Thread: "The lilac water?"

My dad always talks about when he was a kid going to the barber shop with his dad and them giving him a shave with the back of the razor. He mentions how nice the warm lather was, which I get, and he also mentions how nice the lilac water was, which I don't get. I've been wondering what this lilac water is. I think it's generally the water they used to rinse and mix with, but I'm not sure what kind of product it is. Any ideas?

Something like Clubman Pinaud cologne? Never used it myself - it seems to have a lot of mixed reviews.

Regards,
Neil

True lilac water would be a hydrosol made by steam distillation of lilac blossoms.

Hello, Gaius:

Lilac Water is a warm and pleasant old time barbershop fragrance.

As Neil notes, the aftershave receives mixed reviews. I have used it and liked it. My wife and two girls, however, could not stand it. They said it reminded them of the fragrance used in public toilets.

There is no respect. I finally had to get rid of it to avoid a revolution on my hands. In the U.S., I have seen it at Walgreen.

Regards,
Obie

is it similar to lilac vegetal?

er... i just clicked on the above link.. nevermind.

Originally Posted by vthomlinson

is it similar to lilac vegetal?

er... i just clicked on the above link.. nevermind.

Hello, Victor:

Yes, in all likelihood he is referring to the nostalgic Pinaud Lilac Vegetable aftershave. That was a barbershop staple in the old days. Here is another link:
Clubman Lilac Vegetal After Shave Lotion, 6 oz - After Shave Lotions & Colognes

Regards,
Obie

i have yet to ever try lilac vegetal.. but the more i hear about it.. the more i'd like to wear it regularly.. i'll have to get a bottle at some point...

I know it's not the aftershave. He says it didn't burn and you have to remember this is when he was like 10, young enough that they fake shaved with the back of the razor. It sounded more like what they used to rinse his face off, like something added to the water.

I have yet yo try the Pinaud LV, but I can whole heartedly recommend the Stephan's Lilac aftershave. It is a lovely lilac scent, and since we got a bottle for use on customers at the barber school, EVERYONE, and I do mean everyone loves it. We go through a lot of it Try it out! For only a couple bucks a bottle, it's worth it. I will try the LV at some point to compare the two. For now, here's a link to Stephan's products. Their 320 is the classic barbershop scent that many ppl love and remember. Do yourself a favor and try that as well

(http://www.williamsportbarber.com/menus/ST.htm)

Yep, Lillac vegetal, it's the most offensive, foul smelling substance ever invented. I here tell during WWI when they ran out of mustard gas they threw bottles of it over the lines. It penetrated right through their gas masks.