The brush is RazoRock’s synthetic badger, a very nice brush indeed, and the soap is a sample of one of the (many) Van Yulay shaving soaps. This brand is new to me, but the range of fragrances is large—their “Aquarius” shaving soap, for example, is available in 350 fragrances—and samples are nicely packaged and cost $2 each for most. Many of the fragrances seem to be knockoffs of commercial fragrances. For example, the sample shown is Shaving Soap of the Gods Bacchus, and the fragrance is described:
A very unique [sic] scent with blackberry, cognac, suede, musk, Canadian balsam, Mexican chocolate, woodsy notes, Tonka bean, amber and leather. This is scent is like the Keith Urban type fragrance cologne
I don’t get the connection between the Greek god Bacchus and a cowboy hat and boots, however. There is a tag line, “Through the eyes of: Blaine Mire!“, but that means nothing to me and a search on Blaine Mire turned up an MD, an internist in Natchez MS. So I don’t get it, and no explanation is offered.
The soap’s ingredients:
· Cocoa Butter – Cocoa butter used in shave soap is the best salvation for people who have sensitive skin. Cocoa butter moisturizers are good at protecting skin from heat, healing such diseases as eczema and other problems. A cocoa butter cream will definitely help you keep your skin soft and supple.
· Calendula – is used to disinfect minor wounds and to treat infections of the skin. The antibacterial and immunostimulant properties of the plant make it extremely useful in treating slow-healing cuts and cuts in people who have compromised immune systems. The herb stimulates the production of collagen at wound sites and minimizes scarring. Natural moisturizer that has powerful emollients and protective properties which makes a wonderful addition to our shave soap.
· Babassu Oil – is considered to be a superior emollient that is beneficial for either dry or oily complexions. In our shave soap It gently moisturizes the skin without leaving an oily sheen.
Vegan Formula
Made with Stearic Acid, Aloe Vera, Coconut Fatty Acid, Glycerin, Coconut-Castor-Olive-Oils, Cocoa Butter, Calendula, Extracts, Poly Quats, Sodium Lactate, BTMS,Allantoin, Silica, Kaolin Clay, EO’s and Fragrance.
The lather was fine, and I liked the fragrance, though I don’t know Keith Urban from a bale of hay.
Well lathered, I picked up my Above the Tie S1 on the UFO handle and made quick and comfortable work of the stubble, leaving my face perfectly smooth and unharmed. I chose Stetson because of the cowboy hat and boots, though I’m still puzzled by the Bacchus connection. Still, the Stetson did the job—Keith Rural, perhaps.
And now I have a nice weekend, and I hope you do as well.
Filed under: Shaving
