What is a "French style" soap in your opinion?

First I want to state up front, I do not in any way want a rant thread or a beat up on anyone thread here. Please limit replies to constructive advice here.

After going about a year without buying any new soaps aside from LE scents from people I already know, I have gone out and picked up a number of soaps (some still arriving) based on a couple threads here at DFS.

While I was out picking up a few soaps from Phoenix Artisan (PAA) I stumbled upon Tiki which a number of people have recommended. I picked up 2 Tiki soaps, one of which is a "French style" soap, here is the site's description:

"Our Bon Voyage French style shaving soap is made with essential oils of lavender, rosemary, and mint along with a very light infusion of menthol crystals to give you a refreshing and cooling shave. The French style formula lathers easily and isn't as thirsty as our other soaps. It affords a rich, thick, creamy lather reminiscent of Greek yoguhart and consists of only a few simple ingredients"

This sounded awesome, as I love MdC and also very much like LPL although not to the degree of MdC. When my package arrived today I was surprised to see the "French style" is a cream not a soap, and it has the consistency of a couple brushless shave creams I own for emergencies.

I am working with PAA and Tiki for a resolution, and whatever come from that is not the reason for this post as it's only $20 I am out. My question to membership is what do you expect when you order a "French style" soap? Is my expectation of MdC or LPL out of line with what you would expect? Again, this is not meant to be a rant, just trying to clarify how I read descriptions on websites to avoid confusion in the future.

I only have one French style soap that I am aware of which is Catie's bubbles. I am under the assumption that Italian style are softer, almost like a croap, like XXX and P.170 and French would be a little harder.

My CB is still soft, creamy yet it's more solid. It's like a hard puck that's been blooming for quite a bit so when your brush touches the soap it's very easy to get some product, but not too easy that you can easily overload. At least that's my experience.

The Fougere Tiki I have doesn't say French style on the jar, and the consistency would be more like a softer B&M or MLS, but not Strop shoppe soft. I can still load it like I hated it if I wanted to. Something I couldn't do with Strop and Dr. John's.

About LPL and MdC, I am under the assumption that those are harder pucks, akin to Tabac? I could be wrong, I haven't tried those two yet.

The "Dark and Mystic" tub I have is quite soft but it still holds its form. Almost the consistency of Castle Forbes perhaps. The french style though is liquid, through and through. Much thinner actually than any of my normal "creams" like Simpsons, Musgo Real or C&E. This is more like 50% water, 50% Musgo Real in consistency.

I think your expectations are reasonable. LPL and MDC are only French style/made soaps I use or are familiar with. And they are not creams my good sir :-)

The only thing that would come to mind when I hear the phrase "French-style soaps" would be hard soaps (not necessarily triple milled, but heavily dried) such as Martin de Candre, LPL, and Savonniere du Moulin. If I ordered a "French-style soap" from another brand and received something with the consistency of a cream, I'd be mighty disappointed.

Yes, I forgot SDM, that wild donkey, lol.....That's such a nice soap.

Indeed hrfdez, SdM is one of my favorites! In my opinion it can compare with some of the top performing soaps on the market.

I really need to give SdM a try at some point. I just have so much, and have so much coming in already this month.

You really ought to try it when you get the chance wingdo. I rarely recommend specific soaps (since everyone has their own taste, etc.), but since you are interesting specifically in French soaps, and since you already like shaving soaps in that general style, you are likely to enjoy SdM. SdM has many of the in-shave qualities of MdC and the like, perhaps with even more protection, and adds a unique post-shave feel and look. My complexion after using SdM is the best.

I really need to give SdM a try at some point.  I just have so much, and have so much coming in already this month.

Same reason why I haven't tried many others. I have too many and I need to use them. It's hard with so many options left to try.