical skill. The solos weren't a dizzying flurry of fingers and drumsticks, but ranged from simple to highly technical while providing a great depth of rhythm and melody. Dynamic swells and subtle shifts in style from phrase to phrase made literally every solo worth clapping for.
The group succeeded in making music that not only displayed their ability to play with a level of skill that is rare, but also in making truly entertaining music that engaged their audience. Going into the performance one fear of mine was that either the group would present an extremely avant-garde session, completely inaccessible to the small-town audience, or that they would play watered-down elevator jazz standards meant to entertain a group of totally naive listeners, like scientists playing nursery rhymes for a room full of orangutans.
I'm not a very experienced jazz listener, so I'll be the first to admit that I can't fully appreciate much of what happens in good jazz. I can say though, that what the trio actually presented was probably somewhere in-between high-brow, inaccessible jazz and the "Jazz for Dummies" version. There weren't any sounds that could be described as really experimental, but they steered well clear of the elevator genre as well. I would have enjoyed perhaps a little more experiment with grooves and playing around with meter, more of a freestyle jam at times. I would love to hear what would come out of a jam session with these three musicians deep, like Mariana Trench deep, into a groove. However, remaining fairly straight, and away from a total jam wasn't necessarily a mistake because the arrangements were clean and good, never completely expected, and always fun. There were good, tight passages with substantial groove a number of times. Sikivie brought together a lively mix of well written arrangements that flowed well. I would love to hear a collection of jazz standards arranged by Sikivie and performed by this group.
______________
The skinny:
* Pros: Great Jazz, Cheap, Right here in Gainesville
* Cons: You missed it
Make an Assessment:
I am still very impressed by this performance. I haven't seen any good jazz ensembles in a couple years and this was a fantastic surprise for the Gainesville jazz scene. Thank you to Gainesville Friends of Jazz for pulling this together.
As The Paul Sikivie Trio is based in New York, be sure to try and check out Paul Sikivie, Aaron Diehl, or Lawrence Leathers if you're in the city. You will not be disappointed by any of these three awesome young musicians.
Overall Review Score (I haven't figured out how I want to do this yet):
* Grade: A
* Score: 95%
* If it were a movie: ★★★★★
* My Feelings: "I wish I had practiced more when I still had musical potential. These guys are awesome. I want to start a jazz jam. Where'd I stash all my Mingus LPs?"
Bonus points also to Mr. Sikivie for acknowledging his mother during the performance. It takes character to stand in front of a room full of people, a grown man, and thank your parents before playing a song specifically for your mom. Speaking as a true Mama's boy, I know my mom would have been proud.
3.20.2010
Nike LunarTrainer+ Shoes
Shoes can be extremely fun and fashionable, but first and foremost they serve a purpose. Some shoes take you where you want to go, some shoes broadcast your personal ideals to the world, and some shoes help you to perform specific athletic tasks.
So here are my new athletic performers in all their glory (tadaaaaaaa!)
I'll be the first to admit that my new Nike's are ugly Ronald MacDonald moon shoes, but they are the absolute #1 on my list of shoes that fulfill their intended purpose. The purpose of my bright red Nike LunarTrainers is training; training my mind to not wimp out in the face of exhaustion, training my spirit to continue pushing onward through fatigue, and most importantly training my fat to get the hell out. Some people just call it cross-training, but more specifically the brand of hardcore masochism I try to practice is interval training.
Basically my application requires a shoe that is supportive heel-to-toe, with lots of ball cushion, and plenty of lateral support. I do a lot of shuffling and side-to-side movement, so cushioning the sides of my feet and keeping my ankles from rolling is extremely important. The Nike LunarTrainer+ completely fits the bill.
In trying out dozens of pairs of shoes I found that running specific shoes just don't cut the mustard for lateral support. They generally have very little support for the ankles, especially for side-to-side movement. Most of the training specific shoes I tried out felt rigid, heavy, or clunky. I had just started realizing that providing ample stability in a training shoe means sacrificing lightness and comfort, but then I came across these guys. I tried them on and within about 20 seconds I was sold. They are extremely light, extremely wide, extremely supportive, and doing a couple of side-steps with them on felt totally natural.
As an aside, imagine me busting "the heisman" in the middle of the store with bright red moon shoes on. It was apparently awesome enough to turn some heads.
One added bonus is the super-comfortable upper. They have a lightweight and breathable mesh body with a sockliner-like set of straps sewn in to fit snugly without choking or chafing the top of the foot. Another bonus (that I'll never utilize for any reason) is reflective detailing scattered around the shoe in a tasteful but probably ineffective way. For those with an iPod, iPhone, or desire to purchase an iWristband-thing there is also the option for use with the Nike+ system which I've never used. I'm not certain of the purpose, but I understand it to monitor your movement and send all of your data to the interwebs so that dweebs at Nike Headquarters can laugh at you for "jogging" from your house to MacDonald's and the general public can join in the fun by logging onto your Nike+ page to see that you've run a total of .6 miles this month.
I think it's fair and important to mention that I tried these shoes on head-to-head against other shoes from various brands ranging from $40-$140 retail, and these ones (originally $100 MSRP, on clearance for $60) were by far the most comfortable and easy to maneuver in. I'd say that if they stand the test of time they'll easily be worth the full $100 MSRP, and I would definitely try on any newer incarnations with great expectations. Also, from what I've read online these are widely available in a variety of colorways so it shouldn't be difficult to get this great shoe and avoid the firetruck-foot look.
I've never been a fan of Nike. I've never thought that as a brand they were comfortable, stylish, or well-made enough to justify their prices. I've owned a couple of pairs of hand-me-downs and clearance rack Nikes, and I've never been blown away by them. When I set out to find a new pair of trainers I expected that I'd likely end up with a pair of NewBalance, Under Armour or Adidas runners. I know that cross-training isn't as popular as it was when Dan Cortese was still hosting MTV Sports, so I didn't expect to find a shoe designed specifically for me. I was kind of blown away when these shoes felt so good and performed so well.
My main concern with these shoes when I bought them was durability. They seem light enough and the "Lunar" foam sole seems like it might wear out quickly. I've read reports of runners getting anywhere from 300+ up to 600 miles out of them, so my fears have somewhat subsided. After using them for the past few weeks I feel confident that they'll last me for at least 6 months, if not a year, before blowing out. If they fail me sooner I'll post an update defaming and cursing Nike back into the sneaker d league in my mind whence they came.
______________
The skinny:
* Pros: Comfortable, Perfect for Conditioning/Training
* Cons: Uggo, My Cat Dislikes Them
Make an Assessment:
So far I have nothing bad to say about these shoes. Going from a beloved pair of haggard, blown-out Reebok Classics to these has given my feet good reason to praise. I am really happy with these shoes and my outlook on Nike has changed tremendously because of them. If you do any cross-training, or even general gym training I would recommend these highly. My research has led me to believe that a lot of people like them as runners too, but personally I'd go with a more dedicated pair of running shoes if I were doing any distance.
Overall Review Score (I haven't figured out how I want to do this yet):
* Grade: A
* Score: 95%
* If it were a movie: ★★★★★
* My Feelings: "I hate exercising even in these sweet shoes...damn you to hell vanity...come on muscles, I know you're in there somewhere...can I quit yet?...I'm eating like 5 Clif Bars when this is over."
So here are my new athletic performers in all their glory (tadaaaaaaa!)
Basically my application requires a shoe that is supportive heel-to-toe, with lots of ball cushion, and plenty of lateral support. I do a lot of shuffling and side-to-side movement, so cushioning the sides of my feet and keeping my ankles from rolling is extremely important. The Nike LunarTrainer+ completely fits the bill.
In trying out dozens of pairs of shoes I found that running specific shoes just don't cut the mustard for lateral support. They generally have very little support for the ankles, especially for side-to-side movement. Most of the training specific shoes I tried out felt rigid, heavy, or clunky. I had just started realizing that providing ample stability in a training shoe means sacrificing lightness and comfort, but then I came across these guys. I tried them on and within about 20 seconds I was sold. They are extremely light, extremely wide, extremely supportive, and doing a couple of side-steps with them on felt totally natural.
As an aside, imagine me busting "the heisman" in the middle of the store with bright red moon shoes on. It was apparently awesome enough to turn some heads.
One added bonus is the super-comfortable upper. They have a lightweight and breathable mesh body with a sockliner-like set of straps sewn in to fit snugly without choking or chafing the top of the foot. Another bonus (that I'll never utilize for any reason) is reflective detailing scattered around the shoe in a tasteful but probably ineffective way. For those with an iPod, iPhone, or desire to purchase an iWristband-thing there is also the option for use with the Nike+ system which I've never used. I'm not certain of the purpose, but I understand it to monitor your movement and send all of your data to the interwebs so that dweebs at Nike Headquarters can laugh at you for "jogging" from your house to MacDonald's and the general public can join in the fun by logging onto your Nike+ page to see that you've run a total of .6 miles this month.
I think it's fair and important to mention that I tried these shoes on head-to-head against other shoes from various brands ranging from $40-$140 retail, and these ones (originally $100 MSRP, on clearance for $60) were by far the most comfortable and easy to maneuver in. I'd say that if they stand the test of time they'll easily be worth the full $100 MSRP, and I would definitely try on any newer incarnations with great expectations. Also, from what I've read online these are widely available in a variety of colorways so it shouldn't be difficult to get this great shoe and avoid the firetruck-foot look.
I've never been a fan of Nike. I've never thought that as a brand they were comfortable, stylish, or well-made enough to justify their prices. I've owned a couple of pairs of hand-me-downs and clearance rack Nikes, and I've never been blown away by them. When I set out to find a new pair of trainers I expected that I'd likely end up with a pair of NewBalance, Under Armour or Adidas runners. I know that cross-training isn't as popular as it was when Dan Cortese was still hosting MTV Sports, so I didn't expect to find a shoe designed specifically for me. I was kind of blown away when these shoes felt so good and performed so well.
My main concern with these shoes when I bought them was durability. They seem light enough and the "Lunar" foam sole seems like it might wear out quickly. I've read reports of runners getting anywhere from 300+ up to 600 miles out of them, so my fears have somewhat subsided. After using them for the past few weeks I feel confident that they'll last me for at least 6 months, if not a year, before blowing out. If they fail me sooner I'll post an update defaming and cursing Nike back into the sneaker d league in my mind whence they came.
______________
The skinny:
* Pros: Comfortable, Perfect for Conditioning/Training
* Cons: Uggo, My Cat Dislikes Them
Make an Assessment:
So far I have nothing bad to say about these shoes. Going from a beloved pair of haggard, blown-out Reebok Classics to these has given my feet good reason to praise. I am really happy with these shoes and my outlook on Nike has changed tremendously because of them. If you do any cross-training, or even general gym training I would recommend these highly. My research has led me to believe that a lot of people like them as runners too, but personally I'd go with a more dedicated pair of running shoes if I were doing any distance.
Overall Review Score (I haven't figured out how I want to do this yet):
* Grade: A
* Score: 95%
* If it were a movie: ★★★★★
* My Feelings: "I hate exercising even in these sweet shoes...damn you to hell vanity...come on muscles, I know you're in there somewhere...can I quit yet?...I'm eating like 5 Clif Bars when this is over."
3.16.2010
Lush Karma Fragrance
For Valentine's Day this year I was the lucky recipient of a goodie bag from two amazing ladies that included a number of awesome things. Among the awesome were two Lush products for me to try out. One was the Ambrosia shaving cream from my last review, the other was a bottle of the Karma Fragrance.
I had tried the fragrance in stores a couple times and liked it each time. Now that I've worn it a couple more times I can safely say that this is my favorite scent of any that I've ever worn. I'm not huge on the cologne scene, but I've passively searched for the past couple years for a fragrance that fit me perfectly, and after many failures this one is a spot on winner.
Previously when I've tried it my girlfriend has always liked the aroma, and it isn't too masculine for her to wear also. It's difficult to find a men's fragrance that isn't overpoweringly woody, spicy, sweet, or straight up old-man in a Cadillac. Possibly by virtue of being unisex Karma avoids going over the top. The scent is very nature-heavy, with a bit of citrus to keep the foresty edge at bay. One of the primary ingredients is patchouli oil, which would've scared me if I'd known before trying it. The last thing I want to do is walk around announcing to the world that I am the human embodiment of a head shop. Fortunately for Karma, the other ingredients mellow the patchouli into the deep recesses of the scent. You can smell it if you're looking out, but it's not powerful. Fear not smelling like a damn dirty hippie.
Of course, if you are a damn dirty hippie you'll be happy to know that this scent is vegan and not animal tested. Hell, you don't even have to be a hippie, anybody with a conscience should take comfort in a (relatively) clean product.
The main problem I have with Lush, again, is that it is too damn expensive. I understand that the products are all handmade and usually enviro-friendly. I also understand that I am cheap and close to broke, so shelling out $40 for a tiny bottle of sexy smelliness is hard to justify. I haven't put a dent in the bottle yet, so if it lasts I'll change my opinion about the pricetag.
Fragrances are so personal and tastes vary radically, so I would never suggest buying Karma without trying it first. As with almost all Lush products you can ask for a sample and the usually friendly, if not pushy and annoying, staff will generally be happy to hook you up.
______________
The skinny:
* Pros: smells good on me
* Cons: doesn't smell bad on me, kind of expensive
Make an Assessment:
This is a great scent, and one of Lush's best products hands down. Come and smell me if you need more convincing (ask first, if I've been cycling my bouquet could get lethal quickly).
Overall Review Score:
* Grade: A
* Score: 97%
* If it were a movie: ★★★★★
* My Feelings: ☺☺
I had tried the fragrance in stores a couple times and liked it each time. Now that I've worn it a couple more times I can safely say that this is my favorite scent of any that I've ever worn. I'm not huge on the cologne scene, but I've passively searched for the past couple years for a fragrance that fit me perfectly, and after many failures this one is a spot on winner.
Previously when I've tried it my girlfriend has always liked the aroma, and it isn't too masculine for her to wear also. It's difficult to find a men's fragrance that isn't overpoweringly woody, spicy, sweet, or straight up old-man in a Cadillac. Possibly by virtue of being unisex Karma avoids going over the top. The scent is very nature-heavy, with a bit of citrus to keep the foresty edge at bay. One of the primary ingredients is patchouli oil, which would've scared me if I'd known before trying it. The last thing I want to do is walk around announcing to the world that I am the human embodiment of a head shop. Fortunately for Karma, the other ingredients mellow the patchouli into the deep recesses of the scent. You can smell it if you're looking out, but it's not powerful. Fear not smelling like a damn dirty hippie.
Of course, if you are a damn dirty hippie you'll be happy to know that this scent is vegan and not animal tested. Hell, you don't even have to be a hippie, anybody with a conscience should take comfort in a (relatively) clean product.
The main problem I have with Lush, again, is that it is too damn expensive. I understand that the products are all handmade and usually enviro-friendly. I also understand that I am cheap and close to broke, so shelling out $40 for a tiny bottle of sexy smelliness is hard to justify. I haven't put a dent in the bottle yet, so if it lasts I'll change my opinion about the pricetag.
Fragrances are so personal and tastes vary radically, so I would never suggest buying Karma without trying it first. As with almost all Lush products you can ask for a sample and the usually friendly, if not pushy and annoying, staff will generally be happy to hook you up.
______________
The skinny:
* Pros: smells good on me
* Cons: doesn't smell bad on me, kind of expensive
Make an Assessment:
This is a great scent, and one of Lush's best products hands down. Come and smell me if you need more convincing (ask first, if I've been cycling my bouquet could get lethal quickly).
Overall Review Score:
* Grade: A
* Score: 97%
* If it were a movie: ★★★★★
* My Feelings: ☺☺
3.05.2010
Lush Ambrosia Shaving Cream
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.
______________
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.
______________
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.
______________
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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