What soap/cream did you use today?

Barrister & Mann Lavanille

Lather stays the color of milk chocolate while shaving. I definitely use a synthetic per staining risk. But this is a classic smelling puck. I really love the performance. Weird the lather is not white though. Feels like I am shaving with fragrant mud .

And an excuse to spray down with Guerlain's classic vanilla:
Spiritueuse Double Vanille

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Vétyver série limitée (Martin de Candre) clean vetiver
Done by November 21

According to Martin de Candre, the proper way to care for their shave soap is to rinse it after each use and then turn it upside down to drip and dry. But is this truly necessary? For some, like myself, it seems like overkill. These soaps don’t start to lather until given plenty of friction on my face or palm, so there’s really no scum to wash away from the puck. However, I have noticed that the fragrance fades fast if the jar is left uncovered. I don’t want to damage the soap, but at the same time I don’t want to lose the scent. It’s a delicate balance, to be sure.

In the end, I’ve found a compromise that works for me. After shaving, I wipe down the jar with a towel and then gently set the lid on top of it, covering only three-quarters of the soap. I don’t screw it down at all. This way, the soap dries a bit without losing all of its deep, grassy aroma. It may not be the recommended method, but for me it works.

Inspired by Dave in KY's kill of NYC (A&E), I did some calculations to reckon just how long it would take to clean up this jar of Vétyver. Looks like I've got some 269 shaves ahead of me. With earnest effort, this soap could appear in the "Done and Dusted" thread sometime around Thanksgiving 2023.
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Razor Merkur 42C ・ Blade Wizamet ・ Brush PAA Peregrino ・ Hoard 20,357 g (⇣21,220 g)

Vétyver série limitée (Martin de Candre) clean vetiver
Done by November 21

According to Martin de Candre, the proper way to care for their shave soap is to rinse it after each use and then turn it upside down to drip and dry. But is this truly necessary? For some, like myself, it seems like overkill. These soaps don’t start to lather until given plenty of friction on my face or palm, so there’s really no scum to wash away from the puck. However, I have noticed that the fragrance fades fast if the jar is left uncovered. I don’t want to damage the soap, but at the same time I don’t want to lose the scent. It’s a delicate balance, to be sure.

In the end, I’ve found a compromise that works for me. After shaving, I wipe down the jar with a towel and then gently set the lid on top of it, covering only three-quarters of the soap. I don’t screw it down at all. This way, the soap dries a bit without losing all of its deep, grassy aroma. It may not be the recommended method, but for me it works.

Inspired by Dave in KY's kill of NYC (A&E), I did some calculations to reckon just how long it would take to clean up this jar of Vétyver. Looks like I've got some 269 shaves ahead of me. With earnest effort, this soap could appear in the "Done and Dusted" thread sometime around Thanksgiving 2023.
____________
Razor Merkur 42C ・ Blade Wizamet ・ Brush PAA Peregrino ・ Hoard 20,357 g (⇣21,220 g)

Dude, I couldn't do that long

Razor: Blackbird Ti
Blade: Gillette Nacet
Brush: Mozingo ZT4
Soap: Hoffman’s Red Hollow

Today I did my head & face shave with the same setup. This made for a smooth enjoyable shave.

Lothur Tears

This evening I used the last sample from Grooming Emporium, Element 47. This is supposed to be a dupe of Creed Silver Mountain Water. It was a nice clean scent. I can't particularly discern any notes, but for some reason it brings something lab-like to mind. That makes me chuckle, since they named it Element 47 (which was obviously named for 'Silver' on the periodic table... aka, SMW). Keep in mind, my schnoz is still wounded from COVID .

I won't buy the full tub, but I enjoyed the experience. I have to say, fwiw, this soap was quite unique to the 6-pack: It is much softer than the others. The texture looked 'crumbly', if that makes sense. It also lathered quicker and seems to not have as much water tolerance. Still, despite appearances, it worked well.

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Mike's Natural Soaps - Lime 
 
Nicely selected straight lime. Nice surface prep for the SS Blackbird. But there's something about the Simpsons synthetic brushes, this time again was the Chubby 3 with Sovereign Fiber, that my face feels polished. I believe it's the density... most other synthetics are nowhere near as dense as the Simpsons. 
  
  

Mike's Natural Soaps - Lime 
 
Nicely selected straight lime. Nice surface prep for the SS Blackbird. But there's something about the Simpsons synthetic brushes, this time again was the Chubby 3 with Sovereign Fiber, that my face feels polished. I believe it's the density... most other synthetics are nowhere near as dense as the Simpsons. 
  
  

Neroli, I am almost ashamed to admit-but I must, my most reached for brush is the Sovereign fiber Simpson. It makes a great lather and I to seem to get my best post shave face feel upon usage. They are great tools for the money. Really, a Merkur 34C, Simpson Sovereign Fiber, and some Stirling soap would be hard to best. And certainly, money wisely spent. Under 100 bucks for a great initiation to wet shaving.

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