After all the stress surrounding my grandma's passing, I needed some "retail therapy". Yes, I know that's not an optimal coping mechanism; but here we are.
So since we had our first BVWSC shave with Abbate Y La Mantia soap, I was curious about the great soap quality and @djundjila@wetshaving.social mentioned that they transitioned fully to hard soaps. Even more curious, I was able to find the first soap in a german webshop that started their shift towards hard soaps: Blue Tobacco, a scent that spoke to me as a former menthol cigarette smoker. Originally, I only wanted some extra items to get free shipping - and then this happened. Clearly I've got no self control...
THE GOODS:
- Abbate Y La Mantia Tobacco Blue (Blue Tobacco) shaving soap ๐ฎ๐น
- E&S Rasage Shaman shaving soap, plus 3 body soaps (Solstice , Barber and Azur) ๐จ๐ต
- HAGS Barberwood soap, witch hazel toner and beard oil ๐ฌ๐ท
- Los Jabones de Joserra Masala Connection shaving soap ๐ช๐ฆ
- Saponificio Varesino sample pack (ALL of their aftershave balms, one beard wash and balm respectively plus a "Pro Victis" skin repair cream) ๐ฎ๐น
- Meiรner Tremonia Dark Limes beard soap ๐ฉ๐ช
- Freebies: Proraso beard wash sample, some self-made thank you stuff and candy
Not going to talk about the body soaps and beard stuff, since this is a wetshaving instance. But I am really curious about the performance of all the shaving soaps! Blu Tobacco is really as I envisioned: a pack of (unlit!) menthol cigarettes on the beach. The aluminium tin is really nice. Shaman by E&S could be quite something for colder months, off the puck it's already dark. Barberwood is a take on a barbershop scent with lots of wood notes added, so a full set was a no-brainer. After my initial scepticism, barbershop scents have really grown on me in the last years. Finally, only from reading the notes on the label, I knew I had to get Masala Connection. It's kinda like someone had taken all of my favourite individual scent notes, threw them together in a fragrance oil and made a shaving soap out of it. Voilร ! Off the puck, it already smells divine. Never had anything by Los Jabones de Joserra before, but as I wanted to try as many european artisans as possible from different countries it made sense to me.
Even though I reside in Germany, I have to admit that I used more American wetshaving soaps than european ones. Unfortunately, artisans from "the old continent" tend to be overlooked. I'll try to put more of a spotlight on wetshaving software from the EU in my upcoming SOTDs... But needless to say, this concludes my wetshaving purchases for this year and the next year probably too. I can really recommend the seller AboutBodyCare though, very friendly thank you card, fast shipping and my package was even perfumed with E&S Solstice EdT.
18.09.2024 - BVWSC part. II: Canadian Druid in a barbershop
-> 2 pass head shave, 1 pass face shave. Good shave overall!
Today's BVWSC shave is done with a soap I found really interesting. MacDuff's Soap is an artisan I heard many positive things about; their inspiration from Canadian landmarks and the great outdoors is also something I find intriguing. Plus, featuring their dog on the tub art and in their logo is a huge bonus point with me too.
I really have grown to like barbershop scents, even though as a german I never was inside one at all. Old Strathcona is definitely a very unique take on this genre - once the very generous sample by @sahenders@wetshaving.social showed up, my initial impression was of an old time cologne for mature gentlemen. Luckily, that's not everything!
The soap lathered very fast. Props to MacDuff's Soap base, this one gets slick quick and turns into a beautiful lather with just a bit water added to the brush. Once lathered, the scent turns away from the cologne-style barbershop and more towards something green. Everything makes sense now that I'm reading up the official Scent description . Djundjila and walden also mentioned anise which is described as basil and tarragon; I didn't get much of that (my nose is sus) but much more of a herbal, green and slightly salty cologne (I guess the salty parts come from the mushroom absolute?). Call me weird and maybe it's my ADHD, but I pictured a druid like Miraculix sitting in a old school barbershop chair. Hence today's post title. I really like when a soap takes me on such a little daydream journey, especially on a stressful day like today.
Performance wise, apart from the quick lathering and the good slickness, it's also very skin-friendly. I tested it on both my head and face, each with their individual problematic areas and had no irritation or burn whatsoever. I could see MacDuff's as something I might pick up in the future - I really like unique barbershop scents and this one definitely fits the bill. Thanks sahenders for your suggestion and the generous sample! Compared to CFG Ghost Town Barber, my favourite barbershop and my newest HAGS Barberwood, Old Strathcona is way less sweet. It's earthy, mossy, dark without being divisive. Perfectly suited for the upcoming autumn season!
I apologize for my lengthy writeup and any incoherent rambling that it may contain. Hope it's been at least a tiny bit entertaining for you folks! I'm already looking forward to our next BVWSC shave in October. The sample by @PorkButtsNTaters666@sub.wetshaving.social already arrived yesterday and it also smells very intriguing and mysterious. Have a good night (or day, depending on your time zone)!