I began my shave after my shower and (as always) applied Grooming Dept Moisturizing Pre-Shave to my wet stubble, rubbing it in. Then I loaded well a Mühle Gen 2 synthetic brush — whose knot I like a lot — and worked up the lather.
The soap this morning is a Phoenix Artisan CK-6 soap, Love Bombs (“Dark Chocolate, Rose, Rosewood, Bergamot, Tea, Orange, Lemon, Black Pepper, Ginger, Palo Santo, Vetiver, Cedar, Tobacco, and Rose Absolute.”), no longer available. I do like the fragrance.
Maggard’s V3A is called “aggressive,” but that refers to its performance rather than its feel, which is quite comfortable, verging on mild. Three passes left my face smooth, and a splash of Love Bombs aftershave (with a couple of squirts of Grooming Dept Hydrating Gel added) finished the shave and set me on track for the day.
The tea this morning is Murchie’s London Afternoon: “Fragrant rose petals are interwoven with smoky Lapsang Souchong, sweetened with creamy vanilla and a touch of bright bergamot.”