• June 5
• Brush: Omega 10098 Boar
• Razor: Baili TTO #ZAMAC
• Blade: Treet Carbon Steel
• Lather: Gillette Fusion –Hydra Shaving Gel
• Post Shave: Harry’s - Post Shave Balm
• Fragrance: Tommy Hilfiger - Tommy

Today was a day marred by a dreadful combination of Gillette Fusion Shave Gel and Harry's Post Shave Balm. It’s been some time since I used canned gel, but I had this sitting at the bottom back and bottom of one of my bathroom drawers. No idea how old it is. But it doesn’t matter. This stuff sucked just the same today as when it was brand new. The difference is, a few years ago, I didn’t know there was a better way. But now I do. My brothers and sisters I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT! My journey to get here was unconventional. Like many, I started with cartridges, then moved onto DEs for environmental reasons. Then I used Cremo for a long, long time. I tried a soap puck or two from amazon, but never had good results. Then a friend gave me a tub of Barrister and Mann and now I’m hooked on the good stuff. But I digress, I have no clue how long I’ve had this canned goop and I remember why I never enjoyed shaving before. It was just something that had to get done – like clipping my toenails. Today was also a reminder why I enjoy shaving now.

At this point in my wetshaving journey, I typically approach my morning shaving ritual with the anticipation of a kid on Christmas morning, but today, I move cautiously. I grab my trusty and cheap Bailli Razor, and I hesitantly reach for the Gillette Fusion Shave Gel. Like a recovering addict who’s afraid to relapse. The can is all smooth and slick, like a car salesman’s pitch, promising HYDRA!!

Challenge: I typically build my lather in a bowl, but today I sprayed that canned goo directly on the brush for the challenge. What a disaster. I lather up on this boar brush and the goo feels...plentiful. And that’s it. I think I went through like the whole can of gel using this brush. The lather covers my face like a mask. Disguising my features, allowing me to hide in the shame of going back to canned goo. No luxurious lather, no decadent scent—just the shaving equivalent of a sweaty, dead-fish handshake.

Undeterred, I press on. The razor glides over my face with all the enthusiasm of a teenager asked to mow the lawn. Each stroke feels less like a smooth cutting of whiskers and more like a reluctant trudge through mediocrity, reminding me that I used to live this life every day. I will forever regret the years wasted living like this. As I rinse off, I hope the post-shave balm will redeem this lackluster experience.

Enter Harry's Post Shave Balm. Its minimalist packaging whispers promises of soothing relief. I apply it, and...wait, did I just put on unscented hand lotion? My face feels neither relieved nor particularly soothed like it’s supposed to. It's like the balm gave my skin a gentle pat on the back and said, "Whelp. You’re on your own now."

And so, I stand before the mirror, my face half-convinced it’s been the victim of an elaborate Lather Games prank on Rookies. My skin is neither irritated nor particularly happy—just sort of...there. Like it showed up to a party expecting fireworks and got sparklers instead.

To finish off my routine, I sprayed on Tommy Hilfiger’s Tommy. Which is readily available pretty much anyplace you’d buy canned goo. It certainly isn’t bad. But isn’t anything special either. It’s inoffensive, clean, and forgettable. Almost reminds me of a dryer sheet. The fragrance is the highlight of today’s shave, but that’s not saying too much.

Today’s shave was a reminder that sometimes, it’s better to spend the extra time, effort, and energy using a great product, instead of settling for what you can buy at the big box stores (or find in the back of a drawer).

ROTY

* [**June 5**](https://imgur.com/a/a1Ohie2)
* **Brush:** Omega 10098 Boar
* **Razor:** Baili TTO #ZAMAC
* **Blade:** Treet Carbon Steel
* **Lather:** Gillette Fusion –Hydra Shaving Gel
* **Post Shave:** Harry’s - Post Shave Balm
* **Fragrance:** Tommy Hilfiger - Tommy

Today was a day marred by a dreadful combination of Gillette Fusion Shave Gel and Harry's Post Shave Balm. It’s been some time since I used canned gel, but I had this sitting at the bottom back and bottom of one of my bathroom drawers. No idea how old it is. But it doesn’t matter. This stuff sucked just the same today as when it was brand new. The difference is, a few years ago, I didn’t know there was a better way. But now I do. My brothers and sisters I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT! My journey to get here was unconventional. Like many, I started with cartridges, then moved onto DEs for environmental reasons. Then I used Cremo for a long, long time. I tried a soap puck or two from amazon, but never had good results. Then a friend gave me a tub of Barrister and Mann and now I’m hooked on the good stuff. But I digress, I have no clue how long I’ve had this canned goop and I remember why I never enjoyed shaving before. It was just something that had to get done – like clipping my toenails. Today was also a reminder why I enjoy shaving now.

At this point in my wetshaving journey, I typically approach my morning shaving ritual with the anticipation of a kid on Christmas morning, but today, I move cautiously. I grab my trusty and cheap Bailli Razor, and I hesitantly reach for the Gillette Fusion Shave Gel. Like a recovering addict who’s afraid to relapse. The can is all smooth and slick, like a car salesman’s pitch, promising HYDRA!!

**Challenge**: I typically build my lather in a bowl, but today I sprayed that canned goo directly on the brush for the challenge. What a disaster. I lather up on this boar brush and the goo feels...plentiful. And that’s it. I think I went through like the whole can of gel using this brush. The lather covers my face like a mask. Disguising my features, allowing me to hide in the shame of going back to canned goo. No luxurious lather, no decadent scent—just the shaving equivalent of a sweaty, dead-fish handshake.

Undeterred, I press on. The razor glides over my face with all the enthusiasm of a teenager asked to mow the lawn. Each stroke feels less like a smooth cutting of whiskers and more like a reluctant trudge through mediocrity, reminding me that I used to live this life every day. I will forever regret the years wasted living like this. As I rinse off, I hope the post-shave balm will redeem this lackluster experience.

Enter Harry's Post Shave Balm. Its minimalist packaging whispers promises of soothing relief. I apply it, and...wait, did I just put on unscented hand lotion? My face feels neither relieved nor particularly soothed like it’s supposed to. It's like the balm gave my skin a gentle pat on the back and said, "Whelp. You’re on your own now."

And so, I stand before the mirror, my face half-convinced it’s been the victim of an elaborate Lather Games prank on Rookies. My skin is neither irritated nor particularly happy—just sort of...there. Like it showed up to a party expecting fireworks and got sparklers instead.

To finish off my routine, I sprayed on Tommy Hilfiger’s Tommy. Which is readily available pretty much anyplace you’d buy canned goo. It certainly isn’t bad. But isn’t anything special either. It’s inoffensive, clean, and forgettable. Almost reminds me of a dryer sheet. The fragrance is the highlight of today’s shave, but that’s not saying too much.

Today’s shave was a reminder that sometimes, it’s better to spend the extra time, effort, and energy using a great product, instead of settling for what you can buy at the big box stores (or find in the back of a drawer).

# ROTY