ETHOS Grooming Essentials A New Line

Post # 2425

Spearmint !

Straight Spearmint?

That's not me... I caught Dave's post before he fixed it. #2425 isn't yet posted. Thought I'd razz him a little.

Fwiw, I think he changed it to Spearmint and Eucalyptus, maybe? It's 3 posts up, I think.

Additionally, I think Soap Commander 'Vision' (Aqua, Amber, Mint) is a good scent in that cold water wheelhouse. I don't rightfully know what the notes are that make up "Aqua": but the soap definitely gives a cold water vibe. The mint isn't too cooling, as there's no menthol (that I know of).

Straight Spearmint?

That's not me... I caught Dave's post before he fixed it. #2425 isn't yet posted. Thought I'd razz him a little.

Fwiw, I think he changed it to Spearmint and Eucalyptus, maybe? It's 3 posts up, I think.

Additionally, I think Soap Commander  'Vision' (Aqua, Amber, Mint) is a good scent in that cold water wheelhouse. I don't rightfully know what the notes are that make up "Aqua": but the soap definitely gives a cold water vibe. The mint isn't too cooling, as there's no menthol (that I know of).

Thanks my friend.. appreciate the input and explanation on Daves post. 

I messaged my friend the photographer and asked her what it smells like near the Ice flows and she said just Cold and clear, almost scentless  and now and then you get a whiff of Sea Salt.. once you go further south Wurster in Alaska, Greenland or Svalbard as she’s been to all 3 you’ll get the green scents of trees and moss as well but on the ice flows it’s as I described.. Cold! 

Lol

Personally I think when you mix the cold/minty notes together, it just becomes generic and boring. I'd keep them singular and let them speak alone, but that's just my opinion.

Straight Spearmint?

That's not me... I caught Dave's post before he fixed it. #2425 isn't yet posted. Thought I'd razz him a little.

Fwiw, I think he changed it to Spearmint and Eucalyptus, maybe? It's 3 posts up, I think.

Additionally, I think Soap Commander  'Vision' (Aqua, Amber, Mint) is a good scent in that cold water wheelhouse. I don't rightfully know what the notes are that make up "Aqua": but the soap definitely gives a cold water vibe. The mint isn't too cooling, as there's no menthol (that I know of).

Thanks my friend.. appreciate the input and explanation on Daves post. 

I messaged my friend the photographer and asked her what it smells like near the Ice flows and she said just Cold and clear, almost scentless  and now and then you get a whiff of Sea Salt.. once you go further south Wurster in Alaska, Greenland or Svalbard as she’s been to all 3 you’ll get the green scents of trees and moss as well but on the ice flows it’s as I described.. Cold! 

Lol

Can you get the scent of sea salt or salt water? Maybe add a minimal amount of menthol to make it cool (for perception) without an added scent? You could also go synth coolants, which have no scent. I'd advise you to prominently announce those... They hurt, big time, those of us with sensitive skin.

I agree with Nero about the simple / singular scents. Wide open spaces... No clutter or distractions... Clean crisp air... It absolutely fits with the motif.

I generally don't like menthol software, especially extremely cold stuff, but I think that I would like a marine/aquatic soap and afteshave with just mild coolness, approximating the ambience of coastal northwestern Canada.

That's not me... I caught Dave's post before he fixed it. #2425 isn't yet posted. Thought I'd razz him a little.

Fwiw, I think he changed it to Spearmint and Eucalyptus, maybe? It's 3 posts up, I think.

Additionally, I think Soap Commander  'Vision' (Aqua, Amber, Mint) is a good scent in that cold water wheelhouse. I don't rightfully know what the notes are that make up "Aqua": but the soap definitely gives a cold water vibe. The mint isn't too cooling, as there's no menthol (that I know of).

Thanks my friend.. appreciate the input and explanation on Daves post. 

I messaged my friend the photographer and asked her what it smells like near the Ice flows and she said just Cold and clear, almost scentless  and now and then you get a whiff of Sea Salt.. once you go further south Wurster in Alaska, Greenland or Svalbard as she’s been to all 3 you’ll get the green scents of trees and moss as well but on the ice flows it’s as I described.. Cold! 

Lol

Can you get the scent of sea salt or salt water? Maybe add a minimal amount of menthol to make it cool (for perception) without an added scent? You could also go synth coolants, which have no scent. I'd advise you to prominently announce those... They hurt, big time, those of us with sensitive skin.

I agree with Nero about the simple / singular scents. Wide open spaces... No clutter or distractions... Clean crisp air... It absolutely fits with the motif.

I like some of the things being said about keeping it simple. As far as synthetic cooling agents I won’t use those for exactly the reason you mentioned and the only advantage is they have no scent or very little scent depending on which one is used.

Some time ago, I evaluated a sample of ETHOS Lavender shaving soap that was kindly sent to me by another forum member. Although I got an excellent shave using the soap, I was somewhat disappointed in the post shave experience. Due to my sensitive skin, I like shaving soaps that leave my skin feeling soft, supple and moisturized for many hours after the shave. In the case of the earlier formula, the post-shave did not quite meet my expectations, but showed promise. Because of Frank's scientific approach to soapmaking and skin care, I expected that he would one day be able to meet may expectations. That day has arrived.



Recently Frank released the ETHOS shaving soap in the F Base formula. That formula was designed to be firm to benefit those who like to load directly from the tub as I do. He also improved the post-shave properties. That encouraged me to purchase a 4 oz. tub of ETHOS F Base shaving soap in the Lavender scent. Here is may formal evaluation of that soap.



1. First, the lavender scent is a beautiful,  pure lavender scent with no supplemental scent notes. The lavender used has a low level of camphor, so it is not as pungent as some lavender scents. For those who may have tried Grooming Dept Kairos Lavender, the scents are quite similar.

2. The soap is quite firm. It is not as firm as a hard puck, but it is firm enough so it is not easily dented with your finger.

3. The soap is easy to load. I bloomed the soap with 1 Tablespoon of water for approximately 10 seconds and poured the bloom water into my lather bowl. Loading my slightly damp Simpson Trafalgar T3 synthetic brush for 8-10 seconds loaded more than enough soap for 5 lathering passes.

4. The soap is easy to lather. Initially, the lather was somewhat foamy, but after 30 seconds of vigorous swirling in the bowl, all the large bubbles were gone and the lather was ready to apply to my face.

5. The primary slickness was excellent. The secondary slickness was more than sufficient for buffing strokes. When it came time for my clean-up pass, I did my entire face with a combination of XTG and ATG buffing strokes without applying any additional lather. I was unable to do that with the original ETHOS sample I tried, so I was greatly encouraged. There are only a few soaps that I have found to be good enough to allow me to complete my clean-up pass without relathering.

6. The soap has excellent cushion/protection. Following my shave, I received no feedback when I applied witch hazel to my face. I was able to achievemy goal of a near BBS shave with zero irritation.
7. The post-shave exceeded my expectations. After my shave and before applying witch hazel, I apply a bonus lather to my face and allow it to remain on my skin while I am cleaning my shaving gear. Then I remove the excess lather using a microfiber cloth. I expect the soap to leave my skin feeling soft, supple, moist and conditioned for a minimum of 8 hours after the shave. The soaps that meet all my expectations fall into my elite category. There are fourteen shave soaps in my den whose post-shave lasts beyond 16 hours; those are my super-elite soaps. Of those super-elite soaps, only four have provided post shaves lasting beyond the 24 hours mark. ETHOS F Base is one of those top four soaps in my collection. That is quite the accomplishment.

Congratulations to Frank for a job well done in providing a superb soap base and a superb scent.

Some time ago, I evaluated a sample of ETHOS Lavender shaving soap that was kindly sent to me by another forum member. Although I got an excellent shave using the soap, I was somewhat disappointed in the post shave experience. Due to my sensitive skin, I like shaving soaps that leave my skin feeling soft, supple and moisturized for many hours after the shave. In the case of the earlier formula, the post-shave did not meet my expectations. However, I believed Frank would one day meet my expectations. That day has arrived.

Recently Frank released the ETHOS shaving soap in the F Base formula. That formula was designed to be firm to benefit those who like to load directly from the tub as I do. He also improved the post-shave properties. That encouraged me to purchase a 4 oz. tub of ETHOS F Base shaving soap in the Lavender scent. Here is may formal evaluation of that soap.

1. First, the lavender scent is beautiful a pure lavender scent with no supplemental scent notes. The lavender used has a low level of camphor, so it is not as pungent as some lavender scents.

My own post shave experience with his F base has been outstanding! There are many days I don’t even feel the need to use a post shave product. In addition..the post shave feel actually gets better as the day progresses.

My own experience with the post shave on his F base has been outstanding! There are many days II don’t even use a post shave product. In addition…the post shave feeling actually gets better as the day progresses..
2. The soap is quite firm. It is not as firm as a hard puck, but it is firm enough so it is not easily dented with your finger.
3. The soap is easy to load. I bloomed the soap with 1 Tablespoon of water for approximately 10 seconds and poured the bloom water into my lather bowl. Loading mt Simpson Trafalgar T3 synthetic brush for 8-10 seconds loaded more than enough soap for 5 lathering passes.
4. The soap is easy to lather. Initially, the lather was somewhat foamy, but after 30 seconds of vigorous swirling, all the large bubbles were gone and the lather was ready to apply to my face.
5. The primary slickness was excellent. The secondary slickness was more than sufficient for buffing strokes. When it came time for my clean-up pass, I did my entire face with a combination of XTG and ATG buffing strokes without applying any additional lather. I was unable to do that with the original ETHOS sample I tried. There are only a few soaps that I have found to be good enough to allow me to complete a full shave pass without relathering.
6. T

I’m a bit confused here. You mentioned that your main issue with the first version was the post shave…but…in your “formal evaluation” you didn’t even mention your post shave experience with the F base…

Sorry, my post was sent accidentally before I completed it. It is now edited with the full review.

Some time ago, I evaluated a sample of ETHOS Lavender shaving soap that was kindly sent to me by another forum member. Although I got an excellent shave using the soap, I was somewhat disappointed in the post shave experience. Due to my sensitive skin, I like shaving soaps that leave my skin feeling soft, supple and moisturized for many hours after the shave. In the case of the earlier formula, the post-shave did not quite meet my expectations, but showed promise. Because of Frank's scientific approach to soapmaking and skin care, I expected that he would one day be able to meet may expectations. That day has arrived.



Recently Frank released the ETHOS shaving soap in the F Base formula. That formula was designed to be firm to benefit those who like to load directly from the tub as I do. He also improved the post-shave properties. That encouraged me to purchase a 4 oz. tub of ETHOS F Base shaving soap in the Lavender scent. Here is may formal evaluation of that soap.



1. First, the lavender scent is a beautiful,  pure lavender scent with no supplemental scent notes. The lavender used has a low level of camphor, so it is not as pungent as some lavender scents. For those who may have tried Grooming Dept Kairos Lavender, the scents are quite similar.

2. The soap is quite firm. It is not as firm as a hard puck, but it is firm enough so it is not easily dented with your finger.

3. The soap is easy to load. I bloomed the soap with 1 Tablespoon of water for approximately 10 seconds and poured the bloom water into my lather bowl. Loading my slightly damp Simpson Trafalgar T3 synthetic brush for 8-10 seconds loaded more than enough soap for 5 lathering passes.

4. The soap is easy to lather. Initially, the lather was somewhat foamy, but after 30 seconds of vigorous swirling in the bowl, all the large bubbles were gone and the lather was ready to apply to my face.

5. The primary slickness was excellent. The secondary slickness was more than sufficient for buffing strokes. When it came time for my clean-up pass, I did my entire face with a combination of XTG and ATG buffing strokes without applying any additional lather. I was unable to do that with the original ETHOS sample I tried, so I was greatly encouraged. There are only a few soaps that I have found to be good enough to allow me to complete my clean-up pass without relathering.

6. The soap has excellent cushion/protection. Following my shave, I received no feedback when I applied witch hazel to my face. I was able to achievemy goal of a near BBS shave with zero irritation.
7. The post-shave exceeded my expectations. After my shave and before applying witch hazel, I apply a bonus lather to my face and allow it to remain on my skin while I am cleaning my shaving gear. Then I remove the excess lather using a microfiber cloth. I expect the soap to leave my skin feeling soft, supple, moist and conditioned for a minimum of 8 hours after the shave. The soaps that meet all my expectations fall into my elite category. There are fourteen shave soaps in my den whose post-shave lasts beyond 16 hours; those are my super-elite soaps. Of those super-elite soaps, only four have provided post shaves lasting beyond the 24 hours mark. ETHOS F Base is one of those top four soaps in my collection. That is quite the accomplishment.

Congratulations to Frank for a job well done in providing a superb soap base and a superb scent.

Known for incredibly bad skin yet found original releases of the ETHOS soaps of equal post shave to the latest F and Cream releases, which frankly had been cause for concern until securing samples.  Irrespective, of all the ETHOS soaps trialed - specifically avoiding Peppermint and Chill drops for obvious reasons, have found that Clean and Lavender were somewhat less in postshave for my skin without conjecturing the why.

Glad the new base formulations are an improvement for you without being a step back for me