Oleo’s Rougere

It all started way back in the day when some vendor threw in a sample of someone’s Rose cream. I opened it, sniffed it and loved it, but thought, WAY to feminine for me. I put it in my cabinet, and there it sat for some time until I went on an urban vacation and needed to pack lightly. I grabbed one of my samples and went.

So there I was in a nice(ish) hotel in KS City Kansas, about to go out for a nice dinner, looking down at my shaving gear realizing I had grabbed the Rose, kind of disappointed. But I had to shave.

The Rose smelt so regal in that marbled out bathroom. The scent had nothing to compete with - it smelled just like my youth when I ran amongst the roses in the rose farms my friends dads owned in Jamaica. I was in nostalgia heaven!

Then my wife came in... it was all over. She loved it too. Moreover, she convinced me it wasn’t a feminine scent. So it stands to reason that at all times, I generally have a rose scented something in my den. Enter the Oleo Rougere.

Attachment 295898

Now this stuff isn’t only rose scented, it’s got duck fat! Must try!!

Scent notes: Rose, Geranium, Oud, Lavender, Patchouli, Oakmoss, Coumarin, Tonka, Vetiver

Ingredients. Canard Base: Stearic Acid, Water, Kokum Butter, Potassium Hydroxide, Palm Kernel Oil, Duck Fat, Sodium Hydroxide, Castor Oil, Glycerin, Jojoba Oil, Fragrance & Sodium Lactate


This is going to be another of my week long reviews where I use the soap for a week, updating as I go. I’ll tell you upfront, I’m in love with this stuff - but maybe not the whole brand. More to come after today’s shave. Stand by.

I think i’ll pass on a week long review of this product. I already know I love it, and today’s shave just reaffirmed that love.

After lathering up the soap, I still maintain a hayish or grassy scent mixing in with the oud and rose. The lather is without a doubt both cushioning and viscous. I went two passes with an insanely awesome blade brought about by mixing CrOx on my Black. Then just to see, I did a third pass with my DE to ensure my neck got the closest shave too... it was awesome, there was NO sting from my Alum block after the shave. This stuff works! And smells great to boot!

Now, the splash afterwards is always a blast! A blast of cold! The menthol is seriously amped in the splash. A lovely, lovely thing in the summer. A little much today being fall. The balm is just a lovely finish. Both have an awesome rose/oud scent. Spectacular!

The thing is, I thought after using the Rougere, that I’d probably replace my entire soap collection with Oleo products. I love that they have a splash and balm for each soap. I’m a huge fan of layering all 3 on every shave(soap, splash, balm). But that wasn’t the case. I bought another three-some of awesome, but was burned. Literally.

The new soap burned my upper lip pretty badly. I’ll probably never try another Oleo product, but I will replace the Rougere. It’s a fantastic product. This is a great tallow soap.

Ah, my friend,

This is a good review. Thanks for taking the time. With a knee operation that presented some complications, and with possibly another knee operation coming up in couple months or so, I am a wee bit out of sorts. So it's good to see my friends leading the charge on quality shave products.

Oleo still is. Right now I am out of Oleo soaps. Perhaps Rougere should be next on my purchase. I love the rose scent and have tried many soaps and creams with that scent. Of course, some have been more natural than others. I expect nothing but the best from Oleo.

It’s a very interesting take on rose Obie. I’m sure that mixing in oud is what makes it more complex. The splash and balm are still complex, but the rose shines through more in them. Though complex, it’s still a fun scent - masculine, and a great product all round.

Evidently my nose cannot distinguish a rose scent from cherry, so I think I will revisit the Oleo Rougere sample today and see if I cannot give a more accurate scent description. Very complex and difficult to pin down I found.

I don't care for floral scents whatsoever -- rose or lavender to name two -- and yet this Rougere does not in any way turn me off. When David detected a rose/hay scent in our 2018 Mystery Soap thread, I was a bit stunned. It will be interesting to see what my nose "sees" today now knowing the label's complex, aromatic makeup:

Rose, Geranium, Oud, Lavender, Patchouli, Oakmoss, Coumarin, Tonka, Vetiver

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Speedster

Evidently my nose cannot distinguish a rose scent from cherry, so I think I will revisit the Oleo Rougere sample today and see if I cannot give a more accurate scent description. Very complex and difficult to pin down I found.

I don't care for floral scents whatsoever -- rose or lavender to name two -- and yet this Rougere does not in any way turn me off. When David detected a rose/hay scent in our 2018 Mystery Soap thread, I was a bit stunned. It will be interesting to see what my nose "sees" today now knowing the label's complex, aromatic makeup:

Rose, Geranium, Oud, Lavender, Patchouli, Oakmoss, Coumarin, Tonka, Vetiver

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I am genuinely interested to hear your take after today's shave Mark. Generally speaking, I haven't known scent to be as subjective as other things, but maybe it is more so than we can imagine. Of course today you will be searching out the rose, so I'd be surprised if it doesn't at least pop out a little.

Again, I look forward to hearing your input.

I sniffed the Rougere sample yesterday from the container, David, and detected the rose notes (not overpowering but definitely there) but my recall of the lathered up scent was quite different...a bit sweeter, almost candied. It will be interesting to see how my take compares to the previous one now that I know their scent cues from the label.

I do believe the mind is easily "tricked" or prejudiced based upon expectations (i.e., marketing bs) similar to the placebo effect. :deal:

Absolutely love this stuff and the complex scent isn't nearly rosy (or, as David puts it, feminine) enough to turn me away. Let's call it a rose-based fougere, so unsurprising the lather confounds my olfactory senses. :shrug: No problem achieving a 2-pass BBS shave using yet another razor.

Much less skin tightness post-shave but still noticeable. This time around, I used the splash David sent after my Trumper's skin food. Whoa, boy, menthol blast galore! I get why he enjoys this feeling as my face felt minty fresh for a good 30 minutes afterwards. lol And, I can definitely detect the rose more in their accompanying splash. I'm guessing I would also enjoy the matching Rougere balm.

Thanks for allowing me to sample some Oleo Rougere, lobeless!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Speedster

Absolutely love this stuff and the complex scent isn't nearly rosy (or, as David puts it, feminine) enough to turn me away. Let's call it a rose-based fougere, so unsurprising the lather confounds my olfactory senses. :shrug: No problem achieving a 2-pass BBS shave using yet another razor.

Much less skin tightness post-shave but still noticeable. This time around, I used the splash David sent after my Trumper's skin food. Whoa, boy, menthol blast galore! I get why he enjoys this feeling as my face felt minty fresh for a good 30 minutes afterwards. lol And, I can definitely detect the rose more in their accompanying splash. I'm guessing I would also enjoy the matching Rougere balm.

Thanks for allowing me to sample some Oleo Rougere, lobeless!

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You’re welcome brother.

Hi David.. I was going to make a comment on your friends dad's "Jamaican Rose Farm".. and whether that was rose you were smelling :).. Anyway I have used a couple of Oleo soaps with Excursion the last im going through now... I really like the ones ive used
and plan on getting another scent soon. Im not a real big fan of floral scents but i have not found Oleo to give off a heavy scent on the ones i have used.. So with the very nice review and my experience withthe company im confident i will enjoy this one also.. Thanks David.. Scott W
.

Scott W.
I'm happy you stuck around after the incident you went thru. Thank you for sticking with us. This stuff doesn't happen very often around here as most all of us are really good folks and enjoy helping each other. Your a true gentleman! And I'm glad to have ya in the group!

Now, back on subject...
I have Irving Park, Pucker, El Caballero, and Windy City and enjoy the feeling I get from them. Like Mark, The quality of a soap makes all the difference to me. Glad you're coming around on this one Mark. We'd hate to have to take your Mentor Badge away from ya. :rofl2:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Obie

Ah, my friend,

This is a good review. Thanks for taking the time. With a knee operation that presented some complications, and with possibly another knee operation coming up in couple months or so, I am a wee bit out of sorts. So it's good to see my friends leading the charge on quality shave products.

Oleo still is. Right now I am out of Oleo soaps. Perhaps Rougere should be next on my purchase. I love the rose scent and have tried many soaps and creams with that scent. Of course, some have been more natural than others. I expect nothing but the best from Oleo.

---

Obie

I was able to make Rolodave's meetup this past weekend. I was really looking forward to meeting you as well as the others. I am sorry your knees were acting up.

I passed out about sixty different soap samples during the meet. Had you been there, you could have picked up a couple of the Oleo Soapworks samples as well as others.

I hope you second knee operation goes well. I am looking forward to meeting you at Dave's next year.

Ray

Quote:

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Originally Posted by earcutter

I think i’ll pass on a week long review of this product. I already know I love it, and today’s shave just reaffirmed that love.

After lathering up the soap, I still maintain a hayish or grassy scent mixing in with the oud and rose. The lather is without a doubt both cushioning and viscous. I went two passes with an insanely awesome blade brought about by mixing CrOx on my Black. Then just to see, I did a third pass with my DE to ensure my neck got the closest shave too... it was awesome, there was NO sting from my Alum block after the shave. This stuff works! And smells great to boot!

Now, the splash afterwards is always a blast! A blast of cold! The menthol is seriously amped in the splash. A lovely, lovely thing in the summer. A little much today being fall. The balm is just a lovely finish. Both have an awesome rose/oud scent. Spectacular!

The thing is, I thought after using the Rougere, that I’d probably replace my entire soap collection with Oleo products. I love that they have a splash and balm for each soap. I’m a huge fan of layering all 3 on every shave(soap, splash, balm). But that wasn’t the case. I bought another three-some of awesome, but was burned. Literally.

The new soap burned my upper lip pretty badly. I’ll probably never try another Oleo product, but I will replace the Rougere. It’s a fantastic product. This is a great tallow soap.

---

Earcutter, that was an interesting post. There were a couple of things I noted.

1. Oleo duck fat does make a soap.
2. You shave two passes with a straight and then do a clean-up pass with a DE. That is exactly the procedure I follow. My chin and jawline have weird grain that makes it hard getting close enough with a SR alone.
3. I have six of the Oleo soaps in my den, but have not tried Rougere. If the rose scent is light, I would probably like it as the fougere (lavender, oakmoss, and tonka bean) and vetiver scents are fine. I tend to be sensitive to strong rose and strong lavender scents.
4. For me, Oleo soaps have a great post shave feel. My only aftershave product is witch hazel. Any product with alcohol or menthol tends to burn my face. In winter, I may use a shave balm.
5. Don't confine yourself to only one soapmaker. I know people that confine their usage to one soap, or a few. For me, there are too many great soap bases and too many great scents to confine myself. I know I have way more than I need, but exploring new soaps and new scents is fun.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RayClem

Earcutter, that was an interesting post. There were a couple of things I noted.

1. Oleo duck fat does make a soap.
2. You shave two passes with a straight and then do a clean-up pass with a DE. That is exactly the procedure I follow. My chin and jawline have weird grain that makes it hard getting close enough with a SR alone.
3. I have six of the Oleo soaps in my den, but have not tried Rougere. If the rose scent is light, I would probably like it as the fougere (lavender, oakmoss, and tonka bean) and vetiver scents are fine. I tend to be sensitive to strong rose and strong lavender scents.
4. For me, Oleo soaps have a great post shave feel. My only aftershave product is witch hazel. Any product with alcohol or menthol tends to burn my face. In winter, I may use a shave balm.
5. Don't confine yourself to only one soapmaker. I know people that confine their usage to one soap, or a few. For me, there are too many great soap bases and too many great scents to confine myself. I know I have way more than I need, but exploring new soaps and new scents is fun.

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I think any man worried about a rose scented soap being too floral for him should try this product. If he labels it too floral or feminine, I’m going to second guess his personality lol! It’s a great soap that hints at floral - but that’s it.

I love the balm. I use it sparingly indeed, usually cut with water, but it’s a must for me after the splash. You should never use the splash lol. By your description, i’m here to say, this one would burn your face off lol!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TCMichigander

Hi David.. I was going to make a comment on your friends dad's "Jamaican Rose Farm".. and whether that was rose you were smelling :).. Anyway I have used a couple of Oleo soaps with Excursion the last im going through now... I really like the ones ive used
and plan on getting another scent soon. Im not a real big fan of floral scents but i have not found Oleo to give off a heavy scent on the ones i have used.. So with the very nice review and my experience withthe company im confident i will enjoy this one also.. Thanks David.. Scott W
.

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Lol - there’s a few smells that “take me back” to Jamaica, the smell of roses does take me back where I lived as a kid for 6 years. Big time. Being from a family of Dutchmen, you think it would take me back to the Netherlands where I lived as well, but nope - JA it is.

I think hurricane Hugo all but decimated the infant rose growing business in JA. You need to be as resilient as a “weed” to survive those things lol!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RayClem

Obie

I was able to make Rolodave's meetup this past weekend. I was really looking forward to meeting you as well as the others. I am sorry your knees were acting up.

I passed out about sixty different soap samples during the meet. Had you been there, you could have picked up a couple of the Oleo Soapworks samples as well as others.

I hope you second knee operation goes well. I am looking forward to meeting you at Dave's next year.

Ray

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Ray, my friend, I'm sorry I was unable to come. The knee operation went well, but something caused considerable verve damage to my foot, making walking a wee bit difficult. Also, my other knee is really bad, as well as the sciatic nerve pain in that leg. I can't drive more than a block before the leg explodes in pain. No way I could have made the drive to Dave's chateau without croaking. Anyway, I was so looking forward to meeting everyone. Well, next year.

UPDATE:

Gentlemen, I lied. I said after buying the second Oleo which burned me, that I wouldn’t buy any Oleo product save the Rougere - that was incorrect.

I just ordered the “Bonaire.” Soap, splash, and balm! How couldn’t I? I lived in Curaçao for 5 years. We’d hang in Bonaire (good air). It’s again - nostalgia!!

But beside that, for a guy who grew up in the West Indies, check out the scent description!

Scented with bergamot, lime, mandarin, coconut, copra, jasmine, hibiscus, ylang ylang, ginger, tonkin musk, white rum, sugar cane

OMG!! It’s going to be an olfactory party! I’m telling you, I’m pumped lol! Hibiscus!?! Ylang ylang! Oh man. I can’t wait!

But I’m going to have to. I didn’t pay for expedited shipping. $40 for it all. The soap, the splash and the balm. Good stuff at a good price.