A dark rainy day deserves a good, pleasurable shave — as does, come to think of it, a sunny clear day. This morning I used my Rooney Style 2 Finest to make a wonderful lather from Declaration Groomings Cuir et Épices shaving soap, the first soap made using their Milksteak formulation:
Stearic Acid, Water, Castor Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Vegetable Glycerin, Bison Tallow, Mango Butter, Avocado Oil, Shea Butter, Sodium Hydroxide, Lanolin, Bentonite Clay, Yogurt, Buttermilk, Egg Whites, Coconut Milk, Goat’s Milk, Tocopheryl Acetate, Maltodextrin, Milk Protein, Salix Alba L. (White Willow) Bark Extract, Arctium lappa (Burdock) Root Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Silk Amino Acids
Because the lather-filled brush felt so good on my face — a bit more texture than with most synthetics — I extended the initial lathering, which probably contributed to the quality of the shave.
The iKon slant shown is the first slant they made — stainless steel, uncoated head, and a wonderful razor. As I shaved this morning I recalled the delight and surprise I experienced with my first shave using the razor, way back when. It’s still a surprisingly delightful razor — provided you use light pressure and a good blade angle. If you do that, it is extremely comfortable and highly efficient.
Three passes to a totally smooth face — as smooth as though I had shaved a two-day stubble — even a three-day stubble.
A splash of Geo. F. Trumper’s Spanish Leather, and the (dark and rainy) day begins.
The tea this morning is Murchie’s No. 22:
A long-time fan favourite, this is a superb blend of green Gunpowder and Jasmine, as well as Keemun and Ceylon black teas. All the flavour of our world famous No. 10 Blend, with a touch of bergamot to brighten the flavour, and Ceylon to strengthen the brew. With slightly more pronounced citrus and floral tones, this makes for a great cup of tea.
It’s a good antidote to the day’s depressing weather.