18.04.2024

• Prep: peeling, warm water
• Razor: Wilkinson Hydro sensitive
• Blade: Wilkinson Hydro 3 cartridge
• Brush: RazoRock 400 Noir SE 24 mm
• Lather: HAGS - Aftermath (vegan base)
• Post Shave: HAGS - Aftermath AS, moisturiser
• Fragrance: Amouage Interlude Man EdP sample

Today's head shave was done before I met up with a few of my classmates to celebrate our successful midterms (at least the first part of it) at an italian restaurant.

I wanted to try this combo for a long time and today I finally remembered. The dupe soap and splash compared to the extremely expensive original EdP - glad that samples exist! Tbh, HAGS goes more in a gourmand direction than the actual Interlude Man. It's kinda delicious, but the EdP is much more bold, mysterious and has a lot more character. On the other hand, what am I expecting? I compare a soap & splash set for ~40-45€ to a 400€ perfume. A lot of that price may be exaggerated, but there's still a ton of high quality ingredients in the scent mix. Anyways, a great scent combo. My closest recommendation for a cheap alternative for Interlude Man would be Bois 1920 - Oro Nero, but this one has much less sillage and projection (at least for me).

The evening at the restaurant was nice and it wasn't too expensive either. Tomorrow we have a final day for our class project before normal lessons resume next week.

17.04.2024

• Prep: warm water
• Razor: RazoRock Hawk V2
• Blade: KAI Captain Protouch MG
• Brush: RazoRock Beehive 28 mm
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Tobacconist
• Post Shave: Natura Siberica ASB gel

Wednesday head SOTN. Still trying to get into the habit of shaving/posting more, but today's shave was a good boost to that.

1 pass plus cleanups. It's so great to have those guarded KAIs back - they really turn the Hawk into an easy mode razor.

To get off cigarettes again, I lately acquired a few MTL focused vape setups with tight airflows and I use very dank tobacco focused liquids. I really never was the usual vaper who likes bubblegum or cookie flavours (each to their own, ofc). I like heavy, dark and spicy stuff. So today I've chosen my most matching soap: HoM Tobacconist. Tbh, I don't really like most scents of Mammoth (judging from scent descriptions alone so take it with a grain of salt). I mean, yes he has a terrific soap base that even my irritated left ear agrees with. But I'm not keen on Lavender, Citrus or smelling like Mango sticky rice. Again, each to their own... But Tobacconist?! That's what I love to smell like. It's not wet cold smoke. It's actually like one of those old fashioned tobacco stores with wooden furniture. The soap alone takes me on an olfactory journey and I'd love to have the matching EdP (not in the EU sadly, but one can dream). Plus it always treats my skin well. I kinda want to try Shire and Fu Dao in the future, but so far this and Indigo will be among my top scents of all time.

Today I went out and bought myself clothes and shoes - unfortunately for a funeral that I need to attend at the end of April. While it was a sad occasion, seeing myself in the dressing room mirror gave me a lot of confidence back. In the past, I'd have looked like a fat bald guy in a suit. Nowadays it's more "Agent 47 with a short beard" vibes. While I'm usually not a suit guy, I seem to rock formal wear now. Even in dark times, there's often a little ember of hope. Ok, enough rambling - have an awesome time everyone!

SOTD 25.03.2024

• Prep: warm water
• Razor: RazoRock Gamechanger 0.84 OC; Wilkinson Hydro sensitive
• Blade: BIC Chrome Platinum; Wilkinson Hydro 3
• Brush: RazoRock Beehive 28 mm
• Lather: Noble Otter - Neon Sun
• Post Shave: Natura Siberica ASB gel

Finally time to post a proper SOTD again! After my uncomfortable hiatus, I actually had a crammed weekend and today off work but still packed with preparations. I feel way better since returning from Bad Liebenstein...

2 pass head shave, first with the Gamechanger WTG and a second fast one with the cartridge razor ATG. These Hydro 3 treat me well since I found out that I can simply remove the gel strips with my thumbnail - pluck, and they're gone for good! I much prefer my soap to be the sole provider of slickness, K THX.

Neon Sun was awesome after almost no soap usage (excluding Moon's Union) for six weeks. Great scent, good feeling on the skin and a nice bald head without irritation as the final result. Now I really need to sleep since I have lots of early shifts in the next few days, but it's good to be back here. 👌🏻

SOTD 19.02.2024

• Prep: warm water
• Razor: Headblade S4 Lunar Eclipse
• Blade: HB 2
• Brush: AP Shave Co. Snakeskin w/ 26 mm Fan/Flattop
• Lather: Proraso Wood & Spice cream
• Post Shave: Phytorelax Headshave ASB

So today's shave was basically a repeat of yesterday. I brought the Headblade with me for convenience - the Proraso cream is almost empty, so I hope I'll be able to kill it while I'm over here.

1 pass, very fast but not super comfortable. Well, there's always a downside to everything.

SOTD 06.02.2024

• Prep: CeraVe anti-blemish cleanser, warm water
• Razor: Stando Perun
• Blade: BIC Chrome Platinum
• Brush: RazoRock 400 Noir SE 24 mm
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Tobacconist
• Post Shave: Thayer's Cucumber facial spray; Phytorelax Headshave ASB

Tobacco Tuesday head shave, 2 passes, slick dome. This is my only other Mammoth soap and like Indigo, it gives me a superb lather. It was a bit hard to shave today since I did an intense upper body workout earlier, but still manageable somehow.

The Perun might be almost too mild for me - it's great to have it, it's a wonderful piece of an european wetshaving artisan. But a really mild shaver compared to the Gamechanger or Greencult IV.

I didn't list my fragrance today as I only sprayed on a sample by Brooklyn Soap Company that was gone in like the first two hours and simply not worth it.

I'm beginning to think that near the end of my 20s, I seem to make the most improvements in my life. I lost a good amount of weight, I'm back to semi-regular workouts since this year, my retraining is going very well, I finally have some real friends again... Everything seems to be on the right path now.

My Open Comb Gamechanger is one of my best razors and I generally don't like Open Combs anymore as a head shaver... RazoRock really makes very affordable razors and brushes with solid quality. The Hawk is a weird AC blade razor, but I love it with one of their Superknurl handles. The two RR brushes I have are also among the best feeling synthetics I have, even though both were clearance sale deals. My AP Shave Co. Tuxedo Fan tops them, but not by far...

SOTD 21.01.2024

• Prep: warm water
• Razor: RazoRock Gamechanger 0.84 OC
• Blade: BIC Chrome Platinum
• Brush: AP Shave Co. 30 mm Tuxedo Fan w/ black & clear handle
• Lather: Chicago Grooming Co. - Excursion (Canard)
• Post Shave: OAM sensitive skin toner; Natura Siberica ASB gel
• Fragrance: Yves Saint Laurent - La Nuit de L'Homme EdT

Sunday headshave. One pass plus cleanups, done. The GC is truly remarkable for shaving off multiple days of growth.

So unlike some gentlemen here who actually plan their shaves and choose their fragrance to match their SOTD, I decided that I'd shave with something to compliment the frag I applied earlier in the day. Like a simpleton, I went for the dupe.

CG Excursion is a soap that treats me well. It's still in the Canard base, not the fancier new one Vida uses nowadays (Darkwing IIRC?). Still, plenty of slick lather with my big brush.

The shaving soap was actually what made me get the matching EdT. La Nuit de L'Homme is a very sweet, charming scent. Not really what I'd reach for nowadays... It's simply too generic, too conformist. I used to think that it'd make a nice date night scent, but maybe only for dates that are best forgotten. And since I only get EdPs nowadays, it's also out of the question. I know there's a perfume of it, but why should I bother? It would simply not be a scent for me. While it's simply OK and definitely inoffensive, I'd much prefer something with more rough edges. The other YSL which I got as a gift, Y, is sadly also one of those sweet perfumes who are forgotten fast. In the end, I realised that I should get around to reorganize my cabinet and just throw out some of the stuff I don't use anymore and won't ever use again. The soap will stay, but the fragrance has to go.
Have a nice start into the new week!

SOTD 18.01.2024

• Prep: warm water
• Razor: Stando Perun
• Blade: Rapira Platinum Lux
• Brush: TGS Galaxy 26 mm
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Cuero Oscuro
• Post Shave: Thayer's Aloe Vera toner; Phytorelax Headshave ASB
• Fragrance: Philipp Plein - No Limit$ EdP

As always, I'm one of the last posts with my head shave of the day.

1 pass, overhydrated my lather so it was too wet for my personal preference. Still usable, but not very enjoyable even though WKs base usually gives me great shaves. Cuero Oscuro is a very dank, harsh leather fragrance. Think antique furniture. But I actually chose it to compare it to today's fragrance that I applied in the morning...

Philipp Plein, in case you're not familiar with him, is a german-born designer who designs fashion that kinda embodies the trashy Ed Hardy vibe of the late 2000s with Cowboy and Rock aesthetics. An accurate description I read about his fashion is like "he goes like 'well, this is a fair price' and then adds one or two zeros to the price tag". His brand is therefore a big cliché for the newly rich... Oh, and if you're ready for something truly cringe worthy, look up the ad for No Limit$ on YT. I seriously didn't knew anything about this when I blind bought it last year...

Back to the actual fragrance. It is made by Alberto Morillas, so not as bad as it may come off in the commercial. It opens with a very sharp note, mostly citrus and spices. The citrus is gone faster than your hard earned money when you buy a PP jacket, but the spices stay. Together with a rather synthetic leather note and some woody notes that are actually pleasing. The chocolate note is also noticeable and once it comes to life, this fragrance becomes way more bearable for me (and everyone around me). It never really becomes very gourmand-y to me due to the harsh synthetic leather note. Cuero Oscuro is way more pungent, but this leather note is too artificial to me personally. It certainly has a very great longevity (much to my dismay) at it's price point and it's certainly unique. But today was the last time wearing it. Despite the praise it got from people who don't like the marketing and PP as a brand and person, it's simply too over the top for me. I like leather, Oud and smoky fragrances, but this comes off as too much of a try hard. I adore the natural and comfortable leather scent in TF Ombre Leather and Tuscan Leather. I even appreciate the rugged leather in SW Valley of Ashes. But this here? Way too synthetic. Ok, this closes my rambling about this perfume and designer. Have a good night, folks!

SOTD 14.01.2024

• Prep: warm water
• Razor: Greencult GC 2.0 II plate
• Blade: Voskhod
• Brush: TGS Galaxy 26 mm
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre
• Post Shave: Thayer's Aloe Vera toner; Natura Siberica ASB gel

Just a 2 pass head shave at night. I had a lot of stubble on the dome, so two passes were really needed.

I love smelling LGC, despite the notes sounding like something way different it always reminds me of a very great cola/coke. Plus it's in Omnibus so the added slickness was very great for shaving off all those pesky little hairs.

My weekend was really productive, yesterday I bought a new coat and gloves and today I finished a crafty project for an ex-colleague & friend together with my mom. Unfortunately I didn't find time for a workout, but there's always tomorrow...

Oh my, a brick and mortar store for wetshaving would be such a great experience. I'd say give it a go - even just for the fun of visiting one.

Btw, my app has some problems with PMs currently, unfortunately I can't reply to any of your messages. But judging by the tracking link, your soap has reached Germany and could be here by the weekend!

SOTD 03.10.23

• Prep: warm water
• Razor: Stando Perun
• Blade: Voskhod
• Brush: vintage yellow bakelite w/ 22 mm AP Shave Co. SynBad
• Lather: Stirling Soap - Autumn Glory
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap - Autumn Glory AS; moisturizer
• Fragrance: Halloween Man X EDT

2 pass face shave that took place before my late shift. What else to use for a cloudy, rainy day than Autumn Glory? It's a very similar scent to a popular Yankee Candle of the same name and I really enjoy it. I kinda messed up with the fragrance for today, Halloween Man X is more of a treat than a trick. Means it's much too sweet in contrast to the darker Autumn Glory - but you can't always get it 100% right.

Streets were nicely empty today, as it's a public holiday over here. But nursing is a profession that never stops and I get a little bonus for working on holidays...

SOTD 02.10.2023

• Prep: warm water
• Razor: Ever-Ready 1912
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE
• Brush: AP Shave Co. Snakeskin w/ 26 mm Silksmoke Flattop/Fan hybrid
• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Samhain
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Samhain AS

Despite the warm weather, I wanted to welcome my favourite month and season with a wonderful autumn/fall scent - what's better suited than Samhain?!

Samhain is surely one of my absolute favourite scents ever in wetshaving. I don't know what exactly draws me into it, but the combo is certainly unique. Also, it was one of my first ever high-class artisan soaps so it also holds sentimental value to me.

2 pass shave with the great Ever-Ready today, much more pleasant than yesterday's SOTD. Only 3 tiny weepers around the moustache area.

Otherwise, a pretty chill day. Had the day off, will start in the late shift again tomorrow. Time for a horror film now!