Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements (PAA) just launched their Fresco line, an homage to the Old Spice “Fresh Scent” aftershave that was sold in the late 1980’s. How does PAA’s take on it stand up?
PAA Fresco
[Note: PAA links are affiliate.]
From the PAA website:
Shave Soap
“Fresco is our latest homage to a long lost Super Scent, ‘Fresh Scent’ by Old Spice. Do not confuse this for the stuff they currently sell under the same name or that other one, White Water (Sold in the UK). Fresh Scent, like the Original Old Spice, is another Shulton’s Formulation that often flew under the radar….”
“Fresco is a fine example of just this, an Aromatic Fougère containing Top Notes of Orange, Galbanum, Bergamot, Lime, Lemon, Lavender and Black Currant; Middle Notes of Rose, Cardamom and Lily-of-the-Valley; Base Notes of Patchouli, Opoponax, Cedar, Oakmoss and Ambergris. Herbaceous, Citrusy and Fresh; Spicy, Green, Mossy, Balsamic and Woody!”
Soap Ingredients: Potassium Stearate, Glycerin, Potassium Cocoate, Aqua, Potassium Kokumate, Sodium Lactate, Potassium Shea Butterate, Potassium Castorate, Sodium Stearate, Potassium Cocoa Butterate, Potassium Avocadoate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum (Capuacu) Butter, Astrocaryum (Murumuru) Seed Butter, Platonia Insignis (Bacuri) Seed Butter, Parfum [Fragrance]
Aftershave
“Fresco is a fine example of… an Aromatic Fougère containing Top Notes of Orange, Galbanum, Bergamot, Lime, Lemon, Lavender and Black Currant; Middle Notes of Rose, Cardamom and Lily-of-the-Valley; Base Notes of Patchouli, Opoponax, Cedar, Oakmoss and Ambergris. Herbaceous, Citrusy and Fresh; Spicy, Green, Mossy, Balsamic and Woody!”
Aftershave Ingredients: Denatured Alcohol, Lavender Hydrosol, Essential/Fragrance Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Seaweed & Bayberry Extract, Fresh Galbanum Resin
My Experience With PAA Fresco
[Note: PAA sent me sent me a Fresco shave soap and aftershave (and their new “Evil Cube“–to be covered separately) unsolicited but with the hope I would time a possible review at the same time as product launch. My comments here are my own and have been neither reviewed nor approved by PAA. PAA links are affiliate.]
Old Spice’s “Fresh Scent” is a child of the late 1980’s, and cracking the jar of PAA Fresco open is a not-so-subtle reminder to me. My insensitive nose gets a musk and citrus mood. Mrs. Mantic59 also gets a very dominant musk feel with lemon, cardamom, cedar, and bergamot. We’re both old enough to remember the 80’s and, yeah, this stuff screams LATE 1980’s BABY!
I think the strength of the Fresco shave soap isn’t quite as strong as many of the other PAA shave soaps I have (which may be a good thing for some). Mine is moderate out of the jar and softens to very mild (and not very persistent) when lathered on my face.
Speaking of lathering–and performance–Fresco’s CK6 formulation is on-par with PAA’s other CK6 products for me: lathering is stupid-easy (even in my “hard” water) and performance is exceptional in both cushion/protection and lubrication/glide. The CK6 base is on Sharpologist’s best shave soap list for a reason. Fresco is also available in PAA’s “Original” CK1 formula which also performs very well.
The Fresco High Strangeness Aftershave & Cologne seems to me to be more of a complimentary scent than a companion scent to the shave soap. Mrs. Mantic59 and I both get predominantly lavender from it.
Conclusion
Many of PAA’s shave soaps are all about homages to cultural trends and classic scents. Fresco is no exception. If you want to re-live the late-80’s-to-early-90’s this shave soap will take you there. PAA also offers a number of other products in the Fresco collection.
Have you tried PAA’s Fresco? What do you think of it ? Leave a comment below!
