Thread: Provence Sante: an Old Friend

Gentlemen,

One of the greatest joys of traditional shaving is the time spent lathering.

And make mine hot water, please.

I know some gentlemen prefer to shave with cold water, and that's fine, to each his own, but I dislike cold water shaving. In Vietnam, where shaving with cold water out of the steel helmet was often the norm, I promised myself that if I ever got out alive, I would never, EVER, shave with cold water — and I have kept to my promise. So yes, hot water and plenty of it.

A good shave, in addition to a well honed straight razor, or a quality double edge razor with the preferred blade, requires a good brush, good soap or cream and proper technique. Through the years, I have tried scores of soaps and creams; liked some, disliked some, kept some and forgotten some. For instance, Martin de Candre soap and Castle Forbes cream, among a few others, will always remain staples in my humble shave den.

So will Provence Sante, a delightful French soap that comes in two fragrances: Verlaine and Tea. I prefer the Verlaine. That Verlaine is also named after the French poet Paul Verlaine, I'm sure, has something to do with my preference.

Provence Sante is a modestly priced vegetable based shave soap with glycerin, shae butter, luzenac talcum (to reduce irritation), plus essential oils of linden and Vervain. The clean and soapy fragrance harkens to a garden of soft and sweet flowers in Provence. I love the fragrance.

Best of all, Provence Sante lathers well, and has a comfortable cushion and a silky glide. If you're looking for a good soap that is reasonably priced, I believe around $10, give Provence Sante a try. It might find a permanent spot in your shave den, too. Good stuff.