Every one of the things I used for today’s shave seems to me exceptionally good. To start with, the Maggard 22mm synthetic brush is a terrific brush: just the right amount of give (for me) and just the right size. As with any synthetic brush, it’s important to make sure the brush does not retain too much water after wetting it, but this morning three good shakes easily did the trick.
The next stop in the excellence express is today’s Van Yulay soap, Puros la Habana, which has exactly the fragrance of a fine Cuban cigar. Although the Van Yulay shaving soaps use a variety of formulae—some vegan, some not—they have so far been extremely good in lather, fragrance, and effect on stubble and skin. I am constantly tempted to buy more, particularly given the amazing range.
Perfectly lathered, I picked up the RazoRock Old Type and set to work. This razor feels as though it’s doing nothing, but it is extremely efficient. Most of my face felt totally smooth when I rinsed after the second pass, and the third pass finished the job with no problems at all. This is another candidate for a desert-island razor.
Finally, I like Phoenix Artisan aftershaves because the fragrance lasts, and the initial coffee hit from Spring-Heeled Jack—a welcome fragrance early in the morning—calms down to a pleasant woody fragrance as the day goes on.
I have no relationship with any of these vendors except as a (highly) satisfied customer. Today it just struck me how very much I like each of the four products I used.