Chatillon Lux
After sampling 6 or 7 of these balms ($2 each!!) I immediately ordered the full size versions at $10 USD per scent. The prices are very reasonable and the postage costs to Australia are fractional. In addition to balms Shaun the creator of Chatillon Lux also does alcohol Splashes and skin toners with the same scents. Maggard's also stocks them in case there is an issue with posting alcohol based products.
I will preface this review by stating up front that these are sophisticated, intelligent scents that have been crafted with maturity, intelligence and style - if you are looking for the blunt less complex, flavour of the month in your face kind of deal these complex and nuanced scents may not be for you.
That being said, I love them because quite frankly they are superb and pair extremely well with the various soaps on the market. There is a detailed and extensive 'Recommended Pairings' provided by the creator at Chatillon Lux which given the French names and complexity of the range was very helpful.
The balms are highly concentrated and I suspect each tub will last me 5-6 months of daily use. I found that around a 5c piece worth warmed in the palms was sufficient for full face and neck cover and that this amount deeply moisturised, cooled with the scent lasting all day. The balms require heat to bring the scent to life, in the pot they smell average but when rubbed in the palms prior to applying to the face after a shave the explosion of the scents is wonderful.
Ingredients
Shea butter, essential oils, witch hazel, avocado oil, coconut oil, aloe vera, cetyl alcohol, emulsifying wax, lanolin, and glycerin.
Gratiot League Square
Deep, warm sandalwood, the suitable and moderate presence of clove, vetiver and pipe tobacco sit together perfectly. Notable bergamot and hints of vanilla that are realised and come to life when the balm is applied to the skin, warm and nourishing and interestingly complex. This scent next to 'Forth and Pine' is easily my favourite of the range.
La Forêt de Liguest
A Fougère companion and compliment, citrus, notes of geranium, rose and bergamot, vanilla and vetier work remarkably well in their presence. Quite an evocative scent that works well with B+M 'Cologne Russe' and soaps of similar vein. Quite unique but with forethought an excellent companion when paired intelligently.
Colonia Balsamica
As the name certainly implies this is one that works with Acqua De Palma or the more down market but popular 'XXX' from Razo Rock. We see notably ginger, grasses, herbs and the refreshing, sweet citrus and and jasmine rounding it off. A great companion to be honest for all of the Colonia type soaps around.
Vide Poche
This is one that it set for high rotation come spring and summer. Appropriate and intelligent use of mild spice, amber notes and the balance of citrus and fragrant Honeysuckle. Works really well with Occam's original and the Crushed Lime, B+M Rhapsody, MLS Grand Havana or indeed any soap where spice and citrus features in a restrained, agreeable manner.
Delor de Treget
Cedar wood, lavender and bergamot. I found this one quite interesting in that the cedar wood is quite dominant and I am not a massive cedar wood fan but the lavender particularly keeps things interesting - it is quite a unique scent in this regard. I also picked up bergamot in the top notes although it struggles to be heard. It's one that works really well with any of the cedar dominant soaps and some of the more creative Sandalwood soaps out there. Not one of my favorites but none the less interesting and great for the masculine, no nonsense wood/gunpowder/gin types out there.
Fourth and Pine
My equal first favorite of this excellent range. A very complex and expertly balanced scent composition. Grapefruit, lemon, orange yuzu and neroli with a hint of lavender for some depth. It's light and versatile and lends itself to so many of my favourite warm weather scents from Castle Forbes Lime to B+M and even to TOBS Jermyn St.
Bon Vivant
Blood Orange, caramel, vanilla, molasses and spice. It's one that loves the Bay Rums of any flavour and compliments them perfectly. A very warm smelling balm, the spice isn't overpowering but rather adds to the citrus smoked complexity that forms the whole. One for Autumn and definitely winter that has seen high rotation since it arrived.
After sampling 6 or 7 of these balms ($2 each!!) I immediately ordered the full size versions at $10 USD per scent. The prices are very reasonable and the postage costs to Australia are fractional. In addition to balms Shaun the creator of Chatillon Lux also does alcohol Splashes and skin toners with the same scents. Maggard's also stocks them in case there is an issue with posting alcohol based products.
I will preface this review by stating up front that these are sophisticated, intelligent scents that have been crafted with maturity, intelligence and style - if you are looking for the blunt less complex, flavour of the month in your face kind of deal these complex and nuanced scents may not be for you.
That being said, I love them because quite frankly they are superb and pair extremely well with the various soaps on the market. There is a detailed and extensive 'Recommended Pairings' provided by the creator at Chatillon Lux which given the French names and complexity of the range was very helpful.
The balms are highly concentrated and I suspect each tub will last me 5-6 months of daily use. I found that around a 5c piece worth warmed in the palms was sufficient for full face and neck cover and that this amount deeply moisturised, cooled with the scent lasting all day. The balms require heat to bring the scent to life, in the pot they smell average but when rubbed in the palms prior to applying to the face after a shave the explosion of the scents is wonderful.
Ingredients
Shea butter, essential oils, witch hazel, avocado oil, coconut oil, aloe vera, cetyl alcohol, emulsifying wax, lanolin, and glycerin.
Gratiot League Square
Deep, warm sandalwood, the suitable and moderate presence of clove, vetiver and pipe tobacco sit together perfectly. Notable bergamot and hints of vanilla that are realised and come to life when the balm is applied to the skin, warm and nourishing and interestingly complex. This scent next to 'Forth and Pine' is easily my favourite of the range.
La Forêt de Liguest
A Fougère companion and compliment, citrus, notes of geranium, rose and bergamot, vanilla and vetier work remarkably well in their presence. Quite an evocative scent that works well with B+M 'Cologne Russe' and soaps of similar vein. Quite unique but with forethought an excellent companion when paired intelligently.
Colonia Balsamica
As the name certainly implies this is one that works with Acqua De Palma or the more down market but popular 'XXX' from Razo Rock. We see notably ginger, grasses, herbs and the refreshing, sweet citrus and and jasmine rounding it off. A great companion to be honest for all of the Colonia type soaps around.
Vide Poche
This is one that it set for high rotation come spring and summer. Appropriate and intelligent use of mild spice, amber notes and the balance of citrus and fragrant Honeysuckle. Works really well with Occam's original and the Crushed Lime, B+M Rhapsody, MLS Grand Havana or indeed any soap where spice and citrus features in a restrained, agreeable manner.
Delor de Treget
Cedar wood, lavender and bergamot. I found this one quite interesting in that the cedar wood is quite dominant and I am not a massive cedar wood fan but the lavender particularly keeps things interesting - it is quite a unique scent in this regard. I also picked up bergamot in the top notes although it struggles to be heard. It's one that works really well with any of the cedar dominant soaps and some of the more creative Sandalwood soaps out there. Not one of my favorites but none the less interesting and great for the masculine, no nonsense wood/gunpowder/gin types out there.
Fourth and Pine
My equal first favorite of this excellent range. A very complex and expertly balanced scent composition. Grapefruit, lemon, orange yuzu and neroli with a hint of lavender for some depth. It's light and versatile and lends itself to so many of my favourite warm weather scents from Castle Forbes Lime to B+M and even to TOBS Jermyn St.
Bon Vivant
Blood Orange, caramel, vanilla, molasses and spice. It's one that loves the Bay Rums of any flavour and compliments them perfectly. A very warm smelling balm, the spice isn't overpowering but rather adds to the citrus smoked complexity that forms the whole. One for Autumn and definitely winter that has seen high rotation since it arrived.
