July 27, 2023 - Lavendursday

• Brush: Yaqi Balu 24mm Synthetic
• Razor: Game Changer .68 SP
• Blade: Gillette Minora Stainless
• Lather: Martin De Candre - Original
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Barrister Reserve Lavender Splash
• Fragrance: Mäurer and Wirtz - Tabac Man EdP

FOF

Today’s Theme:

All three products used have lavender listed as one of the first scents. The soap by Martin De Candre only has three listed - Lavender, Mint, and Rosemary. Tabac Man has lavender listed first in the scent notes on Fragrantica. The splash has it all in the name.

Today’s Challenge:

The link above is the pic of my shave gear in place on my deck where I performed my shave. This year, I forgot a portable mirror, so I used my sliding glass door. The mixing bowl held the water to build my lather, and was used to rinse the razor. I forgot to bring out a towel to clean up after the shave, but I dropped a lot of lather on my shirt anyway. I just took off the shirt and cleaned up with it. I felt going back inside to clean up was not in the spirit of the challenge. A couple sprays of the splash, and then a spritz of Tabac Man and my shave was over. There was a strange thing about using the glass door as a mirror. I was seeing a double image of my reflection. It worked, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It was 97F this afternoon as I went to pick up my daughter at her camp. We ended up getting a late afternoon thunderstorm. Luckily, the storm broke before sunset. I wouldn’t have wanted to shave outside when it was dark out. The mosquitoes would have eaten me alive. The good thing about the storm was it really cooled things quite nicely. Temp was more like 80F when I made it outside.

Today’s Fragrance:

Lavender is not a favorite of mine. I don’t have much in my den that is really focused on it. I picked up a sample of the MdC soap to try the brand and for the lavender. The splash I got in a box of samples, and Tabac Man I got because it is Tabac. The soap is just the three scents and lavender is right out front. The mint is very light, but gives it a cool sensation. The rosemary gives a familiar pine scent that blends well with the lavender. The splash is just a spray of that purple flower. It was the strongest lavender scent I used for sure. For the Tabac Man, I’ll quote the description from Fragrantica.com:

“Tabac Man by Maurer & Wirtz is a Aromatic Fougere fragrance for men. Top notes are Lavender, Orange, Bergamot and Mint; middle notes are Coriander, Vetiver, Cardamom and Geranium; base notes are Nutmeg, Sandalwood, Vanilla and Patchouli.”

I don’t feel like this really is a pure Fougére. There isn’t that moss and fern note I associate with the category. This fragrance is more floral to me. The first thing I noticed was the lavender. Maybe I was looking for it, but it is still present an hour after I sprayed. Maybe some of the citrus is there in the background. I haven’t been able to distinguish the sandalwood or patchouli. If anything, the scent is very similar to the MdC Soap, but with a hint of the citrus and other florals and green scents besides the lavender. I’ll have to see how it holds up. Those bottom notes may come out as the lavender and citrus fades.

Today’s Haiku:

It’s not my first choice.
I have to use lavender.
But at least Tabac!

Edit: Follow up a few hours later. I can still smell lavender from the Tabac Man, but not really getting the sandalwood or patchouli yet. Tabac Man is pretty good though. Maybe time to explore lavender some more, but in Sample September.