Classic Bio-Pure Comfort Shaving: Elvado Products

Elvado started after John Carinci, the President and Founder of Bioplanet (manufacturer of Elvado products), had what he calls a “natural skincare epiphany.” He was inspired to create a high quality, bio-safe skincare line that didn’t utilize the synthetic chemicals contained in many skin and body care products.

Founder John Carinci: perhaps at the moment of the "natural skincare epiphany"

Elvado takes its name from the town of El Vado, New Mexico. “El Vado was once a thriving railroad and lumber center, but now lies at the bottom of El Vado Lake”[1].  Spanish for “The Crossing,” Elvado embodies the spirit of the pioneers who traveled great distances to seek a better way of life for their families. 

Like the pioneers of its namesake, Elvado sought to create a better way of shaving by developing what they call Bio-Pure Shaving products using organic and vegan ingredients.  Elvado shaving soaps and aftershave balms are Certified Vegan and have been carefully formulated using quality Organic and Natural Botanical ingredients.

Elvado Aftershave Balms - 72% organic blend

After being in development since early 2012, the Elvado line launched in September of 2013 with an Herbal Blend Aftershave balm along with six different scents of shaving soap: Madera Almond, Key Lime, Bay Breeze, Pacific Mist, Malabar Spice, and MoBay Rum.   Though, over time, Elvado pruned down their scent offering to a few core varieties: bay rum, fragrance free, and a lime mint blend.   

I asked John what his favorite Elvado scent was.  It was the bay rum followed by the lime mint, and then the almond.  Even though the company does not currently produce an almond scent,  perhaps  we may see that return one day.  John also alluded to the possibility of Elvado seasonal scents.  So, I suppose time will tell what other fragrances we could be seeing in the future.
 
Elvado Bio-Pure Shave formulations are loaded with African Shea Butter that is especially healing and hydrating for skin.  Elvado products are made with natural herbal extracts, pure essential oils and are not tested on animals and do not contain animal products.
 
Shaving Soap:
The Classic Shaving Soaps provide a rich, creamy lather that lubricates your beard and leaves your skin feeling ultra-smooth. As of this writing, there are three scents available: West Indies Bay Rum, Wild Mint Lime, and Fragrance Free.

Elvado line of Shaving Soap

For me, I found the soap to product a light, fluffy, meringue-like lather.  From some posts I’ve seen in forums and blogs, some like the fluffiness and some do not.  Personally I didn’t mind it and I found the soap to have a nice slickness to it.

I ran my badger brush under the tap hot water for a few seconds, shook out some of the excess, and swirled it over the soap for about 20 to 30 seconds.  Once loaded, I face lathered and found that I had more than enough for my two pass (WTG and ATG) face shave.  Though, as with most things wet shaving … Your mileage may vary (YMMV).

Fluffy, meringue-like lather of the Elvado Fragrance Free Shave Soap

Aftershave Balm
The aftershave balm is described as a light hydrating, anti-aging formulation that is a 72% organic blend designed to be fast-absorbing and non-greasy. Personally, I found that the Elvado aftershave balm didn’t leave a greasy residue on my head or face. To my nose, the Bay Rum scent seemed to last longer than the Wild Mint Lime. This is just my perception (again … YMMV). 

West Indies Bay Rum Aftershave Balm

However, as with most post shave lotions that I have experienced, it had more of what I would call a soothing quality rather than a bracing one of a splash the sting of some other after shave balms.  I like it, particularly the bay rum scent. Though I would personally opt to use a splash first and then apply it as more of a moisturizing post shave lotion.

As far as what’s in the making at Elvado, John had informed me that we could look possibly forward to a shaving cream, pre-shave lube, after shave splash, beard oil, and maybe even a few other items … though I didn’t get too many specifics.  I know the company used to produce a shave stick. I suppose for now I can only speculate that the Elvado Shave stick may one day return.  Again … only time will tell.

Would you like to see a return of the Elvado Shave Stick? What is your favorite Elvado fragrance?  Feel free to leave a comment below to let us know.

[1] http://newmexicohistory.org/multimedia/audios/el-vado-nm