Howdy all! Recently I received a very generous PIF from GUYGARR of several Mama Bears' samples, and I'd like to give a few impressions of my experiences with them. First off, I have never used any soaps from this maker before, and I always approach a new soap (especially an artisanal one) with a certain amount of trepidation. I've read a few comments around here about people having adverse reactions to them, so all the more caution was warranted. But, "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained", Eh? Please forgive my lack of pictures; My old camera finally gave up the ghost, and I do not have a smart phone. Here we go!
Initial Impressions: Upon first opening the package, I was immediately surprised by the fact that they appear to be glycerin soaps. YMMV, of course, but I tend to be a tallow-lovin guy (Fat-Bottomed girls make the rockin' world go 'round, right?). I've liked what I've tried from Shaving Yeti, so I was determined to give these a fair shake. I will post each scent in a different post, as I work through them. Fair warning, I only shave every other day, so this may take a while. I first melted each quarter-puck into a small Tupperware bowl for ease of lathering. I will use the same razor (MD Dragon shavette), blade (Feather, cut in half), brush (Rein Dachs pure badger), and aftershave treatment (Alum and AV Ice Blue) for each one, so as to give the most objective review. At first whiff, most of the scents seemed to be quite floral, and I should note that I do not care for floral scents. But, you can't judge a book by it's, errr, smell. The Oatmeal stout appeals to me quite a bit though; it will be my first test.
Initial Impressions: Upon first opening the package, I was immediately surprised by the fact that they appear to be glycerin soaps. YMMV, of course, but I tend to be a tallow-lovin guy (Fat-Bottomed girls make the rockin' world go 'round, right?). I've liked what I've tried from Shaving Yeti, so I was determined to give these a fair shake. I will post each scent in a different post, as I work through them. Fair warning, I only shave every other day, so this may take a while. I first melted each quarter-puck into a small Tupperware bowl for ease of lathering. I will use the same razor (MD Dragon shavette), blade (Feather, cut in half), brush (Rein Dachs pure badger), and aftershave treatment (Alum and AV Ice Blue) for each one, so as to give the most objective review. At first whiff, most of the scents seemed to be quite floral, and I should note that I do not care for floral scents. But, you can't judge a book by it's, errr, smell. The Oatmeal stout appeals to me quite a bit though; it will be my first test.
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I soaked the mini-puck and brush while I showered, then set to loading and face-lathering. Didn't take as long as I would expect to load the brush satisfactorily, and the pre-lather that built up was surprisingly thick. I love the scent, even prior to application- toasty, nutty, and deeply comforting.
I cried this aloud, causing my fiancé to run into the bathroom; she knows when I start cursing, something hilarious just happened. Perhaps due to the endorphin release, my mind went totally off the rails. I envisioned grinning crimson imps whipping lather in human skulls, dragging jagged, rusty razors over brimstone, all backed by the cacophonous, mindless cackling of the Abyss.
Gentlemen, the Abyss smells like flowers. I vaulted into the shower to wash my face off, thus discovering that hot water is not the appropriate way to soothe a burning face. After stepping out, my face beet-red and all aflame, all my fiancé could say was, "You smell like flowers." I finished the shave with Stirling Glacial and topped it with AV Ice Blue, as promised, but I had to add something else- Gillette Cool gel. I NEVER use a balm or gel of any kind; it's only there for times when my brother stays over. Well, I needed it this time. The scent, mercifully, did not survive the second pass. DFS, as much as I could. The menthol and tallow helped soothe the burn a little, but my face is still a little tender; no faceturbating today!
See how that works. Not all of Sue's soaps are strongly scented and I'm sure she'll be able to provide you with some recommendations if it really is an EO/FO issue.
