u/chronnoisseur42O's SOTDs for challenge 'Feats of Fragrance 2023'

July 1, 2023 – LG 1: Bonjour Lather Games

• Brush: Grizzly Bay Elite Razor 28mm Silvertip
• Razor: Valet Autostrop #SELFSHARPENING
• Blade: Feather FHS10 (1)
• Lather: Through the Fire Fine Craft – Campfire
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming – Scrumtrulescent
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth – Rumble

Day 1, woot!. Never used an auto strop before and never used TTFFC.

Let’s start software. TTFFC is a decent base, not knock your socks off but plenty serviceable. Scent wise campfire it is a decently sweet, smoky, tobacco and vanilla- like eating a more. Coincidently I am headed off camping today, and hoping limited cell service can keep me posting in the games. Scrumtrulescent really builds onto that chocolate flair, quite gourmand. Lastly, my first go around with rumble and I’m impressed. More chocolate, while adding some booziness and dirtiness from the woods and vetiver, but overall much less sweet than the prior two. Quite a rich thruple of scents. #FOF

Hardware wise, the valet auto strop is new to me. Thanks u/eldrormR for hooking it up on the zaar. Uses a blade similar to GEM SEs but without a spine, and appears to only work with one orientation. Its rigidity seems between a standard DE and GEM SE. I went into the shave with similar angles to using a GEM based on the head design, which I rarely use. Same trouble spots same as SE for me namely under nose and bit around chin. #photocontest (thematic)

soap brands 1/30, post shave 1/30, frag 1/30, post/frag linked 1/30, software sponsors 0/15, hardware sponsors 0/2, razor hashtags 1/15, brush hashtags 0/15, photo contest 1/30, daily challenges 0/25, special challenges 1/5

July 2, 2023 – LG 2: Don’t Have a Cow

• Brush: Maggard Synthetic
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM (35)
• Lather: Black Ship Grooming – Captain’s Reserve
• Post Shave: Apex Alchemy Soaps – Champagne and Strawberries
• Fragrance: Stirling Soap Co. – EMP

Cell reception at the campsite, so LG posting can continue! Now to awkwardly explain to my fellow campers and friends why I’m out here shaving in the bush and posting it on the internet… mixed results and enthusiasm, but people got a kick out of it.

Black ship is not my favorite base, bit airy for me, but still serves its purpose just fine. As a Bay Area native, vegan folks and food offerings are plenty. And although vegans in my experience are not typically frat boy club goers, that is what sort of links my shave scents together today. Captions reserve and EMP of course both being creed aventus dupes, the basic b**ch cliche of scents. Seems like most artisan fragrance makers despise it at some level, yet most find a dupe at some point or another making it into their line up. So today I channel my inner vegan frat boy club goer, get my aventus dupe, have my champagne and strawberries in the VIP club room, only to coat myself in yet more aventus nectar. I’ve honestly never smelled the original, so don’t hate me, but I sort of enjoy the EMP. Quite fruity and smoky, and works well with the fruit forward apex alchemy. Extra smoke from the morning fire. #FOF

Synthetic brush today too, cause you know, no harming animals. I still sort of suck with GEMs, and I think I may used mine for AA then retire it to the shelf. Also, had to borrow u/mammothben patented lather plate (SFW if you’re ok seeing faces) with Nalgene to get the shave going this morning. #photocontest (scenery). SOTD photo please, not lather plate.

soap brands 2/30, post shave 2/30, frag 2/30, post/frag linked 2/30, software sponsors 0/15, hardware sponsors 0/2, razor hashtags 1/15, brush hashtags 0/15, photo contest 2/30, daily challenges 1/25, special challenges 1/5

July 3, 2023 – LG 3: Almonday

• Brush: Maggard Synthetic
• Razor: Gillette Travel Tech #JETSETTER
• Blade: Personna Super Stainless (2)
• Lather: Moon Soaps – Amaretto Speciale
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – O, DELIGHT!
• Fragrance: Maher Olfactive – Treachery

Never used moon before, this was a smoosh curtesy of u/priusaurus. Amaretto smells, well like amaretto, but maybe not as boozy as the liqueur smells (ever tried beer and disaronno, tastes just like Dr Pepper). O Delight is another nutty, rich, slightly stone fruity follow up. Treachery is well, treacherous, and has sweet almonds as a scent note. That said, while the prior 2 are rather light and sweet, treachery is strong, boozy, with loads of tobacco. A bit gourmand on the dry down, almost like one of those almond croissants that have that heavy vanilla influence. This scent is not for everyone, and even initial application is a bit much for me, but it develops into something quite complex and inviting. A great wear today while outside and people have been drinking whiskey and around the campfire for several days. #FOF #photocontest (water). Kayak made by my buddy and is an absolute stunner.

As for u/redmosquito88. What a champ, blue ribbon for LG last year, red ribbon in FOF, solid memes and shaving insights through those games. Meanwhile the internet can’t even decide and/or agree what color ribbon my noble finish deserved.

soap brands 3/30, post shave 3/30, frag 3/30, post/frag linked 3/30, software sponsors 1/15, hardware sponsors 0/2, razor hashtags 2/15, brush hashtags 0/15, photo contest 3/30, daily challenges 2/25, special challenges 1/5

July 4, 2023 – LG 4: April Showers Bring May Flowers

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps DG B9A #SHD
• Razor: Maggard V3 on MR11 Handle #RAINBOW
• Blade: Personna Stainless (3)
• Lather: Australian Private Reserve – Lavioletta
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Rawr
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth – Sonder

Lovely spring bouquet and scents today starting with the lovely APR lavioletta. A very floral, lavender and violet forward scent to match its namesake. It reminds me a lot of BM Just Right for a Tuesday, but perhaps a bit more crisp and herbaceous. While the soap was flower forward, the AS rawr is the ground in spring, ripe with green grass and dandelion notes, and the plethora of white florals one might find in meadows and fields (the body powder actually went to my painfully sunburned feet due to some extensive time at the lake). Sonder layers on top beautifully, more white florals but much creamier and woody underneath, with hints of citrus. #FOF #PHOTOCONTEST (vegetables, what is more spring than planting ones spring garden?!)

As for today’s challenge, if reading is not your forte, here’s the pictures. I’d say I’m halfway between Walter White and Jessie Pinkman on my approach. Opted for 2g of soap, as my old APR is quite firm. Added 8mL of water, but that was almost nearly all drank up by the dry SBS (oh hey, today’s sponsor, that was intentional! The beauty of leaving parts of the calendar open to wiggle) B9A brush. Got a new container tared, and added 12mL of water to it, and figured that should suffice. It gave me a nice 10:1 water to soap ratio. In hindsight, I should have used more soap, but the ratio was actually pretty spot on for my preference of hydration. I wonder how it would scale up though. I’d have to guess an additional 2-3mL of water were added to my face pre shave and between 1st and 2nd pass.

I will say I’m guilty of buying the rainbow shiny V3 head for this years LG, but I already had the blue MR11 handle (twas my 2nd razor purchase on my wetshaving journey). It completed my Maggard head collection which was nice, as I’d purchased, traded, and been gifted the others over the years.

soap brands 4/30, post shave 4/30, frag 4/30, post/frag linked 4/30, software sponsors 1/15, hardware sponsors 1/2, razor hashtags 3/15, brush hashtags 1/15, photo contest 4/30, daily challenges 3/25, special challenges 1/5

July 5, 2023 – LG 5: Canned Shave Goop

• Brush: Amazon Badger #ANCIENT #WEDONTNEEDNOSTINKINGBADGERS
• Razor: Merkur 23c
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (1)
• Lather: Barbasol – Soothing Aloe
• Post Shave: Burt’s Bees – Natural Aftershave
• Fragrance: Giorgio Armani – Acqua do Gio

How does such a solid playlist lack Canadian greats like Celine Dion and The Biebs?!?

All products available at drug and department stores. This crappy old Amazon badger was my first shaving brush, a no name best badger that came in a kit with the 23c. This seemed like a perfect day for #PHOTOCONTEST (r/wicked_edge), since that sub is how I came to the hobby many a years ago. Furthermore, everyone on w_e knows a stand is completely necessary for your brush to dry properly. Beginning shave products only accentuate the classic w_e photo, to bad I didn’t destroy my neck too show you as well…

As aforementioned, all products are linked by their availability today, so I won’t dwell on scent too long. Barbasol is modeled as a classic barbershop of sorts, the Burt’s bees is similar masculine freshness, with a touch of minty/menthol. The AdG was my first and only big house cologne, that got me all the compliments in the early to mid 2000s. A “classic” so to speak, a citrus aquatic scent that to me has a typical cologne scent that I can’t really discern the individual scent notes, but is blended into a fresh and clean nostalgia bomb. #FOF

As for my scent, I would design a POG Aquatic. POG stands for passion orange guava, and is a common and popular drink in Hawaii. My GFs mom grew up there, and her sister now lives there so we visit a lot. It’s quite sweet, but a lovely fruity drink nonetheless. Lately I’ve had a few POG seltzers and POG Hazy IPAs that have been absolutely delicious and refreshing. It has some of the fresh citrus notes already in many aquatics, but I’d want to spruce it up from just fruit notes to a fruity aquatic. According to the internet I’d want calone and aldehydes to give it that saltiness. I think some cucumber might give it some nice freshness as well. So to all you artisans out there reading this, feel free to make one, and if you want to give me $0.10 for each tub on the back end that would be great. Or just make it and I’ll buy it, but keep it fruit heavy.

soap brands 5/30, post shave 5/30, frag 5/30, post/frag linked 5/30, software sponsors 1/15, hardware sponsors 1/2, razor hashtags 3/15, brush hashtags 3/15, photo contest 5/30, daily challenges 4/25, special challenges 1/5

July 6, 2023 – LG 6: Olfactory Overdose

• Brush: r/wetshaving MOAR BOAR #CHONK #OLDWORLD
• Razor: Henson AL13 #CNC
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (2)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Haverford
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. – Haverford
• Fragrance: Stirling Soap Co. – Haverford

~~Dickhole Day~~ Olfactory Overdose is always a nice day you don’t have to think too much about, and I’m guilty of having far too many trifectas to choose from. That said, always love a Haverford shave. I think I actually prefer Haverford to TF Tobacco Vanille, but the sillage on the actual one is way better. Price on the Stirling however can’t be beat- I’ll have to get a full bottle. This set (well soap and AS) was actually my first LG prize along with one of their travel cases 3 LGs ago. The balm and frag since added. Apparently dickhole and stacking were paired together 2 years ago. I will say sparkle suds, shave shiny from that era folded just like Entertainment 720. Too ahead of its time. Also, let’s not forget this Haverford classic from the djudicial djudge man himself- one of the top posts I’ve seen in the games.

Haverford is named after the Parks and Rec character Tom Haverford, here’s a great highlight reel of his inventions. It’s sweet and strong off the puck, with lots of caramelized vanilla. It shifts into the tobacco, with dried fruit undertones, and is built on a base of cocoa. There is some spiciness to it, but nothing crazy. The AS and frag are very similar to soap in how they transition, albeit quicker and slower respectively. The AS is also notably very heavy on the vanilla and a bit more spice appears in frag form. #FOF #PHOTOCONTEST (mobile phone, complete with Tom guest starring near the base of the stack).

soap brands 6/30, post shave 6/30, frag 6/30, post/frag linked 6/30, software sponsors 2/15, hardware sponsors 1/2, razor hashtags 4/15, brush hashtags 5/15, photo contest 6/30, daily challenges 5/25, special challenges 1/5

July 7, 2023 – LG 7: Fremen Friday

• Brush: Chisel and Hound V8 #SHD
• Razor: Gillette Red Tip Super Speed
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (3)
• Lather: Apex Alchemy Soaps – Speakeasy
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Reserve Spice
• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Spiced

Actual footage of me trying spice for the first time on ~~tatooine~~ Arrakis. For the #PHOTOCONTEST (light source) it seemed fitting to place my wares on a lamp base with bulb overhead to emulate the harsh deserts and sun of Dune. Used a head lamp to try and add some red flare as well.

As for the smellz today, spice through and through. Apex Speakeasy in their words is a refined bourbon/cinnamon scent. To me it smells a lot like how hot tamales candies taste. In the ballpark of TFTV dupes. It is very cinnamon upfront, but plenty of sweetness from vanilla, tobacco, and hints of cherry. Reserve Spice is the classic old spice dupe, lots of carnation and nutmeg, giving it that clove-y spice, and vanilla and tonka to mellow it out. I absolutely love spearhead seaforth spiced. An update on the classic, the mandarin really comes through. Its sweet, but plenty creamy from vanilla and tonka again, with the usual spices like anise and clove underneath and throughout the dry down. It is very reminiscent of fruit pomanders at Christmas time, those oranges spotted with cloves, with some lovely baked goods like sugar cookies wafting in from the kitchen. #FOF

For the daily challenge, we have the other hobby of LEGO. That’s a collection of most of my stuff, most of which is in a little detached room from our house. As a hobby, there are a lot of similarities to wetshaving IMO. It’s expensive and takes up a lot of space. Different themes is sort of like different artisans, in that there are LEGO originals and dupes (aka licensed themes). They are both pretty nerdy in a way, as manly as straight razor shaving can be, be real, we’re a bunch of dorks. Lastly, there are plenty of acronyms. My favorite is probably SNOT (studs not on top). Other include but not limited to: MOC (my own creation), SEC (some else’s creation), BURP/LURP (big/large ugly rock piece).

soap brands 7/30, post shave 7/30, frag 7/30, post/frag linked 7/30, software sponsors 2/15, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 4/15, brush hashtags 5/15, photo contest 7/30, daily challenges 6/25, special challenges 1/5

July 8, 2023 – LG 8: Small Business Caturday

• Brush: Maggard 24mm 2-Band Badger
• Razor: Maggard Slant on MR11 Handle
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (4)
• Lather: Maggard Razors – Lilac
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Fougère Angelique
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann – Fougère Angelique

What’s better than Saturday, Caturday of course. #PHOTOCONTEST (pets, featuring Mr Cat, aka lathercat).

Maggards soap, made by Through the Fire Fine Craft, is pretty run of the mill if you ask me. Not one of the all stars of this sub, but it still makes the team. Lilac is a pretty straightforward floral scent. Clean, crisp, and safe, but not much of a head turner. I initially had slated lilac vegetal in today, but opted to take a picture of my cat instead of smell like his liquid excretions. Seriously though, that stuff has a decaying floral, ammonia, medicinal quality to it that is a head turner, but for all the wrong reasons. Figured instead I’d opt for the phenomenal maggard exclusive fougere Angelique. A wonderful fougere that paints outside the lines, and is wonderfully citrus forward with loads of lime and neroli to my nose. Killer longevity for a citrus forward scent, but dries down with some floral elements from the geranium and lavender, eventually smoldering out to its woody and mossy base. Quite different than the other fougeres in my den, and really holds onto the citrus side of the scent throughout. #FOF

In case it wasn’t as clear as other day, although some floral elements link the shave, everything hardware and software today was from maggard, and had a nice purple/blue theme as well.

As for the challenge, getting meta today in the DQT and wondering about airbudding the airbud quest.

soap brands 8/30, post shave 8/30, frag 8/30, post/frag linked 8/30, software sponsors 3/15, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 4/15, brush hashtags 5/15, photo contest 8/30, daily challenges 7/25, special challenges 1/5

July 9, 2023 – LG 9: Death before Decaf

• Brush: Omega 10098 #HOLLOW #OLDWORLD #TOLL #TEXASPIGSTINKMASSACRE
• Razor: Gillette Slim #DIAL
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (5)
• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles – Irish Coffee
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Thé Noir et Vanille
• Fragrance: Olympic Orchids – Cafe V

Editors note: misspoke in the video, I said 30mm when I meant 60mm for Toll, this is for sure not a chonky boy, but has 65mm loft. Feel free to smash that ~~like and subscribe~~ fast forward and playback speed button.

I don’t own a ton of CB, but am always pleased when I use it. Even in todays shave using tea as the liquid, it preformed admirably. Irish coffee is well, an Irish coffee scent. It’s quite sweet IMO, which can be said of certain whiskies, giving that sort of caramelized vanilla note underneath the coffee. Thè noir et Vanille is awesome, and one of the few scents where I feel like I can lick out each of its 5 scent notes. Lots of floral and sweet (jasmine and strawberry) up front, with brightness form citrus (bergamot), and of course the distinct tea (black tea, or thè noir in French) and mellow vanilla. Cafe V from Olympic orchids is a much more intense, darker scent compared to the latter two. Hits you hard on the opening similar to leviathan, with rich coffee, woods, and leather. About an hour later it is much calmer, and smells more like your typical fresh ground beans turned into a cup of coffee. #FOF

As for the #PHOTOCONTEST (society). If making coffee and tea, and the act of shaving for that matter, aren’t everyday activities, then I don’t know what is. You don’t need to take my word for it, here’s NPRs How coffee influenced history. For most folks you could throw a rock and hit 47 Starbucks and several far superior local cafes, just sayin.

soap brands 9/30, post shave 9/30, frag 9/30, post/frag linked 9/30, software sponsors 4/15, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 5/15, brush hashtags 8/15, photo contest 9/30, daily challenges 8/25, special challenges 1/5

July 10, 2023 – LG 10: Musical Monday

• Brush: Prometheus Handcrafts Liquid Rainbow 26mm Fanchurian #SHD
• Razor: Rockwell 6S
• Blade: Voskhod (6)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Electric Mayhem
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Paganini’s Violin
• Fragrance: Berceuse Parfum – Allegretto 7.2

Electric Mayhem – rock and roll muppet band Paganini violin – Italian violinist and composer Berceuse – lullaby or a soothing refrain Allegretto – played at a brisk tempo

I mean, music all around today brought on by todays spotlight sponsor barrister and mann (and of course the fabulous nose of Mr Maher for our soap). I don’t normally listen to music while shaving, but today it seemed fitting: I went with The Crown by Alligator Spacewalk. Went to HS/in jazz band with this dude who DJs and plays various instruments, most notably trumpet. This tune seemed fitting for today’s inspiration.

Electric mayhem is a solid plummy citrus scent. The plum, yuzu, and tamarind give it a deep, jammy richness, unlike a lot of bright citrus accords you often find in wetshaving. It has an ozonic quality, which really helps capture the picture Will and Shawn were trying to paint by bringing the roaring 20s into modern light with electro swing beats (here’s the playlist Will sent Shawn). It’s hard to capture this one in words, but its awesome. Paganini is perhaps the lightest scent I own, with just the smallest hints of dried fruit tea. Some days it seems unscented if you’ve smelled a lot beforehand, but it has an unmistakably clean, fresh scent. Allegretto 7.2 was composed by Antonio Gardoni for Will’s perfume house berceuse. I actually applied it well before shaving today so I could get a better idea of how it smells and develops. I got a lot of sharp mint in the initial spray, quickly leading into other herbaceous garden notes and lavender. A bit woody at times during the day. Then it manages to get itself to vanilla and smoke. How from such a green opening is beyond me, but this scent changes IMO more than most things I’ve worn. Truly unique and an array of smells throughout- crescendos and decrescendos if you will. #FOF #PHOTOCONTEST (music, duh…)

Todays art challenge: drew all the software. Actually decently impressed with the scale of the dancers and use of negative space. Top notch stuff from a 12 pack of target brand colored pencils.

I def Rockwell n’ rolled through todays shave (I’ll see myself out now).

soap brands 10/30, post shave 10/30, frag 10/30, post/frag linked 10/30, software sponsors 5/15, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 5/15, brush hashtags 8/15, photo contest 10/30, daily challenges 9/25, special challenges 1/5

July 11, 2023 – LG 11: Sunny Days

• Brush: Rx Shave Synthetic
• Razor: Gillette Super Adjustable #DIAL
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (6)
• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime
• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime
• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime

This is a citrus forward aquatic, so I’m basically getting 2 birds stoned at once when it comes to being on theme today.

Lime can be so simple (mikes, Stirling, eleven), but this really is an elevated lime scent that was embraced by r/wetshaving, going so far as to be 2021 scent of the year. It’s so lime forward but without being overly sweet, perhaps that’s the bergamot. It has a saltiness to it, with a hint of spice almost like the faintest of bay. Underneath, although I get it less in the soap and splash, is a touch of earthiness and moss the anchors the scent and keeps it multidimensional. #FOF

For todays #PHOTOCONTEST (fruit) I went heavy on the limes, with a spritz of water to emulate the sea spray scent note. I think the cutting limes and figuring out how I wanted the photo for todays special challenge took about 2x+ as long as the actual shave. The brush was a gift in one of the many SS exchanges turned by our very own u/rdthedo. Razor is a birth year/quarter too FWIW. Here are some of my cooler photos over the years while we’re at it.

soap brands 11/30, post shave 11/30, frag 11/30, post/frag linked 11/30, software sponsors 6/15, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 5/15, brush hashtags 8/15, photo contest 11/30, daily challenges 9/25, special challenges 2/5

July 12, 2023 – LG 12: It’s so Fluffy I’m Gonna Die

• Brush: Hucklaration B9B #SHD
• Razor: CJB Kamisori Shavette #KAMISORI
• Blade: Feather ProGuard (AC) (4)
• Lather: Proraso – Menthol and Eucalyptus
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Northern Elixir
• Fragrance: Imaginary Authors – Saint Julep

I’m guilty of using crap soap (probably like many here) for years before stumbling upon this sub a few years ago. Probably used conk and AoS for about 7-8 years, then went down the habit hike into artisan territory a few years ago. That said, it also means a skipped over a bunch of stuff like proraso, Williams, arko, cella etc. So, like the diehards over at W_E, I had to scoop some proraso when I saw it on the clearance rack at Marshall’s or TJ Maxx.

Todays #FOF revolved around mint, and a heavy dose of eucalyptus. Both feature prominently in the soap and NO elixir splash. The proraso is actually quite mellow, and being menthol based surprisingly not to synthetic smelling for lack of a better word. It’s a subdued mint, and light eucalyptus. The latter lacking a lot of the potency and earthiness I often whiff when hiking in the nearby foothills of my house. Elixir on the other hand is stronger both scent wise and in cooling power. A blast of peppermint, eucalyptus, and herbaceous lavender fade to some cedar underneath. The cooling lasts I’d say a solid 15+min. Saint Julep is also refreshingly minty, model after the mint julep beverage. I followed this recipe today to drink after my shave, with the bitters because I’m sophisticated. Hence todays #PHOTOCONTEST (drinks). The Saint julep is bright, minty green, quite sweet, with subtly boozy whiskey. I think the sugar smell is one of the most closely matched to actual sugar I’ve come across in a fragrance. A hint of tangerine citrus in the back ground. That said, the sillage and longevity is short lived, did not develop a ton during the day, and probably only gave me ~3 hours on this rather warm day.

BOWL LATHERING SUCKS!, face gang rise up! Also, I’m useless with a kamisori and I think my cheap one isn’t functioning correctly and the blade can basically just fall out now. That said, it’s me, hi, I’m the problem it’s me

soap brands 12/30, post shave 12/30, frag 12/30, post/frag linked 12/30, software sponsors 6/15, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 6/15, brush hashtags 7/15, photo contest 12/30, daily challenges 10/25, special challenges 2/5

July 13, 2023 – LG 13: Hippy Dippie Baloney

• Brush: Dogwood 30mm Synbad #CHONK #COMPOSITE
• Razor: Gillette Ball End Tech #REGUS
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (8)
• Lather: Siliski Soaps – Incense
• Post Shave: Chatillon Lux – Yuzu/Rose/Patchouli
• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Black Watch

If only my user name checks out worked for todays #PHOTOCONTEST, instead we went with literature. Electric Kool Aid Acid Test and On the Road are both quintessential hippy books, making for a nice themed back drop. As for a song for todays challenge, I’ll go with Buffalo Springfield’s “For What it’s Worth”. Often pegged as an anti war song (and what’s more hippy than that) and used as such in entertainment media, it actually has a pretty interesting background. The gist of it is Stephen Stills wrote it about Sunset Strip Curfew riots, or “hippy riots,” where counterculture folks clashed with police. Many believed said curfew infringed upon their civil rights, and numerous of these civil disturbances occurred through the 60s.

For todays #FOF I went with Siliski’s incense. Hell, it’s right there in the name. It’s quite dry, and made up of frankincense, myrrh, elemi, and mastic. Simply put, it smells like its namesake, whether you’re walking into a ceremony at church or into a head shop with ~~bongs~~ water pipes and fuzzy black light posters. I followed it up with the much brighter YRP, after all, couldn’t be hippy without some flower power in there. Sweet rose and mildly tangy citrus are the stars, but they do fade to a bit of woody patchouli underneath (I think more so in frag form where the scent lingers way longer). Lastly, back to another heavy hitter in black watch. Rich, jammy plum, slight jasmine on top, I don’t really get the citrus. Plenty of strong incense, and mossy woods. The leather is quite manageable, as I find it can often be too intense or overpowering for my nose in a fragrance. I actually got several comments on it today with just a singular spray. From the GF in the other room, “wow that’s strong.” At work, it’s just me and a couple people planning for start of school year. I got settled in my office and our lovely business manager walked in and said, “ooohh, you wearing some nice cologne today, smells good.” FWIW (hey, that was my song today!), I sometimes compliment her perfume because she wears some decent citrus and floral stuff sometimes. Her comments prompted the attention of another coworker to come smell, who also approved.

In case djudges need more razor picks. This one actually came in a cool kit from a coworker when she changed schools. We were at a little pool gathering of work friends, and she commented about getting a safety razor to use for her legs to some coworkers (elementary ed is dominated by ladies). It was a perfect segue for me to over share all my cool stuff, but they appreciated it. I even got her some soap samples and a brush since she just had the razor. So the gift was quite heartwarming, and made in England, which is where me mums from so it was quite thoughtful.

soap brands 13/30, post shave 13/30, frag 12/30, post/frag linked 13/30, software sponsors 6/15, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 7/15, brush hashtags 8/15, photo contest 13/30, daily challenges 11/25, special challenges 2/5

July 14, 2023 – LG 14: Frigid Friday

• Brush: CaYuen Cosmic Abalone 24mm Maggard SHD Fan
• Razor: Space Ice Kamisori #YTHO #KAMISORI
• Blade: Feather FBS10 (2)
• Lather: Noble Otter – Northern Elixir
• Post Shave: Dr. Jon’s – Flowers in the Dark
• Fragrance: Imaginary Authors – Every Storm A Serenade

Mid month lull, nah, let’s turn up the heat, or in todays case, turn it all the way down. Let’s jump straight into a razor making story, which I guess technically began last night. Today I join the ranks of homemade kamisoris, pioneered by u/impressive_donut114 and his chopsticks last year, someone did a fork along the way (edit: credit to u/mrtangerinesky)and most recently in spatula form by u/onionmiasma for his kitchen shave. Thanks for being trailblazers in this space. Today, in honor of frigid Friday, I made my razor out of ice.

Now, this wasn’t my first idea initially, as showcased by whatever the hell this kitchen thing is. Those pics show it clearly wasn’t going to work. Then, a lightbulb went off, and I had my idea – ice ice baby.

I searched for handle shaped things, like aforementioned kitchen device, to try to freeze to no avail. Then it me, let build a mold from LEGO.. I wedged the blade in between some bricks, and filled with water. I was clearly getting some leaking but it was still worth a try. I def lost some volume, but it was at least frozen!. So I topped it off and back in the freezer it went. This morning, I got the brick separator and was ready to carefully remove the mold. First few pieces gone, minor cracking sounds. Making good progress, I had one layer down with integrity remaining. My next speed bump, the initial leakage made for a healthy ice seal along the edges. Ran a little water carefully on seams, and looking better and cleaner at the seams. I can taste it now, almost there. Couple careful slick Jimmys and the space ice kamisori was ready!.

I had to move quick for my SOTD. Thankfully I’d prepped the other components in place. Then I went to put my razor on ice while getting my other gear to the bathroom. If you actually want to watch me miserably fail at shaving today, that’s the video. Upon watching myself, I came to the realization I might have been using the ~~wrong side~~ non-traditional side of the blade for portions of passes, but that’s neither here nor there. That fucker was slipping around left and right.

As for our #FOF I love NO Northern ElixEr, that’s right, I have one of the cool misspelled prints. Loads of eucalyptus, mint, and herby lavender up front, with some woody undertones. It’s for sure the first 2 that are most prominent and remain throughout to my nose. Followed with the lightly mentholated Dr Jon FitD (RIP). It’s a fresh but dark, crisp but murky, stringent but soft – a really neat take on lavender. The cedar wood and ozone make it match and build on NO NE perfectly. Lastly, to keep with a sort of dark/night theme, I went with every storm a serenade. Off the bat, it was hard to smell as my nostrils were heavily mentholated, but I did pick up more eucalyptus and sort of green pine. It also has that ozonic component due to the calone. About an hour later, and as the NO and FitD gave way, I get loads of damp green forest, curtesy of the spruce and vetiver. It has some aquatic saltiness to it as well, similar to the smells of coastal NW forests I leave nearby.

Last but not least, #PHOTOCONTEST, going with the space theme who seemed fitting for a northern lights inspired soap. Complete with Women of Nasa and cool space spray paint graffiti art. Now if only I had contacted Cosmo… that can be for cosmos and not just cosmetology.

soap brands 14/30, post shave 14/30, frag 14/30, post/frag linked 14/30, software sponsors 8/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 8/15, brush hashtags 8/15, photo contest 14/30, daily challenges 12/25, special challenges 2/5

July 15, 2023 – LG 15: Sheep-Ruh

• Brush: Dogwood Coprolite B15 #COMPOSITE #CHONK
• Razor: Military Simplex #UNICORN
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (9)
• Lather: Grooming Dept – Peach Chypre
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Le Grand Chypre
• Fragrance: Rogue Perfumery – Chypre Siam

As I was figuring out my calendar I had several swap me Chypre. I have LGC, but needed BM another day. So, thanks to u/onionmiasma and u/tetriside who traded me some options. Normally, when something says “warning: terrible” on it, you avoid it in life, but this is LG after all, so that seemed like the reasonable choice. So thanks Onion, I guess? And a thanks to u/eructate for loaning the military simplex for #UNICORN. 40s 3 piece razor with metal head and plastic (maybe bakelite?) handle.

I don’t watch too many wetshaving videos, maybe the occasional scent review. I will say I appreciate how this day turned from bash on an influencer to appreciate someone, we need more positivity in the world. I do recall the first one I watched many moons ago was from u/iamsms, about how to properly lather. I figured I’d do some screen grabs, and showcase a sort of “who wore it best”. If you want to fast forward through a general video to adhere to todays challenge here you go.

I don’t claim to be a Chypre expert, but the gist is citrus top, labdanum (resinous) middle, and oakmoss base. Of course, this can then be taken several directions, enter peach Chypre. There is a touch of peach, but it is buried under a rather dirty patchouli, vetiver, mossy combo. I’d even venture to say it smells a bit like decaying fruit, like when something got left in the fruit bowl too long in the heat. As for LGC, I got it early when venturing into artisan work and it took a minute for me to appreciate it, but I love it. Quite citrusy and a bit floral on top, herby and resinous. Even a touch of light spice, Lastly, Rogue Perfumery’s Chypre Siam. Here, Manual Cross said he wanted to take the genre and, return it to its vintage roots, and use scents from Southeast Asia. Enter kaffir lime, ylang ylang, basil and lemongrass for brightness and citrus. Underneath, animalistic civet and leather are used in combination with the traditional moss base. About an hour or 2 after application, it’s mellowed a ton. Sort of a classy old grandpa smell. #FOF

As for #PHOTOCONTEST, went with games, as always need plenty of sheep in catan.

soap brands 15/30, post shave 15/30, frag 15/30, post/frag linked 15/30, software sponsors 8/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 9/15, brush hashtags 8/15, photo contest 15/30, daily challenges 13/25, special challenges 2/5

July 16, 2023 – Shave and a Hair Cut, Two Bits

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Coprolite B15 #COMPOSITE #CHONK
• Razor: Gillette NEW SC #REGUS
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (10)
• Lather: Ariana & Evans – Dos Dalagas Barbera
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming – Epiphenomenon
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann – Seville

Me, and I’m sure others, a couple months ago when the calendar released. Which makes sense, we all want to be prepped, planned, and have our own routines, but I think some take it more seriously than others.. Even the djudges tell us on the podcast to up our game, while complaining posts are too long.. Look, it’s getting hard to be creative everyday and do new things.

Meme day, however, does bring out the creativity in folks /s, despite some low hanging fruit and rehashed ideas. Or the obligatory FUCK PAA.

After several years, there’s no way to hide the chaos that is lather games from significant others. I’ve shared a lot of pictures with my GF, but I think made a grave mistake.

I’ll keep the #FOF short. Dos Dalagas is a middle of road barbershop, not super citrusy but it’s there, not too powdery, but it’s there too. Epi is talc and powder heavy to me, probably what these folks smelled like. Seville packs a citrus, and it’s Gods barbershop for a reason. I’m also partial to the heavy lavender and rosemary component, 2 plants I have loads of in the garden.

For my #PHOTOCONTEST (extinct animals), I have literal 2million+ year old bacteria in my brush. Maybe if you get super sciencey, you’ll note a fossil is dead, or possibly just a ~~rock~~ mineral, but they contain traces of organic material- aka extinct poop animals.

Little poop brush history and generic shave vid here.

soap brands 16/30, post shave 16/30, frag 16/30, post/frag linked 16/30, software sponsors 8/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 9/15, brush hashtags 8/15, photo contest 16/30, daily challenges 14/25, special challenges 2/5

July 17, 2023 – LG 17: Happy Together

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Coprolite B15
• Razor: Tatara Nodachi Handle/Top Cap Masamune OC, Plated by London Razors
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (11)
• Lather: Zingari – Mousse Illuminée
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Cerberus Fougere
• Fragrance: Rogue Perfumery – Mousse Illuminée

Not only was my soap and AS a collab. But my brush is a Dogwood and DG collab and my razor Tatara and London Razors collab, just saying. The frag, which I actually had before the soap, of course then became a collab between rogue and zingari for the soap.

Per the podcast, I’ll spell out the connection today, since perhaps not as clear: mossy, resinous, green. #FOF. In soap form, mousse illuminee is very stunted compared to the frag. I would say it’s a fairly easy going and a “safe” soap, whereas the fragrance packs a bit too much of a punch on application. Super resinous, mossy, and I’d venture to call it medicinal- but like questionable ancient medieval medicine. It’s sharp and bitter. Dried down not my favorite, but a safer warm woods, like walking into a sun baked forest or meadow. The Cerberus fougere, although dark compared to man fougeres, has a bright apricot note upon application. Then it delves into the mossy undergrowth, spice (I get anise), and the sappy resins. A bit balsamic and herbaceous.

As for the challenge, never used alum, never will. Why rub salt all over your face? In my video I went for an even stupider alternative.

I’ll be honest, I was really struggling for a #PHOTOCONTEST for today. So I revisited the list to see what I had left that I hadn’t already slated for a day. I was at a loss, as I idly waited, hoping a bird would land nearby, or a squirrel for that wild animals shot. After what felt like 30min of no luck despite hearing chirps, my lightbulb went off. I started rewatching Suits as some background noise while the GF was away this weekend, good background noise show as I can’t watch “our” shows while she’s away. In Suits, we have non other than The Duchess of Sussex herself (aka Meghan Markle for you plebs out there). I just clicked on an episode, waited for a scene, and bam, ROYALS.

soap brands 17/30, post shave 17/30, frag 17/30, post/frag linked 17/30, software sponsors 9/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 9/15, brush hashtags 8/15, photo contest 17/30, daily challenges 15/25, special challenges 2/5

July 18, 2023 – LG 18: Spooky Season

• Brush: Mojo Maggard 26mm Synthetic
• Razor: Karve CB SB B #CNC
• Blade: Rapira Platinum Lux (4)
• Lather: Storybook Soapworks – Carnivale
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Lyssa
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts – Samhain

Today, I went on a super lengthy hike, all the way to my side yard. I grabbed one of the shovels, a spade to be precise, dug a ditch, so I could do my SOTD for #PHOTOCONTEST. What's spookier than being buried alive... Then, I left the mojo buried under ground, where it belongs (kidding… I still needed to shave and I use it to dust my mountain of LEGO, it normally does not get shave privileges).

All software is fall themed today. Storybook/APR Carnivale is a perfect fall scent. To use their words, “Carnivale. Elegant Fall Molecules.”. Also described as “Carnivale is the story of festivals and celebrations that occur during the cool months of autumn.” I mostly get stone fruit, touch of spice, woods. It opens with dried apricot and plum and a hint of citrus, quickly enveloped by muscatel grapes – though not juicy per se. It’s supported by soft woods and mellow spices, non of which I’d pick out individually. There’s a slight dankness to it, the faintest whiff of jazz cabbage, and I’d know I’m something of a chronnoisseur myself.. Lyssa was dubbed zombie repellent, and is another clear fall scent (Oct 2019 release). It’s quite spicy, with sage and nutmeg leading the charge. There is a floral sweetness though, composed of rose, violets, and geranium. All resting upon a mossy, oud wood, and patchouli base. Lastly, Samhain (holiday on Nov 1st), the quintessential SW fall scent. Instead of making pumpkin spice a basic bitch, it’s wrapped warmly in a boozy bourbon. Sweet vanilla and tobacco, with just a touch of musk underneath it all on the dry down. #FOF

Here’s my Atlas Challenge, who I can say I proudly accomplished 2 or 3 years ago. Here’s a short normal vid of the shave. Getting them quicker, but remember playback speed is your friend.

soap brands 18/30, post shave 18/30, frag 18/30, post/frag linked 18/30, software sponsors 9/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 9/15, brush hashtags 8/15, photo contest 18/30, daily challenges 16/25, special challenges 2/5

July 19, 2023 – LG 19: CREAM

• Brush: Umbro Red Soccer Sock
• Razor: Gillette Ball End Tech
• Blade: Rapira Platinum Lux (5)
• Lather: St. James of London – Cedarwood & Clarysage
• Post Shave: St. James of London – Cedarwood & Clarysage
• Fragrance: Taylor of Old Bond Street – Jermyn Street

Spelling out the connection, London Products. With an English tech to boot.

For #FOF cedar wood and clary sage was just that, it’s in the name. Touch of floral rose too, but mostly a spicy, earthy sage complemented by wood. The AS gel was almost scentless compared to the cream, and had some more artificial hoopla going on. Jermyn street is one of those colognes that blends a bunch together making it so not much stands out. Heavy lemon and lime citrus, some herbaceous lavender rooted on top of a touch of musty musky patchouli.

Our #PHOTOCONTEST was sport. We all know the Brits put “u’s” in random places in words, but I always found it more interested how they add or drop and “s.” For examples, the photo category today was “sport” instead of sports. Or instead of math they say maths (pronounced maffs). Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to brew some Yorkshire gold, but seriously, if there’s one thing I got from me mum it’s a love for a proper cuppa.

challenge and video here. Sometimes we have to be creative for shenanigans, sometimes it’s forced upon us. I think the only way this could be worse is if you have a teenage son and you went to find a sock from their room…

soap brands 19/30, post shave 19/30, frag 18/30, post/frag linked 19/30, software sponsors 9/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 9/15, brush hashtags 8/15, photo contest 19/30, daily challenges 17/25, special challenges 2/5

July 20, 2023 – LG 20: Dupelganger

• Brush: Catwood Handcrafts 18mm Golden Nib #RUNT #SMOLL
• Razor: Ming Shi 3000s
• Blade: Rapira Platinum Lux (6)
• Lather: Chicago Grooming Co. (Formerly Oleo Soapworks) – No. 11
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Reserve Cool
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Reserve Cool
• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Fluer de France

Everything is a dupe today, and also linked by being a barbershop. No. 11 is based on Maison Margiela At the Barber, BM Cool (Italian barbershop) is based on Floid Blue, and Spearhead FdF (French barbershop) is of course an updated reimagining of Seaforth! Fluer de France. The Ming shi is a merkur futur clone and the catwood handcrafts is clearly a far superior and updated company that will surely have dogwood handcrafts customers moving over in droves. u/Vtephen_j clearly did a great job with this and I’m so glad I sent it back to get refinished this year. You can see the original build here and the refinishing work here. A complete transformation.

As for my my #FOF. No. 11 is a pleasant and subtle barbershop. Little bit of spice from pepper and basil, but mostly a well rounded lavender and rosemary combo sitting atop a tonka and musk base. I used BM cool in 2 variants today. It is a very “cologny” scent to me, with that sort of artificial citrus twang to it. Zesty bergamot and lemon balanced with some sharp lavender. As for FdF, it’s much mellower in its composition, and a rethinking of the classic French barbershop. Citrus and rosemary up top, touch of floral jasmine and geranium for freshness. It all sits upon a soft base of tonka, lavender, moss, and musk. To me the tonka gives it that almost vanilla sweetness (without actually being sweet if that makes sense) but with some earthiness and nuttiness.

As for my #PHOTOCONTEST, I went with vehicles. My car is blue, albeit very dirty, so seemed to match well today.

Edit: forgot my video which shows pasty challenge and thanks to u/priusaurus for the smoosh.

soap brands 20/30, post shave 20/30, frag 20/30, post/frag linked 20/30, software sponsors 10/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 9/15, brush hashtags 10/15, photo contest 20/30, daily challenges 18/25, special challenges 2/5

July 21, 2023 – LG 21: Fougere Friday

• Brush: r/wetshaving Zentih MOAR BOAR 31mm
• Razor: Chiseled Face Legacy
• Blade: Rapira Platinum Lux (7)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw – Fougere Mania
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Jungle Warrior
• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Heather

All my products are fougeres today, just in case that wasn’t obvious to our esteemed judges. Speaking of, can you believe we let this guy be deemed the judge, jury, and ~~executioner~~DQer. He is the literal law of the land when it comes to LG23. #PHOTOCONTEST, the law. A man who spread PB and bananas on his face for the internet holds our fate in his hands.

As for our #FOF, fougeres are the bees knees, and like barbershops, come in quite an array. That said, they are built upon some basics of lavender, coumarin, and moss. WK fougere mania is lavender heavy to me, almost medicinal. It has a bit of funk underneath from amber and musk. The NO/APR JW, like most APR is a laundry list of scents. I mostly get bergamot and citrus up top, with with distinct white floral and blossom components. Lastly, its base is woody and mossy with hints of patchouli and musk. It’s lists things like blueberry and bourbon, but I don’t get any of that. Lastly, Spearhead Seaforth! Heather is masterful. One of the best scents out there. It’s crisp, clean, green, and soapy. Shawn set out to remove some of the mossiness and boost the sage, which gives it a little more brightness than fougeres of old. Citrusy, herbal, refreshing.

Fougere Friday review video. Haiku below.

Fougeres are so great
I prefer the greener ones
That was creative

soap brands 21/30, post shave 21/30, frag 21/30, post/frag linked 21/30, software sponsors 11/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 9/15, brush hashtags 10/15, photo contest 21/30, daily challenges 19/25, special challenges 2/5

July 22, 2023 – Strange Times for Berry Club

• Brush: r/wetshaving Zentih MOAR BOAR 31mm
• Razor: Chiseled Face Legacy
• Blade: Rapira Platinum Lux (8)
• Lather: Chiseled Face – Banana
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Mood Indigo
• Fragrance: Stirling Soap Co. – Pearberry

Of course everyone was speculating that this day was intended for banana to honor u/J33pGuy13, since banana is botanically a berry. I got this sample a ways back curtesy of u/jeffm54321. #PHOTOCONTEST is food.

Now, most bananas consumed these days are of the cavendish variety. These are your standard run of the mill banana you’ll find at the grocery store. That said, this soap, to me, is much more aligned with the scent/taste of a Gros Michel banana, which is said to be the inspiration for banana flavored candy like nerds, laffy taffy, now n’ laters etc. Now, I don’t think I’ve ever tried one, but I did have a blue Java banana at a Hawaii farmers market, and it was a bit sweeter, and almost vanilla-like. Still way better than how the aforementioned candies tastes. The scent didn’t really come through until lathering, at least for the sample size I had. As for mood indigo, what a unique and lovely blueberry boozy scent. It’s cool and hip just like those jazz tunes of old. There’s something a bit spicy, but noticeably refreshing (what the scent note describes as night sky), like a breath of fresh air after leaving the booze and smoke filled jazz club and stumbling onto the streets. Pearberry is a sweet fruit bomb. Pear, strawberry, blackberry, and raspberry all combine for a fruit salad overload. I’d say this one is verging on too sweet, but great for hot weather. #FOF.

The following images are NSFW. Nothing horrendous, but you know. Someone had to help fulfill matching todays theme with a go at the challenge, as ~~requested~~ wondered by u/grindermonk. Alas, NSFW twig and berries, ~~FUPA~~ SUPA shave. I tried to flex my abs and made it black and white, so now it’s classy and artistic instead of just weird, right? Being the idiot I am, I just got in the shower and shaved. I assure you, the before went something like this. Fearing I wouldn’t fully qualify for the special challenge though due to my negligence in reading comprehension and lacking a before pic, I continued my quest. I pondered legs, having read u/newtothethis’s guide, but was kinda worried I wouldn’t have enough soap, nor did I want to hop back in the shower. So, I hear u/jeepguy13 likes feet too, so we went for a NSFW good ‘ol foot and toes shave too.. The hobbits might disown me, but the hairless feet with sandal tan is a suave look for sure. I’ll be honest, the feet tendons and angles were way harder than I anticipated. The nether region was easier than anticipated, but slow and steady was key. I should have taken u/newtothethis’s advice of a new blade I think, and sitting, at least for feet. I was awkwardly balancing with a leg up in the toilet.

If for some reason you looked at all that, I imagine your face looks SFW somewhat like this.

soap brands 22/30, post shave 22/30, frag 22/30, post/frag linked 22/30, software sponsors 11/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 9/15, brush hashtags 10/15, photo contest 22/30, daily challenges 19/25, special challenges 3/5

July 23, 2023 – LG 23: Enchanting Aroma

• Brush: CaYuen Maple Opal 26mm Silvertip
• Razor: GEM MMOC #BRASSING
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (33)
• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts – Fougere Nemeta
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts – Fougere Nemeta
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts – Fougere Nemeta

I think I get the most compliments on this because it is a fairly safe, albeit unique, scent. It’s captivating without being too adventurous to the average person. As much as we love the world of perfumery here from our fragrancers and soap makers, there are a lot that aren’t for everybody. Off the top of my head, I’ve gotten compliments on this from GF, her parents, my parents, my brother and his partner, and 2 co-workers. This set was a PIF during LG for label artwork I drew, 2 years ago from u/youarebreakingthings. I almost immediately got the EDT to add. The razor a PIF from u/eructate. Here’s some pics of the brassing, not a ton but there.

As for #FOF, fougere nemata is a crisp and green scent. It has its noticeable strawberry addition, smelling of not just the ripe fruit but of a warm plant that’s been basking in the sun. There is a slight bitterness, perhaps the petitgrain. Plenty of sharp lavender florals but more subtle blossoms too. Anchored all by a mossy base, with some woody vetiver.

For my #PHOTOCONTEST, I went with insects. Some ants passing through. Just in case you can’t see them in the photo, here’s a short video, easier with movement. Lastly, here todays lather audit. I’ll be honest, ‘‘twas a touch dry even for me.

soap brands 23/30, post shave 23/30, frag 23/30, post/frag linked 23/30, software sponsors 12/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 10/15, brush hashtags 10/15, photo contest 23/30, daily challenges 20/25, special challenges 3/5

July 24, 2023 – LG 24: Christmas in July’s Eve

• Brush: Zenith Titano
• Razor: GEM Junior
• Blade: GEM (35)
• Lather: Red House Farm – Sedona
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming – B Cubed
• Fragrance: Gallagher Fragrances – Behold, Patchouli

For starters. Thanks to u/teufelskraft (sp? they deleted account) for the zenith boar PIF, 1st one I started form new to break in. Thanks to u/oswald_heist for the GEM junior, my first GEM from a PIF. Thanks to u/grindermonk for the soap. I was initially going to use 9 Days up Nort Today but couldn’t find the PIF, I think he was so kind to just send me that one because I’d won/puchased a lot of his other soaps and tried a lot of his different bases, but just to be sure today I went with Sedona from this PIF. The B cubed was from u/el_charminman from the 50K PIF that I think originated here. In my messages it was labeled 50K PIF, but I know that one was done a bit differently. Lastly, my frag is a donor from either one of our Xmas, Xmas in July exchanges, or FOF winnings gift card, thanks!

With that out of the way, my linking theme for today is more PIF based, not scent based. However, for the sake of #FOF, Sedona comes of as juniper and sage heavy to me, even though it has woods and patchouli base notes. I almost get a winter fresh gum style smell from it, which I would not associate with its high desert smell description, but its what I get. I never tried the original BBB, but the Cubed is a sweeter bay rum, slightly floral, with a heavy dose of blackberry and still plenty of spice and rum. I opted to go with Behold! Patchouli from Ghallagher Frgrances since it sort of builds on that spicy accord. It opens with some tart citrus, but quickly moves to heavy patchouli and some warm amber, and is anchored by musky woody base.

As for appreciations, obviously everyone mentioned above. However, I want to shout out a few other people. First, u/onionmiasma for sending me smooshes, even after the first ones were swallowed by USPS, as well as some hardware to try out (tomorrow and next day). u/priusaurus and u/mrtangerinesky for providing some lovely entertainment these games, the former also some soap smooshes. u/eructate also lent me a razor these games, and I’ve won a PIF from him in the past. u/tetriside also came in clutch from trading this year. Lastly, here is where we also stroke the judges…um egos. So thanks u/djudjila, u/uss-spongebob, u/visceralwatch, u/wallygator88, u/j33pguy13, u/doctorrotor, u/walden, and u/eldrormr. Seriously LG is such a blast and I’m sure judging, Doing, portal making/sustaining, etc. is such a huge task, so thank you all.

For our #PHOTOCONTEST I went with masterpieces. Today seemed fitting since the people here and the artisans, the sub as a whole, are all awesome masters in their own way.

soap brands 24/30, post shave 24/30, frag 24/30, post/frag linked 24/30, software sponsors 11/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 10/15, brush hashtags 10/15, photo contest 24/30, daily challenges 21/25, special challenges 3/5

July 25, 2023 – LG 25: Christmas in July

• Brush: That Darn Rob B6
• Razor: Muhle R89 #TWINS
• Blade: Personna Super Stainless (1)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Santa Noir
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Dickens Revisited
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth – Santa Noir

For starters, thanks to u/onionmiasma for the hardware loan for #TWINS. Never tried the EJ or Muhle. See it in use here by my cousin, Saint Spliffilous..

Santa noir is a nice evergreen scent, piney and green. Not just needle based, but a little sappy resin to give it some oomph. It’s crisp and clean. Underneath lies a creamy sandalwood base. Rudolph’s nose and reindeer musk are not super noticeable to my nose, but rather a brisk evening walk in a secluded forest. Dickens is based on BPTs favorite cookie, a recipe he includes during the holidays when purchased. Mama Ruth provided the recipe here too. It is a lovely cherry forward gourmand, sweet and buttery. Just a touch of citrus zest and holiday slice like nutmeg and cardamom to balance the sweeter fruit. #FOF

As for our #PHOTOCONTEST, history. Some quick backstory. This horrendously ugly ornament (I’ll let you spot it) is now well over 30 years old. Given to me by godparents as a baby in the late 80s, I remember it as a child in the 90s always finding its way onto our tree. It’s absolutely dreadful, but now as an adult I still put it on our own tree just for tradition. I included a couple other 20+ year old ornaments, for our r/history rule. Each year my parents would give me an ornament related to something I life. So for example, the soccer ball is for national soccer tournament we went to in NY (2001). Or I got a saxophone one (2000) when I started playing, a car for drivers license, champagne for 21 (those not quite 20 yet hence excluded). You get the gist, thanks mom and dad.

soap brands 25/30, post shave 25/30, frag 25/30, post/frag linked 25/30, software sponsors 12/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 10/15, brush hashtags 10/15, photo contest 25/30, daily challenges 22/25, special challenges 3/5

July 26, 2023 – LG 26: Wildcard Wednesday

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Coprolite B15
• Razor: Edwin Jagger DE 89 #TWINS
• Blade: Personna Stainless (2)
• Lather: Summer Break Soaps – Remote Learning
• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps – Remote Learning
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth – Smash

Video first

Soooo… over the years I’ve seen WD40, numerous personal lubricants, melted anal suppositories, and PB/Banana “lathers” among many others. My first year I’d only heard of the famed jizz shave. I’ve dabbled in some weird stuff for this day, but today I thought I’d go with the greatest meme soap wetshaving has ever seen – Remote Learning. As it stands, this is one of 2 in existence, until u/priusaurus managed to get u/rocketk455 to make a batch if at just 10 people were in. Well… looks like r/wetshaving is getting its wish. If you missed the preorder, or just want one of the OG April Fools edition sets because it’s true UnOBTaNIuM, comment your favorite Doritos flavor below, and we’ll let LatherCat decide who the lucky winner is. Additionally, for each entrant I will donate $5 to East Bay Children’s Book Project. up to $150. I really benefitted from this org as a young teacher bolstering up a class library.

Now, when I won this in a PIF, ~~just the other day~~ many months ago, it hit close to home. I was a teacher through distance learning, and to put it lightly it was tough. I work at a school (I joined the dark side of admin… boo) that is traditionally underserved and 100% BIPOC, and the pandemic only exacerbated the inequities and issues faced, and is still clearly impacting students and outcomes. Stepping off my soap box now, I knew I had to wait and save this soap for lather games, with the clear intention of passing it on (see above PIF guidelines). I sat on it like Smaug, basking in its glory, sniffing it every so often, just to finally shave with it today.

I’ll keep the #FOF short. It smells like cheesy tortilla chips, the corn quite prominent. The AS is actually decently spot on for The Dew. Smash kept the theme ~~food oriented~~ gourmand, and I was no stranger to a cocktail post remote learning days. It’s peachy, it’s boozy, it’s delicious.

Our #PHOTOCONTEST is technology, as zoom was clearly the winner of distance learning. Dumbass Skype had years of advantage at hand and fumbled that opportunity.

Den tour in picture form, which is most comprehensive. To expand on it a bit, main den vid, brush vid, and sample more in depth vid. Edit to add: custom shelf I made. Sadly it was custom fit for an old bathroom and isn’t getting use now, but hopefully soon.

Lastly, obligatory thanks u/onionmiasma for the razor loan.

soap brands 26/30, post shave 26/30, frag 26/30, post/frag linked 26/30, software sponsors 13/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 10/15, brush hashtags 10/15, photo contest 26/30, daily challenges 23/25, special challenges 3/5

July 27, 2023 – LG 27: Laventhrusday

• Brush: Maggard 24mm 2 Band Badger
• Razor: Karve CB
• Blade: Personna Super Stainless (3)
• Lather: Mickey Lee Soapworks – Jefferson Square
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming/Chatillon Lux – Champs de Lavande
• Post Shave: Dr. Jon’s – Flowers in the Dark
• Post Shave: Imaginary Authors – Telegrama
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Reserve Lavender
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming – Semicolon
• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps – Prom King
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Lavanille
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Tuesday
• Post Shave: Mickey Lee Soapworks – Jefferson Square
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann – Reserve Lavender

Lavender is legit, I love it. We all know u/velocipedic did a cool lavender shootout on r/wetshaving, but who the fuck has time to read all that. In todays video I managed his multi-years work in u/wallygator88 fashion in about 5 minutes. I went Between Two ~~Ferns~~ Lavender style, making for a great lavender surrounded set up shave.

Quick #FOF. MLS Jefferson square is a quite bright and green lavender to my nose. It’s strong and sharp, and quite true to putting one’s nose in an actual plant. Champs is a bit spicy and herbaceous, bordering on that medicinal quality, likely the eucalyptus. It has an earthiness quality, and brings in some rosemary as well. To me, reserve lavender is one of the OGs that got me to go down the artisan rabbit hole. It’s classy and sophisticated, a bit “cologne like,” but has layers that leave one always going for another whiff. I’ve never smelled the Caldey Island Lavender it’s based on, but it Reserve Lavender will always have a place in my den.

For my #PHOTOCONTEST, went with flowers, duh.

Edit to add: posted pretty late yesterday and today, but can enter a PIF here if interested in getting some remote learning and helping out a good cause, I’ll tally it all up tomorrow and figure it out this weekend.

Edit 2: Oh, and I’m wearing reserve lavender hair pomade today too. Also, while at work MsChronn sent me this, as I leave a tech in the shower she uses for legs and tell her to use whatever soap she wants. Lavender family today, but I was the mastermind behind my brilliant photo.

soap brands 27/30, post shave 27/30, frag 27/30, post/frag linked 27/30, software sponsors 13/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 11/15, brush hashtags 10/15, photo contest 27/30, daily challenges 24/25, special challenges 3/5

July 28, 2023 – LG 28: Frugal Friday

• Brush: Maggard Synthetic
• Razor: Gillette Ball End Tech (user grade)
• Blade: Ladas (1)
• Lather: Arko – Shave Stick
• Post Shave: Suave – Skin Solutions Vitamin Revitalizing Lotion
• Fragrance: Beverley Hills Polo Club – Blaze Body Spray for Men

Shaved this morning, finally getting around to posting. Gotta keep it shortish and sweet today, as I’m off to the T Swift concert, cause I’m cool like that and a supportive partner.

Went for cheap all the things. Cheapest brush was my maggard synthetic (barely beating a couple boars) which helped kick off my dive into wetshaving. I have a cheap Amazon badger, but that’s was mostly cheap in quality but quite pricey in terms of the kit it came in in terms of performance. Ladas per maggard were cheapest blades. Went with a user grade tech. Software, arko stick, some suave lotion, and Beverley hills polo club body spray curtesy of an old student. More of that story in todays video., and a little tidbit on how each product is part of my wetshaving journey so far. Price breakdown below.

Brush: 11.95
Razor: originally ~.49. Inflation ~9.50. Purchased for like 4-6
Blade: Ladas, .75, or .15 each
Soap: arko stick, $3, or .04 per gram
AS: suave, $4.69 (nice), .00495 per mL
Frag: $10, or .11 per mL

So, all gear was about $35, but roughly $15.42 per shave assuming 2g soap and 2mL splash and frag. Judges, do I need to clarify these are linked by being cheap? FWIW they also all smell pretty meh.

For #FOF arko is like a citronella mosquito repellent urinal cake. Mine is special edition and unintentionally also soaked in lilac vegetal, giving it some extra rotting veg flair. Suave smells like generic lotion. The Beverley Hills Polo Club Blaze, according to wiki scents “Its Top notes are Cedar, Cardamom, Black Leather, Patchouli, Red Sage, Saffron, Lavender, Vervain, Red Grapefruit, Cranberry, Italian Lemon. Mid notes are Black Leather, Patchouli, Red Sage, Saffron, Lavender, Red Grapefruit, Cranberry, Italian Lemon, Cedar, Cardamom, Vervain and Base notes are Patchouli, Red Sage, Saffron, Black Leather, Red Grapefruit, Cranberry, Italian Lemon, Lavender, Vervain, Cedar, Cardamom.” In other words, it smells shittier than axe and is downright horrible. I like how top, mid, and base are all the same but just in different order, lol. Also, this specimen is the “body spray” and not EDT, though I can’t imagine anyone wanting either.

For #PHOTOCONTEST, went with the mighty airbudrule, cause he be dunking on these shitty products.

soap brands 28/30, post shave 28/30, frag 28/30, post/frag linked 28/30, software sponsors 13/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 11/15, brush hashtags 10/15, photo contest 28/30, daily challenges 24/25, special challenges 4/5

July 29, 2023 – LG 29: Sandalwood Saturday

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Coprolite B15
• Razor: Gillette Old Type
• Blade: Personna Super Stainless (4)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming – Cerberus
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming – Cerberus
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth – Sandalorian

Today, we took sandalwood Saturday quite literally.

You’ve spent days on the desert planet of tatooine, your leather plate armor beneath the beskar growing heavier each day as it takes in your musk and sweat. Despite not belonging to their tribe, your newly formed gaffi stick has left sacred wortwood dust and shavings in every crevice possible; the tusken chieftain looks on with approval. You exhale, sweat dripping from your brow beneath your helmet. Your next breath makes you realize the warm woody and leather aroma permeates from you under the 2 suns, a hint of resinous ceremonial incense lingers in the background. Alas, your time has come to make way back to the capital of Corsucant, you put your starfighter into hyperdrive to catch some much needed rest. Upon arrival, the heavily perfumed floral senators pass by and it mingles with the remanence of your musky, woody, dominated regalia. In need of sustenance, you give a few Galatic credits to the nearby vendor, who graces you with the rich aroma of jogan fruit. Then you notice the few meiloorun fruits in the corner, reminding you of your time on tatooine, you ask for a few. Finally secluded to you quarters, you remove your helm, the exotic fruit now truly mingling with your tired, woody, musky self, and just a hint of the florals still caught in your nose so prominently worn amongst ethically questionable senators of the galaxy. #FOF

For my #PHOTOCONTEST, I went with wild animals. I’ll be honest birds and squirrels were all over the feeder in the morning. By the time I set up for the photo, scarcely there. My peanuts could not lure the squirrels back, so we went for a lone bird. I know our photo judges must have keen eyes, but I included a r/uselessredcircle just in case. No joke, I also videoed for like 1+ hour hoping to take a cool screen shot to no avail.

As for the challenge. I have to think u/Priusaurus, u/onionmiasma, u/MrTangerineSky, and u/crisp_mango all made strong showings for the podium.

For u/priusaurus, the interviews, witch, ice and restaurant shaves were all great. Brought his A game everyday.

For u/onionmiasma another A game everyday. I know the oil and gasoline shave got a lot of traction, but the Chicago bean mirror shave had me in stitches. Great interaction with many players too.

For u/MrTangerineSky, he pushed the limits and was continuously hilarious. Wonderful outside setting shaves. Also, he speaks highly of me so he’s clearly pretty smart.

For u/crisp_mango. That dude was one of if not the first poster almost everyday putting out shaving tunes non stop. That takes skill.

As for FoF, reigning LG champ u/RedMosquitoMM (and 2022 FOF runner up) was eloquent all July. Said he had to take it easy this year and still walked circles around majority of players.

For #PHOTOCONTEST, I think u/gcgallant consistently had really cool photos, often in some differing style. I think my favorite was u/impressive_donut114’s Death Before Decaf Photo. Beautiful shot.

As for ROTY, I think u/tsrblke was a consistent poster and putting in bery solid effort, way better than my rookie year for sure. I think u/djanovshaving was superb too. The way he just continually integrates the memes, pics, and gyfs makes for fun reading.

At the risk of sounding like Bobby Newport, can we show self love too? I had a great time this year, particularly pushing myself more with photos. I like to think I went ESPN 30 for 30 on that shit. However, in hindsight I could have used aforementioned names against them. I wish I had done more to include LGers in photos. I mean, Onion for vegetable, Mango or Tangerine for fruit, Donut for food, Mosquito for insect, Priusaurus (that’s and extinct animal, right?!?). NTM u/j33p_guy13 for vehicles or u/airbudruler for airbudrule. You get the idea.

soap brands 29/30, post shave 29/30, frag 29/30, post/frag linked 29/30, software sponsors 13/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 11/15, brush hashtags 10/15, photo contest 29/30, daily challenges 5/25, special challenges 4/5

July 30, 2023 – LG 30: Bon Voyage

• Brush: r/wetshaving Zentih MOAR BOAR 31mm
• Razor: Tatara Nodachi with Masamune OC Plate
• Blade: Ladas (2)
• Lather: Jabones de Joserra – Kush
• Post Shave: Henri et Victoria – Cognac and Cuban Cigars
• Fragrance: Viktor and Rolf – Spicebomb

Alright, brush from Italy 🇮🇹, razor from Portugal 🇵🇹, blade from Russia 🇷🇺, soap from Spain 🇪🇸, aftershave from Canada 🇨🇦, fragrance from Netherlands 🇳🇱. I hail from the United States 🇺🇸, more specifically California. Today I opted to shave in the city I currently live in, which is Oakland in front of a cool mural by a local artist and fellow educator (not that I know them personally well). The mural depicts stylized versions of BART trains, Oakland Port cranes, and the Bay Bridge which connects Oakland to the better known but less cool (MOIMO) San Francisco. Loaded all the supplies and managed to convince MsChronn to come film me, so I tried to be extra short. Shaving in public is not for me. The street was busier than I like, but at least mostly cars and less pedestrians, and a helicopter. Horrible hydration and dismal spotty shave.

I feel like the fact they are all from different countries is what links them, but the scents also pair quite well from a #FOF standpoint too. They all have citrus top notes with some tobacco in the base, often complimented by some wood, leather, or spice. Kush is a dupe of Nasomatto Black Afagano. It opens with tart lemon and grapefruit but quickly moves to darker accords. Warm, resinous, woody notes then move to a dark woody incense base. Cognac and Cuban cigars brings a bit more spice, touch of zesty lemon, and sweet cognac. It is anchored and muddied by leather, smoke, and tobacco, giving the unmistakable old cigar lounge aroma. Lastly, Spicebomb punches citrus and cinnamon spice from the get go, with hints of pepper. It is sweeter than one might expect and than I remember. It moves to worn out leather and a tobacco reminiscent of an almost caramel/toffee like whiskey.

For #PHOTOCONTEST we close out with urban/architecture. Figured all my products are from around the world, so I’d use an urban art/graffiti mural where I currently live as my backdrop.

soap brands 30/30, post shave 30/30, frag 30/30, post/frag linked 30/30, software sponsors 13/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 11/15, brush hashtags 10/15, photo contest 30/30, daily challenges 5/25, special challenges 5/5