What soap/cream did you use today?

Stirling Arkadia

CF Lavender

AOS Sandalwood

Vétyver (Martin de Candre) iodine, rubber, mild leafy vetiver

A fingerful of soap made enough glossy lather for five luxurious passes, but I put down my razor after the third, since I couldn’t find any more stubble. In fact, I could have – I should have – stopped after the first pass. I would have got the same smooth results and spared my cheeks some mild irritation. It also washes up unlike any other soap, leaving almost nothing behind. A drop of almond oil after the last rinse turned out to be a very good idea.

Now the scent. Martin de Candre shaving soaps have a bitter edge that may put you off at first. Pop the lid and take a sniff, and you may wonder who would brew a soap that smells like an old rubber tire splashed with iodine? Luckily, the smell of the lather is much milder than the scent off the puck. The vetiver is quite green and reserved. If all I had was the smell of the lather to go by, I don’t think I could have picked this out as a vetiver soap.

Nuavia Blu

Route 66 Rum Runner

The Dead Sea Shave Soap

Martin de Candre shaving soap, with its familiar muddy lavender fragrance, which I like. It made lather that was slightly thin, but that was probably my fault in using a little too much water with a new brush.

Stirling - Texas on Fire

Fine Italian Citrus