mystic waters

Looks almost exactly how he builds lather with Mikes minus the blooming/bloom water part.

It really is.  That's not a bad thing though.  I've followed each video lathering Mike's and then Mystic Water.  I was able to achieve outstanding lathers with each.  I have to admit that I had some issues with Mystic Water soaps in the past, but with suggestions from celestino, Matsilainen  and Merkur Man  have cured most all of my issues with MW.  I really appreciate the kind(and patient!) help that I've received from these generous gentlemen!  

Mystic Water shaving soaps provide me with some of the slickest lather and outstanding residual slickness out of the dozens of brands I've tried.  Mystic Water Sensitive Skin(unscented) shaving soap is one of the few shaving soaps that makes makes my skin feel better after the shave.

I understand that some folks feel like it's "jumping through hoops" to change lathering technique for different soaps and I respect others' opinions.  YMMV and all of that.

I get a great lather with this method every time using a synthetic brush:

1) Bloom the soap with fairly warm water, I do this while I'm in the shower and then use the bloom water as a pre shave
2) Wet the brush with fairly warm water and shake it out so its just barely damp
3) Start to lather the soap, you should almost immediately start getting a thick proto lather
4) When you have enough proto lather take it to a bowl and add water a little at at time until you've built a nice slick beautiful lather
5) Enjoy one of the best shaves and best soaps out there

The sensitive soap from MW has the same effect on my skin post shave. Make my skin feel really good. MdC drys my skin.

I adjust my technique with some other artisan soaps. Each artisan soap has its own character.


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I get a great lather with this method every time using a synthetic brush:

1) Bloom the soap with fairly warm water, I do this while I'm in the shower and then use the bloom water as a pre shave
2) Wet the brush with fairly warm water and shake it out so its just barely damp
3) Start to lather the soap, you should almost immediately start getting a thick proto lather
4) When you have enough proto lather take it to a bowl and add water a little at at time until you've built a nice slick beautiful lather
5) Enjoy one of the best shaves and best soaps out there

I actually bloom it for like 0ne minute in warm water, then dump out the water and I use a damp brush and go to town on it until my shave soap tub has all proto creamy lather in it and then I use Cris’ method and the lather explodes on my face.


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The sensitive soap from MW has the same effect on my skin post shave. Make my skin feel really good. MdC drys my skin.

I adjust my technique with some other artisan soaps. Each artisan soap has its own character.


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You and everybody else I know. I get that it lathers well and lasts a long time for the price, but Arko is better post shave wise for me (also drying). Glad I tried a sample before diving into that purchase.

The sensitive soap from MW has the same effect on my skin post shave. Make my skin feel really good. MdC drys my skin.

I adjust my technique with some other artisan soaps. Each artisan soap has its own character.


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You and everybody else I know. I get that it lathers well and lasts a long time for the price, but Arko is better post shave wise for me (also drying). Glad I tried a sample before diving into that purchase.

Arno and Derby cause respiratory problems for me. I threw those out immediately.




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The sensitive soap from MW has the same effect on my skin post shave. Make my skin feel really good. MdC drys my skin.

I adjust my technique with some other artisan soaps. Each artisan soap has its own character.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

You and everybody else I know.  I get that it lathers well and lasts a long time for the price, but Arko is better post shave wise for me (also drying).  Glad I tried a sample before diving into that purchase.

Arno and Derby cause respiratory problems for me. I threw those out immediately.




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Then you wouldn't like Stirling Electric Sheep at all lol.

Have used MW several times in the last week including the last 3 days with the unscented. As our weather is (finally) getting colder here I'm loving the skincare qualities that MW soaps always give. I know that some people still have issues with lathering, but I think that once you figure out how the soap reacts its pretty straightforward to dial it in especially with a synthetic brush. No issues here, I have a tub of the vetiver & oakmoss coming in via trade and can't wait to use it the rest of the winter.

I only have Mystic Waters soaps in my fall rotation and I forgot how incredible they were until a couple of weeks ago. For me, Declaration Grooming and the Wholly Kaw soaps were super top tier. I have become a bit more budget minded lately however, with so many soapmakers raising cost of their luxury items to well over 20$. I pulled out Mystic Bay Rum and had a shave that almost rivaled that of DG/WK. If one starts off dry, gets that super pasty lather and just drips water, the lather becomes extremely slick and protective. In addition, the post shave of Mystic Waters is my absolute favorite. Finally, the price. I'm going to have a very very hard time paying above 12 or 13 bucks for a soap after the shaves I've had recently with Stirling and Mystic Waters. Egyptian Dragon is such an amazing scent too, and something truly different in the artisan shave world and the Bay Rum is also singular.

I only have Mystic Waters soaps in my fall rotation and I forgot how incredible they were until a couple of weeks ago.  For me, Declaration Grooming and the Wholly Kaw soaps were super top tier.  I have become a bit more budget minded lately however, with so many soapmakers raising cost of their luxury items to well over 20$.  I pulled out Mystic Bay Rum and had a shave that almost rivaled that of DG/WK.  If one starts off dry, gets that super pasty lather and just drips water, the lather becomes extremely slick and protective.  In addition, the post shave of Mystic Waters is my absolute favorite.  Finally, the price.  I'm going to have a very very hard time paying above 12 or 13 bucks for a soap after the shaves I've had recently with Stirling and Mystic Waters.  Egyptian Dragon is such an amazing scent too, and something truly different in the artisan shave world and the Bay Rum is also singular.

Good points. None of the newer more expensive soaps give me a better shave, or a better post than MW. They do tend to be easier to lather but is it worth the extra money? Not sure. And agree on Egyptian Dragon. That scent is one of my all time favorites.