Post 'Sunday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jun 30, 2024' of challenge 'Feats of Fragrance 2024'

Reddit post
The number of participants is 11
  1. u/tsrblke posted on 2024-06-30 08:48:32-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    June 30, 2024 – Bon Voyage

    • Brush: Omega 40033 24mm #hollow
    • Razor: Gillette Tech
    • Blade: Bic Chrome (2)
    • Lather: Paradesha Farms – Bay Rum
    • Post Shave: Tallow + Steel – Shag
    • Fragrance: Parfums De Marly – Pegasus

    Bon Voyage, saying goodbye to yet another games. Bittersweet. I laid it all out there this year, and we’ll see where the chips fall. Am I disappointed in how I did? I was at first, but I shouldn’t be. Sure, some of my bits didn’t work as well as I wanted, others fell apart as the games progressed. But I put together a good point run, nabbed more legendary points than last year. I tried to balance shit posts with serious posts. I made international shipments of incriminating baggies. I had fun. That’s what matters in the end. I mentioned to u/hugbckt I’m probably not going all out again. Maybe I’ll change my mind on day two next year like u/onionmiasma. I suspect not though. My family needs a break from a month of chaos over the summer. FYI for the judges, I bolded the relevant info below for ease of skimming (but it’s not that long.)

    For today’s theme we return to where we started, the team run. When I reached out to u/adworried2804 about teaming up, I asked if he could find me a soap from the Philippines. Keep in mind, I live in the US, so the coordination of getting stuff between us was not easy. He wasn’t sure if he could find the soap, but he went looking and sure enough he found a bay rum from a local maker. Country 1, check. Continent 1. English Tech, country 2, continent 2 Bic Chrome: Greece County 3. Brush, Omega Boar, Italy, country 4.

    Now here’s where it gets hard, for #fof I had to get…creative. Shag, made in Canada, country 5 woot continent 3!. Pegasus, made in France, Country 6. All different countries, a world tour in a shave (and 3 of 6 continents regularly inhabited continents.). And to be honest all different scents. This is a cacophony, the tower of Babel of scent combos. The shag is potent pachouli. The Pegagus cloyingly sweet. And again, I have to go to church smelling weird. (I also used nivea post shave not listed because of the bots. Made in Mexico. Countries: 7.)

    For the last day I didn’t want to play it totally serious, but how do you do a travel shave that’s not overbearing (yes, last year’s post went on too long.) Well I told my daughter someone has to go on a trip for this to work and she obliged by packing her bags. Joke’s on me though because I have 3 hour round trip drive to the sleep away camp. Also, a second idea came to me during a conversation with none other than u/pridetwo on the discord. I noted my wife has given me a ton of dopp bags since I started shaving. More than you can use since I don’t travel that much. Basically every free gift in a dopp bag lands in my lap. And u/pridetwo said they were useless because “you can’t lather them.” To which I responded, “but you can lather in them.” His retort was “SOTD with it, or it doesn’t count.” Well, travel day seems perfect for that. Sometimes on trips, your forget your bowl, it gets lost, or something else odd happens, and us bowl latherers have to improvise. So here’s a makeshift bowl lather in a dopp bag. Satisfied u/pridetwo? (Note: Dopp bag did not have a “made in” sticker on it anywhere. It was included in an Ulta order my wife made as a promo. Generally, these lower quality freebies are made in China, so I made sure my brush wasn’t made there. Other possible countries include: Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, none of which are in my shave. Countries: 8)

    Finally, #photocontest we’re going to do money. Wait, how does that tie in? Have I completely given up my photo themes after yesterday? No. I mentioned to u/onionmiasma I spent some time in high school in Your Honduras, working in a nutrition center for impoverished children. So, here is a Honduran Lempira (yet another country included in the shave, up to 9!) I’ve been carrying around in my wallet for the last 21 and a half years to remind me of that time. It’s worth less than a nickel, but it serves as memory of both the good and bad I saw while working in the nutrition center. Years later another graduate of my high school would go down to the Center in college. (For various reasons, funds, housing, etc., only 6 seniors were allowed to go each year and he was not one of them his year. His brother was chosen later, which is how he became connected.) He fell in love with the mission and moved there to run the center. Soon he started a charity to both fund the center and expand upon its work. Amazing what a little yearly service project at a school in the Midwest can grow into. (The annual service project has been on hold for a number of years, hopefully they’ll restart it soon.)

    Bonus country: I took this picture with my Canon T6, made in Taiwan, countries: 10.

    Thanks to all the organizers and judges this year. I know drama hit at the end but let it roll off your back. Thanks to the side contest organizers too. You add extra fun.

  2. u/Environmental-Gap380 posted on 2024-06-30 10:07:30-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    June 30, 2024 - Addio Giochi di Sapone

    • Brush: Semogue 1800 - Portugal
    • Razor: Solingen Best Silver Steel - Germany
    • Lather: Whispers From The Woods - Pomelo - Australia
    • Post Shave: TFS - NASA Marte - Italy
    • Fragrance: Guorgio Armani - Acqua Di Gio Absolu EdP - France
    • Shave Bowl: IKEA - Blue Kids Bowl - Sweden but probably made in China
    • Shaver: Environmental Gap 380- USA
    • Consecutive Days with a Shave: 700

    Today’s Theme and Challenge:

    All products used today were from different countries and continents from where I live. The SOTD picture is more of a shave of the vacation set up, but shows everything used today.

    I’m currently on vacation in a small town in Wyoming. A few weeks ago I did a count and if my math is correct, today marks 700 consecutive daily shaves. The streak started on August 1, 2022 with my first Austere August. With the 700th ending on the last day of the LG, I decided I needed a special shave for it. About a 30 minute drive from my folks’ place is a spectacular view. I got up in the pre-dawn hours and started getting ready. I ended up getting to Red Canyon Overlook just a little after the sun had crested the horizon and was in the golden hour. I paused a moment to learn about Wyoming wildlife. Yesterday when we drove up we almost hit three Pronghorn Antelope crossing the highway. After soaking in one of my favorite views on Earth, it was time to set up my rental shave den. Since visiting a state with frontier roots (Oregon Trail went very close to here) and a cowboy tradition, I had to be a shave like the cowboys would have done. It was time to shave. I should have wet the brush before heading out. Starting dry soaked up a lot of soap, and the high elevation and very low humidity had the lather drying out on my face. I ended up lathering each part of my face just before I shaved a section. The tinted back windows gave a pretty decent reflection. I finished two passes before packing up.

    Feats of Fragrance:

    The world traveler challenge really dictated what to bring. It also kept me from dickholing a set from MacDuffs. Other things restricting my choices were the brush and aftershave. I settled on the citrus scented Pomelo. It is an entirely citrus scent. The name should be a strong indicator of this. The scent is like a bowl full of lemon, orange, and just more citrus. It is a really nice blend that is similarto Dr. Jon’s - Hydra. I don’t have more than a few aftershaves from outside the US. Tabac, 1 MacDuffs, and this TFS from Italy. NASA Marte is a citrus forward aftershave. It comes of very fresh and a little sweet. The wind had picked up, so I spray my travel spritzer to my face inside the rental SUV. I brought along two fragrance samples I have that were both labeled Paris France: Acqua di Gio Absolu and Drakkar Noir Intense. The aquatic and woody Absolu was a fantastic match for the set. It starts with a burst of citrus in bergamot, grapefruit, and lemon. The woody patchouli, rosemary, and amberwood gave me a feel that I was in the nearby evergreen forests. Sometimes being constrained in your choices can be serendipitous. Having the limits today led to one of my favorite combinations this month. I sat back and watched the sunlight move down the canyon. I was in my happy place for sure. I had a peaceful morning meditation before driving back down to town, and got to my parents’s house. I passed my brother-in-law who was finishing up a morning run. The two of us were the only ones up in this really full house. I made a nice cup of Earl Grey (more citrus please), and sat on the veranda sipping my tea while having a nice chat before the madness starts when the kids wake up. #FOF

    Final Thoughts:

    This is my third time going on these LGs. I thought about just reading and not participating, but ultimately the lure of these shenanigans drew me back. I had an oh shit moment where I realized I totally goofed which derailed the full plan for Wildcard Wednesday, but 2/3 of it was done at least. I knew I was going to be away the last weekend and almost used that excuse to not play. I am very happy right now that I did. I would have missed seeing this small town at dawn. When I was a kid, the ranchers would drive their cattle down main street, bringing them down from their summer pasture in the mountains. I lived here for 10 years from age 5-15. We moved away before my sophomore year in high school. Over the years I’ve lived in 9 states, and a year in England. As soon as I see that view of Main Street, I feel like I’ve come home. About 20 years ago my dad semi-retired and moved back here.

    So thank you all who set up the games, sent out smooshes, gave advice, shit posted, and made this a month of fun.

  3. u/bmac92 posted on 2024-06-30 10:22:38-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    June 30, 2024 – 2024.06.30 SOTD: Lather Games Day 30 – Bon Voyage, Lather Games

    • Brush: Maggard 22mm Black & White Synthetic
    • Razor: Henson AL13+
    • Blade: Wizamet
    • Lather: Bundubeard – Kletterkees
    • Post Shave: Areffa Soap – Cocaine splash
    • Fragrance: Calvin Klein – Obsession

    Daily Theme: Bon Voyage, Lather Games

    Theme justification: Today's lather, Bundubeard Kletterkees, is made in South Africa. I reside in the United States of America, which is different than South Africa. I'm not too bad at geography, so I can confirm this fact.

    Relevant Post Shave & Frag: Today's relevant theme is "Products not made in the USA." To go with my my lather for today, I've gone with Areffa Soap Cocaine aftershave which is made in Ukraine and Calvin Klein Obsession EdT which is made in France (last line on the sticker). Again, due to my geography skills, I know none of these places are the USA.


    Scavenger Hunt ~~Justification~~: COMPLETED

    Razor facts: N/A

    Brush facts: N/A


    Daily/Special Challenge: World Traveler

    I have already described my software above, but to recap: Bundubeard soap made in South Africa; Areffa Soap aftershave made in Ukraine; CK Obsession EdT made in France; I live in the USA.

    My hardware is also made outside the USA:

    Brush: Maggard 22mm Synth - Made in China (confirmed by Brad (/u/undream22) on Discord in May)

    Razor: Henson Al13 - Made in Canada: "Our Razors are fully designed, manufactured, assembled and packaged in Canada.

    Blade: Wizimet - Made in Russia

    Bowl: random bowl purchased in Japan - Made in Japan


    Fragrance description

    Bundubeard Kletterkees smells very fruity, without being overly sweet. It's a nice anytime scent, in my opinion.

    Areffa Soap Cocaine is a dupe of Franck Boclet Cocaine. I'm not a fan. The fragrance is extremely floral and sweet, not something that I enjoy too often.

    Calvin Klein Obsession is what my grandfather wore, so it reminds me of him (and older men in general). I wore it all through High School, so now other than the nostalgia I don't care for the scent. It does remind me of going into his wood-shop, though, so that is nice. I guess that is the point of scents, right, to transport us to a different location (time being irrelevent)? I used the Obsession balm earlier this month, but the scent of the EdT is a lot better.


    Lather Games Farewell Address & Final Shave!

    Today is it. The last day of the Lather Games. We've had a lot of fun over the past 30 days and made some memories. Some good, some bad. I'm glad I was able to take part. I've done a lot of things I thought I'd never do over these Games:

    WARNING FOR ANYONE WITH ARACHNOPHOBIA. SPIDER PICTURED IN THIS POST!

    That's why today we're saying, "Bon Voyage" to the Lather Games. That's not all I'm saying goodbye to, though. Earlier this month, I was bitten by a Brown Recluse spider. You can read about it on my SOTD here. I'm doing fine now thanks to time and a round of antibiotics. The spider, though, unfortunately did not survive. I'm assuming that I squished it in my sleep.

    Ultimately, I am sorry that this spider had to die. It was probably incredibly scared (as much as an arachnid can be) by the big man in its habitat. Typically when threatened they flee, but it's hard to do when you're being rolled on by a giant is about to squish you. Spiders are very important to the ecosystem, so killing them is unnecessary and saddening. It was just doing what was natural to it; not the spiders fault that the venom caused me pain.

    So I thought it was only right to give the spider a proper send off. It didn't turn out exactly like I had hoped, but it is the thought that counts, right?

    I gathered my supplies for this shave, then headed down to a local park.. The park I chose did not have any public grills, so I had to just use my pan by itself. Time to construct the funeral pyre. This is how it started out, but due to a thunderstorm last night everything was wet. It made today absolutely perfect in terms of weather, but left no burnable twigs et al. I powered on, though. I added the spider (which had unfortunately broken into pieces while being stored) to the pyre.

    I found a nice spot overlooking the water that was still in a safe area to light the fire. I intended to have some sparklers going, but unfortunately they wouldn't light. I eventually had to add some napkins from QT in order to get the fire going. I added some drier grass too hoping that would help. I didn't achieve the proper fire I was hoping for (combination of poor pyre, wind, and not completely dry twigs), but in the end the spider was sent to Valhalla via fire.

    I then turned my attention to the shave. I spread out some soap into my bowl, lathered up, and shaved.

    Bundubeard's mutton tallow is extremely nice. Easy to lather up and very slick. Smells great too!

    After a nice shave, I washed off my razor, washed the bowl and brush with the bathroom faucet (and will clean them again at home), and disposed of the ashes.

    I do hope that the slain spider finds peace among the ducks, geese, and fish. Everyone, and everything, deserves peace.

    And with that, we bid adieu to the 2024 Lather Games. Here's to 2025!


    Totals:

    • Razor Hashtags: 10/10
    • Brush Hashtags: 10/10
    • Hardware Sponsor Points: 2/2
    • Software Sponsor Points: 16/16
    • Number of Lather Brands: 30/30
    • Number of Lather Scents: 30/30
    • Number of Post Shaves: 30/30
    • Number of Frags: 30/30

    Contest Hashtags:

    #FOF

    #ROTY

  4. u/brokenjaw622 posted on 2024-06-30 12:20:38-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Jun. 30, 2024
    Brush: Simpson Trafalgar T1
    Razor: Feather AC DX Kamisori
    Blade: Kai Captain Titan Mild Pro Touch [2]
    Lather: Saponifcio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Soap
    Post Shave: Saponifcio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Aftershave
    Fragrance: Versace - Eros Flame

    Bon Voyage, Lather Games!

    I just want to say it’s been a pleasure playing LG. It was a fun month, learned a lot, and will be better prepared for next year.

    LG final Daily Challenge World Traveler.

    I live in the U.S.A. So here is my worldly shave of the day.

    Saponificio Versano 70th Anniversary Soap and Splash are from Italy Versace Eros Flame is also from Italy. Simpson Brush made on the Isle of Man Feather DX Is made in Japan as are the Captain Titan blades.

    I want to give a shout out to all my fellow Rookies, good luck to all of you!

    Photo Contest Theme Water Vehicles.

    I saved this one for the last day of the games. That’s my neighbors boat in the background.

    And for one last time

    #ROTY #FOF #Photocontest

  5. u/schontzm posted on 2024-06-30 14:26:18-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    June 30, 2024

    • Brush: Stirling x Zenith 510SE-XL
    • Razor: Karve CB SB-D
    • Blade: Gillette Nacet
    • Lather: WestMan Shaving – Adamastor
    • Post Shave: Australian Private Reserve – Coeur de Vert

    Adamastor was specifically bought for this challenge last year. It works well and in that tier right below the S-tier bases. Unfortunately, it has dimethicone so its now on my personal do not buy list once I found out. Scent wise, I get the rhubarb right away, along with a little saltiness. The rhubarb is spot on, sharp and tart just like a freshly snapped raw stem. A touch of earthiness as well, but only after lathering. I like the aquatic notes as they come through less cologne-y and more salty. As the abrasively green rhubarb dissipates, you get the remaining earthy notes to create a scent that goes from bright and vibrant, to a calmer and smoother green from the vetiver. It is a “clean” smelling scent. Reminiscence of a very elevated blue dawn soap but the more I smelled it, the more I got a different salty grassy green scent. It brings back memories of rhubarb pie, the first “fruit” of the spring. My grandmother, and now mom, would make a rhubarb custard pie every year. It really is better, in my opinion, than the classic strawberry rhubarb or douse your rhubarb in sugar pie. The cream tempers the rhubarb while it still has that ever-present tartness I love. I actually planted rhubarb this spring, so may have to continue the tradition starting next year when I can get a good harvest.

    Brush is from Italy ~4104 miles Razor is from Canada ~2130 miles Blade is from Russia ~4107 miles Lather is from Portugal ~3203 miles Post shave is from Australian ~10066 miles I am from the United States 0 miles

    In case you were wondering, it took ~23610 miles (37997km for my metric friends) for these items to make it to me, not including third party vendor travel. Add in the third party (for the ones I know where they came from), and it is ~26732 miles. Absolutely absurd when you think about it considering around the world is 24901 miles, just so I can shave. If this isn’t the definition of world traveler, I don’t know what is.

    Well, this is the last of my photo themes: Pirates. I was hoping to find the resting place of a real pirate, but alas, after researching, all the local pirates were apparently tossed into the sea after their hanging bodies were left to the seagulls as warnings for other pirates. So instead, please take a gander at all of this booty. #photocontest

    fof

    Great games everyone – really had a lot of fun reading and watching everyone’s antics.

  6. u/Str8_Razor posted on 2024-06-30 14:26:45-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    LG 30 - Bon Voyage, Lather Games!

    • Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm Unbleached Boar
    • Razor: Dorko "Try Me Sir"
    • Lather: Highland Springs Soap Co. - Eclipse
    • Post Shave: MacDuff's Soap Company - Kananaskis Explorer Aftershave
    • Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag EdP

    Today's shave features a restored Ever-Ready 200 (made in the USA), fitted with a Zenith 27mm Unbleached Boar (made in Italy) that debuted on AA'22, a Dorko "Try Me Sir" 8/8 straight razor from Solingen Deutschland.

    An awesome shaving soap from Canada HSSC - Eclipse with a fragrance from Australian Private Reserve. Kananaskis Explorer AS from MacDuff (Canada). And Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Edp USA.

    Shaving from Spain.

    .#FOF Eclipse is an incredible scent, it's so well blended I can pick some notes of tobacco, leather, civet, musk, and the wood notes of cedar & sandalwood, it's a wild fragrance. Kannakis is a patchouli bomb in a green forest. I followed it with the beautiful aroma of Midnight Stag, leather, oil, smoke, gasoline... Lather games cannot be closed better.


  7. u/iamhonestlylying posted on 2024-06-30 16:20:08-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Day 30

    • Brush: Semogue – Owner’s Club 24mm Boar
    • Razor: Wade & Butcher – Extra Hollow Ground 7/8 Straight
    • Lather: Proraso – Aloe & Vitamin E Shaving Cream
    • Post Shave: Master Soap Creations - Tabacchi Splash
    • Fragrance: Diesel – Only the Brave Street EdP

    It’s the final day! Somehow this month has both flown by and dragged on! I definitely feel like I understood The Lather Games more this year than last and I tried to step up my game this year. I did the best I could and still had a blast. Daily posting can be a lot, but it was fun and I understand more of this hobby this year than I did last. A sincere thank you to everyone that worked hard and dedicated time to this crazy month for the enjoyment of the players.

    For the sake of the final challenge:
    Me: USA
    Brush: Portugal
    Razor: England
    Lather: Italy
    Post Shave: South Africa
    Fragrance: France

    Sidecontests: #photocontest: Soccer! All themes secured! Thanks photo contest team!

    Proraso Blue – Officially called Aloe & Vitamin E - isn't just about the soothing aloe and vitamin E; there's a hidden layer that adds a sophisticated twist to the experience. As the creamy lather envelops your face, subtle notes of amber and musk begin to unfold. The amber introduces a warm, resinous depth, reminiscent of a sun-drenched forest floor. It adds a comforting richness that complements the refreshing top notes. Then, the musk kicks in, weaving an earthy, slightly sweet aroma that lingers delicately on the skin. This scent combination creates really nice experience, where the initial freshness evolves into a more complex fragrance than I ever expected. Post-shave, the Master Soap Creations Tabacchi splash continues with a bold, woody transition away from the amber of the soap. This splash adds a touch of rugged masculinity, grounding the earlier freshness with a deep, aromatic embrace. It’s a perfect juxtaposition, that actually works really well together. To finish, a couple sprays of Diesel’s Only the Brave Street. It’s woody, like the splash, but has a nice freshness to it that hearkens back to the soap. The fragrance opens with a crisp burst of basil and apple, delivering an immediate sense of freshness that’s invigorating and bold. As it settles, the woody heart of cedar and vetiver emerges, grounding the initial brightness with a rich, earthy depth. This harmonious interplay between fresh and woody elements creates a scent that is both revitalizing and enduring, perfect for this final shave of the Lather Games. #FOF

    Great fun in The Lather Games and already looking forward to next year, as well as maybe even doing Austere August this year!

    iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

    In honor of “Bon Voyage, Lather Games!”… My Top 5 most fun sounding ways to say goodbye in languages other than English:

    5.) Polish: Do widzenia - Do what now? 

    4.)Italian: Arrivederci - Italian just hits different. 

    3.)Spanish: Hasta la vista - Thank Arnold for making this more than just a way to say goodbye. 

    2.) Japanese: Sayonara - Am the only one who thinks of" Speedy Gonzales saying "Sayonara Suckers" before he speeds off? 

    1.) Hawaiian: Aloha - Both hello and goodbye is the most poetic way to end this little series. Because while this is goodbye to The 2024 Lather Games, but it's hello to just shaving to shave again. It's hello to complete shaving freedom! At least until August.... 

  8. u/hugbckt posted on 2024-06-30 17:00:27-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    June 30, 2024 – LG Day 30 – The End

    • Brush: Maggard Timberwolf Synthetic 24mm 🇨🇳
    • Razor: Merkur 34C 🇩🇪
    • Blade: Lord Super Stainless Chromium Coated 🇹🇷
    • Lather: Henri et Victoria – Amande 🇨🇦
    • Post Shave: RazoRock – Mudder Focker 🇮🇹
    • Fragrance: Essential Parfums – Orange X Santal 🇫🇷

    I know this is out of the ordinary, but I will not be writing a lengthy treatise today. Rather, in honor of all the players who played the Games “their way” this month, particularly Cowzilla3, enndeegee, and alg82, I’ve recorded a little song (which I’m amazed Crisp_Mango didn’t parody last year). Lyrics are below, for those who need them or prefer not to listen.

    All products today are from different countries, and none from United States of America (where I live). They are each denoted by their according flag emoji, but to make sure it’s clear, in order of product listed: China, Germany, Turkey, Canada, Italy, France.

    Now, for my final trick, I convince the djudges and wally that my shave has a thematic thread that ties it together, beyond meeting the challenge. Amande is a take on the classic almond shaving soap a la Cella, and presents as an almond biscotti which has been soaked in American bright red maraschino cherry juice. It’s a kick in the face, and hardly mellows upon lathering. Now, what to follow this up with? Well, thinking about what Cella believes you should pair with their soap, an aromatic aftershave seemed appropriate. With clear culinary and citrus top notes, Mudder Focker blends surprisingly well with the maraschino note, before it takes over entirely. Now, what’s weird about Mudder Focker is that it’s allegedly a dupe of Panama 1924 by Boellis. If that’s the case, it seems to be a…creative take. I haven’t smelled Panama 1924 before, but the internet tells me that there’s either an almond note or a tobacco flower note, neither of which show up in this splash. The former would have likely been more welcome than the latter, in this scenario. I maintain that the folks at Cella were out of their gourds when they decided to make such different and not-very-complementary scents. Though Orange x Santal might not be what I would typically spray on after such a sweet almond soap, it’s a perfect addition to today’s splash. The sandalwood is a clear connection here, along with the herbal notes which drift around in the background, while the bitter orange is a fun, bright, complex yet simple ending to this fragrance journey. #FOF

    And with that, I bid you all adieu.


    And now, the end is near

    And so I face the final lather

    My friend, I’ll make it clear

    We had our fun, with all the blather

    We shaved ourselves each day

    No care for formatting the right way

    And more, much more than this

    We did it our way

    Good laughs, we’ve had a few

    Like when I skipped that challenge

    We did what we wanted to

    And skipped the points for hardware scavenge

    No plan, no charted course

    Each silly step, the game that I played

    And more, much more than this

    We did it our way

    Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew

    When we broke the rules, formatting skewed

    But through it all, when there was doubt

    We lathered up and shaved about

    We faced it all, and stood up tall

    And did it our way

    We’ve loved, we’ve laughed and cried

    We’ve had our fill, of memes and puns too

    And now, as games subside

    We find it all so damn amusing

    To think we did all that

    With no real goal, some others might say

    We did what we felt like

    We did it our way

    For what is a shaver, what have they got?

    If not their jokes, then they have naught

    To spam the threads with shaving memes

    And not just follow others’ schemes

    The record shows we took some blows

    And did it our way

  9. u/Priusaurus posted on 2024-06-30 18:28:53-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    June 30, 2024

    • Brush: Yaqi – Evil Zebra – 26mm Synthetic
    • Razor: Karve – Christopher Bradley, Plate C
    • Blade: Wilkinson Sword
    • Lather: Abbate y La Mantia – Crumiro Soap
    • Post Shave: Master Soap Creators – Apricot Pie Splash
    • Fragrance: Thierry Mugler - Angel MenEdP

    I live in the USA
    Yaqi Brush is from China
    Karve Razor is from Canada
    Wilkinson Blade is from Germany
    Abbate y La Mantia Lather is from Italy
    Master Soap Creations Aftershave is from South Africa
    Thierry Mugler Fragrance is from France

    Legacy. Long after I’m gone, when all my shaving gear is inevitably inherited by my children, and eventually passed down to their children, one day, one of my grandchildren may stumble across my Lather Games Trophy and ask me about it. And I’ll wryly smile, and tell them I was one of the Greatest Lather Games Shavers of all time. Then they’ll ask me why I have so many soaps, when I can’t possibly use them all, and I’ll gently tell them to mind their business and shut their little mouths!

    But… Back to Legacy. Let’s focus on that.

    Here I am, trying to cement my Lather Game Legacy. Trying to become the first ever back-to-back Lather Games Champion. Anyone that has participated in Lathers Games will tell you that winning is hard. As former winner, CosmoBarber, came down from the Mountain to tell me just 3 days ago: “There are only a handful of Lather Games Champions on this planet, so honor that crown!” Winning the Lather Games twice has never been done. For good reason. Many would say it’s impossible. I’ve said that I wanted to be the Tom Brady of The Lather Games and cement my Lather Games Legacy and do it. For those who don’t know American Football and don’t know who Tom Brady is: (1) What is it like under the rock you’re living under? (2) He’s won more Championships than anyone else in the history of The National Football League. He is considered the undisputed Greatest Of All Time – The GOAT – in professional American Football. To quote T-Pain: All he does is win, win, win.

    So today, on the last day of the 10th Annual Lather Games, and I’m going to where the Greatest American Football Player of All Time spent the vast majority of his career. A place that has a winning atmosphere. Where greatness lives and where mortals become legends. The place that Tom Brady won more than any other: Gillette Stadium. This stadium is for winners. It is home to the greatest football dynasty of all time. And today, it will be forever intertwined in my Lather Games dynasty.

    I spot several benches outside the stadium, directly next to the Patriots Hall of Fame. Perfect. I can feel the energy of championship after championship upon me as I make me way down the stairs. I see the Patriots’ Super Bowl Banners donning the stadium. I, too, know what it is like to hoist a Championship Trophy. I want to feel that again. But for now, I can’t get too far ahead of myself. I still need to shave today and get the damn thing won this year. Winning one ain’t a dynasty. Gotta win at least two for that. I get to my perfect shaving spot, in the shadow of Gillette Stadium, where Tom Brady first became the superstar everyone knows today. And I’m right outside the Patriots Hall of Fame, where Tom Brady was inducted just 2 weeks ago, cementing HIS legacy in New England. And hopefully where I cement MY Lather Games Legacy. The pressure is on. Let’s shave.

    The Stadium and Hall of Fame aren’t too busy this morning, but there is a steady stream of people walking by me as I prepared to shave. The final time I’ll be using my mobile shave den this year. As I lathered up Crumiro, it started to smell like a sweet Italian Bakery had moved into Gillette Stadium. The rich, buttery scent of freshly baked cookies with a hint of almond wrapped filled the air around me, to compliment this winning atmosphere. Ahhhh… It’s also fitting that I end the Lather Games with a Gourmand Shave. If only they served cappuccinos at the stadium, it would be a like shaving at a quaint café in Rome – The type of café that was the home to the greatest NFL dynasty of all-time… People are walking about, heading into the Patriots Hall of Fame or waiting their turn for a tour of the stadium, as I go about my business. Entirely focusing on the final shave of the Lather Games. I give myself a good final Lather Games shave, wipe my face with a towel, then splash on Master Soap Creators' Apricot Pie Splash to continue that the dessert theme. As I splashed it on, the juicy aroma of ripe apricots mingled with the comforting spices and buttery crust of a homemade pie. It was like taking a bite of a perfectly baked, golden-crusted pie, still warm from the oven. My skin felt refreshed, and I felt at ease, knowing I did everything I could this year and I’m about to put the final touches on my last shave of the Lather Games. To top it all off, Thierry Mugler’s Angel Men EdP sealed the deal. This powerhouse fragrance, with its complex blend of caramel, vanilla, and sweet spices added a wonderful, sophisticated layer to the sweetness of the shave. It’s like the final flourish of an extravagant dessert—rich, indulgent, and utterly unforgettable. The perfect finishing touch. A dessert shave that was a symphony of rich, decadent scents, each note harmonizing perfectly to create a deliciously satisfying experience for the final course of my LG2024 shaves. #FOF

    Thank you to the organizers, judges, fellow participants, and the great sponsors that all make these crazy games happen. Even if I didn’t fulfill my desire to be the first ever back-to-back Champion, I’ll be ecstatic if I pull an Djundjila and go from 1st to 2nd, or even if I pull a Red and go from 1st to 5th, or do something entirely different. I could have messed up and finished 52nd. I don’t know. The fact of the matter is: I love these games, I love the competition, I love the writing, I love the shavanigans, and I love the community. This year had less Spite, more love, and was just as much fun for me. I tried my best to bring the heat with every single post and make people smile, roll their eyes, shake their heads, and maybe even chuckle to themselves. The goal was always to entertain. I took no days off and left it all out on the field. I’d be beyond honored to win again, but I’d also be happy to send the trophy along to its next destination. Lather Games 2024 has been a hell of a ride. And remember, the real meaning of the Lather Games is the friends we’ve shaved with along the way.

  10. u/Tetriside posted on 2024-06-30 21:01:06-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    June 30, 2024 - Bon Voyage, Lather Games!

    • Brush: Semogue Owner's Club Mistura #MISTURA #OLDWORLD
    • Razor: Gillette Flat Bottom Tech
    • Blade: Wizamet (42)
    • Lather: Fitjar Islands - Slåtterøy
    • Post Shave: Abbate Y La Mantia - Monet
    • Fragrance: Zoologist Perfumes - Dragonfly

    Challenge:

    • Me: US
    • Brush Portugal
    • Razor: England
    • Lather: Norway
    • Post Shave: Italy
    • Fragrance: Canada

    Another Lather Games in the books! A huge thanks to the organizers, judges, side contest organizers, and sponsors! It's been fun and a bit stressful. It's amazing how much work goes into this event. The Lather Games creates the biggest sense of community in the subreddit. I've never been a part of an online community that goes to this much effort to celebrate their hobby. So, I'm grateful to all who helped make it happen.

    Fitjar Islands is a brand from Norway that makes personal care products, including shaving soaps and creams. I won this soap in the 2k subscribers giveaway from /u/kammander-kim. Slåtterøy is their take on a bay rum, and is named after a lighthouse near Fitjar. The bay note is aromatic and not overly pungent. There’s soft herbal spice and a natural sweetness. Hints of lime and lemon add a touch of brightness. This is the cleanest approach to bay rum I’ve smelled. It’s tranquil and calming; elegant in its simplicity. I’m glad to have an excuse to use it today.

    There’s a common theme of water in my software choices today. Abbate Y La Mantia Monet is named after the famed French Impressionist painter, Claude Monet, and takes inspiration from his well known Water Lilies paintings. The scent consists of a water accord and flower petals. I smell notes of orange, banana, lilies, violet, rose, musk, vanilla, amber, and some green notes I can’t name. It’s pretty. It does a good job of conveying an impression of water without necessarily feeling like an aquatic. I don’t know that I’d want to wear this. It smells like pretty girls. And you can't walk around smelling like pretty girls.

    Rounding out the water themed fragrances is Zoologist Perfumes Dragonfly. I had three aquatic Zoologist frags to pick from. I chose Dragonfly because Fragantica lists water lily as a scent note, which ties into Monet. Initially, I smell notes of bitter green, citrus spray, dirt, fresh air, and flowers. The aromatic green spicy notes and flowers pair well with the water accord and lilies in Monet. After ~20 minutes of dry down the citrus is distinctly grapefruit. I smell basil. The fragrance is mostly airy aquatic notes and sweet floral notes. The grapefruit and basil add a feeling of freshness and naturalness. It makes me think of playing in the creek as a kid. The bitter green notes remind me of Fougere Nemata. It's an excellent choice for warm weather. I really like it.

    #photocontest - Donuts. French Crullers for international day.

    #FOF

  11. u/chronnoisseur42O posted on 2024-06-30 21:21:04-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    June 30, 2024 – LG 30: International Man of Mystery

    • Brush: Zenith r/wetshaving MOAR Boar
    • Razor: Tatara Masamune/Nodachi Combo
    • Blade: Voskhod (1)
    • Lather: Sweyn Forkbeard – Almond Shave Cream
    • Post Shave: Henri et Victoria – Cognac and Cuban Cigars
    • Fragrance: Viktor and Rolf – Spice Bomb

    Nothing like a pivot on last day of LG realizing I stupidly put Canadian (Macduffs and HeV) for soap and splash. The good news I get to try a new cream soap I picked up on vacay. On about hour 22 of being awake here.

    Challenge first today: I’m based in the US (California). The soap is made in England. The AS is from Canada. Frag is from Netherlands. Razor from Portugal, blade from Russia. Brush from Italy.

    In the sense of how they are connected, they are connected by being all from different places, but scent wise go quite well too for #FOF. The Almond cream is very amaretto like, and sweet like marzipan and maraschino cherries. I believe this is due to the benzaldehyde which can be in both almonds and maraschinos. The cognac and Cuban cigars build on this nicely as it also has some warm sweetness from cognac, and adds depth with spices and dry tobacco. We crank up the spice further in the frag, with lots of cinnamon and spicy tobacco. Supported by bits of leather and vetiver which give it some gritty base.

    For #PHOTOCONTEST by default elements earth. Seems fitting as everything is really from the earth, and I traveled about half way round it today. I will admit, I regret not taking day 30 with me and could have done my shave across several countries as well, oh well, sometimes the brilliance strikes too late.

    Good luck to everyone playing and congrats on making it through LG24. I know I have some catch up reading to do myself. Until next year, or AA. Thank you to all the judges, including all of the various side contests, and sponsors for their contributions, you make LG happen.