Day 1

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts – Svolaer 2023 LG Prize #COMPOSITE #FRANKENBRUSH
• Razor: Maggard Razors Shavette
• Blade: Half of a Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Jordan’s – Lime
• Post Shave: Henri et Victoria - Lime
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux - 1904

A month or two ago, Jordan’s Soap offered a sample pack of their stuff for like $3, so I obviously took them up on it. And shortly after the 3ish weeks it took to get to me, the Lather Games announcement happened and I just knew I had to hold off on using any of that Jordan’s pack until today. The soap itself was… Fine. Nothing special. Today was my first time ever using a shavette, so I wish I used a better soap for this. I’ll have to try the shavette again, later in the games, using a higher quality soap, because I did not really love today’s shave. I’ve used a straight razor before and I was thinking the shavette would be similar. And it is, but actually not. It wasn’t nearly as enjoyable as a straight. Off the samples, the all of Jordan’s soaps smell very sweet and the lime scent was actually enjoyable. But I don't think I'll be buying a tub of Jordans anytime soon. There are many companies out there who make products that I enjoy much, much more than I enjoyed this.

Plus, I’m honestly not sure I trust this company. On their DNP post advertising the sample pack, a brand new reddit account, u/Aggravating_Mud_9954, made its first comment EVER to announce to the world they just bought 3 tubs. The only comment this account made since then was about Canadian coins. Is it a good time to mention Jordan’s is a Canadian company? 👀

This whole company strikes me as someone who just discovered wetshaving, saw the swimming pools of money a lot of the top artisans are swimming in, and decided to try it on their own before learning the ins and outs of soapmaking, scent profiles, or the wetshaving hobby itself.

It’s bad when on Jordan’s own website FAQs, under “Why Choose Jordan’s?”, the answer is “Our products actually work.” Ummm… Hey Jordan – this is your time to differentiate your product from the zillions of shaving soaps out there! If your biggest selling point is that your shaving soap is a shaving soap, we have problems. The way you put “Our product actually works” as the biggest selling point makes it seem like even you are surprised it works. When in reality, the biggest surprise will be if this company is around long enough to make it to see the 2025 Lather Games.

For #FOF, the lime scented splash was clearly the move with lime soap, and for the fragrance, I chose Chatillon Lux 1904, which features a nice lime note. With all of today’s lime, scurvy doesn’t stand a chance with me.

Between the lime, and the saltiness I have toward Jordan’s, we’re just a shot of Tequila away from a tasty margarita!

photocontest theme is: Trash

imhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5: In honour of “Bonjour Lather Games!”… The Top 5 most fun sounding greetings in languages other than English:

1. Ciao bella! (Italian) – Something about it just sounds romantic!
2. Namaste. (Hindi) – You going out tonight? Namaste at home instead.
3. Sorrey! (Canadian) – Thanks how Canucks say hello, right?
4. Konnichiwa! (Japanese) – Upbeat and cheery!
5. Jambo! (Swahili) – Impossible not to smile if someone greets you with a Jambo!

Day 2

• Brush: Frank Shaving – Silvertip Synthetic 20mm #FAUXFUR #RUNT
• Razor: Gillette Executive Fatboy #ADJUSTABLE
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Captain’s Choice – Bay Rum Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. – Bay Rum Splash
• Fragrance: Paco Rabanne - 1 Million Eau de Toilette

Bay Rum is one of those scents that there seems like damn near every artisan makes one. Kinda like Barbershop scents. But unlike Barbershops, I enjoy trying Bay Rums! It seems like there’s a lot more variety in Bay Rum scents than Barbershops.

Plus, Bay Rums have the distinction of being tied to Pirates… And who doesn’t like Pirates?? Okay, besides Captain Phillips’ crew and people living the Caribbean in the 1700s?

Sidenote – Pirates were basically the terrorists of the 1700s, but pop culture has turned them into family cartoon characters, when in real life they were pillaging and doing other bad things to anyone and everyone. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. But I’m not saying it’s a good either. Just saying it’s weird.

I got curious about the history of Bay Rum, as a scent, and this is pretty much what I found: Once upon a time, in the 1500s, Sailors stunk. Like smelled so bad they would rub Bay Leaves on all over themselves. And obviously Rum was plentiful on these ships, so they started steeping the bay leaves in rum as a way to extract the essential oils from the leaves. What they created smelled so oddly fantastic that the sailors immediately knew they had stumbled upon an aromatic elixir like nothing that ever existed before. They started dunking everything in rum and bay leaves—dogs, laundry, even grumpy grandpas. Pretty soon, the whole ship smelled like a boozy forest, and when they arrived at port, the locals ladies wanted them and the local men wanted to be them. Everyone was convinced these sailors had found the secret to eternal charm and questionable sobriety.

Word of this newfound scent traveled far and wide, attracting curious tourists and pirates alike, who hoped a splash of bay rum would make them irresistible. The concoction became so popular that sailors began smuggling barrels of it instead of gold. By the time anyone realized that bay rum wasn't a magical love potion, it was too late—people were hooked. From grizzled seafarers to fancy city folk, everyone wanted to smell like a tipsy tropical paradise. Thus, bay rum became a legend that we celebrated today.

Anyways, Captain’s Choice Bay Rum is alright – it’s no B&M or Mike’s. Doubt I’d pick up a full tub of this, but it gets the job done for today.

As far as #FOF is concerned: I love Bay Rum Scents and 1 Million plays very well with Bay Rum soap and splash. It’s spicy with leather. And I’m pretty sure wearing leather was part of being a badass pirate, so I imagine I’m shaving and smelling like a well-groomed pirate today! Were there well-groomed pirates? Or is that like saying “good looking wetshaving hobbyist”?

Challenge: u/Priusaurus was like the first one to send me smooshes in this sub and really made me feel welcome during my first games last year. He sent a couple smooshes my way this year too. He’s a good guy and great figurehead of this sub. To honor him, I have 10 questions for you, Priusaurus!

1. A/S/L?
2. Favorite Ice Cream Flavor?
3. Pick a number between 58 and 921?
4. What’s it like being the only former winner competing this year?
5. Do you think you’re the favorite to win this year?
6. Who’s your favorite WWE wrestler of all time?
7. If animals could talk, which do you think would be the rudest?
8. Do I owe you royalties for doing a daily numbered series this year?
9. What’s your favorite fun fact?
10. Who’s getting a Spite Shave this year?

imhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Ahoy Lather Games!”… The Top 5 best Pirates of all time:

5) Blackbeard – Like Cher or Madonna, he only needs one name and everyone knows who he is.

4) Anne Bonny – Broke the glass ceiling and proved women can be pirates too!

3) Long John Silver – Even has a restaurant named after him!

2) Capt Hook – His entire life’s was dedicated to feuding with a boy that doesn’t grow up and he clearly felt some kind of way about that.

1) Capt Jack Sparrow – Quite possibly the worst pirate you’ve ever heard of, but you have heard of him!

For #photocontest: black and white

Day 3

• Brush: DS Cosmetic – 26mm Horse #HORSEASS
• Razor: Blackland - Sabre #CNC #MODERNGEM
• Blade: GEM PTFE
• Lather: Chicago Grooming Co. – Wayoh Soap
• Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co. – Wayoh Splash
• Fragrance: Azzaro - The Most Wanted EdP

Boom Boom Boom - now let me here you say way-ooh – WAYOH!!!!

Boom Boom Boom - now let’s shave with WAYOH – WAYOH!!!!

Made with duck fat all the way, I could shave with this all day Maybe with a different brush cause this horse one really sucks Scratchy getting tangled too – For the hashtag, no thank you Used a modern gem today, cuts those whiskers every way

Shave shave shave – now let’s shave with WAYOH – WAYOH!!!!

.#FOF – Wayoh is a woody-spicy dupe of Spicebomb by Viktor and Rolf, so I used Azzaro’s the Most Wanted, which is also woody-spicy. Wayoh is more cinnamon and leathery and smells warmer, while the frag is more like vanilla and spices. The two scents complimented each other nicely, but not really the best combination for a day like today. An 80 degreee summer day is too hot for this, as the smell makes me feel like I should be sipping mulled apple cider. Either way, this would be a great combination for Oct/Nov.

Challenge: I have never used Osma or any other alum, for that matter. And honestly, never plan to. My shave routine is great as it is and I don’t think any amount of rubbing a salt block on my face would change that.

.#photocontest: Onion

imhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Where’s the Beef?”… The Top 5 Best Ad Campaigns of all time:
5) Pepsi, The Pepsi Challenge – If we add more sugar to the sugary drink America loves, they’ll love the extra sugary version even more!
4) American Express, Don’t leave home without it – Can you imagine how embarrassing it would be to NOT buy something? Grow up and get an Amex!
3) Milk, Got Milk? – Drinking the product of a lactating bovine is the best way to be successful.
2) Nike, Just Do It – Consequences be damned, live for the now!
1) DeBeers, A Diamond is Forever – Successfully convinced a population that your marriage doesn’t mean a thing if you don’t have a rock in which they control a monopoly of and artificially create scarcity in inflate the price.

Day 4
Brush: DS Cosmetic – 24mm Boar/Badger #MISTURA * Razor: Gem G-Bar #FLIPTOP * Blade: GEM PTFE * Lather: Eleven Shaving - Sicilian Lemon Soap * Post Shave: Eleven Shaving - Sicilian Lemon Splash * Fragrance:* House of Mammoth – Sonder EdP

Is there anything sadder than a single scent note? Especially as it gets older and sees other scent notes around it pairing off and starting their own complex fragrance structures. And there, Eleven’s Sicilian Lemon is still single. Sure, it was probably fun for Sicilian Lemon for a while – not tied down to anything and can live its own life. Lemon probably tells himself he’s happier being free to be himself. His life isn’t predictable like a lot of the other wetshaving scents out there. He can go ride with anyone at any time! Then he starts to hear it from family, “When are you going to settle down and find a nice scent for yourself?” and “You know, I saw Seville down at the store the other day! He appears to be doing well – found himself bergamot, lavender, oakmoss, patchouli, AND rosemary – don’t you know… It’d be nice if you give me scent notes like that!”

Sicilian Lemon just rolls his eyes and bites his tongue, just barely muttering out, “I’m trying mom, but it’s not easy. Pairing with fragrances is a lot harder than you and dad came together and made Arko… I’m trying.”

And at that point, I thought to myself, to be truly happy, shouldn’t Sicilian Lemon find a life partner? Mustn’t it be sad to be a single scent note in a world of complex fragrances? So that’s what I set out to do! I arranged a series of dates to take Sicilian Lemon out on, hoping he could find someone to pair with.

First I put him with a lime, but the lime was a little too… similar. Kinda like dating your cousin.

Then I tried a red pepper, but while claiming to be sweet, the pepper was a bit too… Bland.

Since that didn’t work, I though Red Pepper Flakes could be hot, but it ended up being too… Spicy.

I tried pairing Sicilian Lemon with an Onion, but it just cried and cried and cried.

Then, I thought, maybe a little lemon on lemon action would be nice… But, as it turns out, Sicilian Lemon doesn’t swing that way.

It was around this point, I started to think that this might be hopeless after all. And then it hit me: Maybe this Sicilian Lemon is perfectly happy being single. Deep down, everyone wants to love and be loved in return, but that doesn’t mean Sicilian Lemon isn’t loved – it just means Sicilian Lemon isn’t gonna settle for just anything! And if Sicilian Lemon just stays Sicilian Lemon, that’s okay. And Sicilian Lemon can live a happy, fulfilled, loving life while remaining single. And that’s okay. We don’t need to harp on it or put Sicilian Lemon down or pressure him. Just let Sicilian Lemon live his life!

The lemony scent of the soap and splash is actually deliciously simple and very good. So that’s why I decided to finish my #FOF journey off with a more complex lemon scent – Sonder. The final flourish to this lemon day is here to elevate my base of lemon to new heights. Sonder is a complex, intriguing scent – it starts with a fresh, slightly sweet opening, then evolves into something deeper. There’s a hint of warmth, a touch of spice, and an underlying sophistication that makes it truly unforgettable. It’s like walking through a vibrant marketplace filled with citrus fruits and spices, all while being perfectly elegant.

Challenge I heard some of those old B&M bases were 🔥, but I never tried them. I think I miss the scents of companies like APR, MLS, and Dr. Jon’s more than I miss their bases. My favorite bases are probably Darkwing by Chicago Grooming Co or Catie’s Bubbles Premium Base.

The #photocontest category is: Time

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “K.I.S.S.” The Top 5 Worst Kisses of all time:

5) Eurotrip – A couple siblings drinking on Absinthe make out in Germany. The Empire Strikes Back walked so Eurotrip could run.

4) Spiderman’s upside kiss – Ever tried to kiss someone upside down, while the blood is rushing to your head and rain is pouring into your nose? Me neither, but it can’t be enjoyable!

3) Snow White– Prince stumbles upon an unconscious princess laying in the woods and his first reaction is to stick his tongue down her throat? WTF dude???

2) The V-J Day Kiss – Did she even consent? HELL NO SHE DIDN’T!! But… It was a different time, so no one really cared to ask.

And the number 1, worst kiss of all time is:

1) Lady and the Tramp – Munching down pasta and making out only works in cartoons. Trust me on this.

Day 5

• Brush: Semogue Owners Club – 24mm Boar #OLDWORLD
• Razor: Schick Injector #RAINBOW
• Blade: Ted Pella Injector Blade
• Lather: Nivea – Sensitive Skin Shave Gel
• Post Shave: Nivea – Sensitive Skin Post Shave Balm
• Fragrance: Lacoste – Eau de Lacoste L.12.12 Bleu

Why do the judges continue to include this theme year after year? Is it their way to make sure we never go back to the store bought goo? Like letting an indoor cat go outside once a year. Knowing full well, the cat absolutely hates everything about the outside, but you do it so the cat never tries to escape again? Giving us this illusion of freedom, knowing full well, after we experience shaving with this, no one is going to be scratching at the door, trying to get out. Is this your way of keeping us in line?? Well – It worked!

I’m a housecat through and through and I’m not trying to leave this artisinally crafted house of shaving tubs I’ve amassed. I like what I have and yet I’m using these Nivea products for points in an internet shaving game. What a time to be alive!

At the end of the day, Canned Goo Lather Games Day is like the Nickelback of The Lather Games – sure, it gets stuck in your head and it’s something we all remember, but for all the wrong reasons. And you know what’s worse than just using canned goo? Bowl Lathering with this stuff! I usually face lather, which means I'm doing a bowl today. Which judge thought this would be good idea??? I want names! This stuff is a challenge to use on its own, then we add in bowl lathering?!??? JEEEEZUS. What the judges want, the judges get. I bowl lathered my Nivea Shave Gel, and shockingly, it didn’t do much to make the shave better. I did experiment by adding a little more water to the lather, but that just made more of a mess everywhere. This stuff sucks. Suck. Suck. Suck. Suck. Sucks.

For #FOF All these smells are mostly inoffensive, generic, and forgettable. The shave gel scent actually comes across as artificial, but the balm is lightly scented and fine. And The Lacoste Bleu isn’t bad, but it’s not anything special either. It’s a basic department store fragrance. Certainly not bad and I’ve smelled far, far, far worse scents in this hobby, but as a fragrance, it is as generic as they come. So… It’s perfect for the gel and balm I used!

The #photocontest theme is: DIY, so I included a screwdriver in the picture.

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Canned Shave Goop” The Top 5 Best Slimes of All Time:

5.) Double-Dare – Nothing like sliding around in slime with your little brother for a chance to win a new Huffy.

4.) Ghostbuster’s II Pink Slime – Absolutely haunted my childhood ~~dreams~~ nightmares. Was pretty cool it could make a toaster dance though.

3.) TMNT Ooze – The Ninja Turtles wouldn’t exist with the Ooze. Also gave Vanilla Ice a much-appreciated Cameo. Go Ninja! Go Ninja! Go!

2.) Ghostbuster’s Slimer – A fun loving ghost who only wanted to shower his slime on people.

1.) You can’t do that on Television – Ushered in an era of sliming on Nickelodeon, as well as introduced the world to Alanis Morissette. If you say “I don’t know,” you’re gonna get galloons of green oatmeal dumped on your head. I’m convinced without YCDTOTV, none of these other Slimes exist.

Day 6

• Brush: AP Shave Co Complete Brush - AP400B -20mm - Gelousy Badger #RESURRECTIONBRUSH #SHD #RUNT
• Razor: Valet Autostrop - VC1 #RUSTYBUTTRUSTY
• Blade: Feather FHS
• Lather: Catie's Bubbles - Irish Coffee Soap
• Post Shave: Apex Alchemy – Morning Glory Splash
• Fragrance: Gentleman's Nod – Sidama EdP

Inspired by a drink? Got it! Quite perhaps the greatest combination man has ever put forth: Mixing coffee and alcohol! And this morning is a fine morning smear some drinks on my face and pretend it’s socially acceptable. Today’s shave is brought to you by the finest beverage-inspired grooming products, because who doesn’t want their bathroom to smell like bar on the morning of Saint Patrick’s Day?

Nothing says "I need to wake up" like slathering a soap on your face that smells like the Irish breakfast of champions. The rich aroma of coffee with a splash of whiskey had me half expecting a hangover by the time I was done lathering. The only thing missing was a side of regret and bad decisions. But hey, at least my face smells like it’s ready for a productive day of pretending to work. For my splash, was Morning Glory from Apex Alchemy. No alcohol scent notes in this one – just sweetened coffee. Not a bad idea to pump the breaks on the booze scented products during the shave. This splash it definitely smells like the coffee you’d order to sober up a little from the Irish Coffee you just downed in less than 8 seconds. All without the judgmental stares from the waiter after he sees you pour something from your flask into the black coffee he just brought to you 3 mins ago… Or so I’ve heard…

Finally, we top off this boozy brunch with Sidama EdP, inspired by Ethiopian coffee. It’s the cologne for the discerning gentleman who wants to smell like he’s just stepped out of a high-end coffee shop, but still needs a little bit of rum to keep him going. The rich, earthy scent pairs perfectly with the Irish Coffee soap and Morning Glory splash, creating an #FOF olfactory experience that says, "I have refined tastes, a caffeine addiction, and quite possibly a drinking problem."

So, there you have it. My shave today is a tribute to all things drinkable. I may smell like a walking cocktail, but at least I’m one step closer to making it through the day without actually needing a drink. Cheers to that!

Challenge: As much as I’d like to show my face to the people out there, I actually better not because of the type of work I do. If a goofy video of me shaving got out, it would be great for my career. Which is weird to say, because it’s stupid, but the firm I work for has pretty strict guidelines about publicly facing internet posts. So instead, I’ll tell you who my favorite wettuber is. I actually asked this question when I was first getting going and Michael Freedberg is a great one to watch. HD Shaves is good too. Anyone but Subie Shaves – That guy is brutal to watch. I like people who aren’t over the top or fake excited, which is all too common in youtube. Freedberg and HD seem like real dudes who are there, talking to a friend. And I like that.

The #photocontest theme of the day is: Sugar and Sweets!

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Thirsty Thursday” The Top 5 Best Drinks to Order at a Bar:

5.) Beer – Especially if the bar is crowded. Don’t be the person to order a drink that takes a bartender 8 minutes to muddle, mix, shake, and pour.

4.) Moscow Mule – Mules seem to be the IPA of the mixed drink world, in that they are everywhere and people that order then tend to be insufferable, but they are delicious... And popular for a reason.

3.) Dark ‘n Stormy – Simple, yet deliciously complex.

2.) White Russian – The Dude abides.

1.) Jameson and Ginger Ale – Simple enough that bartenders won’t hate you, but sophisticated enough to show you mean business, and go down easy enough that you can drink 18 of them.

Day 7

• Brush: Yaqi – 20mm Badger #SMOLL #WEDONTNEEDNOSTINKINGBADGERS
• Razor: Gem 1912 #TWINS #FLIPTOP
• Razor: Star 1912
• Blade: GEM PTFE
• Lather: Shannon's Soaps – Vetiver Soap
• Post Shave: Dr. Jon's - Rose of Phrygia Splash
• Fragrance: Givenchy - Gentleman Society EdP

Vetiver: For when you want to smell like dirt!

First up, Shannon's Soaps – Vetiver. Let me tell you, this soap packs a punch. It's like scrubbing your face with a forest floor. It's rugged, it's earthy, gritty, and just a tad bit reminiscent going camping in the woods. Ever want to pretend like your shaving with mud, and not shaving soap? Because this is it. It actually lathered up nicely and provides a nice shave, so maybe smelling like Mother Earth isn't the worst thing ever. It’s an interesting wake-up call for a regular morning shave, but maybe a tad too "mountain man" for the office. Fortunately the splash and fragrance take this shave beyond smelling like the woods.

To finish the shave, I used Dr. Jon's Rose of Phrygia Splash. Now, before you scoff and imagine your grandma's doilies coming to life, hear me out. This ain't your average wilting tea party rose. This is a rose that rides motorcycles and takes names. It’s got vetiver to nail the theming of today and this dark, mysterious vibe going on, like a rose that wears a leather jacket! Like a badass in every 90s sitcom!

Finally, to tie this #FOF olfactory masterpiece together, I threw on some Gentleman Society EdP. It’s woody, and has vetiver. Absolutely smells more refined than the one note vetiver shave soap I used, but still has that earthiness to remind me that I’m alive! This fragrance swooped in with a classic, crisp finish and it toned down the forest lumberjack from the shave and dialed up the debonair.

Is this really a challenge?? I feel like, as a whole, people are a bit over-dramatic about shaving against the grain. I’ve put my face through much worse than an against the grain shave. No problem. Did half my face against the grain with one 1912 and the other half against the grain with the other 1912. Now I need some moisturizer!

For #photocontest: Elements: Fire

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Vetiver You Want”… WTF is Vetiver?? From what I understand, it’s basically grass, so in honor of grass: The Top 5 Celebrity Stoners:

5.) Matthew McConaughey – Alright, alright, alright…

4.) Cheech and Chong – Sure, cannabis is cool now, but these two haven’t been shy about hiding it since their 1978 movie “Up in Smoke”

3.) Willie Nelson – Another OG of the grass game. Has his own brand called “Willie’s Reserve”

2.) Seth Rogen – Is he still a thing? I feel like there was a time when he was in every single comedy movie being released and unfortunately, it seems like that time has come and gone.

1.) Snoop Dogg – Snoop! Snoop-A-Loop! Bring your green hat!

Day 8

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts – Svolvaer - 28mm Maggards SHD
• Razor: Wade Butcher - 6/8 Extra Hollow Ground Straight #STR8SNOB
• Lather: Maggard Razors – London Barbershop Soap
• Post Shave: Maggard Razors – London Barbershop Splash
• Fragrance: Prada - Luna Rossa Ocean

Can I be honest with you guys? Are we in a safe space? I almost hate to say the quiet part out loud, but I don’t like Maggard’s House Branded Soaps. There. I said it. And I feel better. The weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders! I bought this sample for last Lather Games and also picked up a full-size splash because I figured a Barbershop splash could go with anything. But I don’t really like the performance of the soap and scent leaves something to be desired. It’s possible I’m spoiled with all the other top-notch shaving software I’ve used since starting this hobby but this ain’t it. There are so many other products I like better. Like, I want to like this stuff, I really, really, really do.

And I hate to throw shade on Maggard Razors, because I know they are part of this community and I’ve bought so much from them since I started, but… If you’re looking for a London Barbershop scent that’s good enough for King Charles, maybe look elsewhere? Please don’t hate me, Mr. Maggard.

It did feel right using this honking English Straight Razor on London Barbershop Day though. I don’t know exactly what it means, but it must be some sort of omen.

Luna Rossa Ocean ties the #FOF together since it is a powdery, clean scent featuring lavender and sage, which is reminiscent of a barbershop. Ironically, I think this cologne may actually smell more barbershoppy than Maggard’s London Barbershop!

Challenge: I’ve spent more than I care to admit with Maggard’s. My most regrettable purchase was blind buying a set of Cha Cha Matcha from Ariana & Evans. I thought I was going to love it. Then I tried it and it burned my face up like none other. Like it honestly felt like my face was on fire. It was super disappointing because I did enjoy the scent. One would think I’d learn my lesson by now, but I still blind-buy a shit-ton… Just not Ariana & Evans!!

For the #photocontest: Fill the frame.

imhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Small Business Saturday”… The Top 5 Objects with the word “Micro” in them:

5.) Microscope – A really cool way to make small things look big.

4.) Microplastics – Not really a good one, but it’s part of all of us.

3.) Microfiber – Are they better than regular-sized fibers? Exactly how big is a fiber? And how much smaller than a regular fiber is a microfiber?!??

2.) Microprocessors – Microprocessors were the AI before AI was AI. Microprocessors this and microprocessors that. You really don’t hear about microprocessors anymore.

1.) MicroMachines – Remember how fast that guy in their commercials talked??

Day 9

• Brush: Maggard Razors – 30mm Synthetic #TOLL
• Razor: Gillette – Travel Tech #ZAMAC #STAINLESSLESS
• Blade: Treet Carbon Steel
• Lather: Apex Alchemy – Cutthroat Soap
• Post Shave: Apex Alchemy – Cutthroat Splash
• Fragrance: Montblanc – Explorer EdT

Barbershop is one of those scents that I loved when I was first starting wetshaving, but then I realized that so many that are pretty much carbon copies of each other. And EVERYONE has a barbershop scent and I can’t get excited about any of them anymore. Even Apex Alchemy, who has a really fun line-up of scents, have a Barbershop. The businessperson in me wonders who is buying all these barbershop scented items? And why are so many soapmakers doing what everyone else is doing? Someone must be buying them, right? Who is buying all these barbershop scents?? WHICH ONE OF YOU IS IT???

The lack of originality is almost painful to watch. As barbershop scents flood the wetshaving market, they’re drowning out any semblance of uniqueness and creativity. How many times have we found ourselves surrounded by soaps, splashes, and colognes, each offering a scent that seems all too familiar? “We want to evoke the memory of a classic barbershop…” AND SO DOES EVERY OTHER SOAPMAKER! The sameness of this barbershop offering really stifles one the one best parts of this hobby – scents that are truly unique! I think I’d rather a soapmaker only release dupes with AI labels than see another barbershop scent get released! At some point, the madness needs to end! SOMEONE END THIS BARBERSHOP MADNESS!!!!!

Apex Alchemy’s is okay (as far as barbershop scents go). Not the best, and not the worst either. It’s not as powdery as some of the other ones I’ve tried and the splash almost has a subtle fruitiness to it, which is kind of unique in my experiences with Barbershops. I paired the Cutthroat soap and splash with Montblanc – Explorer because it’s big on bergamot, like Cutthroat, but then has some Sage & Pink Pepper which partner really nicely with the fruitiness from the splash. All-in-all, I’m smelling great on this fine Sunday morning, the scents of today’s shave me reminiscing of the memory of where my dad I used get his haircut when I was a kid—OH DEAR GOD IT HAPPENED TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! #FOF

For #photocontest – Eyes

Challenge Quiz I’m for real embarrassed. I got 4/32.

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Barbershops”… The top 5 regrettable hair styles of the past:

5.) The Mullet Why?

4.) Bowl Cut We thought this was a good idea!

3.) Frosted Tips This too!

2.) Perms Before my time, but why???

1.) Rat Tails When you don’t want to go all in on a mullet??

Day 10

• Brush: Boti – Pineapple Swirl – 26mm Green Synthetic
• Razor: Silver Star Vintage
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Smash Soap - w/ Barrister and Mann
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth with Barrister and Mann – Smash Splash
• Fragrance: Tiffany & Co – Love EdT

Smash will always hold a special place in my heart. It came out pretty much when I was first getting started wetshaving and I’m pretty sure it the first full size set I bought after I ran through my first Stirling samples. So, this one will always be a winner for me. As I’ve been around the community more over the last year or so, I’ve come to learn more about how Ben operates his business and I have so much respect for the way he does things.

Donating a portion from each sale to charities. On every tub, it says “End Human Trafficking” and I think it’s awesome he uses up valuable space on the products he sells to help stand up for people that can’t stand up for themselves. My hat’s off to Mammoth Soaps for seemingly doing the right thing, even when no one is asking you to. It doesn’t hurt that his soaps and scents are absolutely fire! And he worked with Barrister and Mann for this release, who I also really like. Together, they created an absolutely wonderful soap and scent! It takes on the scent of a Peach Bourbon Smash and does a beautiful job creating the feeling of sitting in an upscale bar (the kind that has mixologists, not bartenders) and asking the ~~bartender~~ mixologist to get creative with your drink. Each note plays together marvelously, and it is an absolute delight to use.

Now, to elevate this shave from "Smashing" to "Lovingly Smashing," I finished with Tiffany & Co Love. I thought the warm woody nature of Love would be good with the bourbon from Smash, because, well, bourbon is made in wood barrels. I wasn’t wrong. The sweetness of the soap and splash are toned down by the cologne. It’s a good scent and a nice, inviting combination. It’s also fitting because I LOVE Smash! #FOF

For #photocontest: Hobbies. I like LEGO and am often amazed with what the people of r/lego create.

Challenge: I pick Tubthumping by Chumbawamba. What better song to complement a boozy scent than a song that talks about getting smashed on a lager drink and a cider drink, falling down, and continuing to get back up?

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Happy Together”… My Favorite WWE Tag Teams of All-Time:

5.) The Rock n Sock Connection – The Rock AND Mankind, when both were pretty much at their peak popularity. Must watch action.

4.) X-Pac and Kane – Kane was great because he didn’t say a damn thing and just took care of his business. In fact, I believe the first two words he ever spoke in the WWF were “Suck it” when he was briefly riding with DX. X-Pac was great because he was a little badass. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with.

3.) The Rockers – A little bit before my time, but I have to pay tribute to those who paved the way for the teams I really loved, plus it’s how Shawn Michaels got his start.

2.) The Hardy Boyz – When they came on the scene, they were doing shit no one had ever seen before. Taking high flying to another level.

1.) The New Age Outlaws – The Road Dawg Jesse James! The Bad Ass Billy Gunn! THE NEW AGE OUTLAWS! And you’re not down with that, I got TWO WORDS FOR YA!!!!!

Day 11

• Brush: AP Shave Co Complete Brush - AP400B -20mm - Gelousy Badger
• Razor: Gillette – Executive Fatboy
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Noble Otter – Rawr Soap
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Rawr Splash
• Fragrance: Al Haramain - Amber Oud Gold Edition

Happy Spring! The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and the bees are buzzing. Spring is in the air… In June… Okay. Mentally, I’m channeling Spring today, and fortunately, I have Noble Otter there to help me out. Their spring-time scent, Rawr, smells amazing and has a cute little backstory about kids yelling RAWR to try to scare their dad when he got home from work.

The soap smells great and it is spring in a shave – Bergamot, orange, dandelions, cedar, vanilla, and musk. The bergamot and dandelions really show through to me. (Sidenote: Did you know every part of a dandelion is edible?) I had an aunt that used to make dandelion wine and it was delicious!

The #FOF Rawr emerges as the perfect companion for your springtime shaving needs, and when paired with Amber Oud Gold Edition (AOGE), it is a fabulous combination. Combining the invigorating charm of Rawr with the luxurious allure of AOGE creates a symphony of scents perfect for spring. Rawr bursts forth with lively citrus and green notes, embodying the fresh vitality of nature’s rebirth, while its earthy woods and subtle spices add depth and intrigue. Complementing this is AOGE, with its rich blend of sweet amber and exotic oud, bringing a warm, golden richness that evokes the gentle warmth of spring sunshine. Together, they created a wonderful combination of freshness and opulence, where Rawr's vibrant greenery meets Amber Oud's sumptuous warmth. This combination captures the essence of spring in all its glory—a time of new beginnings, renewed energy, and blossoming beauty, making it one of the best #FOF combinations I’ve had all Lather Games.

Challenge: Given the scents of Rawr, I brought everything outside and took a pic with the grass and dandelions. I thought the gold from the Amber Oud, the razor, and the brush really complemented the gold accents on the Rawr Soap and Splash.

The #photocontest theme is: Grass.

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “April Showers Bring May Flowers”… The Top 5 Songs about Rain:

5.) Have You Ever Seen the Rain? by Creedence Clearwater Revival

1. Blame it on the Rain by Milli Vanilli – I know they weren’t singing, but who cares?

3.) Set Fire to the Rain by Adele

2.) Purple Rain by Prince

1.) November Rain by Guns N Roses – A Perfect Rock and Roll ballad.

Grass & dandelions. Green and gold software and hardware. Nice shot.

Day 12

• Brush: Boti 28mm Synthetic
• Razor: Gillette Executive Fatboy
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Geo F. Trumper – Almond Shaving Cream
• Post Shave: Clubman Pinaud – Classic Vanilla Splash
• Fragrance: Tumi - Kinetic EdP

I’m going old school today. Using a sample of Geo F. Trumper. It’s funny how samples just appear on their own because I’m pretty sure I would never have purchased this. Honestly no clue where it came from. But I’m glad I had it today!

Both the scent and performance are largely inoffensive and forgettable. Same with the splash. It’s as bare-bones and basic as you can possibly get. I think these two companies may literally be the first shaving companies ever. Like the Christopher Columbus was trying to trade this stuff with the Native Americans. The splash was fine. The vanilla scent smelled artificial and disappeared quickly to makes room for the cologne, which I appreciated because I did not want the scent to linger.

I chose Tumi Kinetic for my cologne. From a #FOF perspective, it was the highlight. I was hoping the almond soap, vanilla splash, and a fragrance that features smoky vanilla would work well together for an almond/vanilla party. And on paper, it would have. But we don’t shave on paper! The scents of the soap and splash left much to be desired, so by default the Tumi Kinetic was the MVP. The smoky vanilla in the cologne was light, yet refined and it sits with a nice sandalwood base. It has a slight sweetness to it, almost there’s cherry somewhere in there, but the sandalwood is the prominent note. I’m not about to go out and buy a full bottle of this, but for today, it was just fine.

For #photocontest: Cactus

For the challenge, here’s my “den”. It’s a little smaller than a lot of people here, but I’m limited on space and it’s not the size of the den that matters, but how you use it! Everything fits in one cloth box. I have a leather dopp bag for brushes, a metal bucket for razors, a ziplock bag for samples, and all the full size soaps and splashes are at the bottom. The cloth box lives under my sink, and I typically use the same set every day for a week or so before switching out for a different set. That approach allows me to mix it up a good amount without my collection getting unmanageable.

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “CREAM”… The Top 5 Best Flavors of Ice CREAM from Ben & Jerry’s:

5.) Half Baked

4.) Americone Dream

3.) Netflix & Chill’d

2.) Cherry Garcia

1.) Chubby Hubby

Day 13

• Brush: Boti 28mm Synthetic
• Razor: Gem G-Bar
• Blade: Gem PTFE
• Lather: Declaration Grooming – Sellout Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co – Executive Man Splash
• Fragrance: Chicago Grooming Co – Gold Coast EdP

Alright, fellow shavers, it’s time to talk about something that’s been driving me up the slippery, lathered wall. Dupes. Yep, you heard me—those so-called “inspired by” scents that seem to have taken over damn near every shaving soap “artisan” in the hobby. And I, for one, am fed up with it. So, buckle up, because I need to rant on why I can't stand these dupes in my shaving soaps.

First Off, Where’s the Originality?

When I reach for a shaving soap, I want something that stands out, something unique. But no, instead, I’m bombarded with endless copies of popular fragrances. Aventus, Sauvage, Jicky, Acqua di Parma, BR540—you name it, there’s a dupe for it. It’s like walking into a concert expecting The Rolling Stones and getting a cover band that’s only good at playing Top 40 hits. Where’s the creativity? Where’s the soul? Why should my nose be subjected to a knock-off when it deserves the real deal?

Declaration Grooming Sellout, Stirling Soap Co. Executive Man, Chicago Grooming Co. Gold Coast—three different brands, and what do they have in common? They’re all cashing in on the DUPES! All three have the capability to create great, original scents, yet here we are! It’s a veritable invasion of clones! I don’t want to smell like something another company created. Something that all the bros at the club are wearing! I want something new and unique! I certainly don’t want to smell Aventus all day every day. STOP THE MADNESS!

And let’s not even start on the quality. Dupes might mimic the scent profile, but they often lack the depth and complexity of the originals. It’s like comparing a high-end steak to a fast-food burger. Sure, they’re both meat, but one is a rich, savory delight, and the other is a greasy, forgettable mess. When I’m paying good money for a shaving soap, I expect an experience, not a diluted shadow of a fragrance that was great to begin with.

What Happened to Tradition?

There’s something to be said for tradition in wet shaving. Classics like sandalwood, bay rum, and bergamot have stood the test of time for a reason. They’re timeless, they’re sophisticated, and they don’t pretend to be anything but what they are. These new-fangled dupes are just riding the coattails of popular fragrances instead of embracing the heritage of true shaving scents. It’s a slap in the face to the rich history of wetshaving, Old Spice, and the pirates who created Bay Rum!

And Another Thing…

Finally, let’s talk about the letdown. You get all excited about a new soap release, only to find out it’s just another dupe. Oh, sweet, my favorite artisan is releasing a new scent! Then, bam. It’s same old scent that’s been repackaged a zillion times by a dozen other soapmakers. It’s like unwrapping a gift only to find socks inside. Again. Sure, they’re useful, but where’s the excitement? Where’s the soul??

So, there you have it. My stand against the dupe epidemic plaguing our beloved wetshaving hobby. To the artisans out there: please, I beg you, stop the madness. Give us originality, give us quality, and give us the scents that make us want to shave every day. Because, at the end of the day, our faces—and our noses—deserve better than to be drowned in a sea of second-rate imitations. Stay unique, stay true, and let’s put an end to the reign of the dupes!

I gotta do the #FOF thing for products I just shit on. They actually do smell good, even if they aren’t original. Sellout and Executive Man are dupes of Aventus and Gold Coast is a dupe of BR540. I started with the pair of Aventus dupes which launch into fruity, sweet, leathery/woody vibes. It’s fresh and (if I’m being honest) does have a certain elegance to it. It’s a super popular fragrance for a reason. Then finishing off with Gold Coast (BR540) transforms the dynamic presence of Sellout/Executive Man into something almost otherworldly. It’s a sweet amber with a woody base. The resinous draw of Gold Coast weaved through the robust starting of Executive Man and Sellout, creating a seamless blend of fragrances that project beautifully off my skin.

For #photocontest: Steampunk

Challenge I do what I do best, fired up MSPaint, and recreated this original. It’s like I’m looking at the same picture.

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Dupelganger”… The Top 5 Best Celebrity Alter Egos:

5.) Donald Glover/Childish Gambino – It’s like your mild-mannered buddy turning into a lyrical ninja at karaoke night

4.) Garth Brooks/Chris Gaines - The country music equivalent of Clark Kent putting on a wig and eyeliner.

3.) Prince/The Artist Formerly Known as Prince - It’s like an art exhibit where the title changes more often than the pieces.

2.) Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana - Every teen's dream of having a double life without the hassle of a convincing disguise

1.) David Bowie/Ziggy Stardust - Like your quirky uncle showing up to Thanksgiving dressed as a cosmic rock god

Day 14

• Brush: Yaqi - White 22mm – Badger
• Razor: Gillette Travel Tech
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Spearhead Shaving – Sea Ice Lime
• Post Shave: Captain’s Choice – Nor’ Easter Splash
• Fragrance: Issey Miyake - L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme EdT

Thanks u/Priusaurus for the smush!

Today I embarked on an epic, frostbitten journey that left me feeling as cool as than the other side of the pillow. Picture this: a battle of man versus menthol, where the stakes are high and feeling of ice is, well, everywhere.

First up: The Glacial Greeting

I kicked things off with Spearhead Shaving’s Sea Ice Lime. Just opening this little plastic baggy sent an arctic blast to my face. I swear I heard a polar bear whisper, “Good luck, buddy.” As I built the lather, the room temperature dropped by 10 degrees. The second that frosty foam hit my cheeks, it was like Santa’s sleigh crashed into my bathroom. The lime provided a refreshing twist, but the menthol—oh boy, the menthol! My face turned into an igloo faster than you can say “winter wonderland.”

Next stop: The Nor’easter Knockout

Next up, Captain’s Choice Nor’ Easter Splash. By now, I was already shivering, but hey, in for a penny, in for a frozen pound. I slapped on this splash and BAM! If the soap was a chilly breeze, the Nor’ Easter was a full-blown Arctic Circle hurricane. My skin went from chilly to “I can’t feel my face!” faster than an ice cube in a sauna. I’m pretty sure a snowman appeared in my mirror and gave me a thumbs up. The menthol was so intense, I half expected to see snowflakes forming on my stubble, while the amber, lavender, citrus scents signaled a thaw out was coming.

Finally: The Thaw Out

To finish up, I sprayed on Issey Miyake’s L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme. After surviving the menthol maelstrom, this was like finding a cozy cabin in the middle of a... Nor’ Easter. The crisp, aquatic notes were a gentle reminder that my face wasn’t actually stuck in the freezer, and the citrus notes tied the whole #FOF experience together. As I spritzed it on, I could feel my face slowly thawing out, like a snowman basking in the first rays of spring sunshine, finally escaping the cold. The woody base notes provided a comforting warmth, wrapping up this frosty adventure.

Today's shave was more than just shaving; it was a frosty rollercoaster ride through a winter wonderland. My face went on an adventure from the North Pole and back, emerging smoother than an ice rink and fresher than a peppermint snowflake.

Challenge Goddammit. A stacking challenge the day I’m using sample sizes and smush. What is this? A stack for ants? The stack has to be at least three times bigger than this!

My #photocontest theme is: Baseball

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Frigid Friday”… The Top 5 Most Ridiculous Winter Olympic Sports:

5.) Ice Dancing – More like Ice-Snoozefest, amiright?

4.) Nordic Combined – Adds jumps to the Country Skiing. If there was a sport that desperately needs more excitement it’s Cross Country Skiing.

3.) Biathlon – Combining Country Skiing and Shooting. I’d say only in America, but other countries compete in this too???

2.) Skeleton – I remember sledding the hill as a kid. Now it’s an Olympic Event? I missed my calling…

1.) Curling – I mean… Come on.

• Day 15
• Brush: SmilezforMilez – 22mm Synthetic
• Razor: Silver Star Vintage DE
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Bay Rum Soap
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Bay Rum Splash
• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving – Sea Spice Lime EdT

I love Bay Rums! One of the first wetshaving scent profiles I really fell in love with was Bay Rum. Is Bay Rum a scent profile? No clue, but whatever it is, I’m here for it. And Barrister and Mann makes a damn good Bay Rum scent. So, it’s no surprise that my favorite Bay Rum is the tub that is Knocking on Heaven’s Door. For some reason, when I started to see the bottom of the tub, I drastically cut down on my usage of it. It’s weird because I can buy more at anytime, but something about killing a tub of my favorite scent feels… Weird. I don’t know, I can’t explain it.

Anyways, I always feel kind of like a pirate when I use Bay Rum, and I also feel like I’m bringing up pirates in like every other SOTD I post, so let’s go full pirate today! ARRRRRRRRRR!!! Because who doesn't want to smell like they just got done looking for buried treasure? B&M’s spicy, rum-laden lather made me feel like I could conquer the Caribbean and my 9AM meeting simultaneously. Nothing says "I'm serious about hygiene" like smelling like a swashbuckling buccaneer! Post-shave, I doused myself with B&M’s matching Bay Rum Splash. Because if I'm going to smell like a pirate, I might as well commit, right? The scent was so intoxicating, I swear I heard my coworker call for a parlay. But hey, if swords aren’t allowed in the office, smelling like you just came from a sword fight is the next best thing.

Finished it off with Spearhead Shaving's Sea Spice Lime EdT. Because why not add a hint of lime and sea salt to the pirate's life? Yo ho, indeed! The fragrance is like sailing on the Black Pearl in a bottle, minus the sunburns and the skeletons everywhere. The blend of zesty lime, warm spices, and a hint of sea breeze left me feeling refreshed and ready to commandeer the day. A Pirate’s Life for me, indeed. #FOF

Challenge I made my lather super dry today. I’m tripping because that lather is NOT dripping. It’s actually so pasty it’s defying gravity. Believe it or not, I actually still got an okayish shave out of it, thanks to Barrister and Mann’s great soap base. Sure, it wasn’t as good as it could have been, but it wasn’t as bad as I feared either.

My #photocontest theme is: Animals (not alive), kids plush

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Near Death Experiences”… My Top 5 Favorite Zombie Franchises:

5.) Zombieland – Adding a little humor to the zombie genre, plus an awesome Bill Murray cameo.

4.) World War Z – A global pandemic that threatens to wipe out humanity. Completely inaccurate and near unwatchable because the movie doesn’t show huge swathes of people calling it a hoax.

3.) Night of the Living Dead - Gotta give credit where credit is due: The Original Gangster of the zombies.

2.) The Walking Dead – The comics were good and first few TV seasons were appointment television… Then A&E realized it was a money printing machine and they ruined it by dragging the main story out too long and adding spin-off after spin-off after spin-off.

1.) 28 Days Later – Classic scenario of a guy who wakes up from a coma and bam! Zombie apocalypse!

• Day 16
• Brush: Maggard 30mm Synthetic
• Razor: Gem 1912
• Blade: Gem PTFE
• Lather: Cella - Shave Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts – Boonana Splash
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts – Boonana EdT

What is old stays old. Cella has been around for like 400 years. This stuff has seen it all—from the rise and fall of empires to internet shaving competitions. Cella in shave dens everywhere for over a century, enduring world wars, disco fever, and the questionable hairstyles of the 80s and 90s. Using Cella is like stepping back in time partaking in a centuries-old ritual, connecting you with a lineage of shavers who probably did and thought a lot of fucked up stuff. But, it’s best not to dwell on that because we’ve come a long way since then! Cella is the granddaddy of shaving soaps, proving that some classics never go out of style.

What do I pair a classic like Cella with? I decided on Boonana because both are a little sweet. Cella is like Almond Biscotti and Boonana reminds me of Banana Bread. Thanks to u/Priusaurus, we’ve learned no matter how good your lather smells, I know it won’t taste good. But I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t still a big part of me that would love to take a big bite of Boonana. The #FOF is simple today: smelling like delicious baked goods.

photocontest: Donuts

Challenge: Ugh…. Should I do it? Should I do it? Ughhhhh… WHY IS THIS A CHALLENGE?????

Barely had enough soap to cover it, but I managed. Last year, I was kind of intrigued at this challenge and had time to mentally prepare. This year, I honestly was debating whether or not to participate. But we gotta go all out for the Lather Games!

BTW - Just because I shaved my legs, I assume I'm still supposed to spray the frag on my neck? Or does the frag go on my legs too??? Maybe I'll go back and spray my legs just to be sure.

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Father’s Day”… My Top 5 TV Dads of All-Time:

(Editors note: If I were to make this list 10 years ago, Bill Cosby would have easily been #1. But we’ve learned a little bit since then, thus he will get NO credit on my list. I’m sure he’s heartbroken.)

5.) Al Bundy – My mom didn’t allow me to watch Married with Children growing up, but I’ve since watched enough to know that Al Bundy is great dad who did his best to take care of his family. Sure, maybe he’s a little rough around the edges, but aren’t we all?

4.) Danny Tanner – Never met a problem that couldn’t be solved in 22 minutes.

3.) Mike Brady – Life could not have been easy as a closeted gay man in the 1970s, but that didn’t stop Richard Reid from being the gold standard of TV dads.

2.) Carl Winslow – Imagine being a cop and going to work every day, then coming home and having this weirdo neighbor kid always hanging around, creeping on your daughter? Carl took it all in stride.

1.) Phil Dunphy – The perfect balance of humor, wit, acceptance, and love made him a perfect TV dad. Danny Tanner walked so Phil Dunphy could run.

Day 17

• Brush: Frank Shaving – Imitation Silvertip Synth
• Razor: Silver Star Vintage DE
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts – Druantia Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts – Druantia Splash
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts – Druantia EdP

Today, I decided to dive into my bathroom apothecary and pulled out the whole Southern Witchcrafts Druantia line-up. Because (1) it’s Vegan, so it fits the theme and (2) who doesn’t want to smell like they’ve just emerged from a mystical forest that’s most likely, probably, definitely haunted by ancient spirits?

I think we’re past the point of anyone here shitting on Vegan soaps, right? Like, we all know Vegan soaps can be on par with tallow soaps. Because this soap lathers up like a dream—if your dreams are filled with druids, spells, and mossy glades. As I lathered it up, I smelled "freshly rained-on foliage" with a hint of "I swear I'm not summoning anything in my bathroom" and some spices to round it out. The slickness, performance, and scent are all excellent. The splash is like getting a slap from an enchanted tree branch, but in best enchanted way possible.

Finishing off with the EdP is like continuing on through the foggy enchanted forest at dawn, where you might just stumble upon a hidden fairy community. The scent of the EdP lingers longer than an unwanted houseguest, but in this case, you won’t mind at all. Plus, the witchy vibes it gives off might make those houseguests think I’m casting spells, so they can get the hell out of my house! I've long said that SW EdPs are the best bang for your buck in wetshaving. The scent stayed as my day went on, keeping me smelling like the mystical woods and spicy amber all day long. It’s perfect for when you want to be that person at work who smells intriguingly enigmatic, like you just might know how to cast a spell or two. #FOF

All in all, SW's Druantia line-up turned what could have been a Mundane Monday Vegan Shave into a Magical Monday Vegan Ritual Shave. I love herbal, earthy scents with a twist of the arcane, so this one is definitely for me. Just gotta make sure I don’t start feeling the urge to dance naked under the moonlight.

Challenge: First, I shave my legs and now I’m lathering on my newly shaven knee? Who comes up with this stuff? Kinda funny to see the line of hair where I shaved to yesterday.

photocontest: Money

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Don’t have a Cow, Man”… My Top 5 Favorite TV Catchprases of All Time:

5) "Bazinga!" - Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory. The year is 2012 and something amazing happens in your life. There’s a 40% chance I was saying “Bazinga”.

4) "It's gonna be Legen… Dary." - Barney Stinson from How I Met Your Mother. Is something going to be super trucking awesome and want to build a little suspense? Here’s your answer!

3) "Did I do that?" - Steve Urkel from Family Matters. No need to apologize when you accidently blow up your neighbor’s garage. Just sheepish look at them and in your most nasaly voice say, “Did I do thaaaaaat?” and all will be well in the world!

2) "What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?" - Arnold Jackson from Diff'rent Strokes – Admittedly, I’ve never seen Diff’rent Strokes, but I’ve said “What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?” more times than I’ve said any other catchprase on this list. It’s that Legen-(wait for it)-Dary.

1.) "How you doin'?" - Joey Tribbiani from Friends – If you were a female around Joey and he said that, you might as well drop your panties right then and there.

Day 18

• Brush: SmilezforMilez – 22mm Synthetic
• Razor: Gem 1912
• Blade: Gem PTFE
• Lather: Dr. Jon’s – Flowers in the Dark Soap
• Post Shave: Taconic Shave - Lavender Lime Splash
• Fragrance: Paco Rabanne - Phantom

For those unfamiliar (and as a reminder for those who are), Dr. Jon's was an artisan soap maker known for their intriguing scents. They closed shortly after I started wetshaving and I only have a couple samples of their products. Flowers in the Dark wasn't your typical lavender situation. Sure, there is lavender, but it is like a lavender field visited by a rogue bolt of lightning, which struck someone and landed them in a coffin made of cedar. I absolutely love it. It’s lavender, with a faint ozone tang, a whisper of the wood of a freshly milled wood (intriguing, right?)

Now, Dr. Jon's is no more, a victim of, well, I’m not entirely sure what. It may have been an explosion of a batch of aftershave or, in a form of poetic justice, and the founder was struck by lightning, while frolicking in a lavender field, and he’s buried in a cedar coffin. I doubt know. I couldn’t be bothered to research why they went out of business, so that’s the story I’m choosing to believe. At any rate, Dr. Jon’s absence leaves a void in the world of curiously scented shave soap. And I have mixed feelings using this sample I have, because I know it’s not going to be made anymore. Like, I know I should use it, but I really enjoy this scent and I don’t want to finish it. I clearly have issues letting go and need to talk to the therapist about it.

ANYWAYS

I lathered up from this tiny sample, a single tear tracing a path down my cheek, which eventually helped hydrate my lather. The shave itself was like a dream. The soap is great and I couldn’t help but think of the poor founder of Dr. Jon’s getting struck by lighting and dying in that lavender field. RIP in peace 🙏🏻

To close out the shave, kept the lavender theme going with the splash and fragrance. Taconic’s Lavender Lime splash, is fresh, floral, and refreshing – giving an entirely different lavender vibe than the soap I used. Phantom, by Paco Rabanne, is more like a brighter version of scent of the soap, bringing an earthy elements, yet with a clean, sharp bite of citrus and a creamy lavender heart that shouldn't work, but somehow ends up smelling unexpectedly cool and is very nice to wear. #FOF

For #photocontest: bucket

The challenge today is to be one with r/wicked_edge, but I’m not entirely sure what that means. Wicked Edge is a vast resource for wetshavers new and old! On a completely unrelated note, I want to show you all my new invention: The Triple Gem! I got tired of doing three pass shaves, so I taped extra Gem blades to the top and bottom of my 1912. Boom! I can do a 3 pass shave in the time it used to take to do a 1 pass shave! Am I brilliant or am I brilliant? I made sure to use the strongest tape I could find because I safety is my top priority. I’ll be taking pre-order starting next week!

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “RIP in Pieces”… My Top 5 Best Stores that Don’t Exist Anymore

5.) RadioShack – Need batteries? Wires? AC adapters? A computer? Speakers? If you needed it, Radio Shack had it.

4.) Sports Authority – 12 Year old me would spend literally hours in Sports Authority while my family would walk around the rest of the mall. It was there I bought a life-sized cut-out of Ken Griffey Jr that still lives in my parent’s basement.

3.) Brookstone – Oh my god. They had the most useful, useless overpriced junk that I absolutely needed. Somehow, they still have an online storefront, which is shocking, because the entire appeal was walking in, sitting in the massage chair, and maybe splurging on an impulse purchase of a portable weather-station.

2.) Toys R Us – If 12 year old me loved Sports Authority, Toys R Us was for ages 4-11. Man, it was something special when my parents brought me there. Just had to make sure I avoided the pink aisles like the plague. God forbid any of my 10 year old friends see me even look down that aisle. Don’t want anyone to start any rumors…

1.) Blockbuster – They could have had it all. Instead, they banked on the fact that people wanted to browse movie rentals in a physical location instead of relying on the fad of the internet. Whoops! Shootout to that one remaining Blockbuster in Oregon that’s refusing to admit defeat. It’s like the Japanese soldiers that stayed in the jungle after WWII because they thought the war was still going on.

• Day 19
• Brush: Boti – 28mm Synthetic
• Razor: Gem G-Bar
• Blade: Gem PTFE
• Lather: Ariana & Evans - Cha Cha Matcha
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. – Mountain Man Splash
• Fragrance: BVLGARI - Man Rain Essence EdT

To get the administrative tasks out of the way first, Ariana & Evans is made in Connecticut.

Want to know how dumb I am? I’m sure you do. When I started wetshaving, I saw that Ariana and Evans was popular in among a lot of groups, so I looked at their offering and blind bought a couple sets. I really liked the scent of both, but one (Cha Cha Matcha) burned the shit out of my face, so I sold the set. Fast forward a year or so, and I “need” to buy a sample to push me over the free shipping threshold. I was clicking through the options, came across Cha Cha Matcha, thought to myself, “I remember I really liked the scent of that one. Maybe I’m exaggerating how bad the burn was in my head.” And I bought a sample… And used that sample today… And do you want to know what happened? It fucking burned the shit out of my face again! I’m so goddamn stupid and I’m pissed at myself. Like, how dumb can I possibly be? There’s no logical reason why I should have expected things to be different this time, but like a girlfriend that gets back together with her abusive ex-boyfriend, I decided to give Cha Cha Matcha one last chance, and it got me again. A tiger doesn’t change his stripes and A&E should come with a burn warning and I’m a big dummy who takes far too long time to learn his lesson.

ANYWAY, Juneteenth is a fairly new Federal Holiday and ~~right-wing nutbag snowflakes~~ people with different opinions than me are up in arms like someone just randomly made up a day to get off of work. They hear Juneteenth and roll their eyes like Hallmark invented the holiday just to sell cards. MFer, no! There’s an important reason behind the date and one that should be recognized. These are the same people that want to “preserve their history” by keeping up confederate statues, but not actually teach what happened before, during, and after the Civil War and recognize what a fucked up time in our history that was. Fuck that. And Spoiler Alert: Just because slaves were finally freed, it doesn’t mean all people magically became equal that day in 1865. Double Spoiler Alert: Shit still ain’t equal today and it’s not going to be equal tomorrow. Not trying to start something here, but I’m in a spicy mood because my face burned, so blame this rant on A&E. AND ANOTHER THING: How about that asshole from A&E saying reddit wetshavers are fat and gross? Fuck that guy, and his burny soaps too! Plus, does ANYONE think this fucking guy is in any position to be calling people out on their looks?? Now, I’m not going to say anything about what Peter Charkalis looks like, because I don’t want to be the type of person that bullies another person because of how they look. But I will bully someone if they’re an asshole. And Peter Charkalis is a giant asshole. And I mean giant in the figurative sense – not the literal sense, because well… nevermind. His comment really rubbed me the wrong way and it honestly made me want to not use his soap today, but then I thought this would give me a chance to rant like a crazy person a little bit. I hate how popular his stupid soaps are.

Challenge: In honor of Meme Day, here’s a live look at the judges when they announced the surprise leg shaving day.

And a bonus Ariana & Evans meme for good measure.

For #photocontest: Water vehicles (yes, I drove to a spot where I know there was a couple boats just to get this picture)

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Juneteenth”… My Top 5 Favorite Things Invented by a Person of Color

5.) Traffic lights – Think traffic is bad now? Try living in a world before Garrett Morgan decided that there was a better way than absolute chaos.

4.) Potato Chips – Ever think about the visionary who thought to thinly slice, then deep fry potatoes? George Crum was an absolute genius, if you ask me. Obesity rates be damned!

3.) Fire Extinguisher – Before Thomas Martin came along, I guess people would just say, “Damn. That thing is on fire. That sucks.”

2.) Refrigerator – I guess keeping food fresh is kind of important, right?

1.) Super-Soaker – Quite possibly the most impactful item on this list. Ever participate in a water gun fight when you had a stupid cheap plastic water pistol and you were outgunned by your opponent. I have. And it’s no fun. Lonnie Johnson leveled the playing field for children in water gun fights everywhere.

I applaud you going the extra mile for the scavenger hunt.

Day 20

• Brush: SmilezforMilez 22mm Synthetic
• Razor: Gem 1912
• Blade: Gem PTFE
• Lather: Summer Break Soaps – Cannonball Soap
• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps – Cannonball Splash
• Fragrance: Nautica – Blue EdT

Today’s shave was absolute summertime grooming excellence. I dove right in with Summer Break Soaps' Cannonball soap and splash, topped off with a couple spritzes of Nautica Blue EdT. Because if you can't spend your summers at the beach, you might as well smell like you jumped into a pool.

First up: Cannonball!! The scent is a delightful mix of chlorine and citrus. Reminds me of that one time my drunken uncle spilled his pina colada all over the Lido Deck, while doing the Cupid Shuffle, right before he was put into a Carnival Cruise’s drunk tank. Ah, memories… But I digress, Cannonball has that "I’ve been at the pool all day, and yes, I like to party too" aroma. Perfect for convincing yourself you’re on vacation while you’re actually just trying to get through another Thursday and shaving in your backyard. The splash is like being slapped in the face by Wendy Pefffercorn from The Sandlot. It packs a nice mentholated punch, but after the initial shock, I was left left with a cooling sensation that’s like jumping into a pool that isn’t heated. It’s a refreshing splash of reality to wake me up from the realization that it’s not summer break by the pool and I need to go back to work after shaving outside.

Finally, Nautica Blue EdT. This cologne is basically the olfactory equivalent of those flip-flops you bought last minute at the beach gift shop. It screams “I’m ready for summer,” even if the closest you’re getting to the ocean is the kiddie pool in your backyard. I guess that’s my way of saying, it’s functional, but lacks some sort of soul and depth. Certainly not a bad scent, but not something I’m necessarily ever excited to wear. I honestly can’t quite put my figure on what's missing, but it's something. It’s got a breezy aquatic feel to it, and is balanced out with some florals, citrus, and sandalwood/cedar, but it's not something I reach for often. I will say it does do a nice job capturing the essence of the freshness of the ocean. It fit in with Cannonball very nicely and perfectly works with theme of the day. This entire shave routine reminded me of a Summer that you just don’t want to end. #FOF

photocontest: Elements: Water. Everything but the soap sank.

Challenge: Shave outside! Done and done. I remember last year a storm came through and I had to wait until like 10PM to shave. Luckily, it’s nice and sunny today. When the challenge was posted yesterday, I went into my work Outlook and blocked off 9AM-10AM to give me time to shave outside before it got to be too hot. Working from home is the best.

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Sunny Days”… My Top 5 Best Treats to get from an Ice Cream Truck

5.) Drumstick – Classic, ready-made ice cream cone with a dusting of nuts (for your health). The best part is the bottom of the cone had chocolate on the inside which (1) prevented ice cream from dripping on your hand and (2) made for an absolutely heavenly last bite. So good!

4.) Strawberry Shortcake bar on a stick – Sometimes you want something substantial, but aren’t in the mood for chocolate. The Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake bar is exactly what you need!

3.) Ninja Turtle with gumball eyes – Okay. Admittedly, these weren’t the tastiest of treats, but god damn they were the most fun.

2.) Chipwich – Pound for pound, probably the best value in the ice cream treat game. If you had one of these bad boys you can go right ahead and skip dinner.

1.) Choco Taco – The absolute GOAT.

(Editors note: If you even think to say Screwball, you are uncultured swine and you can go ahead and fuck right off. The sherbert in Screwballs suck and the gumball at the bottom is even worse and it’s not even in the shape of a fun character. I hope the Screwball company went out of business.)

Great shot

Day 21

• Brush: Frank Shaving – 20mm Synthetic Silvertip
• Razor: Gillette Executive Fatboy
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Talbot Shaving – Heliopteris Soap
• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving – Seaforth! Heather Splash
• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving – Seaforth! Heather EdT

The first sentence of this soap description is “Heliopteris is my take on a Fougere”. So that checks off today’s theme right off the bat! Then is goes on to say “The name Heliopteris is a mash-up of the words ‘Helio’, which means Sun, and ‘Pteris’, which is a genus of fern. Together, meaning Sun Fern.” I’m super happy they told us that because I was thinking this soap was named after a helicopter dinosaur. I relied on AI to bring my vision to life this time. If u/Priusaurus is half Prius/half dinosaur, I think having Heliopteris be half Helicopter/half dinosaur only makes sense. It’d be pretty crazy if those existed. Maybe they can workshop this idea for the next Jurassic World movie. I can see it now, Dr. Wu is tired of creating dinosaurs that are just dinosaurs, so he genetically modifies them to be half machine and half dinosaur. Someone call Michael Crichton! There’s something here! And maybe a soapmaker can get to work on a soap dedicated to a helicopter dinosaur! With rockets!!! 🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀 AND FLAMES!!!!!!!!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Heliopteris brings an exceptional fougere experience with its rich, earthy, and green notes. When I lathered it up, it smelled like I was stepping into a lush fern forest, where every breath is filled with the fresh, green aroma of nature. After the shave, I used Heather by Spearhead Shaving. This aftershave is scented with really nice blend of lavender, moss, and herbal notes. To my nose, it is pretty heavy on the lavender and I thought it complements the Heliopteris soap perfectly, extending the green, botanical experience with some more floral notes. To carry the fougere theme throughout the day, I finished with a few sprays of Heather EdT. This eau de toilette obviously matches the scent of the splash, which I really enjoyed. I picked up a sample splash and had to buy the EdT. Heather really does have the essence of a classic fougere with its harmonious blend of lavender, green notes, and a touch of spice. It’s a scent that feels timeless yet modern, grounding yet uplifting. #FOF

Sidecontest: #photocontest: Darkness

Challenge:

With Talbot’s Heliopteris, so bright,
Today’s shave was pure delight.
It’s a fougere crisp and clean,
Like fresh meadow green,
Starting the morning off right.

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Fougere Friday”… The Top 5 French Words we regularly use in the English Language

5.) Rendezvous – Want to meet up later? Maybe at a café?

4.) Café – A place to rendezvous.

3.) Déjà vu – Have I made a list like this before?

2.) Faux pas – Because that’d be embarrassing…

1.) Cliché – Almost as embarrassing as doing something as played out as making Daily Top 5 lists…

Day 22

• Brush: SmilezforMilez – 22mm Synthetic
• Razor: Gillette Executive Fatboy
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: 345 Soap Co. – Rhumpkin Soap
• Post Shave: 345 Soap Co. – Rhumpkin Splash
• Fragrance: Yves Saint Laurent – Y EdP

If there was an autumn scent that no one asked for it’s this: Pumpkin & Bay Rum, with a little bit of apple added in for good measure. In the soap description, 345 said, ”Embrace the welcome of fall with this warm and balanced scent.” Do you know how to balance the scent of Pumpkin and Bay Rum? If you do, please reach out to 345 Soap Company, because I think they missed the mark with this one.

This scent is… interesting…. The listed scent notes are pumpkin, apple, and bay rum, it’s basically a pumpkin spice bay rum. For the basic bitch pirate, I suppose. I picked this up because it was on clearance and I can see why. It’s a combination that no one asked for, or needed - kinda like those pick-up truck cars in the 1970s. But I’m glad I did, because it is perfect for Spooky Season and to use to get the funk out of new brushes. I don’t reach for this set often, but it’s a must for a day to celebrate all scents that are spooky and spicy!

I matched this set with Y by Yves Saint Laurent because it’s kind of fruity with some spice, just like the soap and splash. Y has prominent Apple, Grapefruit, and Ginger notes, on top of more spicy base. It actually saved the day with its crisp, modern vibe. It's like a breath of fresh air after being trapped in a dungeon run by Pumpkin Spice Pirates. Cheers to Yves Saint Laurent for keeping my dignity intact... somewhat. #FOF

Sidecontest: #photocontest – PIRATES! Went to a place called “Pirates Cove”, so it stands to reason that anyone at Pirates Cove has to be a Pirate, right? So many real-life pirates in this picture! Balancing the shave gear on the was kind of a pain in the ass, so I’m holding onto the splash. Also got a few weird looks from the Pirates ordering food at Pirates Cove. It was almost like they had never seen guy taking pictures of his shave gear to get a Pirate sign in the background before.

Challenge: I carved a Scary Blueberry! He was so scary that no other fruits would go near him. So, I decided he needed a friend. So, I carved a Scary Grape! And they became Scary Best Friends. All is right in their scary world now. 🥰🥰

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Spooky Season”… The Top 5 Most Underrated Candies to Get Trick-or-Treating

5.) Rolos – The caramel to chocolate ratio is absolutely perfect.

4.) Sugar Babies – Sure, they may rip out any fillings you have, but they are so good!

3.) Reese’s Take 5 – An under the radar, 5-tool candy. It has it all. Sweet, Caramelly, Crunchy, Peanut Buttery, Pretzel. I know it hasn’t been around as long as Snickers have, but they are so good and criminally underrated.

2.) Mike and Ikes – For when you want a break from chocolate.

1.) Reese’s Pieces – E.T. knew what’s up. I’ll take Reese’s Pieces over M&Ms every day of the week!

(Editors Note: Those fruit flavored Tootsie Rolls. Specifically, the Vanilla Ones would have been included, however, my mom wouldn’t ever let us eat anything like that we got from Trick or Treating because they weren’t hermetically sealed and she was convinced someone would put a razor blade in them. So, I'm not including them on a Halloween candy list but they are 🔥🔥🔥🔥)

Day 23

• Brush: Frank Shaving – Silvertip Synthetic 20mm
• Razor: Schick Injector
• Blade: Ted Pella Injector Blades
• Lather: Talent Soap Factory – Cakehole Soap
• Post Shave: Apex Alchemy – Basic AF Splash
• Fragrance: Valentino - Born in Roma Yellow Dream EdP

Thanks to u/Priusaurus for the smush of the absurdly named Talent Soap Factory Cakehole.

I’ve been putting the challenge stuff at the end of my SOTDs, but today, since it’s such a big part of the shave, I’m starting with it. Firstly, I need to paint you a picture. I bet a lot of people won’t remember, but last year, I texted my sister about using my niece’s play kitchen for this challenge, she thought I was on drugs, and as it turned out, I was just really dedicated to my first Lather Games.

This story has been repeated time and time again throughout my family. Everyone has heard it and can probably recite it over and over and over again. It has quickly become part of our family’s lore. Everyone loves this story of me using my niece’s play kitchen to shave for the internets. Now, fast forward to last Christmas, my sister wrapped up the toy kitchen and gave it to me as a gag gift. My niece had outgrown it and she thought she’d be funny and give it to me before giving me my real gift (A Maggard’s Gift Card, thankyouverymuch!) And I’ve been hanging onto this kitchen for almost 6 months, waiting for today: Kitchen day.

Now, I know what you’re probably thinking: No, I don’t have any other kids in my life. So, I’m just the ~~weird~~ completely normal single guy in his 30s, with a toy kitchen in his apartment that I’ve been saving for an internet shaving competition. Completely normal stuff. Explaining it to people that come over has been fun. Imagine going over to visit your single buddy, going to his fridge to get a beer, and you notice he has a toy kitchen in his kitchen. Yeah. That’s been my life for the past 6 months.

Well, who’s crazy now, because I’m using it today and I don’t even need to text my sister to ask her to borrow it! So there! Crazy like a fox!

Anyways, I used the little sink to soak my brush. Then since the little sink doesn’t actually drain, I picked up the kitchen and dumped the water out of the little sink, into my real sink. Total practical. I also decided to use the little sink as a lather bowl and smushed my smush right in there and got to loading and lathering. This tiny sink was, well, tiny. Which is why I’m using the smallest brush I own. Creating a lather was still a giant pain in the ass, but I managed to get a pretty good lather out of this soap. The only thing this tiny kitchen is missing is running water and a tiny mirror.

Speaking of the soap: Cakehole. Because nothing says "start your day right" like smearing your face with something named after a slang term for your mouth. It’s one of those words that sounds kind of dirty, but isn’t, but it still feels like I’m saying something explicit when I say the word “Cakehole.” As I opened the little plastic baggy, a scent so sweet it could give you diabetes wafted out. Think of a bakery explosion, where everything that could possibly have frosting was fused into one sugary scent bomb. If there was ever any confusion what gourmand is, this is gourmand.

Applying the lather felt like slathering a birthday cake directly onto my face – minus the sprinkles, of course. This soap is unlike anything I’ve ever used before. Delicious? Absolutely. Ridiculous? Even more so. After rinsing off the lather and resisting the urge to lick my own face, I used Apex Alchemy’s Basic AF. The name alone sets expectations low, and it delivers in spectacular fashion. It’s okay-ish. It’s scented like a Pumpkin Spice Latte, and was an appropriate finish for Cakehole. Not something I really have any desire to use a lot, but it fit this shave. Basic AF, indeed.

With my face now free of cake and coated in the essence of basic bitchdom, it was time to elevate this experience with Valentino's Born in Roma Yellow Dream. The name evokes visions of grandeur and sophistication, a stark contrast to the "basic" splash I'd just used. The fragrance opened with a burst of juicy pineapple and zesty mandarin, quickly followed by a heart of spicy gingerbread. The gingerbread really tied this whole shave together. It was like walking through an upscale bakery. First the cake, then the P.S.L., and now the gingerbread. The dry down of the cologne revealed a base of vanilla and cedarwood, adding a layer of elegance that felt almost comically out of place with this shave. #FOF

Sidecontest: #photocontest: Elements: Air. The fan blows air.

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Sweet Sunday”… The Top 5 Flavors of Cakes/Cupcakes

5.) Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting – Perfect for the chocolate lover in your life. If anyone out there says “It’s too chocolatey” there’s an easy solution: add a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

4.) Pineapple Upside Cake - This cake likes to keep things interesting—literally flipping the script on dessert. It's like the rebel cousin at family gatherings, always bringing a tropical party and saying, "Who needs frosting when you've got caramelized pineapple and cherries on top?"

3.) Red Velvet – I still don’t know what exactly the flavor of Red Velvet actually is, but I know it’s delicious!

2.) Yellow with Chocolate Frosting - The classic duo that’s been together longer than peanut butter and jelly. It's like the golden retriever of cakes—reliable, loved by everyone, and always bringing sunshine to your dessert table. You can set your watch to yellow cake with chocolate frosting.

1.) Funfetti - The cake equivalent of a confetti cannon at a birthday party. It's colorful, tasty, and was more fun than the alternatives. Imagine going with a regular ass white cake when Funfetti is an option? With sprinkles inside and out, tells all the other takes to take a seat and watch how it’s done.

(Editors Note: If you even suggest Carrot Cake, you can fuck right off. Carrot cake sucks. Vegetables don’t belong in desserts, and if you think for a second they do, you’re wrong.)

Day 24

• Brush: SmilezforMiles - Synthetic Brush
• Razor: Gem G-Bar
• Blade: Gem PTFE
• Lather: Zingari Man – The Merchant Soap
• Post Shave: Ogallala Bay Rum - Sage And Cedar
• Fragrance: Cartier - Pasha Edition Noire EdT

Once again, thanks to u/Priusaurus for the smush. He’s sent a few my way this year.

This is an awesome theme because it “forces” interaction between participants. And by “force” I mean, it is totally optional. Like everything else in the Lather Games. This isn’t a frat house and no one is forced to do anything they don’t want to do. The beauty of the Lather Games is anyone can participate, and you can interact with the community as much or as little as you want. You can be a u/Enndeegee, a u/alg92, or anything in between. Shit-post, insightful post, whatever - just make it good. Or don’t! Just please don’t make it long and boring. This theme last year got me out of my comfort zone and “forced” me to DM Prius, because he offered soaps in the smush trading thread. And I’m super glad I did. It got me off the sidelines and interacting with people right off the bat. And this year, I made sure to check the smush threads somewhat regularly to see if I could help anyone. And I’m glad I was able to help a couple different people complete their calendar this year.

We are a community of 153,000 members strong! And probably 300 or so of those members are humans! And we have DOZENS of active members! And our human members are from all across the globe. Sure, our commonality is shaving the way our grandfathers did, but we connect on much more than that and represent people from all walks of life – people of different races, religions, political beliefs, professions, ages, music tastes, hair color, eye color… You get the point. All here to share in the way we shave and come together as people… And participate in a marathon internet competition dedicated posting entertaining descriptions of our shaving routines in the hopes of impressing another person tasked to judge your description of your shaving routine. If you did a good job, they give you points. And if you have a lot of points, you’ll maybe win a prize. Behold: THE LATHER GAMES!

So, for today’s description of my shaving routine:

I really enjoyed The Merchant. When I opened his smush, it was like I was greeted by a complex aroma that transported me to a bustling bazaar, filled with exotic spices and treasures from distant lands. As I lathered it up, the scent continued to develop, revealing layers of warm spices, amber, sweetness, and on a base of woods. It felt like embarking on a grand voyage, with each stroke taking me further into the heart of the merchant's world. I kept the spiciness and woodiness going with the splash – it’s a robust, woodsy fragrance. The classic bay rum warmth, combined with the earthy sage and cedar worked in harmony with the soap. This is something that the Merchant would sell at the bustling bazaar! To cap off the shave, I used Pasha Edition Noire EdT. The fragrance opened with a burst of green citrus, quickly followed by deeper notes of amber and cedarwood. It perfectly complemented the earlier scents, adding a final layer of complexity and brightness. Not every shave this month has been a winner, but this one sure has! #FOF

Sidecontest: #photocontest: Prius. Removed the dealership advertisement because I don’t want to give away free ads. If the dealership pays me, I’ll remove the censor.

Challenge: I’m pretty sure House of Mammoth is contractually obligated to create a sub soap by winning March Madness.

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Christmas in July, but in June's Eve”… My personal Top 5 Favorite Christmas Movies of All-Time

5.) The Muppet Christmas Carol – An all time classic where the guy that plays Scrooge is acting like he’s going for an Oscar while being like the only human cast.

4.) The Santa Clause - Nothing says 'Merry Christmas' like accidentally knocking Santa off your roof and having to take over his job

3.) Elf – The classic tale of a human, raised as an Elf, trying to find his real dad.

2.) Christmas Vacation – An absolutely perfect Christmas Masterpiece. Clark Griswold's quest for the perfect Christmas light display proves that sometimes it's okay to blind your neighbors with holiday cheer.

1.) Home Alone - Little Kevin McCallister shows that the best way to celebrate Christmas is by turning your house into a booby-trapped fortress against burglars.

(Editors Note: If you’re one of those people that say “Die Hard” to be cute or an attempt to be funny… Shut up.)

Day 25

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts – Svolvaer Brush with 28mm Maggards SHD Badger
• Razor: Silver Star Vintage DE
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: K Shave Works - Jingle Bell Spice Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Christmas Eve Splash
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux - Confluence EdT

Jingle Bell Spice is minty and sweet. It reminds me of this Peppermint Bark that my mom makes every Christmas ever since I was a little kid. I don’t see vanilla listed in the scent notes, but I swear it’s there. Or maybe I just associate the smell of Christmas and candycanes with that, so my brain is filling in the blank. Either way, it’s a wonderful Christmas scent. As I lather it up, I’m dreaming of… Mowing my dad’s lawn later today because it’s June… But also… A… Sleigh ride with the snow gently falling and I have a cup of hot cocoa to warm me from the inside out! The soap made a rich, creamy lather that smells like a warm, spiced blanket on my skin. The aroma is intoxicating, like a holiday market in full swing. As I worked the lather, I swear I heard the jingle bells and the distant sound of carolers... And my neighbor using his weedwacker because it's June.

For the splash, I used Stirling’s Christmas Eve. To me, this smells the place my family would go and cut down Christmas Trees as a kid. The instant it hits my skin, it's as if Christmas has exploded in my bathroom. The scent of fir trees, winter air, and a hint of Christmas spiciness envelops me, leaving a refreshing and festive tingle. The sting Stirling's splashes give me makes my face feel like it's been kissed by the North Pole breeze.

For the final touch, I spritz on Chatillon Lux – Confluence EdT. The fragrance is the scent of a Christmas Tree Farm, as far as I’m concerned. Reminds me of walking through the farm, looking for the perfect Christmas Tree to cut down, that my dad will inevitably curse when we bring it home and realize the tree is too big for our living room. It’s a great balance of embodying the essence of a winter forest mingled with the joy of holiday festivities. All in all, these scents were maaaaaaybe a bit much for a day I’m planning on mowing the lawn, buuuuuut perfect for a Christmas in June shave! #FOF

Sidecontest: #photocontest: Bokeh Balls

Challenge: I did indeed wear a hat while shaving. You’ll have to trust me on this.

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Christmas in July, but in June”… The Top 5 Worst Christmas Traditions

5.) Black Friday/Commercialization of the Holiday – Ughhhh! There was a time when Black Friday had good deals, but I feel like that has come and gone. And the over-commercialization of Christmas is the worst. I already feel like everyone is trying to sell me something and that gets worse during the Holidays.

4.) Christmas cards – Christmas cards are weird for a single dude to send out. And I never know what to do when I get them, like okay, I open it up, look at the picture of you, your wife, and you’re 2.4 kids, add it to the pile until I inevitably throw them all away in 3 weeks. And the people that just send a Christmas card of just their dogs are the worst. You know who you are.

3.) Inflatable yard decorations – Mostly because of how sad and depressing they look during the day.

2.) Ugly Christmas Sweaters – It’s not funny or ironic anymore. It’s just annoying.

1.) Elf on a Shelf – Oh here’s this creepy elf that gets into mischief and mayhem while you’re asleep, and you can’t touch him, and he’s watching you so Santa doesn’t have to because he’s too busy to watch you misbehave, Timmy. I hate this new “tradition” with a passion and I don’t even have kids.

Day 26

• Brush: Boti – 28mm Synthetic
• Razor: Silver Star Vintage DE
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Wholly Kaw – Project Leather Soap
• Post Shave: Henri et Victoria Cognac & Cuban Cigars Splash
• Fragrance: Mont Blanc – Legend EdP

So last year, I had no idea people used ridiculous things for Wildcard Wednesday and then the first two posts of the day were u/OnionMiasma using Motor Oil and u/Priusaurus using KY Jelly. And I told myself that I want to do something fun for Wildcard Wednesday next year. And here I am, using Wholly Kaw’s Project Leather. I don’t have a lot of Wholly Kaw in my shave den and didn’t have another place to put this, so here we are. It’s risky business relying on Wildcard Wednesday for a Sponsor point, but I like to live on the edge!

Today’s shave is one that made me feel like Ron Burgundy. Starting off with Wholly Kaw's Project Leather, I felt like I was transported into a high-end leather workshop. The lather exploded with a strong deep scent of leather, with the unmistakable addition of cigars, bourbon, and vanilla. This is exactly what I’d imagine Ron Burgundy’s house smells like. For my splash, the Henri et Victoria Cognac & Cuban Cigars was the perfect fit. The scent was a brilliant blend of smooth cognac and rich, earthy tobacco, keeping me right there, hanging out with Ron Burgundy at a sophisticated gentleman's club. The splash not only soothed my skin but also left me feeling like a debonair connoisseur of the finer things in life. To finish off scents, I used on Mont Blanc’s Legend EdP. Legend is Ron Burgundy in a fragrance – It’s leather, woody, and masculine. Using it brings an aura of sophistication and timeless elegance, and completely unjustified confidence, and that’s the Ron Burgundy way! #FOF

Sidecontest: #photocontest: Wood.

Challenge: I like the method of using warm water, a drop of dawn, and a little vinegar. I've only done it once, and I'm honestly not sure it made a difference, but it made me feel good about giving everything a cleaning.

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Wildcard Wednesday”… The Top 5 Songs with the word “Wild” in the Title

5.) Taylor Swift - Wildest Dreams – Tay Tay is an absolute musical juggernaut. She will be on damn near any top 5 music list anyone does these days.

4.) Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa- Young, Wild and Free ft. Bruno Mars – Just in case you didn’t know, Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, and Bruno Mars (1) get drunk, (2) smoke weed, (3) have fun, and (4) don’t care who sees.

3.) Steppenwolf - Born to Be Wild – I like to blast this song as I drive in my Honda Civic with my hands at 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock, going safely 5 MPH over the speed limit.

2.) The Troggs - Wild Thing – Kinda funny to think these guys were the badasses of their day.

1.) Will Smith - Wild Wild West ft. Dru Hill, Kool Mo Dee – To this day, I don’t know if this was supposed to be a joke of a song, or serious. Either way, with Will Smith as a rapping cowboy, I’m absolutely here for it.

Day 27

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts - Svolaer Aurora 28mm - SHD Badger
• Razor: Gillette Executive FatBoy
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: AA Shaving – The Hunt
• Post Shave: 345 Soap Co – Estes Splash
• Fragrance: Boucheron - Jaipur Homme

AA’s The Hunt has 22 listed scent notes. 22!! Does that mean I get double credit?? I think it’d be quicker for AA Shaving to list the scent notes that aren’t included with this soap. Holy shit – 22. When I read the list of scent notes, I had to take a break and get a snack halfway through. We’ve got woodsy notes, citrus bursts, floral undertones, spices, ozone, and possibly even unicorn tears. I think they just accidently dropped their fragrance oil collection into the soap and ran with it. I also got a kick out of this line from their description, “The Hunt is a great scent for the fall, summer, spring, and winter that is sure to please.” So that narrows it down to EVERY SEASON. Why not just say year-round?? And who orders the seasons like that??? Has anyone in human history ever ordered the seasons, starting with fall and going in reverse chronological order? That is crazy person behavior if I ever saw it. These people need to be locked up and have the key thrown away. We can’t have people that list the seasons in that order just roaming free. I will say, the scent was nice and enjoyable, and does it achieve it’s goal of taking my nose deep into the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, so they have that going for them.

For my splash, I picked Estes, which has a pathetic 9 scent notes listed… Fucking amateurs… Similarly, they are trying to evoke the scent of the mountains, except this time in Colorado. And they do it with half the scent notes. Both scents are designed to take you into the mountains, but I guess the mountains the AA Shaving goes to are far more complex. Imagine needing to take more than double the time to do the same thing as others? It’s like AA Shaving is u/MudAccording and 345 is everyone else player Lather Games. For my fragrance, I chose Jaipur Homme by Boucheron. Not surprisingly, it shares some of the same scent notes as the soap and splash, but more importantly, it’s a nice, warm spicy amber. And it’s no slouch in the scent note department with 12 listed: Lime, Jasmine, Cardamom, Carnation, Rose, Patchouli and Cedar, Cinnamon, Lemon, Bergamot, Benzoin, Tonka Bean. It’s like they took every scent known to man, put it in a bottle, and called it a day. Citrus, spices, woods, flowers—it’s all in there. With the olfactory overdose my nose experienced today, I’m all sorts of confused. Human sacrifice! Dogs and cats living together. Mass hysteria!! #FOF

Sidecontest: #photocontest: Elements: Earth

Challenge: I did indeed shave with my left hand. Once again, you’ll have to trust me on this. We’re on the honor system, right?

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Information Overload”… The Top 5 Pictures of Overloaded Cars and Trucks

5.) When I make a quick trip to Ikea

4.) More tables, ladders, and chairs than a WWE match

3.) Big load on a tiny truck

2.) Should we get a Uhaul? Nah, we can fit it all in my truck

1.) How many people are on this thing?

Congratulations you've been entered into the best shot photography contest!

Judge comment: nice simple shot, maybe think about additional elements or props to fill the space

June 28

• Brush: Yaqi – 22mm Badger
• Razor: Gillette Travel Tech
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co – Hot Apple Cider Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co – Hot Apple Cider Splash
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts – Samhain EdP

When I started wetshaving, I told myself there was an initial investment, but I would end up saving money in the long run. That’s what the internet told me. Hell, I even have a friend tell me the same thing. And I feel deceived. But it’s so worth it. Can you put a price on joy? I think not!

Fortunately, I don’t have anything terrible in my shaving gear line-up.

For my hardware: I got this brush as a defect direct from Yaqi on Alibaba and is cost $7, shipping included. It’s not great, but I wouldn’t call it AWFUL. This Gillette Travel Tech came in a vintage razor lot from Ebay, but I think original MSRP was like $.49 – Hell, even today, you can pick one up on ebay for like $10-15 bucks. I think I paid like $40 for a lot of 7 or 8 razors. I have a couple different blade brands, but the least expensive one I have is Gillette Silver Blue, which is about $15 for 100.

For my software: Stirling is by far the cheapest per ounce of any artisan soap out there. You get a whopping 5.8 ounces for $14.25 and the splash is $13.65. The fact you can buy a set for less than $30 AND the soap is massive is such a frugal win!

For fragrance today, I used Southern Witchcrafts Samhain. This has got to be the unsung hero of the wetshaving fragrance world. A bottle is $22!

Stirling’s Hot Apple Cider soap felt like taking a journey through an apple orchard in the fall. The soap filled my bathroom with the intoxicating scent of spiced apples and cinnamon. It was like autumn in a shave, making me ALMOST want to pull a Prius and eat the stuff. The splash matches the soap so I kept the fall festival going. A refreshing and invigorating splash, it soothed my skin and left me smelling like I just stepped out of a cider mill. And finally, Samhain EdP. This fragrance is the epitome of fall – earthy, smoky, and a subtle sweetness. With notes of autumn leaves, pumkin, and bourbon, it’s like a walk through a haunted forest on Halloween night. The perfect complement to the warm, cozy apple scent from Stirling. #FOF

Sidecontest: #photocontest: Birds. Two swans in the water, a flock of ducks flying by, and a bonus dragonfly flew into the shot too. Since they’re in the background, they aren’t in focus, but they’re there!

Challenge: This is the cheapest of everything I have in my den. It felt wonderful knowing how this hobby is saving me money!

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Frugal Friday”… My Top 5 Tips to be Frugal in Wetshaving

5.) Buy in bulk. Buying 100 blades at a time is gonna be cheaper than 5 at a time.

4.) Don’t be tempted by FOMO and avoid impulse purchases. If it’s good, it will come back. Unless it’s Ausflug.

3.) Borrow, instead of buy – See something you want to try? Ask someone who has one to borrow it, or join a passaround.

2.) Shop secondhand – r/Shave_Bazaar anyone?

1.) Unsubscribe to r/wetshaving – You’ll just want to buy what other people have. Remember: Comparison is the thief of joy. Be happy with what you have.

June 29

• Brush: Maggard 30mm Synthetic
• Razor: Silver Star Vintage DE
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Sir Henry’s – Black Tie LVS Soap
• Post Shave: Sir Henry’s – Black Tie LVS Splash
• Fragrance: Diesel – Only the Brave Street EdT

When I learned what sandalwood smells like, I thought kind of smells like a lot of typical “masculine” fragrances. Like if something doesn’t smell manly enough, let’s throw some sandalwood in there to make it more tolerable for the masses. If something is too “manly”? Let’s toss a little lavender or vanilla in there to soften it a bit!

“Hey, what do we have here? This is a perfectly, nice, inoffensive, generic fragrance! Let’s sell it!”

And that’s kind of the impression I get with Black Tie LVS. The LVS stands for Lavender, Vanilla, and Sandalwood.

The lavender shows through right away and it is tied to Vanilla, but underneath that tasty floral sweetness is the sandalwood to turn the volume down a little bit and make it more masculine. It’s a really nice scent the checks a lot of boxes and I think I can use something like this year-round. But honestly, I barely use it because the scent is just… Not special. There’s nothing wrong with it, but it never calls to me. Sir Henry’s performs alright, but not my favorite soap base either. I guess I’m as I’m typing this out, I’m realizing why I barely ever reach for this set.

I finished the shave with Diesel – Only The Brave Street because it’s woody and spicy, so I thought it would help bring out the sandalwood from the Black Tie LVS. Here’s where the magic happens. The sandalwood in this fragrance is the backbone of a scent that beautifully bridges the gap from the splash to the fragrance. It’s bold and has a little vanilla that makes it subtly sweet and it’s got that unmistakable woody undertone. It’s the perfect partner in crime for Sir Henry’s, adding an extra layer of depth to a day celebrating sandalwood.#FOF

Sidecontest: #photocontest – Humor. Software telling shaving jokes.

Challenge: You judges HAVE been keeping score, right? I think u/Priusaurus did the damn thing again. Last year, it seemed like u/OnionMiasma was really close, but this year, I don’t think anyone was playing at the same level he was. I said it last year, and I’ll say it again this year: If Prius doesn’t win, we riot.

For the photocontest, I hope my Summer Break Soaps pic (the current sidebar) has a shot at best photo, but Chrono’s lego pic was great too.

And for ROTY: I think u/bmac92.

For FOF: No idea.

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Do our homework for us”… My Top 5 Posts of the 2024 Lather Games

5.) u/chronnoisseur42O turning himself purple

4.) u/MrTangerinesky builds lather using a lifed car tire brush

3.) u/Priusaurus takes public shaves to a new level and shaves at his office copier for Dupe Day

2.) u/hugbckt lathers his head with a kitchen gadget, then shaves with a big ass knife and meat cleaver

1.) u/Priusaurus shaves his legs, in the car, with his kids in the back seat after trolling everyone into thinking he wasn’t going to do the challenge

Day 30

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

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

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

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

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

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

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

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

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

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

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

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

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