It's so Fluffy I'm Gonna Die

• Brush: Nom, super market boar
• Razor: Bismarck 4/8″, hollow ground, square point
• Lather: Haslinger – Salbei
• Post Shave: Speick – Men Active
• Fragrance: Stirling Soap Co. – Boat Drinks

This razor is a vintage restored by Brad Maggard, so please dear djudicial colleague, check that Maggard hardware sponsor point box.

For the challenge, the most reverse lathering technique I could come up with is using the soap puck as a shave stick, and it worked remarkably well.

This Haslinger is the reformulated vegan version from a few years back, and potassium cocoate is the third ingredient (after potassium stearate, and sodium stearate), and I always get adequate lather from it. The sage scent (German: Salbei) is very light, but pleasant. I paired it with the relevant post Speick splash and frag Boat Drinks for the two things I associate with the soap: herbs (speick plant in thia case) and coconut base (main note in the frag).

July 12, 2023

• Brush: Maggard Timberwolf Synthetic 24mm
• Razor: Razorock Game Changer .84
• Blade: Gillette Nacet (5)
• Lather: HQ Staxx – Idaho Syringa

HQ Staxx is a small soaper local to me, making decent performing vegan shave soaps (with Coconut Oil). This one has their Idaho Syringa scent. Idaho Syringa (AKA mock-orange or Lewis' mock-orange) has absolutely no relation to actual syringas (lilacs). As it's alternative names may suggest, though, it smells very similar to orange or orange creamscicle. The scent is very pleasant without being overpowering, and the soap's performance is perfectly fine, but nothing to write home about.

Normally, I am a face latherer. Today, however, I am a bowl latherer. When I stated wetshaving I bowl lathered, until I came to r/Wetshaving and discovered face lathering. This challenge helped me realize why I don't bowl lather anymore. It's slower, less fun, and I can't get as good a lather out of it. Sure, it can make more lather and it's neater - but if lather ain't flying, you ain't trying.

​

Straight Outta r/Wetshaving to the tune of Straight Outta Compton by N.W.A.

Lyrics:

You are now about to witness the strength of shaving knowledge

Straight outta r/Wetshaving, crazy motherfucker called Mango

From the gang called Shavaz With Attitudes

When I'm called off, I got a DE blade

Take a pass, and whiskers are hauled off

You too, boy, if ya fuck with me

DQ police are gonna hafta come and get me

Off yo ass, that's how I'm goin’ out

For the punk motherfuckers that's showin’ out

Shavaz start to mumble, they wanna rumble

Mix em and cook em in a pot like gumbo

Goin off on a motherfucker like that

With a brush that's pointed at yo face

So shave it up smooth

Ain't no tellin what soap I’m gonna choose

Here's a murder rap to keep yo shavin’

With a crime record like Erik Hodges

GC .84 is the tool

Don't make me act the motherfuckin fool

Me you can go toe to toe, no maybe

I'm knockin shavaz out the box, daily

Yo weekly, monthly and yearly

Until them dumb motherfuckers see clearly

That I'm down with the capital r-W-S

Boy you can't fuck with us

So when I'm in your sub, you better duck

Coz Mango is crazy as fuck

As I leave, believe I'm shavin’

But when I come back, boy, I'm comin straight outta r/Wetshaving

NWA parody

July 12, 2023 - Gray Fluffy Day

• Brush: Chisel & Hound 26mm Maggard SHD
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley (SB-D)
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles - Un Jour Gris
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux - La Petite Prairie EDT
• Non-Osma Alum: IHA KANTASI - Styptic Pen

My lathering depends on the soap base. If it’s too soft or thirsty I will scoop out and bowl lather. This is not set in stone but followed for the most part:

Declaration (milk steak) - Bowl lather
B&M Reserve - Face lather
B&M Excelsior - Bowl lather
B&M Omnibus - Mostly bowl lather
Chicago Grooming - Face lather
Mammoth - Face lather
Noble Otter - Face lather
Spearhead - Mostly face lather
Stirling - Bowl lather
Summer Break - Face lather
Southern Witchcrafts - Bowl lather
Wholly Kaw - Face lather
Zingari - Bowl lather
PAA - NO LATHER!!!

Catie’s Bubbles - coconut oil as 3rd ingredient - I’m not that familiar with this soap, but I think I would bowl lather. So today - face lather it is. Fitting the 26mm knot into the sample jar was not easy - but I got a little bit of that fluffy lather

Stay classy r/wetshaving!

Music
“A Horse Named Zelda” - Will Van Horn Spotify / YouTube

edited spelling and formatting

LGSOTD 12-July

• Brush: Simpsons - Chubby 2 SiLVERTiP
• Razor: Gillette - Old Type #REGUS   
• Blade: Gillette - Wizamet  
• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles - Revolution   
• Post Shave: Catie’s Bubbles - Revolution
• Fragrance: Catie’s Bubbles - Revolution

A last minute substitution, I had fully intended to use Signature Soaps today which contains Potassium Cocoate but after a BST purchase from a fellow LG contestant, which I didn’t realise before buying, I had to throw this in the mix as soon as I realised that it contained coconut oil.  

To be fair this was probably a bad idea, mainly because of the extra ‘opposite day’ challenge.  When I started out I used to bowl lather and thought nothing would change, got myself a little collection going with the obligatory muhle porcelain effort, dog bowls, scuttles and eventually a captains choice bowl. At that point I was out of town for a while and forgot the bowl and just went to the face…why hadn't I done that sooner!? I've not looked back since and so I am well and truly out of practice and the bowl sits under the sink unloved.  On top of that it’s a soap base that I have never used before, already this is not the best idea in the world.  So it really was a bit of a challenge but it didn’t come out too bad but I know both it and I can do better, it’s just my cack handedness. 

My sub-par lather aside, it doesn't take away from the scent on this. I had in my mind that it was going to be something like A&E Novelist, it is not. This has its own character and it's brilliant. It's stronger than Novelist and darker, but in a good way. The description helps to guide the mind of course but I imagine an old library, not the dodgy public ones, more curated antiques. I'll see what the longevity is like on the EDP but it's looking hopeful. Shame we can't seem to get more bubbles this side of the pond. 

Throwing in my Gillette Old Type for the REGUS tags, I picked this up as part of a Khaki Travel and though it does tend to be used for that purpose it really isn't.  It’s a lovely little razor, I would say that I prefer my ‘NEW’ but this does the job very well. 

Hope everyone has a cracking day. 

Cheers

Marc

ROTY

PhotoContest

July 12, 2023 – June Shaves

• Brush: Cayuen Abalone w/ 28mm Timberwolf Synthetic
• Razor: WSC – Winning Razor, mirror polished, w/ Timeless Titanium Crown razor handle
• Blade: Voshkod (2)
• Lather: Hoffman's – Space Boy

I've used this a few times and it's decent in performance; not very bad but not exceptional otherwise.

Ingredients are: Coconut Milk, Potassium Stearate, Water, Glycerin, Potassium Tallowate (Beef Tallow), Potassium Castorate, Fragrance, Sodium Stearate, Slippery elm, Potassium Cocoate, Citric acid, Cellulose Gum, Meadowfoam, Polyhydrostearic acid, Sodium Tallowate, Sodium Castorate, Sodium Cocoate, Microcrystalline Cellulose.

The scent notes are Root Beer, Vanilla, Ice Cream, but to my nose it rather comes across as tree bark with some sweet notes behind it. Overall quite whimsical and fun. Face lather with today's soap, so that's a new one for me.

#LatherGames

Bonus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJIvn18SSfc ← Why Animals Get Creepier the Deeper You Go

It's so fluffy I'm going to die...

Prep: Warm Shower
Brush: Semogue Barbear Classico LE Cerda - Boar 22mm
Razor: Parker Adjustable Injector - setting 1
Blade: Schick
Lather: Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements - Pineapple Bay Rum - Soap (Vegan)
Post Shave: warm water rinse
A nice shave today. Everything worked well. Potassium Cocoate is the 3rd ingredient. The Semogue brush is terrific. Have a great day.

Jul. 12, 2023
Brush: Yaqi White Handle Pure Badger
Razor: Green Cult GC 2.0 II
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
Lather: Haslinger - Schafmilch - Soap
Bowl: Captain’s Choice - Scuttle * Post Shave:* Barrister And Mann - Le Grand Chypre - Balm

This soap lists Potassium cocoate as the 3rd ingredient and sodium cocoate as the 4th.

As for changing up my shave routine, dusted the scuttle and went for it, warmed it up to 60C, have to say it’s not the dream because I have extremely limited counter space, but it makes a nice lather.

Shared from My Shave Den for iOS

July 12, 2023 – LG Day 12 – It’s So Fluffy I’m Gonna Die

• Brush: Maggard Timberwolf Synthetic 24mm
• Razor: Gillette Fatboy
• Blade: 7 O’Clock – Super Stainless (Green)
• Lather: RazoRock – The Dead Sea
• Post Shave: RazoRock – The Dead Sea
• Fragrance: Bon Parfumeur – 801 Sea Spray, Cedar and Grapefruit

I’m not a soapmaker, so I don’t understand how any of these “ingredients” work – but looks like coconut oil is definitely the third ingredient for my soap today. While I don’t know how exactly it creates fluffiness, it must do something because when I was looking for something to use today, I noticed it’s in a whole lot of the soaps in my den. Dead Sea isn’t the greatest performing soap I own by any means, but it’s one of my partner’s favorite scents, so it felt wrong not to find a way to use it this month (in lieu of XWMBO day). If I didn’t have to go to work, I’m curious how shaving with straight up coconut oil with maybe some coconut cream and coconut flakes would be…

I bowl lathered instead of my usual head lather that I’ve gotten accustomed to. I exclusively bowl lathered when I started this hobby, but after a short stint of trying GUTL, I decided to try to find the most efficient option instead. To keep up the opposite day vibe, I also used cold water today in my lather and to rinse my razor, which I think is the cause of a few nicks I now have on my head. Despite the cuts, however, it was rather refreshing on what’s going to be an obnoxiously hot day in the Northeast. (P.S., hope all my Vermont friends out there are safe and dry).

#FOF today was really just about an easy grab. The lemon and rosemary in Dead Sea are particularly pleasant, so I wanted to use the splash to make sure they were able to shine. To further amplify and celebrate the citrus and rosemary, I used BP 801, which has both notable, but with some more complexity – some saltiness, a pleasant, light cedar and cypress, and something nice and green/herbal that I can’t quite place (maybe the pink peppercorn?). I should have seen this coming, but I bought this sample, used it for the first time, and then my partner decided it’s hers (so I had to steal it back for today). It’s pretty clear to me that this fragrance build is a big yes from her, so I’m now on the lookout for other similar fragrances/soaps to add to my collection. It’s nice when everyone’s happy.

https://imgur.com/a/3hQU960 https://imgur.com/a/ZLPkvrZ

• Lather: Catie's Bubbles - 95 Liquid Labels Soap
• Brush: Maggard Timberwolf Synthetic 24mm
• Razor: Gillette Tech Gold Ball-End
• Blade: Gillette 7 O'Clock SharpEdge Yellow
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man Balm

Man, I love Catie's Bubbles and who knew that their third ingredient is Coconut Oil? It felt like a 95 Liquid Labels kinda day anyway. Executive man compliments it nicely.

Onto the challenge. I'm a mug lather guy. I've lathered in my hand in a pinch, but I go to the mug every time unless I don't have a choice. Today I face lathered and it was glorious. I've always kinda thought that my brush lacked backbone...pretty sure it's because it's a face lathering machine. I may not be going back to the mug.

Have a great day folks!

July 12, 2023

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Simpsons Chubby 2 #PREMIUMPLASTIC
• Razor: Merkur 34G
• Blade: Gillette Platinum
• Lather: Catie's Bubbles - Saturday Morning
• Post Shave: Catie's Bubbles - Saturday Morning
• Fragrance: None

​

Saturday Morning from Catie's Bubbles; Stearic Acid, Water, COCONUT OIL, and whatever else is in it, in that order. It feels childish using this soap, but I absolutely love the scent, and totally understand why it may not be for all. It really smells like fruit loops. Trying to pair an appropriate brush (and an excuse to use a new one) I went with a Simpson Chubby 2 Platinum, since I figured the purpose of today's theme was somewhat animal-less, so I went with a synthetic.

As for today's challenge, I typically do both face and bowl lathering, but more often use a bowl, so today I will face lather. Until tomorrow!

#ROTY

July 12, 2023 – Lather games day 12 – AKA Fluffy reverse lather

• Brush: Razorock Synthetic BC Silvertip
• Razor: Tatara Masamune Nodachi plate
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (4)
• Lather: Proraso – Green Tea & Oat
• Post Shave: Proraso – Menthol and Eucalyptus
• Fragrance: Zoologist Perfumes – Panda

Proraso is fluffy. And white. It comes in a weird container so that I would normally bowl lather. This is the first time I tried lathering from the (weird) tub. Worked fine but made a huge mess. Proraso is also slick. Must be that coconut oil.

My photo today tried to capture the white, clean feel of it all. I must say that Zoologist Panda pairs beautifully with Proraso green splash. I only break it out from time to time, but the Tatara Masamune razor is fantastic. Mine actually has a Nodachi plate, which makes it even better. Today is gonna be a good day.

#PhotoContest

2023-07-12 Fluffy

• Brush: Stirling Soap Company - Li'l Brudder, Synthetic 22mm
• Razor: Blackland - Blackbird, DE safety razor, Brass, 101 mm handle
• Blade: Gillette Nacet, DE
• Lather: Black Ship Grooming - Seven Doubloons
• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps - Teacher's Pet

Today's Shave soap is 7 Doubloons by Black Ship Grooming Co. which gets the coconut in right on the first ingredient!

Scent: (Apple forward) – sandalwood, amber, fir, musk, apple, cilantro, black currant.

Ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, stearic acid, potassium hydroxide, water, fragrance & essential oils.

Followed this up with a Summer Break Soaps aftershave Teacher's Pet.

The scents on that one are - Apple, brown sugar, white musk, orange, and patchouli. (Apple forward)

But wait! There's more! Change up your lathering process - say no more.

Do I normally bowl lather? Yes I do! Control freak? Nah just mild OCD. Ok so since I do not have a prehensile tail and my feet are well you know feet and not hands - that means I could lather in my hand (does not play at all well with mild OCD) or face lather to switch things up.

I used to face lather mostly. I no longer do. A fluffy soap (and yeah it is a bit fluffy) is in my opinion not ideal for a face lather. But I got by.

I like this soap although I rarely use it. But this should be done in a bowl, you know for better control.

Take care and have a good one.

July 12, 2023 – Fluffy Day

• Brush: Maggard Razors Timberwolf
• Razor: Maggard Razors MR7/V3
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (4)
• Lather: Cella – Milano Crema Da Barba
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Reserve Waves

Lack of planning ahead is really going to get me this year. I sat in the floor last night before I went to bed, reading glasses on and trying to read the labels of the soaps I had. I didn’t realize finding something for today would be such a challenge. I found a sample of Cella that I thought I had lost, so lucky day. Normally I use a loading bowl, a la the wetshaving guru, Michael Freedberg u/Cadinsor and then face lather. Today I turned that loading bowl into a lathering bowl and whipped up this fluffy madness and had enough lather that I could have shaved my entire body twice. I still prefer the face lathering but this was unusually productive. But then again, it is hard to mess up Cella.

Jul. 12, 2023
Brush: Dogwood Declaration 3D Printed B12 Silver tip Badger #SHD * Razor: RazoRock Game Changer .68
Lather: Black Ship Grooming - Peg Leg Pete - Soap
Post Shave: Black Ship Grooming - Peg Leg Pete - Aftershave
Post Shave: GreenBox - Alum

It’s So Fluffy!

BSG is a soap I tried very early in my return to wet shaving. Their scents are great. He has used a pre-blend here and there, but by and large, his scents are based upon essential oils and are usually only made up of 3-4 scent notes.

I have several of his aftershaves, that I use to pair with other soaps. They work well, and the nice clean scent notes are easy to pair with “un partnered” soaps.

The soap is, sadly kinda meh…. Coconut oil is ingredient #1. It’s easy to lather, but because it does foam up quickly, it’s easy to under load. It’s not as comfortable shave as other soaps.

I would have gotten rid of this set completely, but realized it fits this LG category perfectly. On the other hand, why keep this one set to use once a year?

This will get sold or PIF’d soon, just haven’t decided which.

Two pass shave+neck buffing…

Song of the Day?

https://youtu.be/TsSuueEGQSM

2023-07-12 Coconut, my dear Watson

• Brush: Zenith Chubby B27
• Razor: Gillette Old Type
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Sherlock
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Sherlock
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux - Unconditional Surrender
• Blade: - Feather (2)

Although I'm sure Chiseled Face is going to be popular today, I'll still point out that it's number 3 on the label.

Relevant Post-shave and Fragrance: Sticking with the same scent for the post-shave. As for the fragrance, it relates in two ways: 1) the tobacco note (and leather somewhat, as represented by the amber accord, according to u/hawns) and 2) also being inspired by a great man, i.e. Ulysses S. Grant (granted, one is fictional and the other is not).
"Why not Baker Street," you ask? Because I didn't think of it is why!

Challenge Accepted: Fuck.
It's no secret how I feel about face-lathering. If you do favor face-lathering, I implore you to seek vigorous therapy to explore why you hate yourself so much that you regard your own time with such little value! For today, I figured I might as well bring out my old face-lathering ~~friend~~ ~~companion~~ boar from last August, a single month in which I wasted ~~hours~~ ~~days~~ weeks spent face-lathering. And now I'm still stuck with this "face-lathering sucks" bit!

But it is awful. So awful. Behold the meager lather after only a mere 3 hours rubbing my face as my beautiful bowl sat dry. Nah, I didn't spend that long, but I did think—just for a moment during the first pass—that maybe it wasn't bad, maybe there's something to be said for fluffy coconut. Nope, terrible.

#FOF
This was one of my first soaps. When I was first getting started, I was intent on finding a perfect tobacco scent. I thought this one to be better than others I sampled at the time, despite some reviews claiming it to be akin to an ashtray. I didn't agree with that assessment, but when compared to the likes of Tobacconist from House of Mammoth (as close to a perfect tobacco scent as may be possible), it's certainly closer to ashtray than humidor.

As for the fragrance, I think it may have been my nose's first Maher scent, from the soap, and I was and am quite enamored. The tobacco isn't front and center, nor is it meant to be, so there's not a lot of room for direct comparison, and I don't think it's the most appropriate pairing. After about an hour, I'm still getting Sherlock rising to the top, but I'd prefer its unconditional surrender to Unconditional Surrender.

#photocontest

Photo: Literature
Pretty straightforward, this one was already decided before the contest was even announced, so that's convenient!

July 12, 2023 – Flowers for GUTL

• Brush: Maggard Synthetic
• Razor: Gillette Superspeed
• Blade: 7 O’Clock – Sharpedge (Yellow) (4)
• Lather: Martin de Candre – Rose
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. – Bergamot Lavender
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux – Sunrise on LaSalle

Today’s shave was thanks to a smush of MdC from u/loudmusicboy. I’ve never used this soap before so I now better understand the title of today’s day. For today’s challenge, I’m a bit of an odd ball, I basically equally bowl or face lather depending on how much time I have. But I pretty much stick to one or the other. Either I get out my bowl or I don’t. So what’s the opposite of that? GUTL. Mixing my face and bowl lathering together and hoping u/merikus draws my post to judge. Let’s do it.

Firstly, I’m kinda only aware of GUTL in theory so look up u/GUTL_bot to get instructions. Ok good. Scoop into bowl. Now as I said I’ve never used MdC before so I don’t know how much. Based on u/EldrormR’s brain bowl experience I need less than a gram so put a little in and.. The whole smush crumbled in, whelp hope u/loudmusicboy gave me the right amount for a shave. I’ll smear it around the bowl. Doesn’t look like too much. Should be fine. Make proto lather, ok that’s easy. Put proto lather on face. Ok so far so good. Return go bowl ok this I’m familiar with. It’s about this point I think “man my face feels dry…is coconut oil the one that dries you out?" Oh it is.. Leaving a heavy coconut oil proto lather on my face while I build my bowl lather is… Probably not a good idea for my skin. Do I stop? No I press on. OK tons of bowl lather built, now face lather. Ok… Explosion of lather on face… But the wet brush has hydrated it ok. Add some more water, keep building…..done. I look like Santa Claus (alas I forgot my phone and now having built lather twice for a single shave I’m running behind.) OK, mix bowl and face lathers….I sorta did this when I went from bowl to face didn't I? (was I supposed to clean my brush at that step?) but ok. Somehow this is making more lather! OK, shave, with a 1 inch thick lather… Rinse my razor every 10 seconds.

I ended up with enough lather for 3.5 passes oh my face, 3 on my upper chest and probably another 2 or 3 that went down the drain. But shave complete. Apply balm. About 20 minutes later my my face feels like leather so…apply more balm.. 20 minutes later…well crap.

So one of two options here. Either my face does not like MdC or GUTL makes it especially drying. Or both I guess. Huge time sink, for lather that was about my normal. So I don’t think I’ll join the GUTL crew yet. But u/merikus is right about the g20. That thing is awesome.

Edited: u/merikus and I have discussed in the comments and he has explained the errors of my ways converting me to GUTL going forward.

On to #fof. Should be obvious here I went for a flower heavy thing. Rose, Lavender, and Sunrise on Lasalle. Lasalle market is interesting. It’s where all the local florists get their flowers. And this scent nails that. On Fridays you can run down and get “date flowers” which is a dozen roses for like $10. Though it’s probably gone up since I last did that. We have a few large local florists here, and they set their main operations on Lasalle, so it remains as it was long ago. One of the more interesting things in this sampler set which largely discusses the past. This one is the present. A rare unchanged thing I this town.

For #photocontest, probably my best shot yet, though I wish my back yard were less messy. As you can see in the heavy bokah background there is a pair of fawns, making this my wild animals entry. Keep plugging #ROTY friends.

User puts the GUTL on the ash heap of history where it belongs, only to be bullied into publicly recanting their findings by his honour u/merikus. An upsetting example of djudicial harassment.

Today I shaved with Ogallala Bay Rum and Sweet Orange. I used my Proraso boar brush and Gillette Super Adjustable. I chased it with Pharaoh’s Dreamsicle aftershave and a couple shots of Satsuma edt. I lathered in my copper shaving mug instead of directly on my face and head. Bowl lathering is for the birds.

July 12, 2023

• Brush: Yaqi Cavern Lake 24mm Tuxedo
• Razor: Gillette Tech English Flat Bottom
• Blade: Feather Hi-Stainless (3)
• Lather: Catie's Bubbles - Waterlyptus - Soap
• Post Shave: Combe Inc. - Aqua Velva Classic Ice Blue - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Thayers - Lemon - Toner

2 passes. Bowl lather. Excellent shave.

---

I listened to the Lather Games Podcast for the first week (RSS Feed, btw), and was surprised to learn that the order of the post-shave items matters. (Hopefully, I've misunderstood something.) After shaving, I normally apply Thayers toner and then clean up. After that, I apply aftershave and occasionally a fragrance. While I don't particularly care about LG points, data collection accuracy does have value so I've changed the order in my post-shave report to place the toner as the last post-shave item.

This was my first try of a Catie's Bubbles soap. I've wanted to try one since I learned about some of the established vendors in wetshaving two years ago. When I was buying a few summer soaps, I could not pass on Waterlyptus. The name, alone, is interesting. The scent is also interesting. I really like it. The soap, which lists "Coconut Oil" as the third ingredient, was very nice and took a surprising amount of water while bowl lathering (which is the "reverse" for me).

I always enjoy the Flat Bottom Tech which was a gift from u/VisceralWatch. I am surprised at this one, though. It was obviously designed for people with very tiny hands^*.

^* Yes, I know that the handle is really a very clever two-piece affair. See the bowl lathering photo.

2023-07-12 Lather Games SOTD

• Brush: SHAVE⭐DANDY Cherry Baritone (26x55mm Silvertip Badger)
• Razor: Gillette Slim Adjustable (1963 Q3) #DIAL
• Blade: Gillette Nacet (1)
• Lather: Cella - Crema da Barba
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Unscented Balm with Menthol
• Fragrance: Giorgio Armani - Acqua di Gio

Good old Cella. Love the scent. Love the lather. Leaves my face a bit sore because it dries me out something fierce with its high concentration of coconut oil, but that's what a good balm is for, right?

Today's challenge, though? I did it, though I have mixed feelings... On one hand, being forced to bowl-lather today means less exposure time between soap and skin and thus less coconut-induced post-shave discomfort; on the other hand, coconut-heavy soaps are so fun to face lather. Marco method that shit, y'all. Your brush might look like it barely has any soap on it at all and it starts puking water everywhere as soon as it touches your face, but ten seconds later there'll be suds flyin' all over the place because it lathers up so quickly.

No real connection between software products today except that Acqua di Gio always makes me think of pleasant, warm, slightly humid summer days where the air feels extra fluffy and a little more Present than normal, and today's theme is IT'S SO FLUFFY I'M GONNA DIE

July 12, 2023 - Fluffy lather shave or potential AA set up preview

• Brush: Zenith 507A XSE 27mm unbleached boar #TEXASPIGSTINKMASSACRE
• Razor: Weck Sextoblade #YTHO
• Blade: Kismet (4)
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
• Alum: Osma
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

As you can see from the ingredients, Potassium Cocoate is third on the list thus qualifying this soap for today's theme. And a fluffy lather it is. Def not my favorite base, but it is serviceable and seems to lather better with a boar brush. Stag is something of a right of passage here on r/wetshaving, but not all are chosen. For the brave ones that are, once they start down the path of Knighthood there's no going back during the month of August. I'm not sure if I'm ready to use the Weck for a month straight especially with this soap that lacks the protection qualities of my top bases so that is yet to be determined. Last year went okay with the OCMM, but open blade is a different beast entirely.

As for the challenge, I hate bowl lathering. The only time aside from this challenge that I ever use a bowl is for loading samples. Ever since I started wet shaving I've been a devoted face latherer thanks to watching the likes of u/Cadinsor and Nick Shaves's videos early on. Building the lather on my face is one of my favorite parts of the entire shave so I was missing that today.

7/12/23

• Brush: Muninn Woodworks w/ 24mm Silvertip
• Razor: Thiers Issard "Evide Sonnant" 6/8, Extra Hollow Round Point
• Lather: Arko Shave Stick
• Post Shave: Pinaud - Clubman Aftershave Splash

I haven't bowl lathered since I got the MOAR BOAR and I don't know how I'd of bowl lathered with a shave stick. Out of pure principle, I could not. This was my first time with Arko, and the first time, I've had the pleasure of rubbing a shave stick all over my face. Does that count??

I was pleasantly surprised by Arko. Nothing so special that I'm gonna write home to Mom or anything. I just expected it to be a lot worse. I had a late shave yesterday, so not a ton of growth this morning, so rubbing this all over my face wasn't exactly the greatest. I'm gonna keep the stick and try again post AA when I have some more growth. It's a very soapy smelling soap. With an old classic shave soap like this, Clubman was the #1 choice for pst shave imo. Clubman is really like the barbershop scent. It reminds me of getting a haircut as a kid at my cousins barbershop. It's a super nice scent, I wish it lasted longer. Nice shave overall this morning.

#ROTY

3202 ,21 yluJ

• Brush: Muninn Woodworks purple burl AP Shave Co. 24mm MiG
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles – Menage a Lavande
• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Black Watch

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• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts 49ers Custom w/ Declaration Grooming B5 28mm

• Razor: Muhle Rocca R94

• Blade: Bic Chrome Platinum

• Lather: Catie's Bubbles - A Midnight Dreary

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

• Fragrance: Maher Olfactive - Crystal Moon

Today's Theme - It's so fluffy I'm gonna Die: Oh look, the soapmaker of my lather product is today's sponsor spotlight. Catie's Bubbles uses coconut oil as a primary ingredient so yeah.

Today's Challenge: I almost always lather with my scuttle, so today I did a face lather. It worked. That's about all I have to say about face lathering, it works.

My theme for today's shave: Late Nights

So for today's shave, it's the last shave I get to do from the comfort of my own bathroom before I hit the road for a 4-day weekend trip that's going to be full of late nights. I wanted to think about the different types of late nights, so CB's Midnight Dreary, CF's Midnight Stag, and Maher Olfactive's Crystal Moon are three different takes on late nights that I hope to enjoy on this trip. Midnight Dreary's mellow, sweet, and calming scent is the kind of night where everyone stays up late just hanging out talking or watching movies together. Midnight Stag is the kind of boys' night smell where a bunch of stinky idiots take over every place they go. And Crystal Moon is that late night walk through an unfamiliar but welcoming place at a time where it's just you and the cool night air.

For music, I picked Sonata Arctica's Reckoning Night for the album title association. It's also just a great power metal album with songs about heartbreak, heartbreak, more heartbreak, and a song about a horrific reverse Pinocchio situation. #photocontest #FOF #ROTY

July 12, 2023 – Coconutty Day

• Brush: Summer Break Kearney B10
• Razor: Gillette Red Tip
• Blade: Bolzano Superinox (6)
• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles – Porch Drinks
• Post Shave: Chatillon Lux – Les Boissons sur le Porche
• Fragrance: London Razors – Coffee & Contemplation

I was so happy to see that old school Catie’s Bubbles had coconut oil in the top 3 because it gave me an excuse to slide Porch Drinks into my calendar. If there was a Mount Rushmore of shaving, this scent is a guaranteed lock. maybe half Chris’s face half Shawn’s face since they both did the scent separately but awesomely. Coffee & Contemplation also pairs beautifully with it.

I refuse to bowl lather because bowl lathering is dumb.

July 12, 2023 – Coconut Hump Day

• Brush: Chisel and Hound v19 Fanchurian
• Razor: Merkur 34C
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles – A Midnight Dreary
• Post Shave: Thayers – Lavender
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth – Beloved

This beauty of a scent was scent to me as a smush from u/OnionMiasma and I’m not sure why it’s not yet in my collection. It’s so good – such great depth without being overwhelming. A true masterpiece by Mr. Catie’s Bubbles.

The challenge for today messed this soap up for me, though. As a proud utilizer of the GUTL I can lather even the smallest sample of soaps like a dream. Unfortunately, in an effort to not even flirt with missing this challenge, I decided to hand load and face lather. That smush may look like a sufficient amount in my hand, and, it was – if I had a way to load it better. But, I didn’t – and so it fragmented and was awful. My lather was atrocious as a result. Thin, in short supply, barely effective. Ended up with 2 passes with the very forgiving 34c, so, no nicks or cuts to speak of but not my favorite shave of these games.

Paired this with Beloved because it felt adjacent, anyway. Something about the sweetness of the wooded honey offsetting the depth and darkness of Midnight Dreary and as I sit at my desk this morning they’re playing together quite nicely.

FOF Haiku of the day

A pairing of depth
One bright the other gloomy
Cooperation

• Prep:
• Brush: Maggard Razors Premium Boar 26mm / Dogwood Handcrafts Hybrid
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird Lite SS
• Blade: Personna Comfort Coated (2)
• Lather: Catie's Bubbles - Waterlyptus
• Alum: Osma
• Post Shave: Catie's Bubbles - Waterlyptus
• Fragrance:

Catie's Bubbles produces outstanding shaving soaps that have garnered a reputation for their exceptional performance. One of the key reasons for their excellence is the prominent use of coconut oil as one of the first three ingredients in their soap formulation. Coconut oil is known for its superb moisturizing properties, providing a rich and creamy lather that offers excellent protection and glide during shaving. This attention to high-quality ingredients, with coconut oil at the forefront, contributes to Catie's Bubbles' reputation for producing exceptional shaving soaps that leave the skin feeling nourished and refreshed.

July 12, 2023 – IT’S SO FLUFFY I’M GONNA DIE

• Brush: Omega EVO Special Veteran E1860 #PREMIUMPLASTIC
• Razor: Barbaros TR-1
• Blade: Astra SP (Green)
• Lather: Black Ship Grooming – Davy Jones
• Post Shave: Black Ship Grooming – Davy Jones

Pulled out my Fine Accoutrements bowl since I face lather. It’s a solid bowl from a few years ago. I use it with samples mainly. Coconut Oil is the FIRST ingredient on this old tub. Tons of fluff. The soap scent is almost gone from the years. Aftershave is nice. Just got in the Barbaros. Nice shave that reminds me of my Chiseled Face Ti. The Omega has a 28mm synth knot that everyone says is the same/similar as the APShaveCO G5A knot. That knot is $31. The MSRP of this first gen Omega EVO brush was over $80.

July 12, 2023 – Yulay, of the Gods

• Brush: MRed 26 mm Badger
• Razor: Focus Tritok R63 Slant
• Blade: Personna Platinum Chrome (1)
• Preshave: Baxter Shave Tonic
• Lather: Van Yulay -Spicy Man
• Post Shave: Old Spice – European

First, this is the best of the best movie quotes and I say it all the time. I think we all forget how truly enjoyable and good Despicable Me was after the memification of the Minions and their eventual overtaking of that franchise. But that first movie was a geniune, heartfelt, and funny film. Part of that was the fact that while the supervillain storyline was outlandish the three girls were not and that’s epitomized the amusement park scene this quote is from. OK, film critic hat off now.

I chose this soap because as I was digging through my bin of Old Spice dupes this was the first one that I hit that had coconut in the first three ingredients. I’m pretty sure I have four or five more that would qualify but given the ease with which I could find one in my bin I didn’t look any harder. Clearly, I am putting as much effort into these games as the likes of u/OnionMiasma, u/tsrblke, u/pridetwo or any of the other top contenders are. I expect to be awarded with a coveted judge’s weekly post point in no time.

Though, now that I look at the back label while writing this I’m realizing that the third ingredient is not either “Coconut Oil or Potassium Cocoate” but instead “Coconut Fatty Acids.” I honestly just grabbed it and saw the word coconut in the first three ingredients. I’m pretty sure that Coconut Fatty Acids are the same thing as those other things but knowing how truly important the exact wording of the rules are and never wanting to Air Bud Rule anything ever again I believe I have yet again managed to screw up getting points! I feel like I’m cursed for some reason... but only the judges can decide if I have failed.

Speaking of being cursed, this soap is not of the gods, especially when you face lather it and you haven’t face lathered since sometime around your second ever wetshave three-ish years ago. Then, for some reason, you choose a slant razor you suck at using. Not… not my best day, friends. Not at all.

July 12, 2023

• Brush: Zenith B03-A26 (B2) #HOLLOW #OLDWORLD
• Razor: GEM Pushbutton
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (2)
• Lather: Williams Mug Soap - Soap
• Post Shave: Pinaud - Clubman - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Korres - Saffron Spices - Balm
• Fragrance: Geoffrey Beene - Grey Flannel - EdC

A Lather Games would not be complete without at least one Williams Mug Soap shave. So here it is.

According to this article, Sodium Cocoate is the 3rd ingredient.

A note about WMS, which is often said to be "shit soap"... It is my opinion that WMS does not fit into most of our daily rituals, in that it is not designed to be "lathered". My Williams resides in a mug, specifically a Spearhead Seaforth! mug. Instead of lathering, it works best if you just load a damp/wet brush in the mug, and apply it to your face. Don't add more water, don't "work it"... just put it on your face and go.

This is a no frills product. It's meant to be fast and easy. Most people, including myself, severely overthink this stuff, and end up with shit lather. Williams lather is at it's best directly after the brush is loaded.

Anyway, for the daily challenge, I'm normally a face latherer, and today I mug lathered. Or, I didn't lather at all, I just loaded and went.

Relevent Post Shave and Frag: A WMS user surely would use a basic-bitch aftershave, and that's what Clubman is. They would also use a basic-bitch frag, and Grey Flannel is as basic as it gets. It's straight powdery musk, or something. It smells good, but you aren't impressing anyone with it.

July 12, 2023

• Brush: AP Shave Co – Complete Brush – Slim Brass Handle 20mm Gelousy Knot
• Razor: Gillette – Executive Fatboy #DIAL
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Henri et Victoria - Cognac & Cuban Cigars Soap
• Post Shave: Henri et Victoria - Cognac & Cuban Cigars Splash
• Fragrance: Burberry - Hero

Coconut oil isn’t something I’ve ever though too much about, especially in my shave soaps, so looking at the ingredients of the various soaps I have was a fun exercise. Especially the samples, since they don’t list their ingredients on these little labels. For today’s shave, I landed on Cognac and Cuban Cigars by Henri et Victoria. Right away, I was hit with the scents of… Well… Cigars and Cognac. A little much for a sleepy Wednesday morning, if you ask me, and if my boss questions why I smell like booze and cigars, I’m gonna send him to you!

I had to google what the addition of coconut oil does to shave soaps. Apparently, it has a lot of benefits, but overall it helps form a rich, creamy, slick lather that isn’t irritating. It also said that it is a good moisturizer, but then another source said it’s drying, so I’m getting mixed signals like I’m at a middle school dance again. Not sure who to believe, but it’s only on my face for a little bit, so I question how much it could either dry or moisturize in such a short period of time to begin with. And if you're relying on a shave soap to be your moisturizer, you're already doing it wrong.

The soap and splash were good, and I finished everything off with Burberry Hero, which is a woody-spicy cologne. I don’t think Cognac and Cuban cigars counts as “woody-spicy”, but I think it kinda possibly should. It has cedarwood and spicy tobacco, so that may be enough for me. The woodiness of the cologne worked quite well with the Cognac & Cuban Cigars. They are clearly different scents, but it felt kinda like they are supposed to go together, like one played off the other. A great combination! #FOF

CHALLENGE

I’m not much of a bowl latherer ever since I started going down the brush rabbit hole. The more I get high quality brushes, the longer I want each of them to be on my skin. My thought process pretty much is: why pay for a premium brush if most of its time is spent in a bowl anyway? So today, it felt a little wrong using this fabulous APShave Co brush with their wonderful Gelousy knot for a bowl lather. It was still a great performer, but it feels like a waste. However, the Lather Games judges tell us to do something and by golly, that’s what I’m going to do!

Wed Jul 12 2023

• Prep: A hot shower
• Razor: Merkur - 34C HD
• Blade: BiC Chrome Platinum
• Brush: Semogue 620
• Lather: Arko - Puck
• Post Shave: Pinaud - Clubman AS Lotion

I bought this Tub of Arko to use in the lather games. Pretty sure I will never use it again. Smelled a lot lot kerosene. I think my bathroom could erupt in flames anytime. In all fairness I am a terrible face latherer, but this lathered up on my face like a champ.

ROTY

LG23-12: IT’s SO FLUFFY I’M GONNA DIE

• Brush: Trotter Handcrafts “Sea Glass No.3” 28mm SynBad #FAUXFUR
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Gen 2 "Peerless" Clog Pruf
• Blade: GEM (20)
• Lather: WSP - Blackbeard - Rustic Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: RazoRock - Santa Maria del Fiore - Lozione Dopo-barba
• Fragrance: Day Three Fragrances - Ámbar Dominicano
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Hotel Carafe
• Music: Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs and Chanteys
• LG Tags: #FOF

WSP’s soap bases are a great example of how dramatic the difference in performance can be between those that use a high percentage of coconut oil and those that don’t. I much prefer the Formula T, which leads with stearic acid, water, and tallow before getting to the coconut oil. That base lathers quickly and the performance competes in the big leagues when hydrated properly.

On the other hand, the six-ingredient vegan Rustic base—which I used for today’s Fluffy face lather—gets to the coconut oil by ingredient three and I find it to be noticeably more drying than the Formula T, not as slick, and lacking that protective bounce you get from many top-tier tallow bases. However, the Rustic base does respond well to loading heavy and softened water. Keep both in mind if you’re going to stick with old-school soaps. (By the way, I typically load from a bowl, and do most of the lathering there to protect a nagging shoulder injury. I face lathered to quicken up this busy-travel-day shave and fulfill today's challenge.)

This particular Rustic sample features WSP’s Blackbeard scent, so I ran with a Caribbean pirate theme for the whole shave. A vintage razor, sea glass brush, and buccaneer’s soundtrack further set the scene.

Blackbeard is sweeter and far more spice-forward than I expected from the scent notes. In particular, the cherry pipe smoke component isn’t the robust, smoky tobacco I hoped for; combined with vanilla, cloves, and patchouli, it smells almost sickly. I think the notes selection is sound, and it definitely achieves the pirate theme, but I’d balance it differently.

Fortunately, this Santa Maria del Fiore is what I wanted from Blackbeard: a giant dose of “Tuscan tobacco”, a trace of vanilla, and a warm amber base. Now I can picture a pirate captain smoking a giant cigar as they scrutinize the ledger. I also appreciate this scent’s simplicity. Aftershaves with a few notes are easier to pair than both their one-note and complex alternatives, acting as a focused segue to a complex fragrance.

And that’s how Santa Maria del Fiore brought me to Ámbar Dominicano, a dram to pair with a pirate’s smoke. This unique Day Three Fragrances extrait combines a potent amber with notes of Mamajuana, the deep red beverage that hails from the Dominican Republic. Made from rum, red wine, and honey, then combined with a blend of herbs, spices, and bark the Taíno originally used to make herbal tea, Mamajuana is both distinctly flavored and recognizable in the bottle. When first sprayed, Ámbar Dominicano reminds me immediately of Ellen Covey's sizzling amber base, but tuned up in pitch to a slightly different key. The perfumer’s notes tell me that’s from an opening of cola, lime, lavender, and passion fruit layered over the honeyed booze and amber, but I’d never have picked those out without the perfumer’s help. After the resins dry down, the fragrance’s namesake is considerably more obvious, like a thick, chocolaty splash of dark red wine textured by spiced davana and immortelle. Ámbar Dominicano is beautiful and comforting as it dries down—everything I love about an amber, but far more interesting than most.

Jul. 12, 2023
Brush: Maggard’s Synthetic
Razor: Blackland Vector Ti
Blade: Kai Captain ProTouch MG
Lather: Black Ship Grooming - Cap’n Dark Tide - Soap
Post Shave:* Noble Otter - Bare - Aftershave

Nice vegan soap matches the criteria for today.

And yet again, I am still traveling, so the surprise challenge is…a challenge. I normally face lather and there is no bowl in site here in my hotel room so I instead lathered on a coffee cup saucer. Do not recommend.

Shared from My Shave Den for iOS

July 12, 2023 - It’s so fluffy I’m gonna die

• Brush: Noble Otter 26mm Synthetic
• Razor: Gillette 1940’s SuperSpeed #REGUS
• Blade: Gillette Platinum (1)
• Lather: Cella - Original - Soap
• Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co. - Sandy Cheeks - Splash
• Fragrance: Creed - Millésime Impérial
• Music: Moana Soundtrack - Where You Are

Daily Write-Up: Consider the coconut. Consider its trees.

Last year, during the Lather Games, I was a committed bowl latherer. I actually used and appreciated the GUTL method at times.

But then I got crazy busy, and my den was spread across three bathrooms in two houses, and it became easier to just tub load and face lather. Probably 70+% of my 2023 shaves have been tub loaded and face lathered. So, given the daily challenge, I’m going with a bowl lather.

But not just any bowl. I used my German Friodur steel (just like /u/djundjila's straight razor!) kitchen knife to crack open the coconut, and reserved the coconut water for later. I then made my way up to my den (kitchen knives stay in the kitchen, shaving knives stay out of the kitchen, I’m told), and scooped some of the Cella sample into my new bowl.

I dipped my brush into the reserved coconut water, and began building a lather in my bowl. Unfortunately, I found that I had to keep a good grip on the brush at all times, because this bowl isn’t good about keeping the brush from flipping out and getting lather everywhere. Finally I had a good lather, and had a good 2-pass shave. Cella isn’t bad, and the smell is pretty nice when lathered.

I finished up, and rinsed out my bowl. Not sure what to do with this coconut though - it’s strictly an A-cup if I were to make a coconut bra out of it, and while you can say a lot about Mrs. Miasma, you can’t say she’s an A cup. And frankly, at this point in my lifetime pizza consumption, neither probably am I. Thoughts on how to use this soaped up coconut, besides making horse sounds?

Soap Theme Justification
Per the product page: Cocos Nucifera Oil is the first ingredient.

Post-Shave and Fragrance Relevance Notes
* Aftershave of Sandy Cheeks pulls on the coconut from the Cella, bowl, and lather water. * Millésime Impérial then layers on top of that fruit, marine scents, and salt air, taking you to Motunui where Moana and the coconuts live.

Used coconut as shaving bowl and coconut water for lather.

Lather Games Day 12- There Was An Attempt at Hand Lathering

• Brush: CaYuen Workshop 26mm Tuxedo
• Razor: RazoRock GameChanger .84-P
• Blade: Astra - SP Green (6)
• Lather: Arko - Arko Soap
• Post Shave: Zingari Man - Cooling Recovery splash

Per Encyclopedia Maggardica, the first three ingredients of Arko are Potassium Tallowate, Stearic Acid and (wait for it) Potassium Cocoate. So we are in the game today with a cheap ass Arko shave.

Today's challenge was most certainly a challenge for me. With MOAR BOAR, I face lather (because I haven't figured out how to bowl lather with that beast). With every other brush in my collection, I bowl lather. Clearly, I needed to find a different lathering method. Knee lather? Ehhhh, that's so LG 2022. Ass lather? Is that really appropriate? And I didn't want someone to open the pic in their office and get hauled down to HR as a result. Crook of the elbow lather? That's just weird. So hand lather it was or kind of was or kind of wasn't. Ok, it was kind of a shitshow. On to the shit in the hand show we go.

Here you can see I scraped what should have been a decent amount of Arko into my hand. For the lathering experiment, I initially grabbed my Shore Shave brush with the Motherlode knot because why not try to lather my hand with the floppiest friggin' brush in my collection to add to the challenge factor. Clearly, I was being a schmuck as you can tell from the first minute of this hand lathering experiment. And so, I kept at it with this brush for another minute or so hoping to get a respectable lather in my hand. Let's just say I wound up with a lather that a r/wicked_edge noob would proudly show off. I figured I would see how much lather was in the brush and after a couple of swipes across the face, there was nothing. Like zero lather in the brush. Time to cut the shenanigans and pull out the CaYuen brush with the tuxedo knot and lather off the puck and then just hit the face. Oh look at that another brush all covered in real lather. Once an appropriate r/wetshaving lather was achieved, I was off to the races.

Admittedly, that was a damn slick shave with Arko. I should throw this in to the mix from time to time just because. The post-shave is a bit...drying...but the Cooling Recovery splash set me right up.

July 12, 2023 - Black and white

• Brush: Muhle Badger
• Razor: Razorock – Eco
• Blade: Permasharp (2)
• Lather: Extro Cosmesi – Liquirizia & Magnolia
• Post Shave: Extro Cosmesi – Liquirizia & Magnolia
• Fragrance: CK – Everyone

#FOF
Daily challenge:

Let’s talk about face vs bowl lathering. I know, I know. Shaving is a hobby where your miles vary a lot. Not everyone makes the same experience. Still I have a number of thoughts that I want to formulate and have a healthy discussion with myself.
I usually bowl lather and after this day of face lathering, I won’t change my routine, although I had fantastic lather and a wonderfull shave.
The lathering process starts before I open my sample or full sized tub. It starts with soaking the brush. Not all brushes require soaking, but boar for example do. So when using a boar brush, you will very likely have a bowl at hand? Why not use it for bowl lather later?
Lets continue. Lets say we use a full sized tub. We can get some lather from it and go right onto our face. Point for face lathering, except… I come to that later. But what if we want to use a sample? I remeber my first shaves with samples where I tried to load from the tiny tub. So you are forced to take out a gram of soap and start to lather it elsewhere. From last years LG, I also tried to build lather on my knee. Wet brush, gram of soap and my knee. It does not work at all. I conclude that you can not take each soap and lather it directly on your face. You need a starting point. For example your bowl.
Next we managed to get some proto lather, either in our bowl or on our face. It will probably need more water. What I do is, to make one hand wet and let some water drip into my lather in the bowl. You could do the same with your brush, but somewhat it felt more difficult to control. Is it really a good advice to newcomers to let them face lather where we have more points of failure?
Here I see the benefits of GUTL. As discussed in my post from last year, GUTL works, because we have a control device (face or bowl) to determine the portion of water. If our bowl lather is too wet, we mix it with the face lather and have a good middleground, which will be very likely some great lather.
In the manual of this Mühle brush, it is recommended to massage the lather into the beard for up to 3 minutes. Thats a point for face lathering. I feel like it takes more time, or it’s just the process that applies the lather in a more effective manner to the beard. Great point for face lathering. I want to highlight u/Madflava81’s post, where he determines the best lather method by the soap base. From my experience, it seems difficult to get a great lather with a DG soap with face lathering. It needs water, it needs time. What happens between the passes? With your bowl its easy. Just put the brush in. What do we do when face lathering? I could put it somewhere on the sink or under my mirror on that plank. But today I used a very small brush. The soap would have run down and caused more space to clean after the shave. What I had to do was to put my brush into my soap container: Avoiding a cleanup. That woudl not work with a sample. It would not work with a bigger brush and normal sized tub, but then I might have luck and put the brush standing without distributing lather everywhere. And all of this can be concluded with YMMV.

Liquiriza Magnolia is my magic tournament soap, as I believe that licorice gives me luck. Cocos Nucifera (Coconut)Oil, is its third ingredient and indeed gives an easy to lather flufficity of 9/10.
Flufficity is the innofficial unit to measure the fluffiness of an object. In my second choice SOTD picture you see some of the licorice the soap is made with. Amarelli is italys oldest licorice seller. The licorice is very strong and I often compare it to 99% bitter chocolate. You have to get used to it and consume it in very small amounts. It’s great when I crave something sweet but don’t want to eat a lot of sweets. A piece of that black gold satisfies my desire for sweets.
There is also a rumor of the so called licorice aequator. It means that south of that geographic line, people do not like licorice. For example in bavaria, south of germany, you are just not able to buy licorice. In north germany and higher to scandinavia, people become more and more crazy about it. In Sweden they have it as icecream and liquer. They also prefer the more salty ones, also called salmiak.
A counterpoint to that licorice aequator is italy. Its south, but I ate licorice icecream there and they have Amarelli.
The soap starts with a great portion of that licorice and the magnolia is in the background (where it belongs). The aftershave on the other hand has some of that sweet artificial red melon scent in it. Its more floral and burns a lot. You need another moisturizer after this aftershave. My choice of fragrance was determined, in yesterdays fashion, by the color. My SOTD is almost black and white. Unfortunately this is the worst fragrance I had this month. It lasts as long as a teenage boy while passing his V-card. And it smells like cloister. Arko the fragrance, but in expensive.
Thank god it was gone in seconds and I could enjoy the Liquirizia Magnolia

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

• Prep: Grooming Dept - Unscented - Pre-shave
• Brush: Omega - Stone il Duca - EVO 2.0
• Razor: Wolfman Razors - WR2 0.75 DC x WRH2
• Blade: Personna Med Prep
• Lather: Los Angeles Shaving Soap Company - Vert Noir - Soap
• Post Shave: Los Angeles Shaving Soap Company - Vert Noir - Aftershave

Day 12 of Lather Games: I used LASSCo Vert Noir in the original base. Organic coconut oil is ingredient #3, which is not surprising for a base that was essentially reverse engineered from MdC's ingredients list. For today's challenge, I scooped out some Vert Noir from the tub and placed it in a bowl and proceeded to build my lather in the bowl. As one who loads from the tub and lathers on the face, this wasn't nearly as enjoyable as my usual routine.

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

• Prep: Grooming Dept - Unscented - Pre-shave
• Brush: Omega - Stone il Duca - EVO 2.0
• Razor: Wolfman Razors - WR2 0.75 DC x WRH2
• Blade: Personna Med Prep
• Lather: Los Angeles Shaving Soap Company - Vert Noir - Soap
• Post Shave: Los Angeles Shaving Soap Company - Vert Noir - Aftershave

Day 12 of Lather Games: I used LASSCo Vert Noir in the original base. Organic coconut oil is ingredient #3, which is not surprising for a base that was essentially reverse engineered from MdC's ingredients list. For today's challenge, I scooped out some Vert Noir from the tub and placed it in a bowl and proceeded to build my lather in the bowl. As one who loads from the tub and lathers on the face, this wasn't nearly as enjoyable as my usual routine.

JULY 12, 2023

• Brush: Stirling Synthetic 24mm
• Razor: Paragon Shaving ‘Don’ DE razor
• Lather: Razor Emporium - Fireside
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Navigator

I know it sounds crazy that a soap with a smoky theme would have coconut BUT SURE DOES!!! Tons of it actually, smoky coconut and I love it. I am not sure how razor emporium did it but this is the slickest soap I ever shaved with. My paragon just glided the whole way through now to be honest I am not sure it was the lather or the new way I created the lather today! On to the daily challenge.

TODAY’s CHALLENGE was rather new to me. I have never FACE LATHER before so getting the brush motion right on my face was strange at first. I could not get any lather so I literally took a smush of the soap and spread it on my face like applying sun block then begin the brushing process again. Now I got tons of lather and it was slick and beautiful! I was, to say the least, very surprised how nice the whole experience went so I am from now on incorporating more face lathering into my routine. Ya’ll have a good one

ROTY

July 12, 2023 – LG2023 Day Twelve – Is it AA yet????

• Brush: Dogwood – Jurassic 30mm Monzingo ZT2 #COMPOSITE
• Razor: Karve Overlander
• Blade: Polsilver (1)
• Lather: Chiseled Face – Midnight Stag
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face – Midnight Stag
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face – Midnight Stag

I cant say I ever really look at the ingredients labels on any of my soaps so I had to have a butchers through the collection to find a soap for today but once I found that CF qualified I knew I had to dig Stag out.

This is possibly one of the most disliked scents in my house from the wife and kids to the point im sat in my garage shaving as the wife has friends over and im not to embarasses her with my dirty scents. I was allowed to enter the house for a quick picture before having to showered it all off.

We all know the rep Stag has and yes it’s strong and it’s rumoured to be the scent used in the famous Anchorman Scene but you can’t help with like this Atomic bomb of a scent.

Now for the daily challenge I normally head lather but instead of just a bowl lather today I thought I would do something just for u/jeffm54321 and do a nice double foot lather also a note for u/enndeegee don’t get panicked by the lack of webbing on my toes it’s only you Northerners that carry that gene.

July 12, 2023

https://imgur.com/gallery/x4VtwNW

Prep: Shower + Proraso - Refrescante Preshave Cream

Brush: Simpsons - Commodore X3 Best Badger

Razor: Rockwell - 6s R6 plate

Blade: Personna - Super (2)

Lather: Razor Emporium Small Batch Shave Soap - Old School

Post Shave: Alum Block + Mennen - Skin Bracer

This is my first time trying this soap, and it's actually pretty darn good. It was a very mild scent, though, which isn't my thing, but the lather was top-notch and left my face feeling nice.

Challenge: I am normally a bowl/scuttle lathering kinda guy, so today I face lathered. It was tough to properly load the brush from the small, sample sized tub, but I eventually got it to work out. Only a single-pass shave today because of that, but still a DFS.

#ROTY

July 12th 2023 - Lather Games Day 12

• Brush: Omega 11137 Boar
• Razor: Gillette Super Speed
• Blade: Bolzano Superinox (6)
• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles - Barnegat Bay
• Post Shave: Wholly Kaw - Tempest
• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Oud Minerale

So fluffy! A good excuse to use my traveling buddy, this sample tub of Barnegat Bay. This soap has been to four different countries (here it is in an Irish castle’s bathroom), 7 or 8 states and even got to visit the Barnegat Lighthouse, where the photo on the label was taken. It’s rare that I actually use this soap at home because I will use it for days at a time while I’m away. And would you look at that, coconut oil is the third ingredient. I used my little boar brush which fits nicely in the small tub and switched things up by bowl lathering today. I had been a staunch bowl latherer up until MOARCH Madness when I face-lathered every day and never looked back. I was reminded today why I liked bowl lathering, which is a better control of how much water you’re adding to the soap; that being said, it wasn’t enough to convince me to go back. Face lathering is the way.

The overarching theme of my gear today is a day at the beach that turns rainy, then a walk on the beach after the rain stops. Barnegat Bay is a variation on a Bay Rum theme meant to invoke the New Jersey shore. Then Tempest takes over and the ozone and and rain drive you inside. Once the rain stops, you go out and breathe the salty air and seaweed on the beach from Oud Minerale.

Oh and I’m glad to be able to use a Catie’s Bubbles soap on their sponsor spotlight day. Catie’s Bubbles ++

Lather Games 2023 Day 12

• Prep: Warm water
• Brush: APSaveCo - 28MM G5A SHD
• Razor: Gillette - Fatboy Adjustable #DIAL
• Blade: Gillette - Minora
• Lather: Maggard razors - Lime & Bergamot
• Post Shave: Taylor of Old Bond Street - N°74 Victorian lime

At first I think for today photo something fluffy.... Yes, soap is coconut based and is known to be that coconut oil give to lather this volume...... And my towels I prefer them like clouds...... After shaving to hug my face with soft touch..... But... What is the thing that you want to bury your face...... Yes big nice tits!!! So guys and judges I am sorry for today short entering but for compensation and to know that I thinking of you even in this precious moments of intimacy I'll make photo of this Gillette Fatboy ( of course I'll put my big fat boy over here ) to share this moment with me. Yeah ..yeah ..... Gillette is great..... Code is E3... 1959 or 84 from July to September.....Yeah.... Soap is nice and fluffy ( not gonna be my first choice but do the job )... Aftershave is OK ( good but not so good for money that I pay ....and there is two big objects in front of me.... I face lather toddy but if this lady waiting me for a little more I have to hand lathering........ Buy guys..... P.S. after a few attempts to link this picture I'll post the link like comment . post it in Instagram to.

ROTY

July 12, 2023

• Brush: Stirling Soap Company – 24mm Synthetic
• Razor: Gillette Travel Tech #JETSETTER
• Blade: Wilkinson Sword
• Lather: Abbate y La Mantia - Don Jose Soap
• Post Shave: Hoffman’s Shave and Soap Co. – Road Trip Splash
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts – Samhain EdP
• Music: The Clash - I Fought the Law

Alright boys and girls. I’m going to Tarantino this SOTD post a little bit: I’m going to start at the end, then go the beginning and tell you what happened leading up to the end. Sound good? Good.

I got asked to leave the restaurant I was shaving at.

Now that I have your attention, today started out as a pretty normal day. I was kinda bummed because for the first day in these Lather Games, I didn’t have an interview to bring to the people of r/wetshaving. The why doesn’t matter. I hoped I would, but an artisan backed out of an interview, so I shifted my calendar around a bit and that left today with no interview. And while I’m trying to bring the heat to every single post I make, I realize the interviews are kinda my secret sauce for this year. And since I didn’t have one today, I wanted to go CocoNutty on Coconut Oil Day. And being inspired by the likes of others in the sub shaving in public, I thought that sounds like a fun challenge. I’ve never wetshaved outside of the comfort and safety of my own home, so I wanted to live on the edge a bit. But where could I shave? It’s not kitchen day. It’s Coconut Oil Day. So, I go on Google Maps, zoom out and type “coconut”, and there’s a restaurant called Coconut Thai Café that is not too far from me. Bingo. I could feel my heart beating faster just thinking about it. I’ll go there and shave.

I gather up my travel shaving gear, get in my car and drive to downtown Wellesley, Massachusetts, timing my visit for right when they open, because I want to ensure I get a table and it’s hopefully not too busy. Lucky me, when I arrive, there’s a few tables with people already seated inside, but outside is completely empty. This bodes well because I make an absolute mess when I shave at home and I’d feel bad making a mess inside the restaurant. I go in, ask the waitress for an outdoor seat and check out the menu. Since it’s Coconut Oil Day, I ordered the Coconut Soup appetizer, then the Coconut Pineapple Yellow Curry with Chicken, which was delicious. The lovely waitress brought my check over, I paid and then it was go-time. I pulled out my travel shaving kit with everything I’d need, and even learned from u/OnionMiasma’s mistake and brought my own warm water in a Contigo travel mug (not pictured). I usually face lather, but it didn’t take long to complete the challenge and build my lather in a bowl today. Then I quickly start to spread the lather over my face. I’m immediately hit with the scent of coconut and banana, which continues to be incredibly on Coconut theme for the day where the soap just needs to be made with coconut oil. This is without a doubt the worst lathering job I’ve done since I first started wetshaving. My excuses are as follows: (1) I’ve never used this soap before (2) my heart is RACING and I’m trying to move as fast as possible (3) since I was outside and wearing sunglasses, the selfie mode of my phone was really hard to see and (4) I had NO IDEA this soap was mentholated until the brush hit my skin. I was already in a stressful situation and then my face started to unexpectedly burn – absolute disaster - but I’m determined to power through. A got a somewhat serviceable lather and start to go to town with this tiny travel razor (another mistake, when shaving quickly and nervously, I wish my razor fit in my hand a little better, but a hashtag is a hashtag). And right as I finish my first pass, I capture my face just as my waitress comes out to ask what I’m doing. My heart beats faster and it drops way down into my stomach, past the Coconut Pineapple Curry and Coconut Soup. Remember that feeling as a kid, when you were caught doing something that you knew you shouldn’t be doing, but did it anyway? That’s what I felt. I could feel my face turn beat red - which was possibly from the surprise menthol in the soap, but likely because of my immediate and severe embarrassment.

Quick aside: As a straight, white, male, who is approaching the age of 40, I realize I’ve lived with certain privileges throughout my life. Generally speaking, no one is ever suspicious of me. Add in the fact that I’m dressed somewhat nice and clean cut, I never expected anyone to actually ever come say anything to me. I was wrong. If my worst nightmare was getting the police called on me or something, this was a second.

I tell her I finished my lunch, and I realized I hadn’t shaved yet today and I’m heading to a meeting. And she politely asked that I please choose a different place to groom myself, other than her patio, next to the front door, where people walk in and out of her restaurant. Fair. But she doesn’t realize the stakes of the Lather Games. I quickly determine it best to not take the time to explain that the people of Pei Wei let u/ginopino shave there without incident. It’s clear to me that Coconut Thai Café is no Pei Wei. And then she said “I think it’d be a good idea for you to leave now.” And I agree. I apologize and clean up after myself, wiping down the table better than I ever clean my bathroom at home. And as I’m packing up my things, I make sure I give the Road Trip splash a good shake and apply it to my face before walking back to my car. I opted not to push it with the EdP right there. After I packed up my things, the waitress did tell me that I was welcome to come back anytime, just not if I shave there. And once again, I thought that was fair. I tell her the food was delicious and we part ways.

As I walk away to my car, I can’t help but smell the sense of accomplishment of my first public shave and first time being asked to leave an establishment while it was light out. I can also smell the scent of Road Trip, which went great with the soap, as well as my lunch. Road Trip has a lot of notes, but I mostly pick up Rum, Banana, Pineapple, Coconut Milk, Vanilla & Nutmeg. It’s really well done and perfect for the Coconut & Banana soap, as well as the Coconut Pineapple Curry I ate for lunch. And when I got to my car, I sprayed myself with a couple spritzes of Samhain, which is sweet, rich, and delicious like Road Trip, sharing Vanilla & Nutmeg notes. The self-proclaimed Gourmand King strikes again for a great #FOF win.

A few lessons learned: (1) going to a full service restaurant probably wasn’t the best idea (2) while going before the lunch rush made things less awkward because less people were there, it also meant less people were there so the staff had nothing else to do, (3) the “staff” was likely the owner or the family member of the owner, who cares far more than just a regular hourly employee would (4) shaving outside had pros and cons, but selfie mode was kind of a challenge to get used to (5) the Travel Tech, while convenient for traveling, is a pain in the ass to handle, (6) great success because I finished the shave, but ultimately, it would have been nice to NOT get asked to leave.

Before I head home, I decide to close out Coconut Oil Day, by getting a Coconut Milk Latte from Dunks. I’m usually a black coffee sort of guy, but I wanted to treat myself today. I earned this. I got it Salted Caramel flavored, because I was thinking there were caramel notes in Samhain, but in looking at the scent notes now, I realize I’m smelling caramel where there isn’t any. Whoops! The latte is still delicious anyways.

Of course, #photocontest them is society, because this restaurant is on a very busy street and I’m sure many people drove by my shave today and I learned that not everyone in society appreciates shaving in public.

Dude got kicked out of a restaurant that's amazing.

Jul 12, 2023 - IT'S SO FLUFFY I'M GONNA DIE

• Brush: AKA Brushworx Orange Resin 26mm Tuxedo Knot
• Razor: Gillette English Flat Bottom Tech #REGUS
• Blade: Feather Hi-Stainless [13]
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Santa Paula - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Druantia - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)
• Fragrance: Noble Otter - Monarch - Eau de Parfum

The Chiseled Face website warns that Santa Paula is orange trees, not oranges. It's also an amazing scent. I've had this sample for a while, and was never compelled to use it. However, it fit the running orange scents in the fragrances today. From woody, bitter orange to earthy, orange to powdery, orange, the shave software today worked together better than expected.

Chiseled Face's Tallow soaps contain coconut oil, and produced some FLUFFY goodness.

The Feather blade in the FBT was ready to be binned. I should have swapped it after the first pass, but I stuck it out for the shave.

Reverse Lather Challenge: depending on the type of soap determines how I usually lather. If it's a hard or firm soap, then I will typically tub load and face lather. Croaps and soft soaps, I will typically portion out, start a lather in the bowl, and finish hydrating the lather by face lathering.

Samples usually dictate bowl lathering. To unnecessarily complicate the process this morning, I opted for starting by hand lathering, but also skipped loading the bowl altogether. This had the undesirable effect that soap doesn't stick to the palm of the hand well and large soap pieces flaked off into the lather. I managed to work the pieces back into the lather, and added more hydration while face lathering. It's not an Uno reverse, but rather a wild card.

#witchcraftswednesday
#photocontest oranges

Rating: 3.5/5

Edit: phrasing

• Brush: Van Der Hagen Boar Brush
• Razor: Parker Clip-Type Shavette Dark Sheesham Wood Handle
• Blade: Feather Hi-Stainless
• Lather: Black Ship Grooming - Siren's Song

ROTY

Day 11 - IT'S SO FLUFF

• Brush: Yaqi - Arctic brush with Caravel handle
• Razor: Karve - CB
• Blade: Astra - Green
• Lather: Abbate y L Mantia - Monet
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Marilyn
• Fragrance: House Of Mammoth - FÚ DÀO

I have a few soaps from Italy that would fit today's challenge. They all have a unique look. The texture reminds me of kids modeling foam. The shave is great. They just look different. I switch it up to tub lather today.

I was not sure how the three fragrances would mix. I was thinking of Flower POW. The Monet has strong floral notes. To add the POW, I was thinking of Marilyn and Fireworks. I am happy with the mix.

ROTY #FOF

** Lather Games Day 12** 

• Prep: Splash of warm water
• Brush: West Coast Shaving Silvertip Badger 26mm
• Razor: Van Der Hagen 85MM Safety Razor
• Blade: Bolzano Superinox
• Lather: Black Ship Grooming - Queen Anne's Revenge
• Post Shave: Nivea Men - Sensitive Balm

The lather was indeed so fluffy that I am dead.

DAY 12 LATHER GAMES! FLUFF EM UP BOYS!

• Prep: Water
• Brush: DS Cosmetics 30mm Tuxedo Knot
• Razor: Merkur Progress #DIAL
• Blade: Feather(2)
• Lather: Black Ship Grooming Co. - Hoptoberfest
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive aftershave balm
• Fragrance: Issey Miyake - Nuit d’Issey
• Beer: Primator - 24

​

PIC OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN

​

INTRO:

Like probably most of you here, or a lot, or a few(I pray for a few)! I started out with Proraso, TOBS and even went as far to get fancy and get Le Pere Lucien, still have my first metal tin of their unscented soap(funnily enough it smells of pork lard). It's ok, one thing though, that I like are their scent, LPL make simple but very well done scents, so they have at least that going for them, unlike italian soapmakes.... But after I tried my first few American artisans, my perspective changed, of course with a lot of reading and trying, one particular post turned everything around for me. READ IT AND WEEP(ALSO LEARN)

​

After learning to make a decent lather, I quickly found out how much coconut based soaps sucks compared to most of the American artisans.

​

SOAP+BEER:

I chose this particular artisan cause it goes great while having a beer, even making the lather with the beer you are drinking!(more on that a bit later)

Yes my choice(nation wise) is in contradiction to what I was saying earlier, but I did say MOST American artisans. Some still stick to the old European formulas, which are based on coconut oil. But why coconut oil? Well coconut oil is rich in Lauric fatty acids, SEE FOR YOURSELVES. Those fatty acids really help with making the lather explode and bulk up, but at the same time makes the lather aerated and dries your skin out... Coconut oil is also comedogenic, did you know that?

One other reason why I chose this soap cause it is a bit unique in the sense it has HOPS inside of it, and contrary to the coffee/tee challenge where I put actual tee inside the lather for exfoliating effect, here you can definitely feel it and it's pleasant. Scent is not that beer forwarded keeping in mind it has actual hops inside of it. They say "subtle" hints of pear. Mother duckers, that's all I get, which is not bad, makes for a fresh shave, and onto why I chose this beer!

Now the beer, oh boy this is a strong one, I'm still a bit buzzed after drinking it, it's 10.5% alcohol, whereas most beers here are around 5. I chose this one cause of the sweet caramel and fruit taste which goes great with the soap, just wish it wasn't that strong, so I could enjoy at least 2.

​

RAZOR:

Nah fuck that bruv, there are more interesting stuff...

DAILY CHALLENGE:

Reverse lather!!?!?! I'm a bowl latherer and it was very strange to use my face to lather.... I mean look for yourself.... Video of me face lathering.

I mean you guys are just weird... Face lathering... I guess different strokes for different folks

​

#FOF

I paired up Hoptoberfest with Alive cause the apple and pear just go so good together and Alive adds a lot of warmth to the whole experience! Why then Nuid d'Issey by Issey Miyake. Well cause it further elevates that warmth with adding sweetness to the mix, while it may not be noted in the scent notes, my notes interpret the leather and wood notes as sweet ones, particularly in this scent and in the end you get a nice fresh fruity start with the soap, add a bit of warmth with alive and finish it with solidifying the warmth and making it ever so sweet!

• Daily Lather Themes: 12/30
• Daily Challenges: 12/30
• Hardware Scavenger Hunt: 11/20
• Hardware Vendor Points: 1/2
• Software Vendor Points: 6/13
• Software Vendor Bonus Point: 0/1
• 30 Different Soap Brands Point: 12/30
• 30 Different Soaps On Theme Bonus Point: 12/30
• 30 Different Post-Shaves Bonus Point: 12/30
• 30 Different Fragrances Bonus Point: 12/30

Can we all please watch this video of a brush stuck onto a wall like a dildo

July 12, 2023 – LG23 Day 12: It’s So Fluffy I’m Gonna Die

• Brush: West Coast Shaving Clear Smoke Burlwood 26 mm #COMPOSITE
• Razor: Razorock German 37 Slant
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (3)
• Lather: Taconic Shave – Urban Woods
• Post Shave: Pinaud – Whiskey Woods
• Fragrance: Dior – Dior Homme – EdT

If this were any other day…

The Taconic Shave Urban Woods features coconut oil as its first ingredient, so I was very hopeful going in to today’s shave. I picked up the German 37 Slant for kicks. I always get a good shave with it, provided I have a good lather. So let’s throw caution to the wind, eh?

Daily Challenge
I now usually go back and forth between bowl and face, à la GUTL so I feel like I need to shake things up a bit. Here’s where I’m jealous of the real wetshaving wives. Had I one, I would wetshaving wife lather. But I got none, so I have to use my hand. Just go watch.

Tying it all together
Urban Woods is very woody, which is quite nice. Something else that’s urban these days are distilleries, so Whiskey Woods is a nice tie-in and very simple. Dior Homme touts Atlas Cedar “chiseled in-house at Dior” as the key heart note. This is definitely a frag I could wear frequently.

ImpressiveUser fashions scary lather skull

ImpressiveUser fashions scary lather skull

Jul. 12, 2023 - I’m not Fat, I’m just Fuffly!

• Prep: CeraVe - Hydrating Facial Cleanser

• Brush: Zenith 506U XSE unbleached boar #TEXASPIGSTINKMASSACRE #OLDWORLD

• Razor: Blackland Blackbird (SS) #CNC

• Blade: Astra Green (2)

• Lather: Abbate Y La Mantia - Fufluns

• Post Shave: Abbate Y La Mantia - Fufluns Splash

• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Shire 2 EdT

Fufluns scent is “everything sweet that comes from green” which is a great description as I have a really hard time picking out any individual scent. Instead I get just this feeling of walking outside through a vineyard or orchard, it’s not a dirty scent, but reminds me of nature in a way. Shire 2 was a great pairing of a different type of green/outdoors scent. The Fresh Air and Violets take you to a place outside but it’s not as sweet as Fufluns.

For todays theme: “Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil” is listed as the first ingredient for both the soap and splash as you can see on the linked product pages! This was my first time using ALYM products (I think, for sure the splash) and it left a little to be desired. I also had just gone swimming in a salt water pool so my skin was dry as a bone when I tried to shave. I recently got this set so will have to revisit it at some point.

Todays challenge leads me to a bit of a dilemma. You see when I first started shaving I exclusively bowl lathered but over the past 6 months or so I’ve swapped to primarily face lathering. I guess that’s what happens when you actually get some decent brushes! So to combat that dilemma I decided to face lather my right side of my face and bowl lather my left side leaving no doubt that I did the reverse of my usual!

Todays #photocontest I leaned into the #Royal theme that AYLM logo has. It’s definitely a royal looking logo so I matched that theme with my setup!

• Brush: Simpson Classic #1 synthetic brush
• Razor: Friedrich Herder Abraham Sohn 49 straight razor
• Lather: Siliski Soaps - Incense
• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Bare splash

ROTY

Did my best to face lather with my travel set up for the challenge. I usually bowl lather. Worked well enough.

This soap was kindly provided by u/chronnoisseur420 Thanks! I don't really care much for incense but one shave of fragrant dirt during my shave won't hurt me.

July. 12, 2023 - SOTD 

• Prep: Splash of warm water
• Brush: Oumo O4 Venus SHD Badger Brush 26MM
• Razor: West Coast Shaving Multi Titanium Collection Razor
• Blade: Treet Platinum
• Lather: Black Ship Grooming Co - Davy Jones
• Post Shave: Nivea Mean - Sensitive Soothing Aftershave Balm

ROTY

July 12, 2023

• Brush: Chisel & Hound V16
• Razor: Leaf Elite
• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (1)
• Lather: Martin de Candre - Original
• Post Shave: L’Occitane - L'Occitan
• Fragrance: L’Occitane - L'Occitan EdT

Ah, the French and their lavenders. I love the scent of MdC Original, and it pairs excellently with the also French, L'Occitan.

Coconut oil is the 3rd ingredient, so fluffy it is.

As for the challenge -- As a head shaver, I bowl lather. I load way too much soap because I have a seemingly never ending supply. I had a few issues with trying to 'face' lather my head, due to trying to lather too much at once and drying issues. I suppose just going back to the puck is probably the answer.

#ROTY

July 12, 2023 - It’s so fluffy

• Brush: Zenith Copper 28mm Boar
• Razor: Karve CB C Solid Bar
• Blade: Gillette Minora Stainless (1)
• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles - Un Jour Gris
• Post Shave: Catie’s Bubbles - Un Joir Gris Splash
• Fragrance: Haute Vie - Ibiza

FOF

Today’s theme:

I have just a few choices for soaps with coconut oil in the first 3 ingredients. When I read the sponsor spotlight today, my plans were changed. Luckily, I could make the call to switch my lineup without having too much shifting in the rest of the month. Coconut oil is ingredient number 3 for the soap, so it fits.

Sponsor spotlight:

I only have three soaps from Catie’s Bubbles, Un Jour Gris, La Piement de la Vie, and Saturday Morning. Not a lot in common between them, but very interesting scents for sure. I really like that their samples are 2oz. If you like it, you have a decent amount already, but didn’t commit as much cash if you don’t care for it. Saturday Morning was a blind buy out of pure nostalgia. Today’s soap I got along with the splash in a PIF. Thanks u/loudmusicboy. I need to further explore this artisan when I start buying software again.

Today’s challenge:

Reverse lathering for me is face lathering. I don’t tub load except for Tabac and hard soaps like Pre de Provence, so I scooped a largish almond sized chunk of soap and smooshed it into the bowl. I briefly soaked the boar, and loaded the soap in the brush, butas soon as I could see most of the soap was off the bottom, to the face I went. I brushed it into my face, and it was too dry. I dipped my brush into the soaking cup a few times before the lather was getting close to hydrated. The brush as I scrubbed and splayed the bristles just pumped out fluffy lather. A bit more water was worked in before I started to shave. This brush is nowhere near the size of the Moar Boar, but it can pick up a ton of soap, and hold more lather than most of my brushes. This soap makes a lot of lather from a small amount, and rinses off very clean. I barely had to rinse out the brush before the water was coming out clean.

Today’s fragrance:

Today’s soap may be themed after a gray day, but the scent is clean, a bit citrusy, and with sandalwood and spice. It seems fairly aquatic to me, so I got out the sample perfume I was going to use yesterday. Haute Vie - Ibiza is a sample I got recently with a purchase. It has a bit of an island theme. Didn’t have the scent description handy, so my first sniff of the sample I got a citrusy wood note. After I already used it, I found a description of the notes, and was surprised that I didn’t see any citrus, but the first listed was a pine scent. I’ve read some descriptions of pine scents as being a little citrusy, so I guess that makes sense. A lot of different wood notes including cypress and cedar to go with the pine. My sample is in a little vial, so I didn’t get a lot out compared to a spray. The scent has faded some already. Altogether, I think the scents played well together. There was a lot of menthol in the splash, but the menthol scent faded quickly. I would have liked a stronger hit of citrus, but no complaints about the combo today.

Haiku 12:

Coconut does make,

Such a bright, fluffy lather,

An abundant foam.

July 12, 2023 – IT’S SO FLUFFY I’M GONNA DIE

• Brush: Omega 10049 #HOLLOW #TOLL
• Razor: German WWI Travel Razor #UNICORN #JETSETTER
• Blade: Wizamet (7)
• Lather: Black Ship Grooming – Grace O’ Malley
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Santa Noir
• Fragrance: Crabtree & Evelyn – Sandalwood

Challenge: I lathered in my Captain’s Choice bowl.

I bought this razor for the hashtags. The ebay listing called it simply German WWI Travel Razor. There’s no branding on the razor or the travel case. The only markings on the razor is “Made In Germany” on the bottom of the base plate. This razor is terrible. It’s far too mild. There’s virtually no blade exposure. The shape of the head creates a very narrow window for the blade and doesn’t feel like it’s at the best angle.

Coconut oil is the first ingredient in Blackship Grooming's soap. Smelling the sample of Grace O’Malley, I got lots of sandalwood. So, I chose to use sandalwood as the common link between my fragrances today. Once lathered, Grace O’Malley becomes powdery. It never gets more defined than powdery sandalwood. I don’t see what this has to do with Ireland or piracy. I wish they had been bolder and made a soap that smells like corned beef.

Santa Noir is a riff on the very limited collaboration between House of Mammoth and Australian private Reserve, Santal Noir. While I haven’t had the privilege of smelling Santal Noir, this fragrance bears similarity to two other sandalwood focused creations from House of Mammoth, Sandalorian, and Cerberus. The sandalwood is creamy and is complemented by tropical fruits. The Santa aspect comes in the forum of evergreen Christmas tree notes like pine needles and fir.

Every Lather Games since my first, I’ve acquired something new thinking it would be useful for next year, only for that theme to be removed from the calendar. Last year, my family was cleaning out my grandmother’s house after she passed, and I found a few shaving items I thought I’d be able to use for Father’s Day, only for the games to be in July.

One of those items was this bottle of Crabtree & Evelyn Sandalwood cologne. The fragrance is a dry sandalwood combined with amber. It’s not particularly complex. It’s a no frills masculine fragrance for the kind of person who likes to keep things simple. It smells nice.

#FOF

12 July 2023 Complementary Non Dickkhole Caties Bubbles Revolutions

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Ebony 28mm SHD Badger Fan
• Razor: Razorock Lupo SS 0.95
• Blade: Gillette 7 O Clock (30)
• Lather: Caties Bubbles - Revolutions (18)
• Post Shave: Arianna & Evans - Vetiver Magnifique A/S
• Post Shave: Thayer's Concoction
• Post Shave: Cold River Soapworks - Sandalwood Post Shave Lotion
• Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co - Project Lawnsdale Balm
• Fragrance: Olympic Orchids - Woodcut

Love CB soaps. His base has only been getting better leading to a crack thrill revival. His scents have never disappointed.

Cheers

July 12, 2023

• Brush: AP Shave Co. 26mm G5C
• Razor: Blackland Razors Vector
• Blade: Kai Captain Titan Mild (AC) (9)
• Lather: Abbate y La Mantia – Laureato
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

AyLM was the easy choice for me today for coconut oil. I used this sample of Laureato for the first time today. Every time I try a new scent from them I immediately tell myself this is my new favorite from them. Sadly this is the first one that didn’t unseat a prior (Isaaco holding strong), but it is still amazing. The whole shave smelled like coca cola. Paired with Dammusi it’s like I’m walking through the woods drinking a coke with fresh orange slices. I’m in scent heaven right now.

I normally bowl lather these really soft soaps, so for the daily challenge I face lathered. This was, by far, the messiest lather I’ve ever been a part of. It was everywhere. Ended up with my best lather from one of these AyLM samples though. Turns out when you get enough water things get messy.

Healthy Activity of the Day: Got another 4 miles in today. Even at 7pm it was still 97F with a 103 heat index. So needless to say I’m pretty beat. Looking forward to tomorrow’s ride. LG Mileage: 31 miles

Tags: #ROTY

July 12, 2023 – It’s So Fluffy I’m Gonna Die

• Brush: Edwin Jagger Silvertip Badger
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird Ti
• Blade: Astra SP (3)
• Lather: Razor Emporium - Fireside
• Post Shave: HAGS – Eulogy

I don’t really look at the ingredients of shave soaps too often. I generally don’t care what’s in them as long as they work well, except for today.

The Soap/Lather: This soap surprised me in terms of both scent and performance. I like the smoky fire and bourbon smell and that’s a good thing as I had to slather it on this morning. I normally bowl lather, but todays challenge had me doing a face lather. Unfortunately I only have a small sampling of the soap so in order to not disqualify myself from the daily challenge I smeared soap on my face and used it as the loading zone for my brush. It lathered up pretty well, but I’m quite glad no one was up at my house to see my do it.

The Shave: The soap provided a decent slickness and cushion for a nice smooth shave.

Theme: Today’s theme was all related to ingredients, and in that Fireside nails it. The third ingredient is in fact coconut oil. Since none of my aftershaves contain coconut oil I had to get a little more creative. I opted for HAGS Eulogy to continue the coconut theme with its black coconut scent. The combination of the two has me smelling like a tourist at a Hawaiian luau. Not sure that that’s a good thing though.

Challenge: Reversed my lather routine and face lathered .

#ROTY

Wednesday, the 12th of July, 2023

• Brush: Yaqi 26mm Tuxedo
• Razor: Gillette English "flat bottom" Tech
• Blade: Topaz Platinum (68)
• Lather: The Goodfellas' Smile - Savage
• Post shave: Siliski Soaps - Simple Skincare face cream
• Fragrance: Stirling Soap Company - Boat Drinks

The Goodfellas' Smile "Savage" shaving soap, in their AJ-1 vegetable formula, has the ingredients:

Aqua, stearic acid, cocos nucifera oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Parfum, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene, Alpha-Hexylcinnamaldehyde, p-tert-butyl-alpha-methylrocyl

It just comes in as #3 in this list, but cocos nucifera is indeed the coconut tree. And the lather did indeed whip up into a very fluffy mix today.

You know what else has coconut (extract)? This Siliski face cream. Although it's a lot lower in the list of ingredients; here the cocos nucifera fruit extract is #13, following such things as polyglyceryl-6 distearate, niacinamide, caffeine, and more.

You know what else has coconut (or at least a few molecules to recreate elements of the scent)? Boat Drinks, the perfume: the notes are banana, coconut, rum, frangipani, and tangerine.

And dang, but I wish I hadn't forgotten about the challenge during the shave.

• Brush: Zenith B28 #OLDWORLD #HOLLOW
• Razor: Merkur 39C Sledgehammer slant
• Blade: Gillette King C
• Shave Soap: Black Ship - Grace O’Malley shave soap
• Post Shave: Pinaud - Clubman aftershave splash
• Fragrance: Creed - Green Irish Tweed
• Song: Dropkick Murphy’s Bar Room Hero

I kind of blended the whole mess of today’s challenge with tomorrow’s when I read things quickly earlier. Kids, learn to read in advance.

I also realized I can’t count when editing my Imgur album.

I also realized my brush was hollow - whoops.

I do not regret it as I chose the components for Bar Room Hero. This soap base used to seem a lot more drying to me- perhaps bowl lathering forced me to use more hydration than otherwise, but I got a really nice shave.

shave

July 12, 2023 – LG 12: It’s so Fluffy I’m Gonna Die

• Brush: Hucklaration B9B #SHD
• Razor: CJB Kamisori Shavette #KAMISORI
• Blade: Feather ProGuard (AC) (4)
• Lather: Proraso – Menthol and Eucalyptus
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Northern Elixir
• Fragrance: Imaginary Authors – Saint Julep

I’m guilty of using crap soap (probably like many here) for years before stumbling upon this sub a few years ago. Probably used conk and AoS for about 7-8 years, then went down the habit hike into artisan territory a few years ago. That said, it also means a skipped over a bunch of stuff like proraso, Williams, arko, cella etc. So, like the diehards over at W_E, I had to scoop some proraso when I saw it on the clearance rack at Marshall’s or TJ Maxx.

Todays #FOF revolved around mint, and a heavy dose of eucalyptus. Both feature prominently in the soap and NO elixir splash. The proraso is actually quite mellow, and being menthol based surprisingly not to synthetic smelling for lack of a better word. It’s a subdued mint, and light eucalyptus. The latter lacking a lot of the potency and earthiness I often whiff when hiking in the nearby foothills of my house. Elixir on the other hand is stronger both scent wise and in cooling power. A blast of peppermint, eucalyptus, and herbaceous lavender fade to some cedar underneath. The cooling lasts I’d say a solid 15+min. Saint Julep is also refreshingly minty, model after the mint julep beverage. I followed this recipe today to drink after my shave, with the bitters because I’m sophisticated. Hence todays #PHOTOCONTEST (drinks). The Saint julep is bright, minty green, quite sweet, with subtly boozy whiskey. I think the sugar smell is one of the most closely matched to actual sugar I’ve come across in a fragrance. A hint of tangerine citrus in the back ground. That said, the sillage and longevity is short lived, did not develop a ton during the day, and probably only gave me ~3 hours on this rather warm day.

BOWL LATHERING SUCKS!, face gang rise up! Also, I’m useless with a kamisori and I think my cheap one isn’t functioning correctly and the blade can basically just fall out now. That said, it’s me, hi, I’m the problem it’s me

soap brands 12/30, post shave 12/30, frag 12/30, post/frag linked 12/30, software sponsors 6/15, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 6/15, brush hashtags 7/15, photo contest 12/30, daily challenges 10/25, special challenges 2/5

July 12, 2023 IT'S SO FLUFFY I'M GONNA DIE

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Omega Pro 48 #HOLLOW
• Razor: Schick Krona Black Handle DE #UNICORN
• Blade: Voskhod (5)
• Lather: Black Ship Grooming - Classic
• Post Shave: Old Spice Classic
• Fragrance: Old Spice Classic EDC

Black Ship was one of the first artisans I tried when I started wetshaving. To this day I still get mixed results, but if I really take my time and focus I can get a pretty good lather from it. I tied the software together by using Old Spice aftershave and fragrance since Classis is a dupe of Old Spice. Honestly, I wish there was someone who told me how good Old Spice was. Maybe someone should do a whole series on comparing the dupes of Old Spice out there as I'm sure there are a bunch. If there was such a thing after today I'm sure I would really enjoy the series.

Challenge - When I first started wetshaving I didn't see the appeal of face lathering and was a strict bowl latherer. As time went on I became more of a hybrid latherer and was that way until August of last year with the Raw Hoggin challenge. Since then I have almost strictly face lathered simply because it saved me a couple minutes. To lather the occasional sample I would revert back to the bowl, but not enough to consider being a full bowl latherer. All that to say that for the challenge this morning I broke out the trusty bowl again and man was it great. I certainly get better lathers in a bowl, but do appreciate the couple minutes I save with face lathering. If only someone knew of a lathering technique that incorporated both.

Player muses about the unfortunate lack of Old Spice reviews and overly elaborate face/bowl hybrid lather methods in our community

Jul. 12, 2023
Brush: AP Shave Co G5C
Razor: Karve CB
Blade: Astra SP Green
Lather: Razor Emporium - Element 47 - Soap
Post Shave:* Nivea - Post Shave Balm - Balm

Bowl lathering seems silly and my lather was cold by the time I was done. Very fluffy though lol

https://imgur.com/a/csE6YOi

**July 12, 2023 – Month of Lather Day 12

• Brush: DS Cosmetics Carrot handle w/ 26mm 2-band Badger + Synthetic mixed knot
• Razor: Weber PH w/ Classic handle
• Blade: Gillette Perma-Sharp (4)
• Preshave: Stirling Soap Co. – Unscented
• Lather: Black Ship Grooming Co. - Davy Jones
• Post Shave: Black Ship Grooming Co. - Davy Jones Splash
• Post Shave: Zingari Man – Unscented Balm
• Music: The Danish National Symphony Orchestra - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Daily Theme: BSG's original soap base (of which today's soap uses) consists of Coconut oil, Shea Butter, Stearic Acid, Water, Potassium Hydroxide, Glycerin.

Daily Challenge: I tub loaded/face lathered for decades before switching last year to Precision Loading/bowl lathering to better deal with samples and (to paraphrase u/itchypooter) my face lathering technique sucked. I haven't tub loaded/face lathered in 2023 so for the Reverse Lather challenge, tub loading/face lathering it is!

The Shave: Today's shave was a mixed bag. The Good - BFG's Davy Jones scent is fantastic (to me). The splash carries it well. I could see this becoming a daily driver. The ~~Bad~~ Not So Good - as mentioned by u/Ramjet615 in his LG SPTD for today, BSG's original soap base is "meh". Whether bowl or face lathering I find the lather offers at best average protection (razor burn after one WTG pass is never a good sign). It appears that BSG recognized this since they have upgraded to their Kaito base which is "thicker" and "slicker". The Ugly (in a good way!) - I used Michael Freedburg's Wet Method of tub loading/face lathering and fluffy lather was flying everywhere. I'm going to need a fire hose and squeegee to clean up the foamy mess! #ROTY

July 12, 2023

• Brush: Ap Shave Co Synbad 24mm
• Razor: Schick Injector Type I1
• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles – A Midnight Dreary

Boys I’m fading, 12 days in and I’m fading. It’s been a long week of travel and I’m finally home. I’m feeling like the song Fluffy by Ween while I finish my evening fluffing it up with todays most appropriate sponsor Catie’s Bubbles.

I am a normally a face latherer and really that’s all I wanted to do with my fluffiest of knots, the Synbad, I here I go jumping through another hoop, poorly attempting to hand lather. How am I so bad at it lol. But with CB’s I made some orchidy clouds that’s took off my stubble. Two passes. CB’s splash is tied with Chicago grooming cos splash for how good it makes my face feel, especially when I’m tiring of this competition. Hopefully tomorrow renewed energy.

July 12, 2023 – The Winnie The Pooh Shave  

• Brush: Stirling Synthetic  
• Razor: Maggard V3  
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue   
• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles – ’95 Liquid Labels  

It’s Catie’s Bubbles. It’s today’s featured artisan for a reason.

Challenge: well, I both leg lather AND bowl lather. Legs are too much surface area to lather all at once. You will dry out.

Normally I shave in the shower. I directly load my brush to put a pasty proto-lather on, then whip up a soap soup runny lather in a bowl and finish the process with a leg lather as I approach each section.

But today is not that day. Today, we have to do the opposite. Today we get weird.

I shaved at the sink so it was a Winnie the Pooh situation. Since I couldnt leg or bowl lather, and because of the aforementioned pants-less-ness I couldn’t go get a plate, so I went for the counter lather.

Now the problem is the volume of lather I need for legs. I couldn’t just lay out a large enough puddle of perfect lather in the space I had. So I built my own bowl of dryish lather up, and created a little lake inside of that. This way I was able to dip my brush in the wet, pick up a little bit of the denser lather and slap it all on my leg for a decent texture. All while standing like a flamingo with one foot in the sink.

Edit: formatting

Player creates all-new lather method to tackle the day's challenge.

July 12, 2023 * Brush: Maggard 28mm Boar * Razor: Blackland Blackbird Lite * Blade: Gillette Nacet * Lather: Wholly Kaw - Dulci Tobacco - Cream * Post Shave: Wholly Kaw - Dulci Tobacco - Aftershave * Fragrance: Viktor & Rolf - Spicebomb - EdT

Look at the #1 ingredient on cocoDEEZnuts day. What an excellent base. I'll definitely be seeking out additional scent in Wholly Kaw's shaving cream base. This, unsurprisingly, is a very sweet tobacco scent. I found it to pair excellently with Spicebomb. Maybe a little better suited for cooler weather, but I'm not complaining one bit.

I'm actually glad that I had to bowl lather this today. I feel like I would have overloaded way too much soap had I tub lathered. This cream is EXTREMELY soft. when it arrive it was all over the inside of the containers and I had to scrape it down. It's literally so fluffy.

July 12, 2023 – Lather Games: Day 12

Brush: Yaqi Synthetic

Razor: Karve Overlander

Blade: Gillette Nacet

Lather: Catie’s Bubbles – Connecticut Shade

Post Shave: Catie’s Bubbles – Connecticut Shade

Connecticut Shade was one of the first soaps I bought when I started wet shaving. I had read about it on a some website that stated Catie’s Bubbles was a top tier brand. I was not disappointed. The lather was creamy and slick, and it smelled great. I still find it to be top tier, but now the competition is much fiercer.

Yo meet today’s challenge, I lathered the soap on my face instead of in a bowl. I also applied it with my left hand. The result was an under performing mess on my face. At first it wasn’t wet enough, but I added too much water to compensate. I then tried adding more soap, but this put me almost to square one. I finally said screw it, and just finished shaving. I’ve had better days shaving.