La Toja makes exceptionally good shaving products (soap and aftershave). It’s the water, you know. With my Simpson Chubby 1 Best I had no trouble at all getting a good lather, and again that is with Grooming Dept Moisturizing Pre-Shave (the best pre-shave I’ve found — and note that I am just a customer: no affiliation, no affiliate link, no remuneration; I just like the stuff — a lot).
Well lathered, I set to work with a surprisingly good TTO adjustable, the Baili DB197, sold by Italian Barber as the RazoRock Adjust. The $15 price is a bargain just given the comfort and efficiency and feel in the hand of this razor, not even considering that it is a TTO adjustable to boot. Three very easy passes left my face perfectly smooth.
La Toja Hombre aftershave is quite good — soothing and fragrant — but still I added a couple of squirts of Grooming Dept Hydrating Gel because I think that does make a difference with splashes.
The tea this morning is Murchie’s Anniversary Blend: “The combination of Assam, Keemun, Ceylon, Yunnan and Gunpowder single origin teas produces an expansive cup with light briskness, full mouth feel and a rich amber hue.”