What soap/cream did you use today?

I have wanted to try Le Pere Lucien for a long time so was happy it was included in the sample box I'm working through.  My choices were Fougere, Apricot, and Traditional.  The Fougere scent is predictable.  The Apricot smells awesome but could use  boosted a notch or two.  That left Traditional and what better way to experience this soap?  When using samples, it's easy for me to over-hydrate them so I wrung out the plissoft knot before loading and boy was I surprised at how unthirsty this soap seemed.  A damp nylon brush needed no additional water?  The lather on this one is a high loft, high structure affair and it lathered quickly.  It was so voluminous I was concerned I'd have a busted and dry experience but the look and feel of the lather told me things were as they should be so I grabbed a razor and went to work.  Surprise!  It was slick and residual slickness was there too.  What I did find though was that cushion seemed lacking and even given its slickness I felt the rawness of the blade.  Not uncomfortable, but kind of hot if that makes sense?  The shave was close and post shave was a bit dry.  The scent was a nod to dried herbs and is pleasant but muted.  In fact all three samples are mild enough to in effect be unscented upon lathering.  Darn!  I was hoping to have liked Lucien better.  Perhaps a full size tub would perform differently.  Not a bad experience by any means but I won't need to hunt up a tub of apricot.

Lipripper660: Rats! I was hoping you'd really enjoy LPL. I wonder if you got samples of the older versions of these LPL soaps. The old tubs give a slick, close shave but at the expense of cushion. I get a great hydrated finish (that may be due to my skin's affinity to glycerin and the high humidity here), but I also get some irritation after a few days using them. On the up side, my older tubs smell quite rich and make an aromatic lather. Our wet, hot island air is probably boosting the strength of the fragrance. 

The good news is there's a newer premium version of LPL, which features Shea Butter. This seems to be the base that most new LPL soaps are using. It makes a far richer, far denser lather, and the cushion is greatly improved. It also holds much more water and still gives the same slickness. It reminds me a lot of MdC, but with a deeper finish thanks to the Shea butter. If you bump into a premium soap, it may be worth a try, if only to compare it to the soap you used today.

I have wanted to try Le Pere Lucien for a long time so was happy it was included in the sample box I'm working through.  My choices were Fougere, Apricot, and Traditional.  The Fougere scent is predictable.  The Apricot smells awesome but could use  boosted a notch or two.  That left Traditional and what better way to experience this soap?  When using samples, it's easy for me to over-hydrate them so I wrung out the plissoft knot before loading and boy was I surprised at how unthirsty this soap seemed.  A damp nylon brush needed no additional water?  The lather on this one is a high loft, high structure affair and it lathered quickly.  It was so voluminous I was concerned I'd have a busted and dry experience but the look and feel of the lather told me things were as they should be so I grabbed a razor and went to work.  Surprise!  It was slick and residual slickness was there too.  What I did find though was that cushion seemed lacking and even given its slickness I felt the rawness of the blade.  Not uncomfortable, but kind of hot if that makes sense?  The shave was close and post shave was a bit dry.  The scent was a nod to dried herbs and is pleasant but muted.  In fact all three samples are mild enough to in effect be unscented upon lathering.  Darn!  I was hoping to have liked Lucien better.  Perhaps a full size tub would perform differently.  Not a bad experience by any means but I won't need to hunt up a tub of apricot.

Lipripper660: Rats! I was hoping you'd really enjoy LPL. I wonder if you got samples of the older versions of these LPL soaps. The old tubs give a slick, close shave but at the expense of cushion. I get a great hydrated finish (that may be due to my skin's affinity to glycerin and the high humidity here), but I also get some irritation after a few days using them. On the up side, my older tubs smell quite rich and make an aromatic lather. Our wet, hot island air is probably boosting the strength of the fragrance. 

The good news is there's a newer premium version of LPL, which features Shea Butter. This seems to be the base that most new LPL soaps are using. It makes a far richer, far denser lather, and the cushion is greatly improved. It also holds much more water and still gives the same slickness. It reminds me a lot of MdC, but with a deeper finish thanks to the Shea butter. If you bump into a premium soap, it may be worth a try, if only to compare it to the soap you used today.

I'll be on the lookout.  The scents suited me very well and I'm glad to hear my experience with the soap was in keeping with your experience.  I'll assume this is older formulae and will withhold judgement.

Tallow + Steel Madagascar

Limenthol t. (Cold River Soap Works) menthol, lime, cedar

This tin is three years old. The seal was never very tight, so the soap has dried out. Now it’s as light as driftwood. The scent’s suffered, too. Though the lime has disappeared, there are still vestiges of earthy cedar mixed in with the menthol. That medicinal minty smell remains in full frigid force. Back in 2016, when this soap was dressed up with notes of fresh lime and rough hewn cedar, the menthol smelled really good. Now it just feels good, like a walk on a snowy morning. If you’re a fan of CRSW’s fragrances, it’s probably best to dip your brush into their soaps more than once a month. Lather them up regularly while all the subtle nuances of their olfactory art remain fresh and detectible.

I have wanted to try Le Pere Lucien for a long time so was happy it was included in the sample box I'm working through.  My choices were Fougere, Apricot, and Traditional.  The Fougere scent is predictable.  The Apricot smells awesome but could use  boosted a notch or two.  That left Traditional and what better way to experience this soap?  When using samples, it's easy for me to over-hydrate them so I wrung out the plissoft knot before loading and boy was I surprised at how unthirsty this soap seemed.  A damp nylon brush needed no additional water?  The lather on this one is a high loft, high structure affair and it lathered quickly.  It was so voluminous I was concerned I'd have a busted and dry experience but the look and feel of the lather told me things were as they should be so I grabbed a razor and went to work.  Surprise!  It was slick and residual slickness was there too.  What I did find though was that cushion seemed lacking and even given its slickness I felt the rawness of the blade.  Not uncomfortable, but kind of hot if that makes sense?  The shave was close and post shave was a bit dry.  The scent was a nod to dried herbs and is pleasant but muted.  In fact all three samples are mild enough to in effect be unscented upon lathering.  Darn!  I was hoping to have liked Lucien better.  Perhaps a full size tub would perform differently.  Not a bad experience by any means but I won't need to hunt up a tub of apricot.

Lipripper660: Rats! I was hoping you'd really enjoy LPL. I wonder if you got samples of the older versions of these LPL soaps. The old tubs give a slick, close shave but at the expense of cushion. I get a great hydrated finish (that may be due to my skin's affinity to glycerin and the high humidity here), but I also get some irritation after a few days using them. On the up side, my older tubs smell quite rich and make an aromatic lather. Our wet, hot island air is probably boosting the strength of the fragrance. 

The good news is there's a newer premium version of LPL, which features Shea Butter. This seems to be the base that most new LPL soaps are using. It makes a far richer, far denser lather, and the cushion is greatly improved. It also holds much more water and still gives the same slickness. It reminds me a lot of MdC, but with a deeper finish thanks to the Shea butter. If you bump into a premium soap, it may be worth a try, if only to compare it to the soap you used today.

Boys-I feel compelled to chime in. I had an old tin of the lpl rose. Couldn't ever get it to work. Based on Bouki's high praise, I gave the apricot new formula a shot. First time out, I got the same high lift froth, with average slickness. I tried again today, went in with a moist Plissoft and lathered on the puck and ignored the huge volume of lather b building up and stayed on the puck for a full minute. I dipped the tips a couple of times and stayed on the puck another 30 seconds. Went to the face and it was thirsty. Slowly built a shiny low profile lather. It was glorious. First successful run with lpl.

Try it again and beat the crap out if it. Really liked the performance.


Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Boys-I feel compelled to chime in. I had an old tin of the lpl rose. Couldn't ever get it to work. Based on Bouki's high praise, I gave the apricot new formula a shot. First time out, I got the same high lift froth, with average slickness. I tried again today, went in with a moist Plissoft and lathered on the puck and ignored the huge volume of lather building up and stayed on the puck for a full minute. I dipped the tips a couple of times and stayed on the puck another 30 seconds. Went to the face and it was thirsty. Slowly built a shiny low profile lather. It was glorious. First successful run with lpl.

Try it again and beat the crap out if it. Really liked the performance.

Good points, Tommy! A long, long load and a good thrashing are essential for a successful LPL lather. I find a stiff boar brush also helps, but it sounds like you've conjured up some great suds with a Plissoft knot. 

I have to admit, LPL is temperamental, especially the older formulation. But when you nail it, it's sweet.

Proraso Green Menthol Shave Cream

William's Mug Soap. Whipped the fool out of it and it behaved well.

B&M Bay rum

Sent from my SM-T387V using Tapatalk