June 13, 2024
- Brush: Yaqi – 26mm Synthetic
- Razor: Gillette Tech
- Blade: Wilkinson Sword
- Lather: Chicago Grooming Co. – 40 Soap
- Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co. – 40 Splash
- Fragrance: Chicago Grooming Co. – 40 EdT
Oscar Wilde said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If that’s the case, the wetshaving world is VERY flattering to the fragrance world. Because dupes are everywhere.
But I can’t help but think of the classic Michael Keaton movie, Multipicity, when he makes a clone of himself, and the clone makes clone himself, who then clones himself and #4 ends up being a little slow. How they explain it is how I feel about most dupes: “You know how sometimes you make a copy of a copy… It’s not as sharp as the original…”. Dupes often don’t smell near the same as the original. Just ask u/cowzilla3.
And it can be unimaginative. I struggle to call people who just exclusively dump a preblended dupe into their soap "artisans". Sure, a dupe here and there is fun and ea$y, but if you aren’t making your own scents, at least sometimes, can you really call yourself an artisan?? What do you think? Sound off in the comments below! And it’s for this reason, I don’t have many dupes in my den. I find myself gravitating toward unique, original scents as I appreciate the artistry of those who create something new. All that being said, this dupe of 40 is Fucking Fabulous. No, like really, like, it’s so good, but it’s also based on the Tom Ford scent, Fucking Fabulous. And Vida makes damn good products, so this is so enjoyable to use.
And since 40 is a copy of a designer scent, and everyone is using copies of scents today, I figured it’d be appropriate to head to the copy machine at my office and have a nice copy shave there. This is even tougher than shaving in a park or restaurant, or Target bathroom, because I know these people! If I stranger sees me shaving on a bench, whatever. They think I’m a weirdo and go about their day. If someone I work with sees my shaving next to the copier, there’s no coming back from that. Plus, the copier is just kinda in the middle of the office, a stone’s throw away from a VP’s office. My best bet to avoid people would be going at like 5AM or staying well past working hours, but neither of those options seems appealing.
I honestly don’t know how I would explain this away if I get caught. There’s a perfectly functioning bathroom here. What excuse could I possibly have? The truth shall set you free. Explaining the Lather Games is the only way to go about this.
The copier sits directly behind the VP’s Admin Assistant, who we’ll call “Donna”. I start by telling her I’m doing an internet shaving competition and I’ve already lost her. Then I tell her I’m going to shave in front of the copy machine… And the look she gave me was a combination of bewilderment, surprise, and utter confusion. I tell her a bit more about The Lather Games and the hobby side of shaving, and end with “Don’t worry, I won’t make a mess and I’ll be done in 5 mins.” Donna doesn’t really know what to say, because (1) I doubt this topic was covered in her training manual and (2) it’s not like I report to her, so she can’t tell me NOT to shave in front of the copier. She’s not copier security. Plus, Donna is a real one. She just said “Just please make sure clean up when you’re done. [VP] will be really upset if something gets messed up there.”
I reassured her they wouldn’t even know I was ever there and looked at my shaving space for today. I sit down on the floor, get set up and begin to lather and then proceed to shave in front of the copy machine. Miraculously, no one came up to print or copy anything while I was using the space, so I only had to have that one conversation with Donna. Time will tell if she tells anyone about this. I’m considering this a test of Donna’s trustworthiness. I swear if I hear about this from my boss, I’m gonna know you’re a snitch, Donna!
My #FOF was somewhat uninspired, but still smelled amazing. Sure, trickholing a dupe isn’t exactly olfactory rocket surgery, but this scent is great. It’s rich leather and sweet vanilla, with lavender, sage and a slight hint of almond that says, "Yeah, I’m fabulous, and I know it." It has a really nice warmness to it, and one I really, really enjoy. It’s perfect for those days that I want to “just smell good”. Whether it be for a date out with the wife, an important work meeting, or attending a wedding. Every fragrance has its place in my den, and this one is for those times I want to smell Fucking Fabulous.
Challenge: I took my turn with my kids’ crayons and drew the 40 Label. I’m the worst artist in the world.
Soap Theme Justification: 40 is a dupe of Tom Ford’s Fucking Fabulous
Relevant Post Shave & Fragrance: 40 Trickhole