Review Extro Cosmesi Soap Review Thread

[Randomangle]

I said "many" not all

I was thinking mostly UK equivalents to SMN, so brands which trade on their heritage with some attempted faux exclusivity such as Floris & Penhaligon's etc, massively overrated tat best left for tourists IMO.

So Trumper, Harris and Taylor's still have a look in? I will probably get a pot of Eucris cream and skin food now it's not in a tube.

 

[Dr Watson]

So Trumper, Harris and Taylor's still have a look in? I will probably get a pot of Eucris cream and skin food now it's not in a tube.

Must be honest, I cannot stand Harris or Truefitt product either but TOBS and Trumpers get a pass

 

[Boycie83]

Razor: Blackbird SB
Blade: Gillette 7 O'clock Sharp Edge (2)
Brush: Yaqi 26mm Moka 2B
Soap: Extro Egyptian Oudh
Pre: Proraso Red
ASL: Proraso Red
ASB: RSC


This soap does not smell good from the jar. I can only describe the scent as 'sweaty Egyptian man'. Fortunately the scent improves once lathered. I'm not overly familiar with Oudh (Oud?) So can't comment on the smell but this soap has a combination of something strong and dark with a cologne type scent over the top of it (once lathered!). If there's a thin band of performance in which the Extro soaps have operated so far, this felt slightly on the lower end in terms of performance. Perfectly acceptable but I feel some of the others have performed better.

The Blackbird and 7OC delivered the goods in 2 passes for a finish that should comfortably get me through to tomorrow evening. I love the audible feedback from this razor. It's like a scythe!

 

[Boycie83]

Razor: Blackbird SB
Blade: Gillette 7 O'clock Sharp Edge (3)
Brush: Semogue 830
Soap: Extro Positano
Pre: Proraso White
ASL: Williams AV
ASB: RSC

The scent profile of Positano is described as a fragrance packed with memories of the warm Amalfi Coast. Notes of figs, jasmine, cyclamen, pink orchid all combine together with amber, wood and musk.

To my simple nose it's smells fruity and flowery. Really nice from the jar but quite weak once applied which is the polar opposite experience to @Dr Watson . Lather quality was superb though and the Smog worked well with the soap.

The Blackbird continues to impress.

 

[Boycie83]

Razor: Bastardised Blackbird SB
Blade: Gillette 7 O'clock Sharp Edge (4)
Brush: Mühle XL STF
Soap: Extro Arzachena
Pre: Proraso Blue
ASL: L'Oréal Skin Purifier
ASB: RSC

Used the Arzachena today which is a soap I've tried previously with success. I'd describe the scent as a nice marine/aquatic one. The notes are stated as:

head: bergamot-lemon-green
heart: lilac-jasmine-earthy-violet-pink
background: amber-woody-cedar-musk-hay wood

The lather was plentiful using my new Mühle STF brush. Off topic but these brushes are amazing. I know it's been said before but they really do replicate badger hair - especially when compared to the super soft fibres currently available. Great slickness for my not-so-pleasing-to-the-eye Blackbird modification. I used a titanium handle to test a lower weight but increased handle length. The titanium handle worked well with the Blackbird head. The weight, length and balance came together nicely. I'm going to use this razor set up again for my next shave.

 

[Deleted member 1881]

View attachment 69832
Razor: Bastardised Blackbird SB
Blade: Gillette 7 O'clock Sharp Edge (4)
Brush: Mühle XL STF
Soap: Extro Arzachena
Pre: Proraso Blue
ASL: L'Oréal Skin Purifier
ASB: RSC

Used the Arzachena today which is a soap I've tried previously with success. I'd describe the scent as a nice marine/aquatic one. The notes are stated as:

head: bergamot-lemon-green
heart: lilac-jasmine-earthy-violet-pink
background: amber-woody-cedar-musk-hay wood

The lather was plentiful using my new Mühle STF brush. Off topic but these brushes are amazing. I know it's been said before but they really do replicate badger hair - especially when compared to the super soft fibres currently available. Great slickness for my not-so-pleasing-to-the-eye Blackbird modification. I used a titanium handle to test a lower weight but increased handle length. The titanium handle worked well with the Blackbird head. The weight, length and balance came together nicely. I'm going to use this razor set up again for my next shave.

Better than Cella and Valobra king Chris?

 

[Boycie83]

Better than Cella and Valobra king Chris?

I've never tried Valobra but I'd say these soaps (IMO) have the performance of Cella but with much better scents.

 

[Deleted member 1881]

I've never tried Valobra but I'd say these soaps (IMO) have the performance of Cella but with much better scents.

Try Valobra please. The real light in the dark. Even the stick.

 

[Boycie83]

Try Valobra please. The real light in the dark. Even the stick.

I'd love to try Valobra but I don't think we can get it any more in the UK.

 

[Deleted member 1881]

I'd love to try Valobra but I don't think we can get it any more in the UK.

The thing is that neither I, can find it here anymore.

 

[Boycie83]

Razor: Blackbird SB
Blade: BIC Chrome Platinum (1)
Brush: Oumo Chubby
Soap: Extro Del Don
Pre: Proraso White
ASL: L'Oréal Ice Impact
ASB: RSC

The Del Don reminds me a bit of the Pirata. I wouldn't say one is better than the other but there's no point in buying both. This is coming from the guy that puts scents in to three groups so take my comments with a pinch of salt. The notes are:

head: mandarin -petit grain -basil -lily-of-the-valley
heart: lavender-sage-thyme-cassis
background: amber-patchouly-guaiac wood

For the avoidance of doubt, I really like the Pirata and I really like the Del Don. The lather was excellent despite the efforts of the Oumo brush to ruin it. I'm not convinced I like dense stiff brushes.

Because of some new inclusions in the shave, I moved back to the standard handle. I used a BIC Chrome Platinum for the first time thanks to the generosity of B. @Palmolive-Fox and I'm really impressed with it based on the first shave. If it continues to perform like this, I could have a new entrant to my top 3 blades. 2 passes for an exceptional finish.

 

[Boycie83]

Razor: Blackbird SB
Blade: BIC Chrome Platinum (3)
Brush: AP Shave 28mm SynBad
Soap: Extro Vetiver
Pre: Proraso Cypress and Vetiver
ASL: Osma Alum
ASB: RSC

The final Extro soap of this test. This has been a nice experiment as there's not been a poor performer in the group and none of the scents have been unpleasant - even sweaty Egyptian man!

Based on the scent from the jar, I opted to save this one for last as it smells divine. This isn't a dirty vetiver. Here's the notes:

Head: Vetiver, Bergamot, Lemon, Grapefruit, Pineapple.
Heart: Vetiver, Lavender, Rose, Gardenia, Violet, Nutmeg.
Background: Vetiver, Amber, Musk, Tonka bean, Vanilla.

Apparently the scent is the same as that used for MDL 4 Vetiver - maybe that means something to somebody? Seems to be an unfortunate translation here though:

Anyway, on to the shave. The smell! Oh the smell. An absolute pleasure. The lather was exceptional - I may go so far as to say the best yet. Perhaps it's unfair to attach that title to this soap though as there's another argument that says I've mastered the Extro soap base over the 10 jars. Either way, great lather and lots of it. This AP Shave Co brush (SynBad) is very good and worked well with this soap. Difficult to gauge residual slickness as the BIC and Blackbird pairing are so effective I could have walked away happy and smooth from a single pass. I've enjoyed the run with the Blackbird and will certainly be reaching for it in the future. It's a beautifully designed and made razor - truly artisan!

Anyway, I hope you've all enjoyed my ramblings. I appreciate my lack of a common testing and evaluation methodology makes it difficult to compare these soaps but that's just how I roll. What I can confidently say is that Don Donato makes excellent soaps and I believe we should all have at least one of these in our dens.

My favourite? Difficult to pick one but I'd say my top 3 are Vetiver, Fra Rinik and Felce Biancospino. Pirata and its cool red colour isn't far behind though.

 

[SeanC]

Because of some new inclusions in the shave, I moved back to the standard handle. I used a BIC Chrome Platinum for the first time thanks to the generosity of B. @Palmolive-Fox and I'm really impressed with it based on the first shave. If it continues to perform like this, I could have a new entrant to my top 3 blades. 2 passes for an exceptional finish.

I'm a recent convert to the BIC too. Experience mirrors yours. Whilst not as sharp as a Feather, it's not a million miles off and smoother and longer lasting

 

[Boycie83]

I'm a recent convert to the BIC too. Experience mirrors yours. Whilst not as sharp as a Feather, it's not a million miles off and smoother and longer lasting

I agree Sean. 3 shaves competed with a BIC and I'm really impressed. Another purchase of 100 may be required to help me sleep at night!

 

[ManicDee]

Hey Boycie83,
I completely agree with you about Extro Cosmeti products. As I have a few myself. But I can see that there are a few more, that I need to get. Like the Fra Rinik, Positino, Dandy and Cipresso. Incidently, the Cipresso's artwork has a tombstone with Arch Stanton. In the spaghetti western "The good, the bad and ugly", the treasure was buried beside the grave of Arch Stanton.