What soap/cream did you use today?

The Club Khalifa

This exquisitely scented soap has been available through the membership only arm of A&E in the new K2 base (though it now appears to be sold out).  When lathered correctly, it produces a soap lather with the sought-after glossy sheen and is very slick.  Currently it is presented in a presentation decanter.  I am of two minds on the decanter.  While it is classy, it is not very practical, lending itself to countertop presentation rather than storage along with the other numerous soaps in my collection.


Khalifa Shaving Cream in Exotic Jar - Ariana & Evans – The Shaving Shop Club

Chiseled Face / Summer Storm

Sent from my SM-T387V using Tapatalk

Ralph Lauren Safari shaving soap (vintage), a favorite

Manna di Sicilia v. (Saponificio Varesino) rosy tobacco

I’m being generous when I describe this fragrance as rosy tobacco. You want the truth? It smells like soap. If you like the smell of Mitchell’s Wool Fat, you’ll feel right at home with Manna di Sicilia. It’s not a bad scent in any way – citrus on top, a floral middle, with cedar and patchouli in the basement. It covers all the bases. All it lacks is interest. To me it smells flat and boring, a mishmash of typical notes, and for this reason, Manna has sat unloved for several months. I can’t fault the lather. It’s thick and slick and luscious. I only wish it smelled like something distinct. Shall I drop it from the rotation? How can I? It’s Saponificio Varesino. Even a dud scent is not enough to sink this soap. It performs too well.
____________
1938–45 Gillette Fat Handle Tech (δ) ・ PolSilver Super Iridium ・ Phoenix Shaving Peregrino ・ Hermès, Bel Ami Vétiver・ YTD: 331g

   

Manna di Sicilia v. (Saponificio Varesino) rosy tobacco

I’m being generous when I describe this fragrance as rosy tobacco. You want the truth? It smells like soap. If you like the smell of Mitchell’s Wool Fat, you’ll feel right at home with Manna di Sicilia. It’s not a bad scent in any way – citrus on top, a floral middle, with cedar and patchouli in the basement. It covers all the bases. All it lacks is interest. To me it smells flat and boring, a mishmash of typical notes, and for this reason, Manna has sat unloved for several months. I can’t fault the lather. It’s thick and slick and luscious. I only wish it smelled like something distinct. Shall I drop it from the rotation? How can I? It’s Saponificio Varesino. Even a dud scent is not enough to sink this soap. It performs too well.
____________
1938–45 Gillette Fat Handle Tech (δ) ・ PolSilver Super Iridium ・ Phoenix Shaving Peregrino ・ Hermès, Bel Ami Vétiver・ YTD: 331g

   

Just a suggestion as I’ve done it myself to some soaps over the years. Think of what notes you’d like to add and get yourself some small samples of an essential oil blend or a fragrance blend. You’d be surprised what a couple of drops in a shaving bowl can do. 

Great shaves!

Manna di Sicilia v. (Saponificio Varesino) rosy tobacco

I’m being generous when I describe this fragrance as rosy tobacco. You want the truth? It smells like soap. If you like the smell of Mitchell’s Wool Fat, you’ll feel right at home with Manna di Sicilia. It’s not a bad scent in any way – citrus on top, a floral middle, with cedar and patchouli in the basement. It covers all the bases. All it lacks is interest. To me it smells flat and boring, a mishmash of typical notes, and for this reason, Manna has sat unloved for several months. I can’t fault the lather. It’s thick and slick and luscious. I only wish it smelled like something distinct. Shall I drop it from the rotation? How can I? It’s Saponificio Varesino. Even a dud scent is not enough to sink this soap. It performs too well.

Just a suggestion as I’ve done it myself to some soaps over the years. Think of what notes you’d like to add and get yourself some small samples of an essential oil blend or a fragrance blend. You’d be surprised what a couple of drops in a shaving bowl can do. 

Great shaves!

Thanks for the tip, Dragonsbeard! I'm thinking a little drop or two of bitter orange would perk this soap up.

Wonderful DR Harris Marlborough shave today. It’s just one of the best. 

Phoenix St. Martin's Land (CK-6)

First use with this one. In the jar it smells like a delicious ginger ale. Upon lathering, it takes on something else I'm not quite sure of, I'll have to try it again soon. I'm too lazy right now to cheat and look at the site for the scent notes for ideas.



Today's adults didn't seem as happy to see me. Clearly from the cliquey side of town.

It's been quite a while since I shaved with a bay rum scent, but Sir Henry's was fun.  I'm by no means the biggest bay rum fan, but I liked the scent of both the soap and aftershave, and both did a fine job for me tonight.  Also, clove and cinnamon are among the opening notes, but dominicr has apparently figured out some kind of olfactory legerdemain to pull that off without any real clove or cinnamon.  So those of you with bay rum allergy problems may find Sir Henry's an especially appealing way to go. 

One other thing ... Props go to ExtraProtein, whose recommendation a few pages back pointed the way down this happy trail.