I wanted to replicate the slow-loading experience from a couple of shaves ago. I tried yesterday, but had not shaken enough water from the brush. So today I picked another of Wholly Kaw’s beef tallow/donkey milk/lanolin soaps, again with a fine fragrance, identified as:
Top notes: Aromatic fougere, enhanced sparkling citrus notes, nuances of geranium, lavender, and mint supported by sensual patchouli, tonka beans and coumarin Lavender, Bergamot, Neroli, Petitgrain
Middle notes: Oakmoss, Cedarwood, Tonka Bean, Ambergris
Base notes: Guaiacwood, Agarwood, Vetiver, Sandalwood, Labdanum, and Musk
Today, on a whim, I wet the brush well let it sit, soaking wet, while I showered. (So far as I could tell, that made no difference.) After the shower, I wet the knot again under the hot-water tap to heat it up, then I shook it extremely well — well enough so that when I brushed the puck, nothing happened.
Then I added a touch of hot water to the tip of the brush, and brushed the puck again. A little action, but not much. Repeat. A little more happening.
And so on: adding very small amounts of water to the tip of the brush and brushing the puck. Very soon the brush was nicely loaded with a rich proto-lather, and I worked that into the stubble and even added a little more water as I did. Somehow that was quite satisfying.
The razor is an Edwin Jagger head on a stainless handle, and of course it did an excellent job: three passes to total smoothness with no problems.
Chatillon Lux aftershave toner is one of the aftershaves that does not need (and does not get) a squirt of Hydrating Gel. They seem now to make only EDTs, but their toner is excellent:
Witch hazel, aloe vera, calendula extract, cat’s claw bark extract, shea oil, marula oil, polysorbate 20, meadowfoam seed oil, glycerin, fragrance, sodium lactate
Great way to start the weekend.