Moon Soaps - Havana

Company: Moon Soaps

Product: Havana

Location: Aptos, CA

Founder: Melody & Zachary Kent

Website: http://moonsoaps.com

Today I have the pleasure of testing the second soap in what I hope will be a long line of tallow-based shaving soaps. I’m referring to Moon Soaps with their new release called Havana. I was very impressed with the first one which I’ve tested about 6 months ago. The focus was on getting the tallow formulation just right for the slickest shave you can have. They still use the finest quality ingredients like natural plant oils, locally sourced tallow (rendered in-house), exotic butter, local essential oils and premium fragrances.

One look at the packaging and you can tell something cool is going on here with this generous 6oz tub. They used the look of a weathered label for this product which works perfectly. It gives it that feeling that it’s been around for a long time and you’re just discovering for yourself. The artwork stands out because they took the time to bring the product closer to being more authentic to what they are trying to convey which is Old Havana. Havana is a city of great architectural character, containing many treasures from the city's long and colorful history.

The scent is just fantastic with top notes of Bergamot, Tobacco and Ginger, middle notes of Vetiver and Spice, and base notes of Sandalwood, Musk, Amber and Aged Teak, it’s a complex blend but on the light side. Ingredients Coconut Oil, Water, Palm Oil, Stearic Acid, Beef Tallow, Potassium Hydroxide, Mango Butter, Shea Butter, Aloe, Castor Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Fragrance Oil.

As I stated before Moon Soaps didn’t rush to release their next soap, in fact, it took months. Making things just right takes time and it shows with this soaps performance. Then lather is outstanding a very creamy rich lather which got right into my beard and provided great coverage. The slickness and glide allowed me to go over trouble spots with no irritation at all. The post shave feel was fantastic as well it was just a great overall shave. 

You would think having beef tallow in your formula seems to be the key ingredient to having great cushion, slickness and glide but talking to other vegan soap artisans it’s not really the case. Many of them have said you can archive the same result with a vegan formula but tallow based shaving soap is what sells the best. Most wet shavers do look for them especially straight razor users so that’s why many artisans are switching over to it or adding a line to include tallow soaps. I’m also thinking about adding them as well.

So, an excellent second release and I’m sure will see more of them in the future. Zachary’s an amazing artist as well and I really dig the label he created. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

Company: Moon Soaps

Product: Havana $17.00