Razor: DS Cosmetic DS-D8 w/ RazoRock Barberpole
Blade: Gillette 7 O’Clock Super Platinum Blacks
Brush: Maritime Brush Co 26mm SHD 2 Band Badger
Soap: Highland Springs Notti de Vienza
Aftershave: Highland Springs Notti de Vienza
Other: Dolce & Gabbana Pour Homme Intenso
Here is a release I have been looking forward to, the newest offering from Highland Springs. It had been a while since they last dropped a new scent so I was excited to see what was next. I was pleasantly surprised to see this release in their vegan offering. That isn’t a problem for me, they have the best vegan base I’ve tried to date. Chris and Mary also have done some packaging changes with this one coming in a larger mouth tub which I also really appreciate.
The scent on Notti de Vienza is an homage to Dolce & Gabbana Pour Homme Intenso. Scent notes are Lavender, Water Notes, Basil, Marigold, Geranium, Tobacco, Hay, Clary Sage, Moepel accord, Bran, Sandalwood, Cypress, Musk, Amber and Labdanum. Being it is a cologne dupe the fragrance is well blended and difficult to pick out all the notes. To my nose, I get a touch of floral and the watery notes up top, the hay, creamy sandalwood and sweet tobacco to round it out. Scent strength on this is on the stronger side of medium. It does remind me a touch of Noble Otter Fightfigher but sweeter and much stronger. I really enjoy the scent, so much so I decided to pull the trigger on the matching EDP.
I mentioned it above but I feel it needs repeating, this is my favourite vegan base. Loading and lathering are dead simple and you are rewarded with a lather that is lower structure, can take plenty of water, is rich, creamy and slick. I can also say the Highland Springs witch hazel splashes also do wonders for the skin. It goes on with no sting, doesn’t feel tacky, absorbs very well and has an average or slightly above average scent strength. Don’t sleep on Highland Springs, it is a great product and you are supporting some really great people. Chris and Mary are two of the best.
I finished up with the OG EDP from Dolce & Gabbana. I can say the soap and splash are pretty decent representatives of the fragrance. The EDP has a bit more nuance to it. It is a really nice scent but the name Intenso really doesn’t apply. It smells great but honestly, it was a skin scent within the hour and it is possible I was smelling more of the aftershave splash than the EDP itself. Too bad as it smells pretty damn good, while it lasted.
Regardless, still a great shave to start the day. All for now – J
