Review - La Savonniere Du Moulin

Company: LA SAVONNIERE DU MOULIN (The Mill Savonniere)

Product: Shaving Soap (Donkey Milk)     

Location: France

Let me start off by saying there’s two unique things about this soap. One would be it’s packaging; this must have been the most miss understood packaging in retail history. I think some wet shavers had mistakenly pointed out it’s subpar construction without really knowing it’s true purpose and two, the soap is made with Donkey Milk a very uncommon ingredient.

Review - K Shave Worx Shaving Soap

Company: K Shave Worx

Product: Hump Day/Citrus Shaving Soap

Kevin and Kelly Daugherty

Founder: Kevin & Kelly Daugherty

Location: Ballston Spa, N.Y.

Early in Dec I was looking for something new on ETSY and stumbled upon K Shave Worx. A husband and wife team working out of Ballston Spa, N.Y. Kevin is an Army Veteran who works in commercial HVAC and is a Certified Health Coach and Kelly is a Clinical Social Worker/Therapist and Clinical Director. When they aren't at work they are busy turning their passion into a business. Not only do they sell shaving soap but also unique, one of a kind makeup and shaving brushes and Kevin has skills in restoring, reworked and honing razors. It’s like a one stop shop. So I contacted Kelly who was so nice to deal with, she was happy to send me two shaving soap samples. Hump Day a citrus blend and The Didge with menthol & eucalyptus.

Review - Obsessive Soap Perfectionist - OSP

Company: The Obsessive Soap Perfectionist

Product: Shaving Soap

Founder: James

Location: London England

I first came across OSP with a posting of a new soap in Badger and Blade. It was getting lots of attention but seemed like only a few had it. After some time and many more appearances of the soap I started to get curious. So on Nov 1, I contacted James the owner of The Obsessive Soap Perfectionist better known as OSP. I asked him if he sold samples and wanted to do a review on his soaps that I heard so much about. He wrote back that at this time he had no samples but he was willing to come to an arrangement but first he wanted to know about me and Wet The Face. I understood why, with so much attention about his soaps he just wanted to make sure I was actually running a Google+ community group so I supply him all the links to my Social Media outlets. I also wrote a little something about myself. Once he saw that I did indeed have everything that I said I did we came to an agreement on scents and shipping charges which are outrageous by the way. Then after 20 days they had arrived and now I’m finally able to write about them.

Wet The Face Dec Giveaway Going On Now!

December 1, 2015 Giveaway Contest
Today I’m excited to announce the Dec WTF Giveaway Contest.
The Winner Will Receive the Following:
1) Rustlers Ridge Shaving Soap / Prickly Pear-Cedar-Spruce-Sage
2) Shampoo & Conditioner Yucca Root - Cider Vinegar Prickly Pear Oil. Juice & Pulp



Crown King

Contest will end Dec  31 12:00PM. The winner will be picked sometime in the Eve.Good Luck to everyone!!

Note - Big Thank You goes out to   for donating the products   Let me tell you this scent is Awesome

CLICK HERE TO ENTER CONTEST

CLICK HERE TO ENTER CONTEST

Review - Bronson Soap Co. Speedway

Company: Bronson Soap Company

Product: Speedway

Founder: Jeremy

Location: Union City, CA

I received Samples of Bronson Soaps a while back and finally had the chance to use them for a week. I have the original puck he created when he started called Old Timer. This was a Glycerin based shaving soap and the scent is so good and was a hot seller for Jeremy. So now he’s stepped up his game. Gradually going from Vegan barbershop shaving soap which he sold out of to a tallow based one. The Tallow based soap is called speedway and it’s based on the Old Timer glycerin soap he started with bringing back the original scent that started it all.

Review - Dr. Jon's Krampus Shaving Soap

Company: DR. Jon’s

Product: Krampus Shaving Soap

Location: Delaware Ohio

Last week a white box was dropped at my front door by the carrier because it wouldn’t fit in our mail box. I looked down and there I saw a picture of DR. Jon with his Top Hat & Glasses sporting a great mustache. The front panel of the box read “The Cure for the Common Shave!”. For the contents of the box was most certainly uncommon, Krampus had arrived. Those of you not familiar with this folk lore, Kranpus would punish bad girls and boys during Christmas giving them coal unlike Santa Clause who rewards good children with presents, this is very popular in European countries.

Review - Long Rifle Soap Company

Company: Long Rifle Soap Company

Product: Shaving Soap           

Founder: Amanda Brooker

Location: Green Bay, WI, United States

I finally had the opportunity to try Long Rifle Soaps. After a few email exchanges Amanda agreed to send me a few samples of her shaving soaps, but before we dive into them I asked Amanda how she became involved in soap making and here is her reply.

Review - Jeeves Of Hudson Street

Company: Jeeves of Hudson Street

Product: Bowtie Shaving Soap

Founder: Bryon Postlethwait

Veteran Owned & Operated Company

When I collected the mail last week I didn’t have to opened anything to tell that someone sent me shaving soap. The scent from the pucks just came right through the packaging. Tobacco, Barber Shop and Mountain Rain all from Bryon Postlethwait the owner and founder of Jeeves of Hudson Street. I sent him a letter asking if I could do a review of his soaps and if he had any samples. So from what he sent me I selected Mountain Rain to do this review.

Review - Cold River Soap Works

Company: Cold River Soap Works

Product: Select Shaving Soap and After Shave Balm

Founder: Larry Jones

Location: Baldwinsville, N.Y.

Sometimes you have to talk about presentation first and I’m going to do that with Cold River Soap Works. When they first arrive you’ll notice how each item is carefully packaged. Once removed you are presented with a classic heavy gauge rust resistant tin sporting a very large 4 inch opening for loading your brush. The lid on this tin leaves no doubt that its going to stay on until you decide otherwise. The label is classic black and white and it’s done so well it definitely demands your attention. Included with the soap, a black invitation size envelope sealed with what appears to be a replica of a waxed letter (S) for SELECT. Inside, a card welcoming and thanking you for purchasing Cold River Soap Products. Nice touch.

Wet the Face - November Giveaway

November 1, 2015 Giveaway Contest
Today I’m excited to announce the Nov WTF Giveaway Contest.
The Winner Will Receive the Following:
5 - 1oz Cremo Cream for Men
1 - 6oz Lady Cremo Cream
1 - 4.4oz Cremo Moisturizer
So head over to Wet The Face for rules and how to enter

Note - Big Thank You goes out to Cremo Cream for donating the products
http://cremocream.com

Review - Men's Soap Company

Company: Men’s Soap Company

Product: Himalaya Shaving Soap

Founder: Shwan

Location: Houston, TX

I noticed a new follower on my twitter feed a few weeks ago. His product, a shaving soap that caught my eye because of its unique packaging. A simple cardboard box and it was just something that I had to review. So I left Shwan a message and he agreed to give me a puck of his shaving soap called Himalaya. The main thing about this soap it’s formulated for sensitive skin.  Everything about this soap right down to the packaging is done for that reason.

Halloween Message

Review - Crown King Jabon De Guillermo / Limited Edition Kokomo Butter Shave Soap

Review - Crown King Jabon De Guillermo / Limited Edition
Kokomo Butter Shave Soap
http://crownkingshaving.com

Received this soap from a WTF member. I've been using it for about a week or so thought it was time to do a review. The scent on this is exactly the same as Williams Shaving Soap.

Review - Yin Yang Subscription Box

Company: Yin Yang Shave Club

Product: Subscription Box

Founder: David Noble

Location: Florida

When I first received the Yin Yang subscription box I noticed it was heaver than most boxes I’ve reviewed in the past. When you open it, you find out really quick why it’s so heavy. The box that I received is the standard (Him) edition and it’s packed with all kinds of stuff for the first time wet shaver. I guess being the first box they just want to make sure the customer has everything they need to get the job done.

October Wet The Face Giveaway Now On !!

Oct Wet The Face Giveaway is on now!!  Click the link http://bit.do/bmK39 to enter and for rules. Thank you @eShave

Review - Fairhope Men's Him Collection

Deborah Bruijn

Product: Him Collection

Italian-Style Shaving Soap, Balm, Bath Soap

Founder: Deborah Bruijn

Location: Fairhope, AL

Today I’ll be writing about the Men’s collection called “Him” from Fairhope. I talked to Deborah Bruijn the owner and she was gracious enough to send me the “Him” collection of products for review. 

So let me talk a little about Deborah. She was raised in San Diego, California and now is a proud Southerner settling down in Alabama’s Gulf Coast in a beautiful small, arts and craftsy town of Fairhope.  She has a chemist degree who has worked for 10 years in the biopharma industry took time off to have a family and now has turned her talents to soap making.  She belongs to the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetics Guild, Alabama Soap and Candle Association. 

Review - The Dandy Gent

Shane O’Shaughnessy 

On June 4th 2015 I sent an email out to a company in the UK called The Dandy Gent. I went into some detail about Wet The Face and how I was looking to write an article about their shaving soap I was wondering if I could purchase samples.  The next day I had my response.

Thank you for your interest in our products. We have been getting a lot of interest from the USA from people interested in where they can get our products. Unfortunately we cannot seem to get any good shipping prices, however I will try and get a shaving soap out to you.                             

Kind regards

Shane

Review - Provence Sante Shaving Soap

Review - eShave White Tea Shaving Cream

Wet The Face - Sept Giveaway

Wet The Face Sept Giveaway is now on! Read the rules and enter. Good luck to all - Click link http://bit.do/bhmSy 

bit.do/bhmSy 

Review - Boellies Panama 1924

Review - Luxury Barber Box - Aug

Review - Mitchell’s WoolFat Shaving Soap

Review - Matchbook Styptic Pencil

Review
Product: *Matchbook Styptic Pencil*
Not a Fan!!

Have you seen them? I got mine with a monthly subscription box. They seem like a good idea. Just like a book of matches you have 20 individual sticks with a dab of styptic on the head.  You can carry them real easy in your pocket or travel case.

When I recently cut myself shaving I reached for mine from the Shaving Factory. This was an average size razor nick nothing bad. I ripped one out of the book and placed it under water for just a few seconds and applied it to the cut. The tip just crumbled off and fell into the sink. Ok let me try again, and the same thing happened. I tried this two additional times to get one cut under control. So far this is not going well. I reach for my trusty styptic pencil from Clubman and got things under control in two seconds. The matchbook concept just seems like more style then function. I’m not sure in this case the classic has been improved. To be fair I’ve only tried one brand if anyone else has a better experience then I did  please let me know. But for me ……… I’m not a fan.

Review - Local Gent Shaving Co

Local Gent Shaving Co.

Product: Shaving Cream, Soap, Pre Shave Oil and After Shave

Founder: Robb Phillips

A few weeks back I had a conversation will the owner of Local Gent Robb Phillips. He agreed to send me some samples of his shaving products. To my surprise I was given a full line including the Shaving Soap Bay Rum, The Shaving Cream Lime Street, After Shave Balm Eucalyptus Mint and the Pre Shave Oil California barber scent.  

Let me give you some background on Robb. He got started back in 2011 researching a way to save money and still get the best shave possible. That’s when he came across wet shaving and was inspired to give it a try. Robb started off by trying out what was readily available on the market and to quote Robb “there wasn't much back then”. This had him hunting and buying different products from all over. After shaving this way for a few months he noticed his skin looked better then ever. The time he spent shaving was more therapeutic than a mundane task. He was actually looking forward to shaving and it was becoming more then just a hobby. Robb was inspired to try and make my own products so he started formulating and crafting soaps, aftershave balms, shaving creams and shaving brushes. After coming up with products he loved he started sharing it with friends and family.  Soon after he was getting orders from their friends and Local Gent Shaving Co. was born. I asked Robb if he could let us in on anything new for Local Gent "We are always working on new products and have an aftershave splash in the works to be out soon".

I put a video review together. It goes over all the included products. You’ll see me use each one as I give you my feedback.

I will touch more on the aftershave balm and the Pre shave oil here. I’ve used my share of aftershave balms but this one has something in it that produces outstanding performance. I haven’t used something this good since being introducted to Soap Commanders balm.  I have to say I will be reaching for this more often. The pre shave oil performance is great the scent California Barber was new to me. I liked the eyedropper it gives you complete control over usage.

So again please watch the video

Review - HYD For Men / Shaving Cream

HYD for Men - Shave Cream

I don’t know about you but when I go into places like Target, CVS and Bed and Bath I always look around for something new relating to wet shaving you never know what your going to find. That was the case last week when I came across something new on the shelf.  The product was from HYD for Men Shave Cream. 

It comes in a tall black box with silver lettering. Above the word Shave Cream looks like an arrowhead logo. This shaving cream is not recommended for the use with a shaving brush but rather you work it into your skin like a moisturizer so the blade glides over your skin to reduce friction and irritation.  Here is how they describe how the shaving cream works. “Our soothing low lather formula is designed to provide superior coverage while using less shave cream. As a result, your razor will perform better and your blades won’t clog from excess shave cream.”

Review - Rustic Shaving Soap StarBucks

Review - Enigma Shaving Soap

Review - Top Secret Shaving Soap Formula T

August 1, 2015 Giveaway Contest

Today I’m excited to announce the Aug WTF Giveaway Contest I can’t always give this much away but I will when I can.
The Winner Will Receive the Following:
1) New Satin Tip “The Purest” Brush
2) New Long Island Meet Soap 3.5oz inspired by “Salty Lime”
3) New Phoenix Menthol Preshave Ice Sample

Contest will end Aug 31 12:00PM. The winner will be picked sometime in the Eve.Good Luck to everyone!!

So head over to this link Wet The Face and read the rules and enter to win.

Good Luck!!!

Review - Catie’s Bubbles A Midnight Dreary

Review - Sapone Di Paolo

Company: Sapone Di Paolo

Founder: Palolo

Location: Charleston South Carolina

Product: Sapone Di Paolo

The American Soap With Italian Roots. 

On March 6th 2015 Paolo announce his new soap company exclusively on the forum called The Shaving Nook. That was 4 months ago and things sure have taken off since then. As the grandson of an Italian barber, shaving is in his genes!  The company name, all of the scent names, and the soap itself all bear the Italian style as a nod to his Italian heritage. Palolo offers Agrume (citrus), which is a lime and basil blend, and Inodoro (scentless). Also included in the line up are the same scented balms.  All of the soaps are vegan and are based in aloe vera, stearic acid, coconut oil and mango butter. 

SOTD - Summer Storm Shaving Soap

Review - The Holy Black Trading Company Shaving Soap

Company: The Holy Black Trading Company
Product: Shaving Soap
Founder: Stefan Vincent

Stefan Vincent started his company in 2013. He was hooked on Wet Shaving after he inherited his grandfathers and brother’s old straight razors they both were barbers who came from Italy to set up shop in Brooklyn. After some time when the Stefan’s business started to explode he brought in his brother as a partner.  The Holy Black name comes from a cowboy term used to describe black gunpowder “I only Shoot Holy Black”. The company website has an old western theme to it as well.

Review - Dr. Jon’s Shaving Soap Black Label

Review
Company: Dr. Jon’s Shaving Soap

Product: Black Label

I received a Dr. Jon’s Soap from Nathan Clark with a custom brush I ordered a few weeks back. (That story coming soon) and now had the chance to try Black Label. Not a big fan of tobacco scented soaps but I was eager to give this one a try.

 The 2oz travel size tin has a great looking label. Two crossing straight razors with a man (It might be Jon) in the middle dressed in top hat, round glasses and sporting great mustache.  The top has the popular elastic strip that wrap around the outer edge on the tin. You have to love the way Jon labels his products. They are without a doubt some of the most eye-catching graphics I’ve seen on artisan soaps they do have a way of capturing your attention. 

Review - Top Shelf Subscription Box - Take Two

Review: - Top Shelf Subscription Box  - Take Two
Founder: Garry Johnson

In my first review of Top Shelf I pointed out my concerns on a number of things and made some suggestions to Garry on how he might go about making changes. Well, Box #2 is here and it’s a whole new ball game. What a difference 30 days makes. 

Let me start off by saying how nice the presentation is now. Gone is the over sized box, no more ugly bubble wrap. Gone is the contents list on scarp paper.  Now we have a wonderful sized box tailored to its contents. All items are cushioned by a bed of tiny accordion like strips of paper (very festive) and the contents list is presented on a thicker cardboard like piece of paper. The text is clear and legible highlighting all the included items in bold text along with Garry’s personal take on each one.

Review - Deluxe Shaving Co. Cool Daddy-O

Company: Deluxe Shaving Co.
Product: Deluxe Shaving Cream
Founder: Anthony 
Location: Woodbridge, Ontario

I’ll start off with a little background about the founder. Anthony is an avid cyclist and has been since he was a teenager. He loves to work on vintage cars and is fascinated with mechanical watches and fountain pens, the older the better. 
Anthony wanting to take his wet shaving hobby to the next level, so he decided to open a small business dedicated primarily to selling artisan shaving creams and soaps. DeLuxe Shaving Company was born.  The company was founded in early 2014 and it took him almost 1 year from the time he started the company to the time of the grand opening.

Anthony sent me nine samples. I normally start off with a description of the packaging but this time I’ll take my information from the website because I don’t have the full size tubs. The description reads 5oz plastic tub with a screw on top. That being said the sample sizes are a little small but a little goes a long way with Deluxe. 

Review - Barberry Coast Shave Co. Product Lavender Royale

Company: Barberry Coast Shave Co.
Product Lavender Royale

I finally had the opportunity to try Royale Lavender a follow up to the successful Ascent the company’s first shaving soap. Royale is a large white puck. It was wrapped in a white thick tissue paper but when removed a layer of plastic wrap was around the puck. 

The scent is very pleasing but if your looking for a strong scented soap you’ll not going to find it here. On the scent scale it’s a 2 from the puck and a 3 lathering. They describe the scent as classic, masculine (not too flowery) and clean with a slight herbaceous note.

Let me talk about lathering. This soap produced an amazing amount but you have to work for it. This soap is extremely thirsty. My first attempt I was 

Review - Dr. Jon's Savannah Sunrise Shaving Soap

Company: Dr. Jon Shaving Soap
Product: Savannah Sunrise

For anyone who’s had the pleasure of using Dr. Jon’s Shaving Soap you already know how great they all are but for someone who never tired them before please read on.

Since I tried only one of Dr. Jon’s shaving soap, which was a great tobacco scent by the way I wanted to try more. So I talked to Jon and had a sampler created for me, which included all but one of his 2oz shaving soap. (The one missing was not released yet) Once I received the parcel I just picked one from the box. “SAVANNAH SUNRISE” The first thing that grabs your attention is the amazing packaging. I’m talking about how the label design captures the description of the scent. They narrate the story of the product. I think it’s a nice touch to see the scent description on the perimeter of each and every label. On a side note I’m starting to like the tins with the screw on tops better, hoping they become standard issue soon with all artisans. The plastic stretch bands are getter old fast.

Review - Rustic Shaving Soap – Mahogany

Company: WSP - Wet Shaving Products
Product: Rustic Shaving Soap – Mahogany
Founder: Lee / Phoenix, AZ

Why Did I Wait So Long?

First a little background from the company profile. Lee is a shaveaholic. He loves everything about shaving. The brush, soap, how the lather feels on your face you name it. Lee's philosophe is that shaving should be an experience so he set out to bring the best quality products to consumers without extra markup.

With all the soaps on the market I found myself missing the opportunity to give Rustic a try. So on the advice of a member from “Wet The Face” I joined a Facebook group called WSP Fan club. After chatting with some members I ordered up all 14 1oz soaps. As soon as the parcel came I reached in and pulled out the first soap “MAHOGANY”.