February 7, 2007

Review of Marvis Toothpaste

ShavingStuff. A site about all things shaving. That's our mission. But when it comes to reviews, we often look at several products from a single men's grooming line - from cleanser to exfoliant, toner, shaving cream, and after shave balm. What am I saying? I'm trying to segue into this review about toothpaste. Sure, it's not exactly shaving related. But it is related to premium high-quality brands, and it's sold at many of the sites we like. So indulge me.

A while back we got a shipment of two Marvis toothpastes from Details for Men - Aquatic Mint and Classic Strong Mint. I've always been a Colgate Winterfresh Gel man. Until they stopped making it. Now I generally choose whatever seems least offensive at Target.

Enter Marvis, an Italian toothpaste with five flavors - Fruit Mint, Classic Strong Mint, Aquatic Mint, Ginger Mint, and Jasmin Mint. (Yes, that's how they spell "Jasmin".) Notice anything missing in this list? Where's the "whitening" toothpaste? Where's the one with "breathe-scrubbing flavor crystals"? Not there. How refreshing! A toothpaste that's just a toothpaste.

I'm not expert that this stuff, but here's what I like: the favors of the ones I tried - Aquatic Mint and Classic Strong Mint - are subtle and clean. None of this over-the-top minty explosions in your mouth. These are mature adult toothpastes. So mature in fact, that realtors put them in the bathrooms of luxury Manhattan condos when they're trying to sell them. (Read that in a recent New York Time article.) Are they approved by the American Dental Association? Probably not. Do you think Italians make sub-standard products? Let me refer you to my friend Enzo Ferrari.

My personal favorite of the two was Aquatic Mint. Just a cool, smooth flavor. Classic Strong Mint is good too, and don't be fooled by the word "strong". In America that means "Altoids". In Italy that means "predominant flavor".

Marvis Aquatic Mint Toothpaste is $9 for a 3.86 Ounce/75 ml tube or $4.50 for a 1.29 Ounce/25 ml travel size. Same for Marvis Classic Strong Mint Toothpaste.