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WEEKLY SHAVING SOAP REVIEW

Gargravarr said:
You've gotta love the idiosyncrasies of the English language. Describing MdC as merely "decent" can easily be construed as damning with faint praise. :ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
And the idiosyncrasies of slang. If you said "very decent", it would greatly elevate the assessment. Conversely, if you said "very average", it would be the reverse.
 

TALENT SOAP FACTORY - 656​

IMG-20250312-222716.jpg


First Look - A car cruising along a coastline, blue skies and waters, the surf visible in the distance and a palm tree as well, this soap container cover looks like it was pulled out of a Tintin comic book, children and adults alike would dig it and so do I. The soap’s title or 656 is the number of miles that the Pacific Coast Highway stretches for making it the longest state route in California, and the second-longest in the US after Montana Highway 200, the 'mi' added after the name denotes this. This soap artwork took me back to my time spent with a close friend on Great Ocean Drive in Victoria and also to a very eventful journey down Pacific Coast Drive from New South Wales to Queensland.

Side note – Talent Soap Factory owner and Artisan Aaron has gained much popularity for his unique shaving soap fragrances reminiscent of spray paint, jelly beans, concrete, glazed donuts, grape soda, wax crayons and even bubblegum to name a few. His mother is a painter and the unique jar art is mostly designed by her. Sometimes he even creates a soap based on one of her new paintings. Located in Kansas Missouri, Aaron also restores vintage brush handles and adds new knots to them, giving the aged lather makers an all new lease of life.

First Whiff – I was once stumped when a friend asked me to find the corner in his newly renovated living room which was circular, it’s true people do crazy stuff to their living space nowadays. That’s how I felt when I took a whiff of 656. The scent notes are described as Calabrian Bergamot, Surf Melon, Orange Peel, Cyclamen, Damascena Rose, Water Jasmine, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Moss & Musk. I took a second whiff and while traces of all the scent notes seemed to be present, none stood out. The scent was gentle and pleasant but I couldn’t get my head around it. So, I passed the open tub to my Mum asked her what the fragrance reminded her off ? she said, ‘Clean air, like being close to a beach or the waterfront where the air is pleasant and refreshing.’ In all my effort to pick out the notes, I had missed the whole picture, Aaron had created a scent reminiscent of a serene drive on the Pacific Coast Highway and that’s exactly what the artwork described. I tip my hat off to that and to my Mum for getting it right.

First Lather – Using a Yaqi Caramel Best Badger Brush, a Japan home bowl, a teaspoon of the soap and two tablespoons of water I was able to work up a pasty base after a minute of brush swirling. Two more cycles followed of a minute each with a tablespoon of water added each time before I had a fluffy, light and unique lather. 656 maybe a vegan soap but it craves water just like a tallow soap does.

IMG-20250312-223037.jpg
IMG-20250312-223019.jpg


First Performance – The soaps ingredients include Potassium Stearate, Glycerin, Babussu Seed Oil, Mango Seed Butter, Sodium Stearate, Aqua, Avocado Oil, Parfum & Castor Oil. While lathering up, I could feel the moisturizing quality of the vegan butters on my cheeks, it reminded me a lot of Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements or Hendrix Classics & Co's soaps. I had a smooth two pass BBS with my Green Cult 1.0 and a Feather Stainless blade. The soap provided adequate cushion and protection but where it stood out most, was the slickness. 656 is one of the slicker soaps I have used, straight razor loyalists would love it big time.

First Opinion – 656 may not ring the bells when it comes to top cushion and protection but its slickness had me hooked. The fragrance being mid strength wasn’t a selling point for me but the fact that it replicated the scene the artisan set out to create makes it one of the most unique soaps I have used. I’d say, "Pick up a tub of 656 and get ready for a relaxing cruise down the Pacific Coast Highway."

Cover Art Work – 8 / 10

Lather Quality – 7 / 10

Fragrance – 6 / 10

Cushion & Protection – 7 / 10

Slickness – 9 / 10

Post Shave Feel – 6 / 10

Value – 10 / 10

Total Point Score – 53 / 70

Availability – https://www.etsy.com/ie/shop/TalentSoapFactory?ref=l2-about-shopname&from_page=listing
 
Last edited:
Bladerunner7 said:

TALENT SOAP FACTORY - 656​

IMG-20250312-222716.jpg


First Look - A car cruising along a coastline, blue skies and waters, the surf visible in the distance and a palm tree as well, this soap container cover looks like it was pulled out of a Tintin comic book, children and adults alike would dig it and so do I. The soap’s title or 656 is the number of miles that the Pacific Coast Highway stretches for making it the longest state route in California, and the second-longest in the US after Montana Highway 200, the 'mi' added after the name denotes this. This soap artwork took me back to my time spent with a close friend on Great Ocean Drive in Victoria and also to a very eventful journey down Pacific Coast Drive from New South Wales to Queensland.

Side note – Talent Soap Factory owner and Artisan Aaron has gained much popularity for his unique shaving soap fragrances reminiscent of spray paint, jelly beans, concrete, glazed donuts, grape soda, wax crayons and even bubblegum to name a few. His mother is a painter and the unique jar art is mostly designed by her. Sometimes he even creates a soap based on one of her new paintings. Located in Kansas Missouri, Aaron also restores vintage brush handles and adds new knots to them, giving the aged lather makers an all new lease of life.

First Whiff – I was once stumped when a friend asked me to find the corner in his newly renovated living room which was circular, it’s true people do crazy stuff to their living space nowadays. That’s how I felt when I took a whiff of 656. The scent notes are described as Calabrian Bergamot, Surf Melon, Orange Peel, Cyclamen, Damascena Rose, Water Jasmine, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Moss & Musk. I took a second whiff and while traces of all the scent notes seemed to be present, none stood out. The scent was gentle and pleasant but I couldn’t get my head around it. So, I passed the open tub to my Mum asked her what the fragrance reminded her off ? she said, ‘Clean air, like being close to a beach or the waterfront where the air is pleasant and refreshing.’ In all my effort to pick out the notes, I had missed the whole picture, Aaron had created a scent reminiscent of a serene drive on the Pacific Coast Highway and that’s exactly what the artwork described. I tip my hat off to that and to my Mum for getting it right.

First Lather – Using a Yaqi Caramel Best Badger Brush, a Japan home bowl, a teaspoon of the soap and two tablespoons of water I was able to work up a pasty base after a minute of brush swirling. Two more cycles followed of a minute each with a tablespoon of water added each time before I had a fluffy, light and unique lather. 656 maybe a vegan soap but it craves water just like a tallow soap does.

IMG-20250312-223037.jpg
IMG-20250312-223019.jpg


First Performance – The soaps ingredients include Potassium Stearate, Glycerin, Babussu Seed Oil, Mango Seed Butter, Sodium Stearate, Aqua, Avocado Oil, Parfum & Castor Oil. While lathering up, I could feel the moisturizing quality of the vegan butters on my cheeks, it reminded me a lot of Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements or Hendrix Classics & Co's soaps. I had a smooth two pass BBS with my Green Cult 1.0 and a Feather Stainless blade. The soap provided adequate cushion and protection but where it stood out most, was the slickness. 656 is one of the slicker soaps I have used, straight razor loyalists would love it big time.

First Opinion – 656 may not ring the bells when it comes to top cushion and protection but its slickness had me hooked. The fragrance being mid strength wasn’t a selling point for me but the fact that it replicated the scene the artisan set out to create makes it one of the most unique soaps I have used. I’d say, "Pick up a tub of 656 and get ready for a relaxing cruise down the Pacific Coast Highway."

Cover Art Work – 8 / 10

Lather Quality – 7 / 10

Fragrance – 6 / 10

Cushion & Protection – 7 / 10

Slickness – 9 / 10

Post Shave Feel – 6 / 10

Value – 10 / 10

Total Point Score – 53 / 70

Availability – https://www.etsy.com/ie/shop/TalentSoapFactory?ref=l2-about-shopname&from_page=listing
Click to expand...
Great review (y) and I like your use of the "Mum test". That works for me. My Mum has told me she prefers my C&S Oxford & Cambridge cologne to my (now dead) Dad's Eau Sauvage, as being more subtle and interesting. That sounded like a pat on the back to me... :)
 
Gargravarr said:
Great review (y) and I like your use of the "Mum test". That works for me. My Mum has told me she prefers my C&S Oxford & Cambridge cologne to my (now dead) Dad's Eau Sauvage, as being more subtle and interesting. That sounded like a pat on the back to me... :)
Click to expand...
"When in doubt, ask your Mum." Always seems to work. By the way, I do love the C&S Oxford & Cambridge cologne too. Classy fragrance muh man, Your Mum has great choice.
 
Bladerunner7 said:

TALENT SOAP FACTORY - 656​

IMG-20250312-222716.jpg


First Look - A car cruising along a coastline, blue skies and waters, the surf visible in the distance and a palm tree as well, this soap container cover looks like it was pulled out of a Tintin comic book, children and adults alike would dig it and so do I. The soap’s title or 656 is the number of miles that the Pacific Coast Highway stretches for making it the longest state route in California, and the second-longest in the US after Montana Highway 200, the 'mi' added after the name denotes this. This soap artwork took me back to my time spent with a close friend on Great Ocean Drive in Victoria and also to a very eventful journey down Pacific Coast Drive from New South Wales to Queensland.

Side note – Talent Soap Factory owner and Artisan Aaron has gained much popularity for his unique shaving soap fragrances reminiscent of spray paint, jelly beans, concrete, glazed donuts, grape soda, wax crayons and even bubblegum to name a few. His mother is a painter and the unique jar art is mostly designed by her. Sometimes he even creates a soap based on one of her new paintings. Located in Kansas Missouri, Aaron also restores vintage brush handles and adds new knots to them, giving the aged lather makers an all new lease of life.

First Whiff – I was once stumped when a friend asked me to find the corner in his newly renovated living room which was circular, it’s true people do crazy stuff to their living space nowadays. That’s how I felt when I took a whiff of 656. The scent notes are described as Calabrian Bergamot, Surf Melon, Orange Peel, Cyclamen, Damascena Rose, Water Jasmine, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Moss & Musk. I took a second whiff and while traces of all the scent notes seemed to be present, none stood out. The scent was gentle and pleasant but I couldn’t get my head around it. So, I passed the open tub to my Mum asked her what the fragrance reminded her off ? she said, ‘Clean air, like being close to a beach or the waterfront where the air is pleasant and refreshing.’ In all my effort to pick out the notes, I had missed the whole picture, Aaron had created a scent reminiscent of a serene drive on the Pacific Coast Highway and that’s exactly what the artwork described. I tip my hat off to that and to my Mum for getting it right.

First Lather – Using a Yaqi Caramel Best Badger Brush, a Japan home bowl, a teaspoon of the soap and two tablespoons of water I was able to work up a pasty base after a minute of brush swirling. Two more cycles followed of a minute each with a tablespoon of water added each time before I had a fluffy, light and unique lather. 656 maybe a vegan soap but it craves water just like a tallow soap does.

IMG-20250312-223037.jpg
IMG-20250312-223019.jpg


First Performance – The soaps ingredients include Potassium Stearate, Glycerin, Babussu Seed Oil, Mango Seed Butter, Sodium Stearate, Aqua, Avocado Oil, Parfum & Castor Oil. While lathering up, I could feel the moisturizing quality of the vegan butters on my cheeks, it reminded me a lot of Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements or Hendrix Classics & Co's soaps. I had a smooth two pass BBS with my Green Cult 1.0 and a Feather Stainless blade. The soap provided adequate cushion and protection but where it stood out most, was the slickness. 656 is one of the slicker soaps I have used, straight razor loyalists would love it big time.

First Opinion – 656 may not ring the bells when it comes to top cushion and protection but its slickness had me hooked. The fragrance being mid strength wasn’t a selling point for me but the fact that it replicated the scene the artisan set out to create makes it one of the most unique soaps I have used. I’d say, "Pick up a tub of 656 and get ready for a relaxing cruise down the Pacific Coast Highway."

Cover Art Work – 8 / 10

Lather Quality – 7 / 10

Fragrance – 6 / 10

Cushion & Protection – 7 / 10

Slickness – 9 / 10

Post Shave Feel – 6 / 10

Value – 10 / 10

Total Point Score – 53 / 70

Availability – https://www.etsy.com/ie/shop/TalentSoapFactory?ref=l2-about-shopname&from_page=listing
Click to expand...
Great review @Bladerunner7 as always.
I also agree with @Gargravarr Mum knows best.
Cheers.
 

THE WET SHAVING STORE / SHAVE DAD / MSC - LOUIE SHAVING SOAP​

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First Look - A silhouette of Louis Armstrong set on a blue background with the world map and musical notes on it, the soap title in a contrasting yellow and the text , “The World Is Full Of Wonders on top and “Shave Dad’s Jukebox” below, there is a lot going on here. Satchmo loved to play at the Blue Note Club in Chicago, What A Wonderful World Remains his most popular hit globally, the Black Tuxedo was his favorite outfit and it’s all depicted on the cover of ‘Louie’, a limited edition shaving soap by Shave Dad, The West Shaving Store and Master Soap Creations. Being a huge fan of the Jazz Legend, this cover is one of the best I’ve seen.

Side note – The Wet Shaving Store was started by Andy and Maleryn Amaya in April 2022 with an aim to offering premium wet shaving products to customers. Since then Andy’s collaborations with shaving gear focused artisans, shaving forums and communities have made exclusive offerings by TWSS much sought after with the Shave Dad soap and after shave limited editions being sold out most of the time. Other than TWSS, the Amayas are a young couple involved in the daily family routine of bringing up their two little children.

First Whiff – If that eye catching cover of ‘Louie’ was anything to go by, I was expecting the scent to border on being classy. At first whiff I got vetiver with vanilla playing second fiddle to it, a refreshing black tea accompanied by a gentle citrusy note followed. It was interesting how these fragrance layers were completed by one sweet aromatic spice uniting them all. It was that spice note which I couldn’t put my finger on, so I went back to check the olfactory profile of this soap and there it was, ‘cardamom.’ While the cardamom note is extremely mild, it adds great character to the scent of this soap. In terms of fragrance this is an excellent tribute to one of the world’s greatest music legends and If he were alive today, "I’m sure he would approve."

First Lather – MSC soaps are always thirsty, you have to pamper them with enough water and multiple quick rotations of the brush in a bowl, to create a luxurious and creamy lather. The end result is always a rewarding one. It took me about 3 minutes with two 20 second breaks in between to build up a lather enough for three passes while utilizing less than a teaspoon of soap. Those breaks worked like a charm to hydrate the soap.

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First Performance – Louie which is a 6 oz pour features MSC’s signature list of ingredients seen on most of artisan Fernando’s soaps, Stearic Acid, Tallow, Castor oil, Shea Butter, Coconut oil, Cocoa butter, Fragrance/Essential oils, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Bentonite Clay, Avocado oil, Glycerine, Sodium Lactate, Xantham gum and Tussah silk. While painting the lather on my face I could feel all the skin benefiting ingredients in the soap begin to work and I knew I was in for a good shave. A two pass BBS with my Greencult version 1 loaded with a Gillette Black Ninja was never easier as the soap provided ample glide, cushion and protection. Post shave the residual slickness was average but my skin felt well nourished. I didn’t feel the need for any recovery lotion or aftershave balm. The fragrance of the soap lingered on my cheeks for more than an hour after the shave as well.

First Opinion – Louie is a soap designed in America and made in South Africa. Like all other MSC soaps it is an excellent performer but it’s stand out quality is that fragrance profile which stands apart from the regular crowd due to an excellent blend of just a few fragrance notes. It smells mildly sweet yet very classy at the same time. It would be perfect to use before that black tie dinner or a night at the opera. The only downside is that it is sold out but if you find a tub even partly used, I’d say, “Grab It.’

Cover Art Work – 9 / 10

Lather Quality – 8 / 10

Fragrance – 8 / 10

Cushion & Protection – 8 / 10

Slickness – 7 / 10

Post Shave Feel – 9 / 10

Value – 10 / 10

.Total Point Score – 59 / 70

Availability – https://wetshaving.store (added the link, so you gentlemen don't miss out on future ltd edition releases)
 

THE WET SHAVING STORE / ELYSIAN SOAP SHOP – DOUBLE Y (COMMEMORATIVE)​

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First Look - The capital letters Double Y in electric green set on a purple stonewashed background is and eye catching for those that aren’t familiar with the late Ygor Yuri Dos Santos. For those familiar with his legacy and his smile, the text on the soap container’s cover runs much deeper. The dates below and the line on top captures the Portuguese Wet Shaver’s lifespan and what he will best be remembered for, his enthusiasm and his smile. Double Y was the name of his youtube channel and Purple his favorite color. There is a lot of thought and heart that went into the design of this cover, it is a winner for me.

Side note – Andy Amaya (TWSS) teamed up with Shannon Logan (Elysian soap shop) to craft a soap and aftershave set as a tribute to Double Y who was not just a wet shaving enthusiast but a friend . The commemorative release is a part of the ‘JustGiving campaign’ set up by Dave Dhanoo to raise 2000 GBP for Ygor’s family with the entire proceeds of this set going towards lending them a a hand during this challenging time.

First Whiff – The Scent of Double Y is inspired by Acqua di Giò Absolu Instinct which has all of Ygor’s favorite fragrance notes in it namely lemon, bergamot, aquatic sea notes, amberwood and ebony wood. At first whiff, I get a strong opening of lemon and bergamot followed by a trail of sea notes. That aquatic layer props up the citrusy top notes . A second whiff and the wood comes through as well in a gentle yet assertive manner. This is a banger of a scent and Shannon Logan has meticulously blended the fragrance notes in it to create something special. This is one of the best smelling shaving soaps I have encountered in the last two years.

First Lather – I have never used an Elysian Soap Shop product before and didn’t know what to expect. I scooped out a teaspoon of the soap which was fairly soft in consistency and let it bloom in my HC & Co lather bowl with a table spoon of water. After five minutes, using my newly acquired Beard & Blade chubby synthetic I proceeded to create a lather while swirling the brush in the bowl for a minute. I was pleasantly surprised at how fast a smooth lather was starting to shape up. Adding another table spoon of water I proceeded to work the brush clockwise and anti - clockwise for another 90 seconds, the resulting lather blew me away, it was dense, smooth as silk to look at had the consistency of a soft serve ice cream. This isn't a thirsty soap and requires minimal work, the fragrance strength of the soap was consistent throughout the lathering process.

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First Performance – I proceeded to lather up splaying the brush and using rapid rotations. Normally a bit of lather would fly off my brush and onto my T-shirt or the floor with any other soap, not with this one, the lather stuck to the brush and on my face like glue. I was aware that Shannon Logan who honed her soap making and perfumery skills during the pandemic is known to use raw goats milk and grass fed beef tallow in her shaving soaps so I wasn’t surprised. However when I read the ingredients in the soap I was left shell shocked, Double Y has only Distilled Water, Potassium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Coconut Oil, Glycerin, Fragrance and Kaolin Clay in it. No goat’s milk, no tallow, no Tussah silk or any other fancy butters. I had a smooth and drama free BBS shave with my Stirling Hyper aggressive and a Kai stainless steel blade. The soap wasn’t super slick but it provided enough glide with the cushion and protection being top notch. The post shave left my skin feeling conditioned and nourished. This soap is testament to the fact that while exotic butters may shine, the right ratio of the simplest ingredients can go toe to toe with the them on any given day. There was no need of any post shave balm for this one and the fragrance lingered on my face for over an hour.

First Opinion – Ygor Yuri Dos Santos remains one of my biggest influences in my wet shaving journey cause he truly shared the love for this grooming ritual with a smile and positivity. Humble by nature his reviews always leaned on appreciation rather than critique. TWSS and Shannon have created something special here that is a top shelf soap which smells like one of the best men’s perfumes available. I’m on my way to pick up another two tubs and the Aftershave splash as well, I would recommend you do the same before it sells out for good. As for Yuri, for all that you shared with us over the years – “Obrigado meu irmão e que descanses em paz.”

Cover Art Work – 9 / 10

Lather Quality – 10 / 10

Fragrance – 10 / 10

Cushion & Protection – 9 / 10

Slickness – 7 / 10

Post Shave Feel – 9 / 10

Value – 10 / 10

Total Point Score – 64 / 70

Availability – https://wetshaving.store/products/ygor-yuri-dos-santos-commemorative-shaving-soap (While stocks last)
 
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