Review: Axe Detailer Shower Tool (Verdict: I can't believe I like it)
"What's that thing?" asked my roommate. I pulled the Axe Detailer Shower Tool from the cardboard box, fresh from the PR company promoting it.
"It's like a shower poof," I said, giving it a squeeze. "And they included some Axe body wash, too."
"I bet that stuff smells like rapists, if rapists wanted to advertise they were approaching." I gave him a sniff but he wasn't impressed. Personally, I thought it smelled fine, if generically masculine. Besides, it's just soap.
So I put that Detailer up against every part of my sagging, pockmarked body and I cleaned myself like it mattered if my skin were exfoliated or not.
It's pretty decent! The tire-like handle at the top actually gives you something to hold on to unlike most fake loofa poofs, while the rough scouring pad on the top is good for thick skin like heels and elbows. I've used it every day for a week and found myself growing to like it quite a bit, despite its dubious branding lineage. I'd go so far as to say it's probably the best poof I've ever used — if for the rubber grip alone. (And while its name is a cute nod to men and car culture, it's just as useful for women. Not to say women can't like cars, either. You know what I'm saying.)
Fifty people can have one for free, they tell me, by becoming an Axe fan on Facebook and saying "I'm from Boing Boing. I need a Detailer." Or you can just buy them: a pack of four on Amazon is $17. In stores they should cost about $5.
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Oh man, I'm a little ashamed to say that I'm all over this. The day I first used a shower poof was a life changing day indeed.
Down with soap! Long live shower poofs.
I just got myself a poof on a STICK. The world's a different place.
You disgust me.
I'm about to have a shower, and a shave.
For these tasks, I will employ dishwashing liquid, and my Opinel #12.
You know - like a MAN.
"Down with soap! Long live shower poofs.
I just got myself a poof on a STICK. The world's a different place. "
Perhaps it is just because I am British and incredibly juvenile but that is the funniest thing I have read all day. Cheers Gloria.
My shower poof is from Muji, so it's cooler than this macho shait. Also Axe is called Lynx in the UK, and is still for wankers.
I'll stick with my de\\exfoliation solution: a simple plastic card (hotel keycard, for example). Soap, scrape with edge, rinse. Modern equivalent of the ancient roman strigil. No branding (well, outside of the logo of the hotel I forgot to return it to), no cost, effective.
I thought about trying to market it, but I don't quite have the chutzpah to chargs $19.95 for a five-cent scrap of plastic, and if you charge any less people won't believe it.
"I bet that stuff smells like rapists."
has to be one of the funniest things I've read all year. Thanks Joel's roommate. And turn in your key before you vacate.
My wife bought me some (the one that feels like scrubbing with a minty-fresh volcano) and it would be nice to use it in a device made for its use.
AXE is a great way for one man to smell like an elevator full of immigrants.
I bought one of those from the grocery store a while ago. I use it with some classic old spice body wash. at first I didn't like that rubber handle grip deal, but I guess I've gotten used to it. it's a pretty useful shower tool I'd say.
I think I got in under the 50 line, but I'll probably get the shaft for being Canadian. The only "Free offer" that's ever been valid in Canada is Jelly Belly. But we'll see if Axe have some class, since we've got Cory Doctorow on our side.
I think I got in under the 50 limit. I really was thinking of getting one of these, but free is always best!
Am I the only person who find the writer's use of the word Poof amusing, given the british slang meaning?
Daemon, only if you're 12 (and I'm pretty sure that meaning of poof is used everywhere).
Similarly: have you never sat back and put your feet up on a poof?
Axe? That Lynx right?
Yuk, that stuff does indeed smell absolutely appalling - fragrace free deodorant ftw.
Poof? Thats a piece of furniture isnt it? Or a...
I would call said device a shower scrunchie... i swear by em for the floowing 2 reasons a) you will save yourself an absolute fortune on shower gel and b) you get a nice exfoliating scrub whilst showering
Daemon - I find it amusing too.
Arkizzle - I think most brits and aussies might be a bit hesitant to call it a "poof", actually. It's more commonly called a loofah outside of the US.
I think I might have to get one for my husband. It should trump his soap-and-hands technique.
P.S. It's cool BB, I forgive you guys for the 3 hour ban. You can cancel the flowers and apologetic hallmark card. =P
So where's my free detailer?
BankSynergy
I live in the UK. I would not call the thing above a "loofah", because a loofah is something else entirely, eg. natural sponge. I would be much more inclined to call the thing above a "shower scrunchie" or similar, as #15 pointed out.
When I said "I'm pretty sure that meaning of poof is used everywhere", I meant as a euphemism for 'gay', not that people everywhere call the above object a 'poof'..
However, that doesn't take away from the actual point I was making: in the UK there is a piece of furniture called a "poof" and people get along pretty well without having a private snigger everytime they say it.
But be my guest. Daemon asked, I answered.
Arkizzle
Well I'm glad we can agree that neither of us would call it a "poof".
The little stuffed furniture thing though - yeah, I have to give you that one. I've heard it called a poof in Australia, too, although usually accompanied by a little sniggering.
I'd rather have a chuckle and be thought of as immature than pretend I didn't think it and be a "grown-up". :)