Member
Today was my 3rd shave using the 3rd scent I bought in the Vegan base - This one was Patchouli.
From a smell perspective, again, I would give it a 5 or 6 out of 10 in terms of strength. Now that I've tried the 3 vegan scents I bought... here are some overall thoughts. The scents are not strong but they are rather refined scents. Patchouli for example is a more toned down smell then the more in your face, harsh version of it I remember wearing back in the 70's.
Overall I like the smells of all 3 I bought - Basique, Voyager and Patchouli. But I'm not crazy about them. They are fine. That's about it for me. I think I like the Basique smell the most, and the other two are about tied. The smells don't excite me though.
On the other hand, the soap is the best performing soap I have ever used, bar none. It is hands down the winner in slickness, protection and the feeling I have even many hours after the shave. It is amazing in every way performance wise.
It's funny but I used to say that I didn't care about the smell of a soap if it performed well. But as we get into this price range, I would love to have a few scents that I'm crazy about. And in the end, the soap is so superior to anything else I've tried that I can live with the smell just fine. They smell nice, refined and sophisticated.
If I could have anything I want, it would be to simplify and considerably strengthen the smell. A lemon or lime smell that was considerably stronger. A pine smell or forest smell that was considerably stronger. This would excite me smell wise. And in a citrus smell, make a menthol or high menthol version available. I don't know if it would be compatible with the base or not, but if it is, it would be great.
Tomorrow I'm going to give Aether a go. First I wanted to be sure I really understood the vegan base. And I believe I do now. So tomorrow will be to compare the tallow/duck fat base with the vegan base. One thing I can say, just by smelling the Aether, I love the minty smell. I wish it were much stronger but we'll see once I whip it up. When I first got the 4 soaps, I opened each one, one at a time and smelled them. Aether had a different smell to it than the others. But now when I open it and smell it, I don't detect it any more. Maybe I've gotten used to it just by smelling it or maybe it has changed slightly these past few days.
So again, the quality of this soap is in a league of it's own. It is fantastic. The smell on all 3 of the vegan soaps I bought are sophisticated and smell very nice. They just don't excite me and are milder smelling than I'd prefer. Maybe I'm just a brute with an unrefined nose. LOL Maybe there is a reason for it. Maybe it would change the performance for the worse if the smell was boosted, I don't know. But I will gladly accept the smell strength in exchange for the performance... all day long.
Even now, almost 14 hours after I shaved this morning, my face is noticeably softer than with other soaps. And I think it has gotten more so each day. It seems to be getting even better. Is that even possible?
The vegan base soap is a hands down winner. Please construe what I'm saying in a positive way in all regards. At this price point, I'm being a bit picky. And all I can pick on is the strength of the smell. Frankly, I'd buy the non fragrance version to get these kinds of results if I had too. And I think constructive conversation about what I love along with what I'd love to see going forward is also useful - at least I'm hoping it is.
Tomorrow, I'm going for the Aether. I can't wait to see what happens. I'll for sure write my thoughts about it.
And I hope these thoughts add value to the conversation.
From a smell perspective, again, I would give it a 5 or 6 out of 10 in terms of strength. Now that I've tried the 3 vegan scents I bought... here are some overall thoughts. The scents are not strong but they are rather refined scents. Patchouli for example is a more toned down smell then the more in your face, harsh version of it I remember wearing back in the 70's.
Overall I like the smells of all 3 I bought - Basique, Voyager and Patchouli. But I'm not crazy about them. They are fine. That's about it for me. I think I like the Basique smell the most, and the other two are about tied. The smells don't excite me though.
On the other hand, the soap is the best performing soap I have ever used, bar none. It is hands down the winner in slickness, protection and the feeling I have even many hours after the shave. It is amazing in every way performance wise.
It's funny but I used to say that I didn't care about the smell of a soap if it performed well. But as we get into this price range, I would love to have a few scents that I'm crazy about. And in the end, the soap is so superior to anything else I've tried that I can live with the smell just fine. They smell nice, refined and sophisticated.
If I could have anything I want, it would be to simplify and considerably strengthen the smell. A lemon or lime smell that was considerably stronger. A pine smell or forest smell that was considerably stronger. This would excite me smell wise. And in a citrus smell, make a menthol or high menthol version available. I don't know if it would be compatible with the base or not, but if it is, it would be great.
Tomorrow I'm going to give Aether a go. First I wanted to be sure I really understood the vegan base. And I believe I do now. So tomorrow will be to compare the tallow/duck fat base with the vegan base. One thing I can say, just by smelling the Aether, I love the minty smell. I wish it were much stronger but we'll see once I whip it up. When I first got the 4 soaps, I opened each one, one at a time and smelled them. Aether had a different smell to it than the others. But now when I open it and smell it, I don't detect it any more. Maybe I've gotten used to it just by smelling it or maybe it has changed slightly these past few days.
So again, the quality of this soap is in a league of it's own. It is fantastic. The smell on all 3 of the vegan soaps I bought are sophisticated and smell very nice. They just don't excite me and are milder smelling than I'd prefer. Maybe I'm just a brute with an unrefined nose. LOL Maybe there is a reason for it. Maybe it would change the performance for the worse if the smell was boosted, I don't know. But I will gladly accept the smell strength in exchange for the performance... all day long.
Even now, almost 14 hours after I shaved this morning, my face is noticeably softer than with other soaps. And I think it has gotten more so each day. It seems to be getting even better. Is that even possible?
The vegan base soap is a hands down winner. Please construe what I'm saying in a positive way in all regards. At this price point, I'm being a bit picky. And all I can pick on is the strength of the smell. Frankly, I'd buy the non fragrance version to get these kinds of results if I had too. And I think constructive conversation about what I love along with what I'd love to see going forward is also useful - at least I'm hoping it is.
Tomorrow, I'm going for the Aether. I can't wait to see what happens. I'll for sure write my thoughts about it.
And I hope these thoughts add value to the conversation.
Member
(This post was last modified: 09-16-2017, 04:27 AM by ANG69.)
(09-15-2017, 11:35 PM)gregcss Wrote: Thinking about picking up Magnolia and Basique. Can anyone comment on the scent of Basique?
These two scents are very different. Magnolia is darker and more sophisticated, however, from the two I prefer Basique. It has a very pleasant (to my nose) amount of vetiver and patchouli, which are nicely rounded by sandalwood and musk. from the description on Mohammad's website I know that there are a few more components, but my nose is mostly picking the four that I mentioned above. Hope it helps.
Member
(09-16-2017, 02:56 AM)vtmax Wrote: GroomingDept is the most exciting development in wetshaving in quite some time, even more than when Wolfman got going. It's the single best software (or hardware for that matter) product available in the hobby right now.
I agree with you.
I have never been this excited about soap. It is changing my mind about what is possible.
Not sure how I could go back to something else. LOL
Yeah, I sound like a fanboi. Maybe that's exactly what I'm becoming. If so, I'll wear the distinction with pride.
Can't wait to try Aether in the AM.
Member
(This post was last modified: 09-16-2017, 07:18 AM by zaclikestoshave.)
So tonight I shaved with Grooming Dept for the first time. Decided on Magnolia as I told Mohammad that I have enjoyed floral scents throughout the years and he seemed proud of this scent. It is strong out of the tub, has some distinct notes but in the end, its a nice floral scented smell. Reminds me a bit of I'Provenzali Green Tea scented Almond Oil. It has a side of the scent to my nose that comes across as deeply sweet, but not intoxicating.
Quick thoughts on the lather. I will say that I will feel more confident in a review when I try this with the other silver tip badgers in my rotation. This brush is fine but I find I get better texture and lather with the other brushes. I did not bloom the soap as Mohammad said not to. I did find a bit of trouble (my fault) as I don't like to load even a tad too wet with this brush. It picks up soap fast but I find it can foam and aerate faster than I like. So I had to load on the puck a bit longer than I planned. Anyway, the texture off the puck was creamy and nice.
The lather whips up well. I thought I remember people mentioning how thirsty this soap is. Maybe I need some more time with this soap to get used to the texture of the lather. I spent plenty of time hydrating the lather and I think what I encountered was the peak ratio but was expecting a heavier or denser feeling lather. Nonetheless, the shave went well on the head. Lather stayed hydrated and did not foam out or thin. I think the best part of the shave was how great, or phenomenal the residual slickness and skin softening was. The buffing that I did on the back of my scalp was quite extended as I tried to get all of the stubble gone. Anyways, the skin felt fine during the whole shave and as others have mentioned, my skin feels calm and soft.
It has been a while since I have tried a new soap. Before this, I had a quick run with L&L but these days, it has been mostly SV, B&M and Mikes (occasionally Mystic Water). Grooming Dept is very nice stuff and I look forward to trying out the tallow and duck recipe but for now, I will have to wait and see how it does for a few face shaves. Great job on these soaps Mohammad!
![[Image: Fdubahi.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/Fdubahi.jpg)
Quick thoughts on the lather. I will say that I will feel more confident in a review when I try this with the other silver tip badgers in my rotation. This brush is fine but I find I get better texture and lather with the other brushes. I did not bloom the soap as Mohammad said not to. I did find a bit of trouble (my fault) as I don't like to load even a tad too wet with this brush. It picks up soap fast but I find it can foam and aerate faster than I like. So I had to load on the puck a bit longer than I planned. Anyway, the texture off the puck was creamy and nice.
The lather whips up well. I thought I remember people mentioning how thirsty this soap is. Maybe I need some more time with this soap to get used to the texture of the lather. I spent plenty of time hydrating the lather and I think what I encountered was the peak ratio but was expecting a heavier or denser feeling lather. Nonetheless, the shave went well on the head. Lather stayed hydrated and did not foam out or thin. I think the best part of the shave was how great, or phenomenal the residual slickness and skin softening was. The buffing that I did on the back of my scalp was quite extended as I tried to get all of the stubble gone. Anyways, the skin felt fine during the whole shave and as others have mentioned, my skin feels calm and soft.
It has been a while since I have tried a new soap. Before this, I had a quick run with L&L but these days, it has been mostly SV, B&M and Mikes (occasionally Mystic Water). Grooming Dept is very nice stuff and I look forward to trying out the tallow and duck recipe but for now, I will have to wait and see how it does for a few face shaves. Great job on these soaps Mohammad!
Member
Santa Rosa - CA
(09-16-2017, 07:29 PM)gregcss Wrote: GroomingDept Do you have any upcoming scents themed around pine/fir?
Whoa! gregcss you are clairvoyant sir
Since 7AM I have been working on a scent made with: Cedarleaf oil, Cistus (Labdanum) oil. Pine Needle Oil, Balsam Fir Absolute! It'll be ready for a mid-november release.
Member
Virginia
(09-16-2017, 08:05 PM)GroomingDept Wrote:(09-16-2017, 07:29 PM)gregcss Wrote: GroomingDept Do you have any upcoming scents themed around pine/fir?
Whoa! gregcss you are clairvoyant sir
Since 7AM I have been working on a scent made with: Cedarleaf oil, Cistus (Labdanum) oil. Pine Needle Oil, Balsam Fir Absolute! It'll be ready for a mid-november release.
Sounds great
Member
(09-16-2017, 08:05 PM)GroomingDept Wrote:Wow, now we're talking. I can't wait to give that a try, Mohammad.(09-16-2017, 07:29 PM)gregcss Wrote: GroomingDept Do you have any upcoming scents themed around pine/fir?
Whoa! gregcss you are clairvoyant sir
Since 7AM I have been working on a scent made with: Cedarleaf oil, Cistus (Labdanum) oil. Pine Needle Oil, Balsam Fir Absolute! It'll be ready for a mid-november release.
Will it be available both in vegan and Tallow base?
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