First Time with Mama Bear's Soaps

[MrFusion]

I placed an order for 6 Mama Bear's shaving soaps when Sue was offering the 9-9-09 sale. I got the soaps a week ago but was doing a week of Cade so I could only sniff the soaps (and boy did I want to try them!).
From smelling them out of the storage jars, here is the order that I liked them:

Spiced Hot Apple Cider
Ye Olde Barbershoppe
100% Natural Frankincense Essential Oil
Autumn Afternoon
Dragon's Blood
Good Morning Honey

The Dragon's blood is growing on me but not a favorite and the Good Morning Honey is too sweet for my tastes and I so wanted it to be a favorite.

Now the scent might be slightly different in use so I gave Good Morning Honey a go on Sunday and this morning.
The scent is still a bit too sweet for me but I get more of the oatmeal in use than out of the container and that is a good thing. Performance of the soap was wonderful - it took no time to get a great cushioning and slick lather. The catch for me was the tingle that I got when using the soap. I'm guessing that I am reacting to the FO in the soap. It is mild at first but becomes more intense with subsequent passes. Not to the point of discomfort but moving in that direction.

I love the soap performance but not crazy about the scent (that's not a big deal because Sue has a ton of scents to chose from!). The bummer is that I have never had a reaction to a soap before. I will be trying the other soaps this week to see how my face does with them.

 

[Gruder]

Looking forward to your thoughts on Autumn Afternoon. Nice score!

 

[gaseousclay]

what does Ye Olde Barbershoppe smell like? is it similar in smell to the JM Frasiers cream?

 

[Ron Gallant]

I do like my Frankincense soap. Burns my cheeks a bit (lots of EOs) but smells great.

 

[MrFusion]

I tried the Dragon's Blood Shaving soap today. I had no reaction to the FO in this one. I think it smells better in the lather than directly off the puck.

Performance was as good as the Good Morning Honey although the lather was a bit better probably due to my technique getting better make lather with these soaps. Now, my technique with my shave today was lacking and I was a bit aggressive on my chin but that is my fault not the soaps.

Gruder, I'll use the Autumn Afternoon tomorrow and let you know what I think.

Gaseousclay, I have not tried JM Frasiers cream so I can't make that comparison. When I think of barbershop scents, I think of talc and Clubman. This does not have a Clubman scent at all but I do see (smell?) the barbershop connection. I get a mild bay rum with a little vanilla and a bit of powder plus something else masculine (maybe musk?). Sorry, I suck at these types of descriptions.

Ron Gallant, I'm really looking forward to trying this one out. It smells amazing right off the puck. I just hope I don't have a reaction to the Frankincense soap as I can see this one getting a reorder before Sue is out of stock!

Has anyone tried the 100% Natural Myrrh shaving soap? How'd you like it?

 

[MrFusion]

Today's shave was Mama Bear's Autumn Afternoon.
First, let me say that I really don't care too much for the majority of the Floral scented soaps and creams. Usually because they smell synthetic or are very cloying.

Autumn Afternoon has a very prominent floral note but strangely enough, I love it. Great lather as the two previous Mama Bear's Soaps and zero irritation from the FO's (thank goodness!).

This one will move up as one of my favorites!

I have the following left to try:

Spiced Hot Apple Cider
Ye Olde Barbershoppe
100% Natural Frankincense Essential Oil

Which one should be next?

 

[Gravy]

Ye Olde Barbershop

And in detail

 

[MrFusion]

Ye Olde Barbershop it will be!

I've been keen to try that one anyway!

 

[MrFusion]

So, this morning it was Ye Olde Barbershoppe. I won't go into the lather, it was fantastic as the other Mama Bear's soaps have been.

The scent of this soap is by far a favorite! It's hard to explain (at least for me) but it is a subtle warm scent that does in fact make me think of a barbershop. I get a hint of vanilla (not a sweet vanilla) and maybe a musk or spice/amber and even a hint of bay rum (maybe that's where I am getting the spice?).
Sue's soaps have been a pleasure to use so far and the scent of this one along with the soaps performance has made this one a soap I will need to keep on-hand.

One minor issue for me, I did get a slight warming effect from this soap on my cheeks so I am reacting to the FO's in this one. This was a mild reaction compared to the one I have with the Good Morning Honey so it will not keep me from using this soap but if you have sensitive skin, see if you can get a sample of this one before committing to a whole bowl.

Ok, two more to go! Which one will be next?

Spiced Hot Apple Cider
100% Natural Frankincense Essential Oil

 

[bluepunk18]

I vote for spiced hot apple cider!

 

[Ron Gallant]

I vote for spiced hot apple cider!

Yeah, save the best for last

 

[MrFusion]

Ok, spiced hot apple cider it is!

 

[Sluggo]

I have Autumn Romance, and love it... reminds me of all things great about the fall!!

 

[MrFusion]

Well, this mornings shave brought thoughts of sipping hot cider outside on my deck on a brisk Autumn morning.

I really enjoyed spiced hot apple cider . Just wonderful!

 

[RILEY]

Well, this mornings shave brought thoughts of sipping hot cider outside on my deck on a brisk Autumn morning.

I really enjoyed spiced hot apple cider . Just wonderful!

Glad to hear this one worked out for you,
what will be your next one?

 

[MrFusion]

The last one I have is 100% Natural Frankincense Essential Oil, and if it smells as good lathered as it does in the puck, I'm in for a real treat!

Probably not everyones cup of tea (heck, what is? ). This one is very resinous. Reminds me of Pine but better.

 

[MrFusion]

Today's shave:
Mergress/Derby blade, Vulfix PBB, Mama Bear's 100% Natural Frankincense Essential Oil Shaving Soap and Lilac Vegital.

Took my time today as it's Sunday so I figured I would make sure my prep was done correctly. I love this soap! I got no irritation from the EO and the scent was reminiscent for being in a pine forest.

Sue, how many more tubs of this one do you have left? I think I need to place another order!

 

[Ron Gallant]

Today's shave:
Mergress/Derby blade, Vulfix PBB, Mama Bear's 100% Natural Frankincense Essential Oil Shaving Soap and Lilac Vegital.

Took my time today as it's Sunday so I figured I would make sure my prep was done correctly. I love this soap! I got no irritation from the EO and the scent was reminiscent for being in a pine forest.

Sue, how many more tubs of this one do you have left? I think I need to place another order!

I'm glad it worked for you. Smells great hey!

 

[Mama Bear]

Today's shave:
Mergress/Derby blade, Vulfix PBB, Mama Bear's 100% Natural Frankincense Essential Oil Shaving Soap and Lilac Vegital.

Took my time today as it's Sunday so I figured I would make sure my prep was done correctly. I love this soap! I got no irritation from the EO and the scent was reminiscent for being in a pine forest.

Sue, how many more tubs of this one do you have left? I think I need to place another order!

I am keeping both the Frankincense and Myrrh essential oil soaps as regulars.. they became popular enough with some of my customers that I couldn't bring myself to discontinue them..especially with Christmas looming around the corner again.. Thanks for the reminder, I will need to change that on the website.

Alright, based on what I have read, you have some sensitivity and irritation stemming from fragrance oils.. it is going to be trial and error unfortunately for you to find out what may irritate and what may not. But I often find that those with sensitivities to fragrance oils do not have an issue with essential oils.. and vice versa. I suspect that you will do fine with my 100% natural essential oil soaps and recommend that you do not use the ones that gave you the burning sensation.. and also if you use another fragrance oil scented soap, that you do a patch test on the inside of your arm first.

The most frustrating thing about fragrance sensitivity is that you will never know until you use it.. I have not been able to find a way to find the culprits.. especially as some people do fine with some and others don't.. it is such a random thing. I am glad that you liked the soaps tho.. thank you for sharing all of this with us..

Huge Bear Hugs!

Sue

 

[MrFusion]

Sue, the problem is, I really like Ye Olde Barbershoppe and I'm not sure if I can stop using it! I had a very minor reaction to that one. The other thing is, what to do with the few that I did have a reaction too? I guess I can see if SWMBO can use them when she shaves her legs...

Ron Gallant, You bet! Smells wonderful!

Got a BBS today using this soap. This was my first experience with Mama Bear shaving soaps and it will not be my last!