LG23-29: Sandalwood Saturday
- Brush: Prometheus Handcrafts 24mm Maggard Razors SHD
- Razor: Charcoal Goods Level 2
- Blade: Astra SP (13)
- Lather: Black Ship Grooming Co. - Ghost Ship - Shaving Soap
- Post Shave: Proraso - Nourishing - After Shave Lotion
- Fragrance: Blackbird - Ophir
- Passes: WTG, XTG
- Coffee: Ethiopia Americano
- Music: Earth - The Bees Made Honey in the Lion's Skull
- LG Tags:
#FOF
The community really stepped it up this year. I'll admit that travel and various unforeseen circumstances pulled me away from the sub, and prevented me from keeping up with the Lather Games threads as much as I wanted, but I still noticed players going hard. Honestly, I needed the laughs. I just wish I had been able to keep up more and ensure I wasn't missing folks, which I definitely did.
So who's going to win this thing?
There are a few contenders I'd guess are competing for the top of the pack. u/OnionMiasma may have topped a darn-good 2022 performance with post after post of Lather Games gold. Those day-log posts are probably the highlight of his 2023 run, but that doesn't do the rest justice. u/Crisp_Mango wrote song after hilarious song—clever tunes every one of them—and even recorded future hit singles. The chaotic energy of u/j33pguy's top notch Lather Games 2022 performance lived on in u/MrTangerinesky, who's escalating "feud" videos aimed at Onion and u/Priusaurus have brought me to tears a few times. (I've also chatted with him quite a bit this week about some heavy stuff, so I need to thank him for that too.) Speaking of u/Priusaurus, his high-effort posts are essential reading; those interviews with our various artisans must have taken lots of planning to coordinate and are a clever way to stand out in a crowded field. Along with unique posts and all those interviews, he managed to clap back at u/MrTangerinesky—I am all about the fake drama and Hulk Hogan impressions. u/pridetwo may have gone under the radar a bit, but those SOTD photos are hilarious, and I could learn a thing or two from concise writing. And that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg: u/Marquis90, u/hairykopite, u/chronnoisseur42O, and u/Impressive_Donut114 all dropped bangers.
Which brings me to the side contests. Feats of Fragrance had an interesting year, including folks with unique approaches to the contest, like u/putneycj's haikus. u/Tetriside's and u/ginopono's scent descriptions were more detailed and personal, about the experience of wearing these fragrances. u/tsrblke effectively explained why all three scents were linked, often in an abstract way (something I try to do often), which can make for a fun SOTD. And, of course, there's u/USS-SpongeBob. Even just posting quick #FOF thoughts for Wally, I learn something new. Before I move on, check out the photo contest entrants; I feel like I'm missing at least one consistent photographer, but u/chronnoisseur420, u/gcgallant, u/cowzilla, and u/hairykopite all brought their James Webb to a Polaroid fight.
I should get back to the shave.
Today we celebrate the warm, rich, woody charms of sandalwood, a material that many of us have only smelled in the context of a fragrance, or a wholly synthetic recreation of the real thing. Sandalwood can smell creamy, musty, spicy, and earthy, and different varieties vary wildly. For example, the coveted Mysore is reportedly both creamy and robust, while Hawaiian sandalwoods are sweeter. (I can neither confirm nor deny either claim.) Include synthetic materials and there's a staggering number of permutations. I'm partial to the spicy sandalwood simulacra of deodorants and cheap cosmetics.
All three of my products revolve around this wonderful material. My lather uses it to balance sour citrus, my aftershave is powdery barbershop sandalwood, and my fragrance leads with sandalwood before revealing an equally important saffron accord.
I started off with Ghost Ship, a top-tier Summer seasonal that combines grapefruit and sandalwood over a "Black Amber" base. I don't know anything about Pennsylvania's Black Ship Grooming Co., but Ghost Ship has popped up in many "favorite scents" lists over the years, and it was an immediate favorite once I gave in and ordered a tub. I've heard earlier Black Ship soap bases weren't ideal, but I find Kaito easy to work with, very protective, and slick. Coconut oil is still ingredient number two, but this soap is loaded with plenty of seed butters. And I'd buy this soap again even if the base was truly awful. The sandalwood here is creamy, sweet, and very smooth, making it an ideal companion to tart grapefruit. The amber reinforces that smooth, woody quality while texturing the scent with a bit of added complexity. For a three note blend, it sure smells like Ghost Ship has more going on, while simultaneously allowing the grapefruit and sandalwood to shine. I love it year around.
Getting to my aftershave, there's not much left to say about Proraso Red. Interestingly, I've read this is either the most or least accurate sandalwood scent out there, which reinforces what I was saying earlier; there are many flavors of sandalwood—natural, synthetic, or both—and the type you're used to regionally likely determines what you think smells correct. I happen to like the spicy, aromatic quality of Proraso Red, but it also reminds me of scented urinal cakes. (Better-smelling than most, sure, but still chemical and about to get drenched.) This take on sandalwood is quite powdery, with a resinous warmth I'd expect from a dash of sharp cinnamon. It works well as an aftershave, leading with a harsher, spicy vibe, and settling into a powdery one with time. Like Ghost Ship, lots of complexity for such a narrow scent profile.
Ophir is a different story—there's tons going on here. I've used a couple of Blackbird fragrances this month, all of which or are extremely conceptual; this one focuses on specific materials instead, reveling in entangled sandalwood and saffron accords. It leads with the sandalwood, a dry woody heart (lots of guaiacwood, perhaps) rounded by nutty notes, and textured by pungent spices just waiting to tip the scales in their favor. Ophir avoids lively or fresh in favor of warm and smooth—there's no tangy citrus, juicy fruit, or anything green. Continuing with dry woods and spice (I get nutmeg and stronger-yet black pepper), the sandalwood eventually gives way to a leathery saffron that carries just a whiff of rubber, sweetened by rosewood and restrained florals. If you want the complexity, texture, and wear of an incense fragrance, but don't like the of burning resins, give Ophir a try. It's among my favorites from this house and handles both sandalwood and saffron perfectly for my tastes.