After a self-imposed exile of just over a year from the
place of my birth (Manchester) I returned home a couple of weekends ago for not one party
but two. My little sister Lily turned 7 and the old man (dad) turned 60.
There were parties galore (read lots of alcohol). Having not packed my best
party dress (joke) I had to make sure I looked my best (read not looking like
an extra from The Walking Dead). Not wanting to pack too much stuff (I had
presents to carry after all) I opted to not pack individual shaving cream,
shampoo and face wash and instead took my lovely metallic bottle of Morgan’s
3-in-1 Shampoo/Wash/Shave.
This came some weeks ago as a PR sample but suspecting I may
be off on my travels I have been saving it. A 100ml bottle costs just £9.50 and if
you fancy a bottle you can buy it here. I’d never heard of Morgan’s, but after
a touch of research (I’m a lazy man, so you can be assured that it wasn’t much
research) it appears that it has been around since 1873. If it’s being going
that long it’s either a) a decent company that makes some good products or b) a
family owned company with deep pockets.
So, without further ado and more waffling, this is what the
(actually blunbt and to the point) blurb says about the product over at the
Morgan’s website:
'The perfect travel essential – shampoo, wash and shave with
Morgan’s 3-in-1. Invigorating and refreshing. Versatile and
effective formula that is easy to use.'
So, on with the testing:
What’s it like as a face wash?
I’m starting with my thoughts on this as a face wash as this
for me is the best thing about the 3-in-1. This could punch a lethargic hippo
awake and keep it awake, making it perfect for me (I’m not a morning person, in
fact, afternoons are still too early for me). To suggest (as the bottle does)
that this is invigorating is something of an understatement. It has a
menthol/minty fragrance that is so strong that it almost assaults the senses
(in a good way) and is refreshing on the nose.
Even as it leaves the bottle the strong fragrance is all you
can concentrate on, but as you are being blind-sided by the aroma, you nearly
miss the fact that this lathers up brilliantly. It’s not a rich thick lather,
but actually rather watery which means a little goes a very long way allowing
coverage across a face as large as mine (anyone over the age of thirty think of
the film Mask starring Cher).
Looking at the colour of the water in the sink after using
this it has clearly removed a load of grime and dirt from my face, which is
erm, well what it’s supposed to do. It’s great as a face wash and after patting
my face dry I don’t find that it dries out my skin excessively. It does dry it
out a bit, but nothing just a spot of moisturiser can’t solve.
What’s it like as a shampoo?
Well, it smells the same (no shock there) and again it
lathers up really well. Again, this can’t be faulted – it removes all of the
product from my hair be it cream, wax or gel leaving it soft and ready for more
punishment. Honestly, my hair does feel clean and weirdly, if I leave my hair
to dry naturally it becomes really quite fly away. At the moment of writing my
hair was the longest that it has been in twenty years (it was Robert Palmer)
and it felts so light and fly away.
To summarise in one word: Win!
Shave
This is sadly for me where I have to be slightly negative –
while it is probably good for when on the road, for me (an infrequent shaver) I
was left feeling a little disappointed. First of all I had to use quite a lot
of the gel like formula to get it to stay on my face and lather up to a
thickness that made me able to see where I had already shaved and even then it
was still a touch too watery. That meant most of it ran down my neck and onto
my chest.
Hey, it’s not bad, it’s just not great. Personally I have
loads of shaving products that knock the spots off this (in shaving terms) so
while slightly miffed it’s not a deal breaker when I consider if I would buy
this again when it runs out.
It would have come highly recommended but personally I think
this would be better marketed as a 2-in-1, but that is just my humble opinion.
It wasn’t the best shave cream I’ve ever used and it’s not something I will use
for these purposes again, but in terms of being a good face wash and shampoo
you can’t go wrong. Combine that with:
· A very reasonable purchase price
· It lathers up really well removes hair styling product build up
· It looks cool
· It’s compact (so great for people on the road or train a lot)
· Leaves your face feeling refreshed
With the above in mind, if you are off on your holidays, or
a traveller (of the non-caravan variety or even if you are) you should pick a bottle.
RECOMMENDED
Random fact not
product related: Morgan’s are based in Whitstable. I reference it here
because the best media officer I have ever worked with, Lynn, lives in
Whitstable.
Random pictures not
products related: Here is a picture from the first party – my good self with my uber-cute sister Lily and my slightly older sister Lucy
photo-bombing in spectacular style (where is Lucy’s body???) in the background.
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An interesting sounding product - shame it doesn't live up to the shaving side of things. But for popping in a travel bag for a couple days, I think this is something my husband could make use of.
ReplyDeleteSo maybe 2 out of 3 'aint bad?!!
ReplyDeleteThat's spot on Nadine - and if Meatloaf has taught us nothing, it is that 2 out of 3 ain't bad - not bad at all considering the price.
DeleteThis sounds pretty good, I think I'd still be prepared to give a go, even though I have a pet hate about products that require me to use a tonne of product!
ReplyDeleteA shame it didn't satisfy much when it came to shaving, but it's still definitely a nifty thing to take on travels!
ReplyDeleteThe husbeast and the boys just tend to share my stuff - especially when we are travelling! Your little sis is very cute
ReplyDeleteLove the design of the bottle :D Shame It wasn't great with the shaving.
ReplyDeleteThe bottle is really quirky. I could do with some of that for John. I bet it would be useful for him. I like products which help to get rid of hair gels etc. Angela from Daysinbed
ReplyDeleteI'm always suspicious of multi use products, so I'm pleased to hear it was pretty good. Your sisters are indeed very cute, even the floating head one!
ReplyDeleteOhh this sounds good - I think I might have to get some for Ash and see what he thinks. x
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, welcome to Manchester (it's my home now) and I like the review a lot. The packaging is spot on and it looks like a great product in general.
ReplyDeleteOliver x
Thanks Oliver - it had been the first time I had been back in over a year. So much changes each time I go back!
Deletesounds interesting and great that its a multi purpose product. lovely picture!
ReplyDeleteSophie
xx
www.pocockins.co.uk
I love the way you write, I like to think I give out the same sense of character but perhaps not as smoothly as you do! Love it, Love the review too!
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad that it didn't live up to your expectations, but I think its a good travel size to throw in your bag. Great review :-)
ReplyDeleteFor the price and the fact that 2 out of 3 are really good it is as you say excellent for throwing in the suitcase.
DeleteYou put my man to shame with how well you take care of yourself. I mean he likes to look sharp but I need to steer him in the direction of these products they sound great
ReplyDeleteLizzie, it is a great product and perfect for taking away on holiday. It was one of the few things that I actually managed to get through airport security earlier this week!
DeleteYour blog is the perfect destination for men that want to know more about beauty, I could never write so well about it
ReplyDeleteMy dad would love somethnig like this - all about the ease!
ReplyDeleteAw I love that photo of you with your little sister ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Cass - it is one of the better ones I have with her.
DeleteWhat an awesome idea. All in one products are great, especially for travel.
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting - I think hubby would use it as a shampoo and face wash
ReplyDeleteGreat read and always interested in travel products - will tell the OH :)
ReplyDeleteI was considering getting this for the hubby when we go away on holiday, until I read the part about the shaving. He's a bit fussy about shaving creams so I think he'd be disappointed with this product.
ReplyDeleteI love products which can be used more then one way. This seems like a great product when traveling
ReplyDeleteLaura
Pink Frenzy
Yes where is her body??!!! I was born in Manchester too, great place :)
ReplyDeleteI think it would be hard to make something that was a good soap and shaving cream. Good shaving cream has a very specific texture (not that I shave my beard that often!). I like the sound of the wake up fragrance. Anything that has the ability to perk up the morning neanderthal gets a thumbs up from me.
ReplyDeleteSounds like it would be handy for travelling light, even if it is not quite as good at shaving!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great for travelling, although it's a shame it wasn't as good for shaving. Why is Lucy floating though!?
ReplyDeleteJess xo | The Indigo Hours