* June 3

• Brush: Chisel and Hound – Maggard Razors 26mm SHD knot #SHD
• Razor: Baili TTO #ZAMAC #STAINLESSLESS
• Blade: Treet Classic Carbon Steel
• Lather: Chicago Grooming Co. – Montrose Beach
• Post Shave: Pinnacle Grooming – Virgin Islands
• Fragrance: Chicago Grooming Co. – Montrose Beach

A perfect shave for a hot summer’s day. It smells like I’m at the beach, sipping a drink out of a coconut. This shave wasn’t just any shave, but a luxurious journey to the serene shores of Montrose Beach. Are the shores actually serene there? I hope they are, because it smells like they should be. And the soap performs beautifully, thanks to the sacrifice of some ducks!

Yes, you read that right. Duck fat. The secret weapon you never knew you needed. Why duck fat, you ask? Because have you ever tried to catch a duck? Well, I haven’t either, but I imagine they are quite slippery and that’s why shaving soaps made with their fat are tops! The glide of this soap is among the best I’ve tried.

When I shaved, I imagined I was standing at the beach, the early morning sun casting a golden hue over the water, the air filled with a crisp, refreshing breeze. That’s the sensation this shave soap brings to every fiber of my being. Hints of oceanic notes, with a subtle touch of earthy undertones, instantly transported me to above mentioned serene shores.

As I worked the lather onto my face and the glide was unparalleled. The carbon steel blade effortlessly glided across my face like a surfboard cutting through the waves, leaving behind nothing but perfectly smooth skin and a lingering scent that’s as rejuvenating as a morning swim in the ocean. No nicks, no irritation—just a flawless shave that speaks volumes about the quality and craftsmanship behind Chicago Grooming Co’s creations. Behold! The magic of duck fat and the essence of Chicago’s finest beach turned my morning shave into a trip to the beach.

I kept that energy going with Pinnacle Grooming’s Virgin Islands Splash, which is like being served a sweet, fruity drink at the beach by a guy with a bunch of coconuts, a machete, and a bottle of rum. And finally, to bring myself back to the shores of Chicago’s finest Beach, I sprayed on the Montrose Beach Fragrance. Such an absolutely beachtastic shave for a Monday morning. If today’s shave is any indication, it’s going to be a great week.

🌊🪒

Challenge: I don’t have Osma and never tried alum. I read about it when I was first getting started and their seemed to be a big divide over whether or not it was recommended, so I skipped it altogether. Did I make a mistake? Should I be using this stuff?

ROTY