Powder for the Imperialists? (Cussons Imperial Leather Original Talcum Powder)

Member Name: brittle1906

Product:	Cussons Imperial Leather Original Talcum Powder
Date:	15/03/09 (165 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A reasonably priced tradtional product.

Disadvantages: Not a current must have!

Review of Imperial Leather Talcum Powder

Imperial Leather is a well known brand from the Cussons stable, which has been popular in the UK for many, many years.
The Imperial Leather range includes bar soap, shower gels, shower foams, bath soaks and talcum powder to name but a few. The range includes various fragrances from the original fresh Imperial Leather to more exotic, oriental floral scents. It is the 300g Original talc that I am reviewing.

**The Product, Packaging, Fragrance, Cost and Availability**

Talcum powder is one of those products that seem to have fallen a little out of favour in recent years as consumers have embraced body lotions, skin conditioners, body butters and similar products that seem to line our bathrooms. Personally, I like talc, I find it cooling and soothing to the skin, refreshing after a shower or bath.

The talc is presented in a red plastic container, approx 7.5 inches tall, basically rectangular in shape. The plastic container is recyclable, where facilities exist. The container is topped with a white screw top lid. The lid turns to reveal 6 holes for shaking out the talcum powder. The Imperial Leather logo is in a white font on a red and silver background. Directions for use, ingredients, company contact information and a warning to avoid contact with baby's noses and mouths and to keep out of the reach of children, can be found on the reverse of the container.
The talcum powder is white in colour and a very fine texture. It is mild and gentle enough for use by all age groups. Imperial Leather talc is a lightly scented, luxury talcum powder. The fragrance is light and fresh, suitable for men or women to use. It has a clean, citrus scent which is refreshing and unobtrusive. It smooths on the skin easily, leaving a delicate sheen, which I feel is an added bonus.

I purchased my 300g size talc from Superdrug at the bargain price of 99p. Imperial Leather talcum powder is stocked in a wide selection of High Street stores including Boots, Tesco, Sainsbury, SuperSavers and in chemists and department stores.

**Ingredients**

Talc
Parfum
Benzyl benzoate
Citronella
Coumarin
Limonene
Eugenol
Geraniol
Isoeugenol

**Manufacturer history and contact info**

The Imperial Leather brand began in 1768 when a Russian nobleman called Count Orlof commissioned a brand of perfume from Bayleys of Bond Street in London. The perfume was called 'Eau de Cologne Imperiale Russe'. In 1921 Bayleys of Bond Street was acquired by Cussons Sons & Co, chaired by Alexander Tom Cussons. In 1938 that Alex Cussons used the original perfume and created Cussons Imperial Leather soap and other toiletries, such as bath cubes and talcum powder. The soap was initially called 'Imperiale Russian Leather', but was later renamed as Imperial Leather. In 1975 the Cussons Group was itself acquired by Paterson Zochonis,recently renamed to PZ Cussons.
During soap rationing in the second world War, Cussons Imperial Leather soap enjoyed a revival thanks to a marketing campaign which extolled it's long lasting qualities. To a nation in the grip of rationing and a scarcity of basic products this was highly appreciated and sales boomed.
Cussons Imperial Leather has stood the test of time, the company has moved with the times and developed new products to meet changing consumer trends. In addition, Cussons have sponsored two theme park rides, 'The Flume' at Alton Towers and 'The Bubbleworks' at Chessington World of Adventure.

Contacts
Postal address
PZ Cussons
Freepost NWW13380
Stockport
SK3 0YL
Customer Careline
0800 581001

Imperial Leather Website
www.huggableskin.co.uk

**My Thoughts and Conclusion**

Cussons Imperial Leather Talcum Powder is a good quality, reasonably priced product from a well known, established company. Talcum powder may not be one of the 'must have' toiletry products these days, but for those consumers who use talc, this is a really good buy. I would recommend Imperial Leather talcum powder to others.
My thanks to Wikipedia for information on the history of the Cussons company.

Thank you for reading.
©Brittle1906 March 2009
Review also on ciao.co.uk under same name

Summary: This Talcum powder is the best!