MamaBear Soap/Cream Review
(Wait...that sounds like some bizarre burlesque show...nevermind) Anyway, here we go:
1. Earl Gray Shaving Cream - Arrived soupy due to the hot weather (just as MB warned) so into the fridge. After I remembered that I had put it there, I let it set out to come to room temp.
Nice consistency, held up while warming in the mug (I set the mug in hot water while doing the towel thing). Whipped up nicely - thick but not "yogurt-like". No problem getting 3 passes. Nice scent - you notice the bergamot immediately - citrus finish notes, but not overpowering...during the day, you will on occasion catch a whiff of it.
Nota Bene - I have not used shaving soaps a lot, so I had a bit of a learning curve. Also, for cologne, I use Krizia Uommo - citrus, spice, woods scents. All these soaps blended well with it.
General Soap Comments - these are dense, well presented, glycerin soaps. You need to "grind" the brush into the soap to load the brush. Be careful, as when the glycerin reacts with water, the lather takes off. the photos on MB's site are accurate - thick, rich lather, like fine whipped cream. So far, the soaps have all had the same fine, dense, slick consistency. I have to remember to re-lather, as the soap lather will dry a bit faster on my face than the creams...3-4 drops of hot water in the mug and I'm off and foaming (not at the mouth, mind you). Remember, essential oils will smell differently on every person, so my reviews are what I noticed on my skin...you may try it and hate the scent. Essential oil + body/skin oil + body heat + oxidation = smell. :)
2. Dominican Bay & Tangerine "Marauder's" Shaving Soap - Heady, exotic. pleasant level of scent...lingered throughout the day. Not sweet, but fruity, yet still delicate afterwards. Masculine, but I wasn't wandering around the office going "Arrrgh! 'Tis the black spot!" (apologies to R.L. Stevenson).
3. Dragon's Blood Fragrance Shaving Soap - Sandalwood and citrus....scent like a cannon going off. Dry, strong...add water and lather - ka-boom! If you are groggy in the morning, this will wake you up like a drill sergeant putting a boot in your hind end. Nothing subtle. I can still catch notes of it in the bathroom...! The scent from this is amazing...it also is strong enough to tingle in your nose as ou breathe while shaving. I cannot imagine a better name for this soap, except maybe Dragon's Roar. If you like kick-in-the- head invigorating scents, this one will knock your socks off. Too strong for me, but I think I will et some unscented cream from MB and mix in the mug. Lingers for the whole day, but still did not clash with the cologne.
4. Spicey Lime Shaving Soap - clean, crisp, makes you want a mojito (What? yes, I know it's 7 AM....where's the rum?) Nice finish, lingers all day, but gently fades. The lime is there, but as you shave, you are going "What's that scent? Oooo, that's nice!" I think would be a good intro soap if you are not a citrus person.
I will add a review for the Dragons Tears Shaving Soap later...haven't used it yet. :rolleyes:
Greg
Follow up review for the last of MB's soaps
I tried the Dragon's Tears...wow, so much different than the Dragon's Blood....elegant, spicy, heady aromas as I shaved....and not to put too fine a point on it, but certain scents or essences brought back memories of the markets in Hong Kong! Very nice!
I did another shave with the Earl Gray cream....excellent lather (getting the water/soap or cream balance down pat takes a bit...also, the foam can tend to degrade if using a scuttle, so allow for that when doing your mix...once you get it down...lather for everyone! (really...I could probably get 4 passes and still have some lather left!)
The Earl Gray actually was tingly on my skin this time...the first time I only did one pass. Very nice shave....razor cruised along (I'm using a vintage Dorko which JoshEarl fine tuned for me :bow) and my skin was still tingly afterwards. Another keeper!
I got my scuttle from Sue in Nova Scotia today..can't wait, can't wait! :y
Greg