SOTD by u/OnionMiasma

July 19, 2023 - Dupelgänger Day

• Brush: Noble Otter 26mm Synthetic
• Razor: Blackland Razors Era
• Blade: Gillette Platinum (1)
• Lather: Fine Accoutrements - Platinum
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Unscented - Balm
• Fragrance: Creed - Aventus

Daily Write-Up:
As many on the sub have, I have read u/itchypooter’s post about Why Your Lather is Terrible, and I really took his lessons to heart. He’s right, we’re not shaving over priceless works of art, and our bathrooms are generally designed to get somewhat wet over the normal course of activities. So, a wet lather is a good lather.

Unfortunately, that means today I get a dry, pasty lather - like this guy. Let me tell you how excited I am for this shave. To prove how right he is, I’m going to be shaving over this priceless watercolor painting. It will be fine, but that’s the point. Who has priceless watercolor paintings in their bathroom?

In order to really control my lather, I’m choosing to bowl lather today. I grab my trusty bowl, and scoop an almond-sized nugget of soap, and get started lathering. I chose a synthetic brush because I feel like it gives me a little bit better control, also because I don’t care for Aventus, so I don’t want my natural-hair brushes to smell like it for weeks.

I started building the lather, and as soon as it was started, it was time to move to the face. I added the lather to my face, and then, since we’re doing a dry lather, I added no more water.

I used my Era to scrape the incredibly dry lather and whiskers off of my face. Did a second pass with the paste, and then moved to aftershave.

As you can see, my work area remained incredibly clean. The painting is absolutely perfect.

So, Mrs. Miasma doesn’t like my typical lathering method, because I make a “mess” and “get shit all over the place” and “why would you listen to someone with such obviously poor anal hygiene”. But, having shaved with a pasty lather - u/itchypooter is correct - “ if your lather ain't nearly drippin', then you must be trippin'.”

Soap Theme Justification
* Per the “artisan” site, this is inspired by Aventus. Which is code for: “direct dupe of Aventus”.

Post-Shave and Fragrance Relevance Notes
* My theme for scents is “Aventus without distraction” * For the Frag, I chose the real thing. I had a sample of Aventus in my drawer. It’s fine. I personally think it smells kind of douchey. But maybe I’m just associating it with some of the people I’ve smelled it on, who are largely… douchey. * For the AS, I went with Stirling’s Unscented Balm. I don’t care for Executive Man, even though it is far and away Rod’s best seller, so I don’t have any myself. But - recognizing how Executive Man helps Stirling pay the bills and make the scents and soap that we all love, I am using their balm for my AS product today. Also, it’s my favorite balm, and I’ve had a couple rough days of shaves.

** UPDATE **

Looks like my doppelganger made a post of his own. Don't listen to him, he's a douche.

**July 19, 2023 - [Dupelgänger Day](https://imgur.com/8YTq2QJ)**

* **Brush:** Noble Otter 26mm Synthetic
* **Razor:** Blackland Razors Era
* **Blade:** Gillette Platinum (1)
* **Lather:** Fine Accoutrements - Platinum
* **Post Shave:** Stirling Soap Co. - Unscented - Balm
* **Fragrance:** Creed - Aventus

**Daily Write-Up:**
As many on the sub have, I have read u/itchypooter’s post about [Why Your Lather is Terrible](https://www.reddit.com/r/Wetshaving/comments/dwcjs9/why_your_lather_is_terrible_even_though_you_think/), and I really took his lessons to heart. He’s right, we’re not shaving over priceless works of art, and our bathrooms are generally designed to get somewhat wet over the normal course of activities. So, a wet lather is a good lather.

Unfortunately, that means today I get a dry, pasty lather - like [this guy](https://youtu.be/klItAIo8pOU?t=134). Let me tell you how excited I am for this shave. To prove how right he is, I’m going to be shaving over this priceless watercolor [painting](https://imgur.com/dXawAH2). It will be fine, but that’s the point. Who has priceless watercolor paintings in their bathroom?

In order to really control my lather, I’m choosing to bowl lather today. I grab my trusty bowl, and scoop an almond-sized nugget of soap, and get [started lathering](https://imgur.com/9A2sVTQ). I chose a synthetic brush because I feel like it gives me a little bit better control, also because I don’t care for Aventus, so I don’t want my natural-hair brushes to smell like it for weeks.

I started building the lather, and as soon as it was started, it was time to move to the face. I added the lather to my face, and then, since we’re doing a dry lather, I added [no more water](https://imgur.com/AJOh74X).

I used my Era to scrape the incredibly [dry lather and whiskers off of my face](https://imgur.com/pn719L7). Did a second pass with the paste, and then moved to aftershave.

As you can see, my work area remained [incredibly clean](https://imgur.com/OKNmZqL). The painting is absolutely perfect.

So, Mrs. Miasma doesn’t like my typical lathering method, because I make a “mess” and “get shit all over the place” and “why would you listen to someone with such obviously poor anal hygiene”. But, having shaved with a pasty lather - u/itchypooter is correct - “ if your lather ain't nearly drippin', then you must be trippin'.”

**Soap Theme Justification**
* Per the “artisan” [site](https://fineaccoutrements.com/fine-platinum-shaving-soap/), this is inspired by Aventus. Which is code for: “direct dupe of Aventus”.

**Post-Shave and Fragrance Relevance Notes**
* My theme for scents is “Aventus without distraction”
* For the Frag, I chose the real thing. I had a sample of Aventus in my drawer. It’s fine. I personally think it smells kind of douchey. But maybe I’m just associating it with some of the people I’ve smelled it on, who are largely… douchey.
* For the AS, I went with Stirling’s Unscented Balm. I don’t care for Executive Man, even though it is far and away Rod’s best seller, so I don’t have any myself. But - recognizing how Executive Man helps Stirling pay the bills and make the scents and soap that we all love, I am using their balm for my AS product today. Also, it’s my favorite balm, and I’ve had a couple rough days of shaves.

** UPDATE **

[Looks like my doppelganger made a post of his own.](https://www.reddit.com/r/Wetshaving/comments/154iid6/comment/jsrhje2/) Don't listen to him, he's a douche.