July 23, 2023 – What IS that enchanting aroma

• Brush: Paladin Chief 26mm Satin Juma Smoke
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird Ti
• Blade: Astra SP (2)
• Lather: HAGS – Darkside (Donkey Milk)
• Post Shave: HAGS - Darkside splash
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux – Yuzu Rose Patchouli

The Soap: I will admit, I bought this soap simply for the label art. As a Star Wars fan I just couldn’t pass it up, but I had high hopes for a dark masculine scent. I had never used HAGS soaps before and I briefly read the scent as being a woody floral. Upon arrival my perception of the soap had definitely changed as the floral notes overwhelm the scent right off the tub. Thankfully it dries down to a fantastic scent.

The Lather: For me, Darkside is tricky to get the lather right. It’s a very soft soap and I find it easy to over hydrate. That said, if lathered correctly it produces a slick and cushioning lather.

The Shave: The shave was nothing short of spectacular. The Blackbird Ti shape reminds me of a light saber, and not the Chapelle version, so of course it adds to the Darkside shave experience.

Post Shave/Frag: Being such a great scent there was of course no other option than to follow it up with the matching splash. To match the floral notes of Darkside I decided to follow it up with Chatillon Lux YRP. The two blend well together and have me feeling like a new man.

Theme: Today’s soap choice was fairly difficult for me. You see I work with 16 women and 1 man so I get a fair number of women weighing in on any scent choices I make. In the end, HAGS Darkside won due to the way it was received by the office ladies. One even went to far as to tell me “If this is what Darth Vader’s helmet smells like, I’m in.” Whatever that means.

Challenge: This is the lather you were looking for.

#ROTY