SANTA MARIA NOVELLA.
While ensconced in an established barbers of repute I happened to mention that I had chanced upon the most amazing shaving regime - that of Santa Maria Novella. Said barber remarked that they had probably licensed their product from his company and just changed the name.” I think not” I replied, “Santa Maria Novella began in the 13th. Century” To which he replied “Oh!”
Shortly after 1221 the Officini Profumo- Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella was established by a group of Dominican monks. Cultivating their own herbs they began preparing unique balms and medicines for their monasteries hospice .By the time of the Plague S.M.N. had found notoriety by creating certain rosewater that was said to abate the disease. Their fame increased when the company created a fragrance for Catherine de Medici named the Water of the Queen. She being the Queen of France propagated the scents popularity in her adopted country starting a trend that enabled the French to smell somewhat less rank. In 1725 Friar Giovanni Paolo Feminis moved to Cologne and re-named the scent ‘Eau de Cologne’ creating the ubiquitous name for all such scent.
Literally bathed in tradition Santa Maria Novella still use the same, methods and ingredients to produce their absolutely unique range of products. Vinegar of the Seven Thieves is an ancient potion used to revive those who have fainted and the Water of Santa Maria Novella is a remedy for hysteria. They do not test on animals and all of the herbs are grown organically in the hills surrounding Florence .The original ‘shop’ is adjacent to the Piazza De Santa Maria Novella and is housed in the old monastery, reminiscent of a mini renaissance cathedral .It is the world’s grandest store.
It was featured In Ridley Scott’s Hannibal
Luckily the company has seen fit to expand operations and has established an outlet in London where most of their balms, perfumes and soaps are available. I would personally recommend the lavender fragrance shaving cream (which really is like ‘cream’) applied with a good badger bristle brush, followed by the pomegranate after shave balm and finish with their after shave lotion which comes in a range of scents (Sandalwood, Russian Cologne, etc) The result is post razor bliss. If you really want to spoil yourself (or hector another to do it for you) they produce the most amazing soap, cologne, shampoo, hair lotion and last but not least bath salts and bath oil.
I for one, never thought I would wax lyrical on such seemingly foppish articles as perfume, balms and soaps, but believe me S.M.N. is in a different class .I have now seen the light.
1, Piccadilly Arcade 175, Piccadilly, London W1J 9EN
www.buy.smnovella.eu