What soap/cream did you use today?

CBL Barbershop & Bergamot Lemon

The air is still smoky in Idaho and will likely remain so until the first snowfall in September or October.  Seems the whole world around and West of me is burning.  That said, the blistering hot summer is giving way to a coming fall and the morning air has changed from smelling like there is heat coming to a feeling and smell that I would describe as bracing.  Sunny all week but highs in the upper 70s instead of the upper 90s.  I love all seasons but spring and fall might be my favorite.
This morning I broke out a new soap and splash (because I sure needed some more soaps)!  Declaration Grooming Yuzu, Rose, Patchouli and you know I like citrus, Rose, and patchouli so it was a no brainer. The soap of the puck there is a duet between the yuzu and Rose both taking the front of the stage while patchouli slaps bass in the back, keeping things in the groove.  The splash is citrus forward with Rose and patchouli doing their thing in the background but citrus cooks off faster and in about 10 minutes the mix settles down to be identical to the soap.  And that patchouli!  It drags the Rose right out of grandmas purse, puts some pomade in its hair, and turns it into a force to be reckoned with.  So so good.  

Stirling Eskimo Tuxedo

Followed this up with Stirling's MITA witch hazel and splash...just wish that menthol would last all day

Catie's Bubbles - La Terre Verte

                                                               

Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet shaving cream (vintage). It used to be a favorite, then fell out of favor (perhaps because I was tired of it), and now is gaining in favor again.

The air is still smoky in Idaho and will likely remain so until the first snowfall in September or October.  Seems the whole world around and West of me is burning.  

Wouldn't it be nice if it just didn't seem like an intentional scare tactic. All they need to do is responsible forest management and 95% of this goes away.

Blue Tobacco v. (Abbate y La Mantia) cool fruity tobacco
Shave 2 ・ 100% left

Judging by the list of ingredients and its performance, Blue Tobacco was probably made by the same people that make Pré de Provence’s sturdy shaving soaps (Bergamot & Thyme, No. 63). This is a first for Abbate y La Mantia. If I remember right, Tcheon Fung Sing used to make their soaps. They were soft, easy to load, and they disappeared quickly. But Blue Tobacco is something altogether different. Hard, white, and waxy, it’s built to last.

I confess I winced when I saw that the first ingredient was sodium palmate. Sometimes that means the soap is going to make a lousy lather. (Trumper, I’m looking at you.) But much to my relief, I had no trouble getting a thick, dense emulsion that gave ample protection. I am still working on the slip, though. The blade seems to drag a little. Luckily, I’ll have plenty of time to work out the kinks. If it’s like its Pré de Provence cousins, Blue Tobacco is going to last forever.
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Razor 1960 Gillette Super Speed ・ Blade PolSilver Super Iridium ・ Brush Phoenix Shaving Solar Flare ・ YTD 487 g