LG23-02 - Don't have a Cow, Man!
- Brush: Maggard Razors 24mm Synthetic
- Razor: Edwin Jagger DE86
- Blade: Astra SP (24)
- Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Desairology - Shave Soap
- Post Shave: Dr. Jon's - Blood Oath - Aftershave
- Fragrance: DSH - Become the Shaman
- Passes: WTG, XTG
- Coffee: Traveling and therefor whatever's in the Mr. Coffee
- Music: Brightblack Morning Light
- LG Tags:
#FOF
Today's theme is one of the more utilitarian days on the Lather Games calendar, but it's one of my favorites, because it's a useful reminder of how good vegan shaving soaps are these days. When I first started getting into the hobby, I had this inaccurate misconception that tallow-based soaps were inherently better than their vegan alternatives. That's simply not true.
The Southern Witchcrafts soap base is arguably the very best evidence of this; it's slick, kind to the skin, a breeze to lather, and quick to rinse off, all at a modest price-point. On top of the soap quality, the perfumery is intentional, varied, and opinionated—what the very best artisans bring to the table. I really should use their products more often, because I'm delighted every time I do.
For today's SOTD I started with the brand's unusual take on barbershop scents. I love how Desairology starts with some expected notes—musk, a bit of citrus, oakmoss—and then interprets the scent of a barbershop through the lens of ritual and apothecary, applying poultices and balms, burning holy resins and smudging white sage. Desairology competes with Valley of Ashes as my favorite Southern Witchcrafts composition and defines the barbershop category for me with just a few other wet shaving standouts.
I just have the one razor with me in my travel kit (an Edwin Jagger DE, my very first) so I couldn't Butter the Toast, but I happily simplified my shave and stuck to one side of the blade. Spinning the razor around always feels like an unnecessary pain in the butt anyway.
Continuing with the idea of chanted rites, protective sachets, and the power of ancient medicine, I sprayed on some aftershave from my sample of Blood Oath. Dr. Jon's was one of the other wet shaving artisans producing top-tier vegan products up until a few months back; it's a shame they had to close up shop and I wanted to make sure I included the brand in my Lather Games calendar. Unfortunately, while Blood Oath is a perfect thematic match to Desairology and an interesting scent, I'm happy it fades quickly. I don't mind its medicinal, herbal qualities, but I think it's a combination of ho wood and marjoram that smells overwhelmingly musty to my nose and the citrus isn't the bright, cheery, easy-to-love zest of solar citrus. Still, it's on theme for both the Lather Games and my SOTD.
I finished up my shave with a perfect segue and ideal capstone. Like Desairology, Become the Shaman highlights burnt palo santo incense, enhanced a bit by "copal, tobacco, and sappy milkweed." I enjoy it's straightforward progression and dramatic imagery—I can see the scene in my mind's eye. Dawn is at her best when working in a conceptual, avant garde mode.