Aqua Velva

Aqua Velva originally began as an alcohol-based aftershave for men in 1929 by Beecham (now GlaxoSmithKline) but has recently expanded into a full line of men's grooming products marketed worldwide by Combe Incorporated. Aqua Velva products include classic Ice Blue, Ice Sport, Musk, and new Ice Balm aftershave.

The alcohol content of original Aqua Velva was high enough to actually inspire US sailors in World War II to use it as a substitute for alcoholic beverages.Fact|date=August 2007 Aqua Velva contains a bittering agent, denatonium benzoate, to discourage consumption. The flavor was improved either with vanilla extract or orange juice, but still left a soapy aftertaste in the drinker's mouth. It is an exceedingly bad idea to drink Aqua Velva as it has ingredients approved for cosmetic use (on the skin) but not approved for ingesting.

On Parris Island, Aqua Velva is often used by Marine recruits, under the direction of their Drill Instructors, to cut the smell of body odor on themselves, and in their barracks.

In popular culture

*As alluded to by Rodney McKay in Episode 3 of "Stargate Atlantis" Season 2, Lt. Colonel John Sheppard uses it.

*Aqua Velva is worn in large amounts by a character in one episode of "Monk" (season 4, episode 5, "Mr. Monk Gets Drunk").

*Glenn Quagmire, from "Family Guy", also wears it, as Stewie notices in the episode "Running Mates".

*Pete Rose endorsed it in television ads in the 1970's.

*Mario Lemieux appeared on a box of Aqua Velva in the 1980's.

*Tang, from Poolhall Junkies encourages its use, along with Old Spice, as the key to picking up women.

*In the film "Zodiac" Aqua Velva is referenced as an alcoholic beverage.

*In the film "Twins" Vincent Benedict (Danny DeVito) receives Aqua Velva as a birthday gift from his secretary, which he obsequiously accepts and then discards as soon as the secretary leaves the room.

*In "Entourage", Turtle calls Drama an Aqua Velva mother lover because Drama uses large amounts of it, but never shaves his beard.

*"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" made reference to Aqua Velva's alternative use as an alcohol substitute when senior correspondent Stephen Colbert took a swig of Aqua Velva after learning that Jon Stewart kept no real alcohol behind the desk. [ [http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=120251&title=cruisin-for-a-boozin Cruisin' for a Boozin' | The Daily Show | Comedy Central ] ]

*In "Frasier", Martin Crane is known to use Aqua Velva after Niles calls him 'Aqua Velva Man'.

*Popular house and social club at Washington and Lee University is known as "Aqua Velva"

*Aqua velva is referenced as a dance in "The B-52's" song, "Dance This Mess Around".

* Aqua velva is referenced by Darius Rucker in his song 'I Hope They Get To Me In Time' from the album "Learn To Live".

References

External links

* [http://www.aquavelvausa.com Official site]
* [http://www.basenotes.net/ID26120117.html Aqua Velva Classic Ice Blue scent description at Basenotes Fragrance Directory]