(This post was last modified: 05-28-2017, 05:46 PM by GroomingDept.)
(05-28-2017, 06:19 AM)Michael P Wrote: I want to curb my enthusiasm, but I’ve got to say that my first impressions of this soap are extremely good. I like the ingredient list, and the tubs and labels are well done. It's clear that GroomingDept put a lot of work and thought into the formulation.
I enjoy both tallow and non-tallow soaps. My one issue with the tallow soaps is that the post-shave feel can sometimes be a bit ‘heavy’. Also, the tallows can feel ‘slower’ while shaving, even when well hydrated. Whereas with the non-tallows, especially the Italian soaps like SMN, XPEC, Nuàvia, Saponificio Varesino, etc., the glide is very good, and the post shave feel is much ‘lighter’, finer, and more to my liking.
Used the Bonum Mane (good morning in Latin) this morning. This soap produced a lather that looked like the very best tallow soaps, beautiful sheen and peaks. But as dense as the lather looked, there was no ‘heaviness’ or ‘slowness’ in the shave. The glide was first rate, up there with the very best.
It was capable of taking a good amount of water without breaking down
The show stopper was the post-shave feel. I did something I haven’t done in recent memory. After rinsing my face after the touchups, I applied the remaining lather in the brush to my face, as Marco recommends with the Nuàvia. Cleaned up the razor and brush, and when I rinsed the face, the post-shave feel was so good that I put nothing on my face because I didn’t want to change it one bit. No toner, AS, balm, nada. Just applied some cologne before going out the door.
I’m not much of a scent aficionado, but I enjoyed the scent. My better half said it reminded her of Terre d’Hermes. So I went with that.
I’m not a fan of ‘lather shots’ because I feel the performance of the lather is infinitely more important than how it looks. But I wanted to give an idea of the load, the sheen of the lather, and the peaks.
Oh, and about curbing enthusiasm. I only ordered two more soaps today, so I suppose I showed some restraint (and I’m not a fan of Lavender, the only one besides Unscented I don’t have that’s not sold out).
Fantastic photos sir! If it is ok with you, I'm going to grab one and posted it on my Instagram referencing DFS, you and this post.
Thank you so much for this wonderful detailed overview and your experience with the soap. I'm so happy the soaps are up to your expectations. I love your tip, I do the same thing with the remaining lather from the brush, I apply it to my face while cleaning up and putting away gear. It impart a wonderful sooting post shave feel. And you're 100% right on after shave. I have not used one in over 3 months - but I apply AS if I use a soap other than Grooming Dept
Everything is almost sold out. But in 8 days Bonum Mane and Elan will come back with stronger scents and 3-4 new scents
mr. smith and
Matsilainen like this post