June 22, 2024
- Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts X John Butcher - "Mark" - 24mm APShave Co Cashmere Synthetic
- Razor: Gillette Aristocrat Adjustable
- Blade: Wilkinson Sword
- Lather: Southern Witchcrafts – Samhain Soap
- Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts – Samhain Splash
- Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts – Samhain EdP
The judges know it’s not pumpkin season, right? So I guess I better carve a the pumpkin of the Summer: A watermelon! I was so excited to carve the little bastard with my kids I completely forgot to take a before picture, so you all are going to have to trust me that I didn’t buy a watermelon that was pre-carved.
Anyway, we carved up a watermelon, and set him up with my gear for a SOTD pic but then I realized he wasn’t quite camera ready. He’s looking a little scraggly. I can’t have my new friend looking not his best in pictures. And it didn’t seem right that I be the only one to shave around here. Let’s clean him up a bit, shall we? You guys know the drill. First comes the lather. Let’s pause for a quick picture to commemorate the occasion. My little melon’s first shave! They grow up so fast. Now, let’s clean you up, buddy. I gave him a BWS shave, wiped him down, and bingo! He looks about 10 years younger, doesn’t he?
A little behind the scenes: This was a fun challenge, judges. My kids had a blast with this one. However, my wife’s sister is visiting from out of town and staying with us while she’s here. Having to explain to her why we bought a watermelon only to scoop out the melon, and carve it up, slather lather all over it, and then shave it was an interesting conversation. She went along with it, but I’m pretty sure she thinks (figured out?) I’m a crazy person. Kitchen shaving with her around tomorrow is gonna be interesting…
Now, on to the #FOF:
In my humble opinion, there is no better Autumn Scent than Samhain. It actually ~~may be~~ is one of my favorite scents in wetshaving, so I’m using a trickhole of it today because it’s the best. It’s warm and inviting, a little gourmand, but still balanced enough for anyone to wear out for any occasion. Not all SW scents may be for me, but the ones that are for me, are phenomenal.
Using Samhain is like stepping outside on a fall morning, where the air is crisp with the aroma of fallen leaves and autumn traditions. Its warm scent envelops me in a wonderful sensory embrace, weaving a story that lingers long after the first whiff. The fragrance opens with the inviting sweetness of spiced pumpkin and nutmeg, reminiscent of a freshly baked pumpkin pie. This initial burst of warmth and comfort is quickly accompanied by the rich notes of bourbon and a hint of tobacco.
As the scent continues to develop, it reveals layers of complexity, reminding me of the scents I would smell trick or treating in New England or attending Harvest Festivals in the fall. Notes of sandalwood, incense, and amber reveal the spirit of a New England harvest festival and I can almost hear the leaves crunching under my feet as I stroll in the cool breeze and listen to kids running and playing. To put a finishing touch on the whole experience, there’s smoky allure of burning embers and aged woods, that transport me to a cozy bonfire under a starlit sky. It's the final whisper of one of my favorite times of year that brings this fall-time shave experience together, leaving me with a sense of both enchantment and nostalgia.
For me, Samhain is more than just a fragrance; it's a journey back through back to the autumns of my childhood – and one I hope my recreate for my kids as they get older. It's a perfect blend of pumpkin and spices, with the crisp whispers of fall leaves, and it absolutely create a captivating symphony for the senses. This scent is Autumn in a bottle.
Challenge: Obviously.
Soap Theme Justification: From SW: “Samhain is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the ‘darker half’ of the year.” It is celebrated from October 31 to November 1 to welcome in the harvest
Relevant Post Shave & Fragrance: Trickhole.