Release the bubbles (Cussons Imperial Leather Foamburst Gel)

Member Name: sweetiebum

Product:	Cussons Imperial Leather Foamburst Gel
Date:	25/09/09 (108 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lasts ages

Disadvantages: Bit pricey

Ever since I first heard about Imperial Leather's Foamburst Shower and Shave I have always been quite desperate to try it. The promised luxury of both the product and its packaging has always appealed to me. However, money or should I say the lack of it has always dictated my choice in shower gel. Despite longingly looking at this product on the shelves for many years I have always felt the price was just too exorbitant for what it was. However my resolve recently crumbled and I decided to splurge out and give it a go.

Packaging:

Unlike traditional shower gels, this comes in a type of aerosol can. The can is curved and very shapely which adds to the luxurious feel. They are colour co-ordinated to match the aroma of the gel inside. For example, I have the whipped cocoa butter and vanilla variety and the packaging is a creamy vanilla colour. To dispense the product you have to remove a plastic safety mechanism which covers the pump. This is a little bit tricky especially when you have wet hands. In many respects the packaging both looks and feels more like a can of shaving foam rather than a shower gel.

Using the product:

After the safety device has been removed the product is very easy to dispense. You literally just press down on the top of the plastic part and the product is dispensed out of a small nozzle on the side. At first I was a little unsure as to how much is required to produce the amount of foam that is shown on the advert. This is mainly because the product promises a minimum of 40 washes per unit and each wash effectively producing 'mounds of rich and creamy lather'. As with most products I was incredibly sceptical and thought that this sounded too good to be true, but thankfully I was quite wrong.

I very quickly discovered that for just washing only a small amount of the gel was required. I was really quite shocked at how well the product foamed up. When the product is dispensed it does look exactly like shaving gel, but as soon as you rub it between your hands it quickly turns white and begins to foam up. It doesn't magically transform into 'mounds' of foam as the packaging suggests but after working it over the skin the foam does build up and seems to last quite a while. It is thick enough that it does take a while to rinse off. Often with cheaper gels, they very rarely stay on your skin long enough to be rinsed off. I found this a good point as I felt cleaner than if I had of just used a normal shower gel.

The fact that the gel is so thick also made it excellent for shaving with as the product suggests. As the product is basically just a scented shaving gel, it is perfect for shaving as it is thick enough to prevent any nicks and cuts from a razor. Since purchasing my can I have frequently used it to shave my legs and have found it equally, if not better to any ladies shaving gel that I have tried before.

The packaging also claims that the gel is 'nourishing' for the skin, however this is the one part that I do have an issue with. I would not go as far as saying that this product improved or nourished my skin. Yes, the product was silky smooth and creamy enough that it did not aggravate it at all, however it did not nourish or moisturise. I was also quite pleased with the fragrance of the gel, as it smelt very sweet. As I had opted for the whipped cocoa butter and vanilla I was hoping that it would smell good enough to eat. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it smelt very sweet and not at all chemically. One downside for me is that the scent just does not last long enough. As soon as you get out of the shower, the smell has near enough vanished. This can however, be a good thing if you plan on wearing any other fragrance or perfume after showering.

Conclusion:

Overall I was very impressed by this product, and am very tempted to try the other varieties that they sell. I still see this as a luxury purchase and don't think it will become a permanent feature in my bathroom. However, I love the fact that it has a dual purpose and can be used for showering and shaving. I was also extremely impressed by how long the product lasted, as my can has lasted well over a month and I use it daily to wash with. My purchase has definitely lived up to the claim of a minimum of 40 washes per can. I would however suggest that if you plan on using it to shave your legs with every day it obviously will not last quite as long. Therefore may not provide quite the same value for money.

Summary: More than just a shower gel