I usually opt for mid priced toilet paper such as supermarkets own brand - not the cheap value stuff but their more expensive own brand. After all, I don't want it so rough that my backside ends up rough and sore after using stuff that's more like paper then tissue; at the same time I don't see the point in spending too much on it because it's only used to wipe your bum before going down the loo!

However, occasionally I will splash out on that little bit more luxury when it's on special offer. Recently I was lucky enough to find Andrex with Shea Butter for the same price as ASDA shades (my usual brand) and so for obvious reasons the Andrex won.


Packaging
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I bought the 9 pack of toilet tissue. I find the bigger packs offer better value for money and it's not as if toilet paper has a sell by date.

Even the packaging for this tissue looks really luxurious. It's plastic coloured a really dark brown and patterned to look like silk, I think this is supposed to symbolize the luxuriousness of the Shea butter and I think it does a really good job of it and it does look expensive - despite being just plastic! It also has a picture of the famous Andrex puppy asleep on the 'silk'.

There is the Andrex name and it tells me that it contains Shea Butter to feel more luxurious. Being a larger packet mine also had a plastic handle at the top of the packet but I don't believe that the smaller packets have this.

Andrex claim that the toilet tissue itself is cream but I think it's got more of a yellow/light orangey colour then this. It also has stripes going down it so looks slightly patterned.


My Opinion
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The tissue itself smells gorgeous, I assume this is because of the added Shea Butter since they don't claim to be scented with anything. This isn't strong enough to scent the bathroom but it definitely noticeable when you touch it or when you spin it round the holder.

This is noticeably softer, and therefore more gentle, then my usual brand and nicer to use (I pay far too much attention to my toilet paper). Despite being more expensive then my usual brand it is also a lot thicker and therefore I use a lot less then normal. I have a really irrational fear of my toilet tissue falling apart in my hands(!) therefore I usually wrap a whole load around my hand and use that. This paper however is noticeably thicker and therefore I'm confident and happy enough to only use 2-3 sheets each time and the thickness of this is very reassuring. It's also stronger then most other brands I have tried and I have never had a problem with it ripping or tearing. Therefore, in this sense, it may in the long run work out cheaper to buy this brand as you use less each time but I don't feel comfortable enough to keep spending that extra to work this out.

I also have a really bad drainage problem in one of my bathrooms and that toilet will block really easily. This was a common problem with my last toilet paper due to using more then I really needed to. Since using this paper it hasn't blocked at all as I use less each time - however it is thicker so I this would be an issue if I used any more then I do and so is something to consider if drainage is a problem in your home.

As a treat (if you can consider toilet paper a treat!) I would recommend this but I don't think it's worth spending that much extra on something that at the end of the day just gets flushed down the loo!


Pricing And Availability
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Andrex with Shea Butter is widely available both online and in supermarkets. It costs around £2 - £2.50 for a 4 pack and around £5 for a pack of 9 rolls.


Also posted on Ciao under my name angel530