Crack the lid on jar of the The Gentlemens Refinery Black Shave Ice and you'll instantly smell anise, the primary ingredient in black liquorice. It's not overpowering, but its noticeable.

Editor's Note:
Anise was also the primary ingredient in Pernod's famous Absinthe sipped by the likes of Manet  and Degas for its psychedelic effect. Take a look at there paintings and you'll start drinking the stuff too! However we do not recommend you drink Absinthe before you begin your shave ritual.

Editor's Update: (11/12/07)
Absinthe liquor is now legal in the US! Last spring a French brand, Lucid, made its debut here, using 19th-century distilling methods and replicating chemical analyses of pre-ban absinthe. A Swiss absinthe, Kübler. appeared on the American market a few weeks ago, using a 1863 family formula.

Beyond anise Black Shave Ice is also loaded with glycerin for glide, and certified organic coconut, bergamot, and basil oils for their soothing, moisturizing and antiseptic qualities.

Usage:
To truly enjoy the lux-like lather of Black Shave Ice, I used a brush to apply to my face. I placed a quarter's worth of Ice into the center of my brush and ran hot water over it with the bristles straight up into the water stream. then I shook out the excess water and lathered up on my wet face. Call me machocistic, but the hotter the water, the hotter the foam,  the better I feel my shave is. Now before you shave, wait a minute or two  and let the Ice magic soak into your skin.

I never realized how important this minute or two wait was to my shave regiment until I started shaving with/for ShaveReview.

If nothing else, enjoy the smell of anise for an extra moment. I have a tough beard, so I'm  able to shave with and against my stubble's grain without any irritation or burn. Don't rinse your brush just yet you may want to re-lather with Ice where needed.

Editor's Note:
If your skin is sensitive, stick with what you know and play it save. Shave with the grain. You'll still get that close shave, and be less apt to receive any razor burn or worse yet, ingrown hairs.

Great Shave. I was left with a tight, close to the skin, shave without irritation or left-over oily skin. I now use Ice on a daily basis.

None

The Gentlemens Refinery Black Ice Shave Cream is hand made with 100% Natural ingredients; paraben and alcohol free (we use natural and beneficial fatty alcohols). The Gentlemens Refinery Black Ice Shave Cream is lightly scented with Certified Organic Anise, Bergamot and Basil Oils, produces generous lather and retains its silken texture throughout the shave process. Black Ice Shave Cream will give you an extraordinary shave experience.

1. Natural plant derived ingredients 99%
2. Fragranced with beneficial essential oils which immediately soothe any skin irritation caused by shaving
3. higher pH allows for a smoother shave by opening pores
4. excellent foaming properties to lift hair away from skin to make shaving easier
5. nourishes the skin with coconut oil triglycerides which help to prevent infections as well as adding moisture to the skin