Life is filled with pleasant surprises, as well as many disappointments, and they can arrive in the most unusual of forms.
For example, I like 'good soap', and I can't stand poor quality soap; what's the point in making poor quality soap anyway?
I always buy my soap in liquid form, I never buy solid bars. But occasionally one variety disappoints so much that it makes me fume. On the other hand occasionally I buy some that is so good that handwashing becomes a true pleasure.
These two above illustrate my attitude perfectly. One is rubbish, and the other is excellent. They probably cost the same, and the presentations suggest that they are both of equally good quality.
The one on the right, with the faux-classy name of 'Baylis & Harding', contains all sorts of wondrous ingredients; Jojoba, Vanilla, and Almond Oil. Sounds good doesn't it. It's RUBBISH.
The one on the left is 'La Corvette' Savon de Marseille. As it says on the bottle, it is Nature. No gimmicks, no nonsense saying 'Contains Zuxillio D47-S non-fatty* dermo-acids' etc etc. Just plain soap. It is PERFECT.
I want 'soapy' soap, I want a pleasant lather that feels nice. I also want it to clean my hands.
The Baylis & Harding contents will be thrown away, and the container re-filled with yellow good quality Fairy Liquid washing-up soap. It will then be used for hand washing either in the kitchen, or the outside loo.
p.s. I should mention that Jean Shrimpton once told me that she always used Fairy Liquid for washing her hair. What better recommendation than that! I now learn that she also happened to attend the same Secretarial College as my sister. The Langham in Park Lane.
There is always lots of Baylis and Harding stuff on the tables at car-boot sales = it must all be rubbish!
ReplyDeleteI've just noticed that I have another one that was already emptied and refilled with Fairy Liquid. I think it must all be rubbish. It's designed to look good, but is just gloop!
DeleteYou love soap? No wonder you are a slippery character!
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling all washed-out this morning.
DeleteBuy decent bar soap and reduce your plastic footprint.
ReplyDeleteI stock up on in France.
I don't like it; I prefer liquid.
DeleteAs one of my uncles once said to me: "Don't believe everything you are told." Shrimpton washing her hair with Fairy Liquid? Pull the other one. Still, you do have a way of indulging your love of name dropping. Which would have made you a terrible spy/counter agent.
ReplyDeleteJohn Le Carre greetings,
U
I don't remember how the subject cropped-up, but she assured me that was what she used; she was even a tad embarrassed about it.
DeleteI remember the furore when Joanna Lumley admitted to washing her hair in "any old shampoo", after she (and her hair) had starred in a series of ads for some high-priced shampoo, the name of which escapes me now! It's possibly no longer around.
DeleteI like hand soap that smells nice, since it's the only kind of soap with fragrance I can use. Everything I use on my face or body has to be completely non scented due to my allergies.
ReplyDeleteWhat the heck is "Fairy Liquid"?
Fairy Liquid, Jennifer? Used to wash up greasy plates, pots, pans and cutlery. And Shrimpton's hair.
DeleteU
I always use L'Occitane Verbena liquid soap.
ReplyDeleteI think that's very similar to the Corvette.
DeleteMust admit to buying big bag refills for one of the local supermarket brand liquid soaps. It seems ok and does the job. The only bar soap I ever use is Wright's Coal Tar and that's only during the summer. It's an excellent mozzie repellent - the smell is enough to gas any stinging insect!
ReplyDeleteI can recommend Fairy, it is very soapy by using very little. I'm sounding like an advert!
DeleteThese days I use cheap products unless I get a bargain because of cash shortage - During the 1970s I worked on a cosmetics counter - We stocked a wide variety of Roger and Gallet soaps which were very popular - flis x
ReplyDeleteIn think they're still very popular; especially as Christmas presents!!!
DeleteWhen I was at Rollins College there was a fancy soap store up Park Avenue, I have used what I like ever since.
ReplyDeleteAnd what do you like? I like soaps that are 'soapy', I can't stand the one's that aren't.
DeleteI've found what I like, perfume-wise and lathering. Big cheap refill bags. I fill a dispenser which squirts out just the right amount of liquid.
ReplyDeleteFairy is the only dishwasher liquid we use. A little bit goes a long way
Fairy Liquid is new to me. I'll look for it.
ReplyDeleteIt is plain, simple washing-up liquid.
DeleteBayliss & Harding is made in China despite the way they phrase things to make it sound like a British brand.
ReplyDeleteI have weakness for Italian and French hard soaps.
I tend to put body washes in liquid soap dispensers. Not really a brand snob there.
Fairy Liquid is kind of like Dawn for dishes.
B & H are an English Co, but probably buy the contents from elsewhere. They should try buying from France. Fairy is probably the best washing-up liquid around in the UK. It is as good as any more expensive soaps.
ReplyDelete