Item Description
Though new to DE shaving, I have been wet shaving for about 3 years now, an exclusive cream user until recently. Having read about Mama Bear's soaps, I went that way for my first glycerin shave soap, and was intrigued by descriptions of her Dublin Tweed scent. This is my first review, so here goes...
Price: At $8.99 for a 4 oz tub or $6.99 for a convenient 2 oz shave stick. How can you complain?
Quality: This is top notch. There is such care that has clearly gone into developing a modern version of the classic Green Irish Tweed scent. In addition, the appearance and attributes of the soap in practice reflect a recipe that has been tested and refined to give great results.
Scent: I found the scent very appealing. It is very understated, but lingers for a long time. Sue's description lists Mysore sandalwood, ambergris, violet leaves, French verbena and Florentine iris as notes that you pick up. My nose isn't that discriminating, but I can say the combination smells good. I could swear that I smelled something very similar to this when visiting my grandfather when I was growing up. YMMV.
Lather: I used the shave stick version of Dublin Tweed and followed the instructions for using shave sticks in the Sticky section of the Soap forums here. As a result, I applied more than I normally would, and face lathering gave me a very slick, cushiony lather that held up well on face and in the scuttle. Unlike other soaps I have tried, the lather did not immediately dissipate in the water after a rinse. Face lathering, I easily had enough lather for 4 passes and touch ups, with some left over.
Efficacy: Outstanding. I routinely get BBS shaves with Dublin Tweed, with nary a nick or weeper in sight.
Moisturizing: I admit to being spoiled by GFT, CF and Salter creams, and unfortunately, the soap was not up to that level as a moisturizer. It was still quite good, relatively speaking, but I needed a good moisturizing balm at the end.
All of that being said, this is another winner from Mama Bear's stable of glycerin soaps. I have really enjoyed great close shaves and a classic scent to boot.
Price: At $8.99 for a 4 oz tub or $6.99 for a convenient 2 oz shave stick. How can you complain?
Quality: This is top notch. There is such care that has clearly gone into developing a modern version of the classic Green Irish Tweed scent. In addition, the appearance and attributes of the soap in practice reflect a recipe that has been tested and refined to give great results.
Scent: I found the scent very appealing. It is very understated, but lingers for a long time. Sue's description lists Mysore sandalwood, ambergris, violet leaves, French verbena and Florentine iris as notes that you pick up. My nose isn't that discriminating, but I can say the combination smells good. I could swear that I smelled something very similar to this when visiting my grandfather when I was growing up. YMMV.
Lather: I used the shave stick version of Dublin Tweed and followed the instructions for using shave sticks in the Sticky section of the Soap forums here. As a result, I applied more than I normally would, and face lathering gave me a very slick, cushiony lather that held up well on face and in the scuttle. Unlike other soaps I have tried, the lather did not immediately dissipate in the water after a rinse. Face lathering, I easily had enough lather for 4 passes and touch ups, with some left over.
Efficacy: Outstanding. I routinely get BBS shaves with Dublin Tweed, with nary a nick or weeper in sight.
Moisturizing: I admit to being spoiled by GFT, CF and Salter creams, and unfortunately, the soap was not up to that level as a moisturizer. It was still quite good, relatively speaking, but I needed a good moisturizing balm at the end.
All of that being said, this is another winner from Mama Bear's stable of glycerin soaps. I have really enjoyed great close shaves and a classic scent to boot.