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

• 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

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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 – 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.

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

• 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

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

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

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

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

**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