Introducing the Lavender Shootout!
Just a handful of the tubs that I’m using in the forthcoming review series.
(Note: These are texts modified only slightly from those posted to Reddit at a previous date.)
Inspired by my previous series (that’s still technically underway), I’m starting an ambitious new review series of Lavender products from our beloved artisans, named for my current location in Del Rio, Texas. I’ve spent the past few months working on the Wetshaver’s Digest and I’ve been trying to get back to reviewing products more often. And so….
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present for your enjoyment the next installment of my genre-based review series. The Lavender Shootout!
Lavender is ubiquitous in wetshaving and products throughout our homes (..or bus?), but what makes a good lavender scent for shaving? Most wetshavers are probably men, but is there such a thing as a masculine or feminine lavender? If so, which do women prefer? What makes a lavender scent a good one? What notes combine best with lavender? I have so many questions to answer and many more that I’ll strive to answer as I review each soap and aftershave. I look forward to writing reviews for this series and hearing your comments as we go along. While I won't review these on sequential days as I did for the last series, I will be trying to do them on a regular basis.
The biggest concern I have in doing this review series is that I can only get so many samples from online vendors.
I present to you the tentative schedule for The Lavender Shootout!
Day 1: Castle Forbes – Lavender
Day 2: Taylor of Old Bond Street – Lavender
Day 3: Wholly Kaw – Lav Sublime
Day 4: Dr. Harris - Lavender
Day 5: Mickey Lee Soapworks – Jefferson Square
Day 6: Barrister and Mann – Lavender
Day 7: Derby Shaving Cream - Lavender
Day 8: Dr Jon’s Essentials - Lavender
Day 9: LA Shaving Company - Woody Lavender
Day 10: Mike’s Natural Soaps – Hungarian Lavender
Day 11: Oleo Soapworks – Peppermint Lavender (Sample Needed)
Day 12: Southern Witchcrafts – Lavender
Day 13: Stirling Soap Company – Bergamot Lavender
Day 14: WSP – Lavenderwood
Day 15: Uncle Jon’s – Lavender
Day 16: Dr Jon’s – Flowers in the Dark
Day 17: Chattilon Lux/Declaration Grooming – Champs de Lavande
Day 18: Czech and Speake – Oxford and Cambridge
Day 19: Fine – Lavender Pour Homme
Day 20: Dapper Dragon – Lavender Lizard
Day 21: Storybook Soapworks – Visions and Revisions
Day 22: Soap Commander – Lavender
Day 23: Catie’s Bubbles – Menage a Lavande
Day 24: Summer Break Soaps
Day 25: Conclusions/Summaries
Just like with the Battle of the Barbershops I will establish a few ground rules so that no “contestant” is given unfair treatment in this competition:
1. I will use a Gillette Slim Adjustable on the 3 setting for all shaves. All shaves will be WTG followed by an ATG. No aftershaves/splashes/balms will be used or factored into my evaluation, but if I have one I will use it and state as much in the write-up. My brush is a Maggard’s synthetic. My shave routine is simple: Shower, face-lather, WTG, rinse, lather, ATG, rinse, towel-dry.
2. All soaps will be evaluated with a new green “Astra Super Platinum” blade at some point before the review is posted. These are one of the best all-around blades in my opinion and while I won’t say they are perfect, they are certainly a great basis for standardizing comparisons.
3. I will happily add to the list when I am able.
4. I’m just trying to have fun and pass some time, so while I’m taking this seriously, I’m also not taking it too seriously… if that makes sense. My nose is not perfect, but I try to be as discerning as possible. My analysis of the scent will be based on the notes published by the Artisan and verified by my nose.
5. I believe that my soap evaluations are particularly valuable in this series compared to the last because the water in my home location is very hard and should be a good benchmark for the feasibility of the soap.
6. All products reviewed have been and/or will be purchased by me. I am not paid by any company, individual, or entity, for my reviews. They are entirely my opinion and an account of my experience.
7. Looking forward to hearing from you, and as always, feedback is welcomed at wetshaversdigest@gmail.com :D