June 1, 2024

• Brush: Aurora Grooming LG24 Synthetic ("Lux Emerald Green") #SUBBROOSH

• Razor: Shumate Trusty (w/ orange scales, orange tang) #RAINBOW #RUSTYBUTTRUSTY

• Lather: AA Shaving - Wapiti (smush courtesy of u/OnionMiasma!)

• Post Shave: Wholly Kaw - Ikigai

• Fragrance: Atelier Cologne - Bergemote Soleil

"Got me a movie, I want you to know..."

Losing your virginity can be awkward and fumbling. At least that's been my experience. This is my first Lather Games. It's also, because of the Daily Challenge, my first ever attempt to shave with a straight razor. The Shumate was purchased used (and ostensibly shave-ready) on Ebay. It didn't seem to pass the "hair test," and after several minutes of careful stropping I went into the shave apprehensive.

In the end I'm proud of myself. Despite struggling with the angle of the blade, I managed to cleanly shave the flatter, accessible parts of my face—sideburns and cheeks—with only one nick, before bailing when I got to the jawline and chin. Too precarious for the time being. Whenever the blade was near the upper part of the face, near the eye sockets, I found myself thinking of the film Un Chien Andalou.

Lather, Post Shave, and Fragrance items were all used by me for the first time. Wapiti has a wonderful misty, atmospheric vibe, but also a note I can't quite place (like a more pleasant version of chlorine?) With Ikigai I get vanilla and musk more than any other notes.

Brush Strokes is a SOTD coda wherein I highlight a single work of art that, somehow or other, I perceive to be on-theme. Today's work is Tintoretto's Presentation of the Virgin, which hangs in the church of Madonna dell'Orto in Venice. It's a striking image that seems at once grounded and immediate, while also affording a distinct sensation of ascent, or possibly transcendence.

ROTY