OK, so...about a week ago, I got home and found an unexpected package in my mailbox. I didn't order it, I didn't ask for it, and I was not informed that it was coming. There was no "send me free product and I'll review it for you" or any of that, just a good guy looking for solid feedback.
hawns sent me a sample bottle of his beard oil, unscented, to test out. Now...first impressions, the scent in the bottle was strong and sweet...almost floral. I found out later that it was simply the natural scent of the oils he used, and no fragrance was added, which made a lot of sense, because the scent faded to obscurity almost immediately upon application.
The first thing I noticed during application was how light the oil was, which is a big bonus for me. I don't like feeling "weighed down", and with a big beard like mine, I can't stand the feeling of heavy oils weighing on the beard all day. It's awkward feeling. This oil performed fantastically in that area. Within a few minutes of application, the beard felt as though I was wearing nothing at all, which is how I prefer my beard oils to feel.
Towards the middle of the day, I noticed that my "fly aways" seemed to be much more under control than with other oils in my kit. The combination of oils and ingredients used provided a small amount of control to my beard that is very rare in an oil to begin with, let alone one that does not feel heavy on the beard. This control wasn;t like using a balm or wax to keep everything in place, it just seemed to keep the hair where it was more so than other oils. In a discussion with Shawn, he revealed that this was part of the plan through some special ingredients that I won't reveal here out of respect for his business and proprietary recipe, but which I found to provide the perfect amount of control for a long beard like mine. Fantastic stuff!
I used the oil every day for a week, with all other daily maintenance being identical to my normal routine...I wash my beard with natural, chemical-free soap 3 times a week, and rinse with hot water daily before applying the oil. There was absolutely no buildup or residue in the beard, which I was actually surprised at, considering the hold the recipe provided and some of the ingredients used. Every morning, I found it easy to rinse the beard completely clean in hot water, and re-apply fresh oil without feeling residual buildup or heaviness.
At the end of the week, this is my honest opinion:
This is the best beard oil I have thus far experienced. The control that this oil provided was second to none. I have never experienced anything like from an oil, and given the ingredients I know to be in there, I don't expect I will anytime soon, at least until this proprietary recipe for Chatillon Lux becomes part of the mainstay of beard care products. The healthy shine is perfect. Good light reflection, but none of that annoying "tinfoil beard" look that you get from many of the cheaper oils. Just good hair an skin nutrition.
I, personally, can't wait to see what kind of fragrances Chatillon Lux makes available with his beard oil. I think he has absolutely NAILED the recipe for a solid beard oil that performs above the top tier of oils available today. Nothing I have used has even come close, and I've used everything from The Bearded Bastard and Beard Brand to WSP and Black Rebel Beard Club. I've used the Dollar Beard club to Fisticuffs, Grave Before Shave to Manhood Beard Company. I have made my own oils, and used oils made by others. From $20 an ounce to $1 an ounce, I've used a wide variety of beard oils. This blend of oils that
hawns has put together outperforms all of them. Easily.
When Chatillon Lux puts their beard oil to market, I encourage everyone with a beard to give them at least 1 shot. You will be happy with the performance of the oil.
With all of this being said, I simply MUST say this:
I do NOT do reviews of products in exchange for product. I do not EVER promise anyone a positive review. I do not lower my standards or my integrity for the sake of a $20 product. If I use a product and I really find the performance to be above standard, I will state it publicly, whether I paid for the product or was gifted the product. If I use a product and find the performance to be substandard, I will state it as so when asked for my opinion. I avoid negative reviews because negativity in general is bad for my psyche. I save negative reviews for the maker of the product and those people that personally ask for my opinion. It keeps me sane.
To reiterate...this is my honest opinion, 100%. There was no promise made nor was there any request from
hawns for a review. He sent me the product as a surprise because that is just the kind of decent human being he is, and I provided him my feedback because he deserved it. I am providing my review of the product after using it daily for a week because the performance of this beard oil deserves to be recognized. No other reasons or ulterior motives.
Take it for what it is worth to you, but I encourage everyone with facial hair to give Chatillon Lux beard oil a fair trial when it is available...
