SOTD by u/hugbckt

July 5, 2023

• Brush: Maggard Razors Black Handle Timberwolf Synthetic Travel Brush, 18mm #RUNT #SMOLL
• Razor: Razorock Mamba 70
• Blade: 7 O’Clock – Super Stainless (Green)
• Lather: Nature’s Promise – Lime
• Post Shave: Maggard Razors – Limes & Bergamot
• Fragrance: Blackbird – Universal Supreme – EdP

I grabbed this tube of goop from my local Hannaford (regional grocery store) a couple weeks ago in anticipation of today, upon noticing that it was aggressively marked down – a sure sign of a quality product. Nature’s Promise is one of the primary private labels for Hannaford, which is usually fine and dandy for food, but I wasn’t so sure about the quality of today’s shave.

My assumption was mostly correct. It was…fine? The lime scent was very saccharine, like a lime slushy, and the consistency was neither soap nor cream. It was much more liquidy than I expected, so I accidentally poured out way too much for a neck and beard shaping day (head needed a break due to not being used to daily shaves). Even using some water and a brush, it didn’t really lather up into what I’m used to with artisan soaps. It was thick and viscous initially, and although water helped a bit, it didn’t exactly build a “lather.” No cuts or frag burn, though, so I can’t really complain.

To even out the sweet lime, I used Maggard Lime & Bergamot, which gave a little bit of complexity. I was going to then use Tyler by Guy Fox, but decided to go with Universal Supreme instead, thinking/hoping that it would create a cherry lime rickey vibe. This didn’t quite work, as the scent of the soap and splash faded quickly on account of not covering my entire head, so I mostly just got cherry. Again, no complaints – just not what I was going for. #FOF

Per the challenge, I fully recognize that I am not a perfumer. I struggle to pull out scent notes, and sometimes I read note lists and have trouble identifying them or even believing that those notes are to be found. For somebody who is really into fragrances and cooking/food, I have a less-than-discerning palate and olfactory ability. That said, I would love a soap that evokes an Aviation cocktail. The cocktail is made with gin, maraschino liqueur, creme de violette, and lemon juice. So, scent notes would probably be juniper, coriander, cherry, vanilla, lemon, and a hint of violet. I would imagine the fragrance being largely herbaceous, with a rounded sweetness and mid notes of citrus, and top notes of florals which fade (to represent how you shouldn’t overload the creme de violette in an Aviation). I imagine some other notes would need to be added to make a more balanced fragrance, and some perfume oils to be in the background in order to make the important notes stand out – I just don’t know how any of that exactly works.

**July 5, 2023**

* **Brush:** [Maggard Razors Black Handle Timberwolf Synthetic Travel Brush, 18mm](https://maggardrazors.com/products/maggard-razors-black-resin-handle-timberwolf-synthetic-travel-shaving-brush-18mm) \#RUNT #SMOLL
* **Razor:** Razorock Mamba 70
* **Blade:** 7 O’Clock – Super Stainless (Green)
* **Lather:** Nature’s Promise – Lime
* **Post Shave:** Maggard Razors – Limes & Bergamot
* **Fragrance:** Blackbird – Universal Supreme – EdP

I grabbed this [tube of goop](https://i.imgur.com/D4DTwat.jpg) from my local Hannaford (regional grocery store) a couple weeks ago in anticipation of today, upon noticing that it was aggressively marked down – a sure sign of a quality product. Nature’s Promise is one of the primary private labels for Hannaford, which is usually fine and dandy for food, but I wasn’t so sure about the quality of today’s shave.

My assumption was mostly correct. It was…fine? The lime scent was very saccharine, like a lime slushy, and the consistency was [neither soap nor cream](https://i.imgur.com/FKGgWCJ.jpg). It was much more liquidy than I expected, so I accidentally poured out way too much for a neck and beard shaping day (head needed a break due to not being used to daily shaves). Even using some water and a brush, it didn’t really lather up into what I’m used to with artisan soaps. It was thick and viscous initially, and although water helped a bit, it didn’t exactly build a “lather.” No cuts or frag burn, though, so I can’t really complain.

To even out the sweet lime, I used Maggard Lime & Bergamot, which gave a little bit of complexity. I was going to then use Tyler by Guy Fox, but decided to go with Universal Supreme instead, thinking/hoping that it would create a cherry lime rickey vibe. This didn’t quite work, as the scent of the soap and splash faded quickly on account of not covering my entire head, so I mostly just got cherry. Again, no complaints – just not what I was going for. #FOF

Per the challenge, I fully recognize that I am not a perfumer. I struggle to pull out scent notes, and sometimes I read note lists and have trouble identifying them or even believing that those notes are to be found. For somebody who is really into fragrances and cooking/food, I have a less-than-discerning palate and olfactory ability. That said, I would love a soap that evokes an Aviation cocktail. The cocktail is made with gin, maraschino liqueur, creme de violette, and lemon juice. So, scent notes would probably be juniper, coriander, cherry, vanilla, lemon, and a hint of violet. I would imagine the fragrance being largely herbaceous, with a rounded sweetness and mid notes of citrus, and top notes of florals which fade (to represent how you shouldn’t overload the creme de violette in an Aviation). I imagine some other notes would need to be added to make a more balanced fragrance, and some perfume oils to be in the background in order to make the important notes stand out – I just don’t know how any of that exactly works.