#11
(This post was last modified: 07-10-2015, 08:25 PM by Walter.)
I look for any hint I can find the soap will be compatible with my skin. Mainly ingredients and reputation.

Then, I look for a fragrance that I might enjoy.

Lastly, I look for great packaging and availability (I live in Canada, so not all soaps are worth ordering due to shipping cost)

meyerjv87 and SharpSpine like this post
#12

BlackSheepShaving
(07-10-2015, 05:40 AM)meyerjv87 Wrote: I'm curious what attracts everyone else to a soap. Particularly, one from a new vendor/artisan...for example, when I had just started this whole wet shaving thing, I had no experience to go on. I was browsing one of the subs on reddit and the way someone described Roam just made me need to try it. That person's description made it happen for me. What gives you the mental "green light" to try something new? A certain ingredient? A fragrance note? Word of mouth?

Description of the scent, word of mouth, and samples.  When I started wet shaving I leaned towards scent description.  I bought soaps that sounded great that just didn't get it for me.  Now, word of mouth will get me interested in a soap and available samples will seal the deal.
#13

Member
Colchester, UK
Written reviews and videos followed by ingredients and scent.


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#14
(07-10-2015, 05:40 AM)meyerjv87 Wrote: I'm curious what attracts everyone else to a soap. Particularly, one from a new vendor/artisan...for example, when I had just started this whole wet shaving thing, I had no experience to go on. I was browsing one of the subs on reddit and the way someone described Roam just made me need to try it. That person's description made it happen for me. What gives you the mental "green light" to try something new? A certain ingredient? A fragrance note? Word of mouth?

I have several criteria for my choices: Scent, ease of lather, slickness, natural ingredients, presentation and packaging. I prefer artisan soap makers like Catie's Bubbles, Shaver Heaven, Soap Commander, Tiki Bar and Wholly Kaw because they pay attention and offer excellent products at reasonable prices.

whollykaw likes this post
#15
One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet that drives my soap purchases, I currently have 22 tubs, is price.  There are so many options out there right now and so many artesians entering the game, that I can get a great Performance soap at a decent price.  For me, I won't spend more than 20.00 on a soap including shipping.  Generally I check price and reviews; if the reviews are good, and I think I'll like the scent, and its under 20.00 to my door, I'll order.  Out of 22 soap purchases In the last year, only two have been bad perfomers or soaps I did not care for.  Frankly for price and performance I'm finding razo rock to be the king.  Their 9.99 soap performs as well if not better, than a lot of these new artesians soaps that are 33% to double in price for the same quality of soap.
#16
To be honest, after trying many different kinds of soaps, I now will only give a soap a try if the ingredient list includes tallow + lanolin. I know not everyone cares or notices a difference, but I definitely do. It must be the wide variety in skin types. I took Accutane (an aggressive acne medication) many years ago as a teenager and I think it damaged my skin while using it, leaving it more sensitive and more prone to dryness even after all these years. I can definitely tell a difference with the tallow and lanolin soaps.

After that, it really comes down to the scent. I've been feeling lately like I've reached the point where I've smelled basically everything there is to offer, regardless of how clever the description is. I think the artisans (rightfully) are crafting their descriptions to entice you to buy their product but I don't notice a lot of uniqueness anymore. The most recent example I can think of is CRSW "Bergamot and Bay". I kept hearing everyone rave about the scent so I tried it, and guess what? It's the very close to being the same as WSP's "Tobacco" and Reef Point's "Tobacco and Bay" (to me). Good, yes, but I was expecting something I had not smelled before. Barrister and Mann is the one artisan whose scents do continue to surprise me, although in general I'm not a fan of most of them.

In the end, this is probably for the best. Even though I've stopped being surprised by the scents, I have found many that I truly like and I've definitely stopped throwing my money at every new artisan soap that comes out.
#17
In this order;

Scent,
Slickness, and 
post shave feeling.

The soap gets a plus 1 if I smell it an hour later without a balm or AS.

B&M and ColdRiver scents typically do that for me.
#18

_______________
If it doesn't have either lanolin, shea butter, or kokum butter, I don't bother.
#19

Member
Cheshire, England
I check the reviews on YouTube to see lather tests and the thoughts on scent strength and profile, etc.

Emanuele likes this post
#20

Member
Central Maine
I admittedly buy few soaps today, but reviews will bring something into focus for me.

For a soap to be a keeper it must have great performance and the scent can't be super strong. I far prefer natural ingredients and a short ingredient list. After the shave skin care by the soap isn't a huge factor because I'm going to follow it with one of my stealth after the shave skin care products.
Brian. Lover of SE razors.


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