Mystic Water Soap First Timer

[Mbuckwash]

This was my first use of Hen's PIF'd Mystic Water Shave Soap. My first thought was that the scent of the lather was very clean and very "eucalyptus-y". It's strange because before I took it out the packaging, I couldn't even get beyond the strong scent of the spearmint...but now it's a complete switch to the overpowering eucalyptus once water hit the soap. The texture/feel/scent of the soap itself made me think that this brand of soap is non-commercial and not something you'd buy in a Wal-Mart/Walgreen's. It definitely reminded me of a mom and pop homemade soap brand which primarily uses all natural products and essential oils to scent their homemade soaps. This is not a bad thing whatsoever, and just "is". I could be wrong and I don't mean to be insulting at all if I am dead wrong, but this is just what I gathered. Does anyone know if I am wrong/right in this?

The lather was actually quite good, despite me being in a rush because I was running late for work this morning. I would like to give it another shot, where this shave soap can receive due process. The lather wasn't super thick per se and took a bit longer to lather than creams/soaps I have used in the past, such as Proraso and TOBS Jermyn Street. However, it was still quite good. Let it be known that I used a shot of glycerin (store brand from CVS Pharmacy), in the bowl lather as well....not sure if this significantly helped/hurt the lather for this specific product - but I typically bowl lather with it and it significantly helps the lather for Procaso and TOBS.

I got a full three pass shave from the lather. I enjoyed the product and will use it again. I am not sure how much it cost, again since it was PIF'd to me from Hen. However, if this soap cost more than like $7-8, I would rather buy a Proraso tub for the same price and receive a more luxurious lather. Again, not knowing the price, I can't really tell if its worth the price or not. I can't tell yet if the tallow had a significant impact on my face either. I know that I have heard that tallow affects acne-prone skin, and who knows that the near future holds but no breakouts have occurred yet and my face feels the same as always.

Please provide your comments down below. I would like to know how others found this product to work and what your thoughts are!

Thanks again to Hen for PIF'ing this to me. I really do appreciate it!

 

[mistercitizen]

I used Irish Traveller for last night's shave. The scent is better (stronger) than some of the other green irish tweed type scented products IMO. The lather is a little trickier to get, but once I get it..... it is very good. Just takes a little more patience for me. I face lathered it and I had to get a sort of thick paste going first and then add small amounts of water frequently to get it to the right consistency. I love the scent of this one though and had a great shave. This soap continues to produce great lather throughout the shave too by just adding a little water when needed. Great stuff.

Ben

 

[Strider1967]

I have Mystic Water's Coconut Lime Verbana, Sandalwood, and Lily of the Valley. All excellent scents and perform very well for me. Top shelf soaps and a pleasure to do business with.

 

[Delawareguy]

I just tried the Sardinian Honey last night. The scent is amazing but I had a hard time getting a good lather. It looked promising at first but then it got really thin. Is there a trick with these soaps. I really love the smell.

 

[Haggises]

The texture/feel/scent of the soap itself made me think that this brand of soap is non-commercial and not something you'd buy in a Wal-Mart/Walgreen's. It definitely reminded me of a mom and pop homemade soap brand which primarily uses all natural products and essential oils to scent their homemade soaps. This is not a bad thing whatsoever, and just "is". I could be wrong and I don't mean to be insulting at all if I am dead wrong, but this is just what I gathered. Does anyone know if I am wrong/right in this?

Quite right. AFAIK, Michelle is a one-lady operation.

However, if this soap cost more than like $7-8, I would rather buy a Proraso tub for the same price and receive a more luxurious lather. Again, not knowing the price, I can't really tell if its worth the price or not.

Cost is about 10 bucks per puck. I've not used a Proraso tub of cream yet, but I would suspect the MW would last longer.

Please provide your comments down below. I would like to know how others found this product to work and what your thoughts are!

Thanks again to Hen for PIF'ing this to me. I really do appreciate it!

Love MW. It takes a bit more effort to lather up than my tubed Proraso, but the scents, lather and especially post-shave feel are significantly better and well worth the bother.
Not sure how I'd ever have heard of MW if it wasn't for the enablers here.....

Well done Hen on the PIF! And thanks to you mbuckwash for acknowledging the PIF and posting the experience!

 

[JCinPA]

If you thought the lather was a bit thin, that is a very common reaction among new users of MW. It can be hard to dial in for some reason. But when you do, it is absolutely fabulous! If you do it right you won't think it is middle-of-the-road soap at all. Use a lot of it and you will love it.

See this vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-NdGpFtsGA

Use twice as much product as you think you need and then start backing off from there. It is wonderful soap if done right.

 

[eyebright]

It is indeed an artisan soap, made in Maryland. The Eucalyptus & Spearmint is scented with essential oils only; about half of my soaps are eo only, others use fragrance oils or combinations of natural and synthetic, it just depends. My advice would be to forgo the extra glycerin because it already has an optimal amount of glycerin in it (both retained and added). Load enough product until it forms a thick pre-lather in the brush and then add small amounts of water according to your preferred method. Sometimes it helps to "rough up" the surface of the soap or soak the puck with a little water to make sure your brush is getting the soap effectively. I'll be happy to answer any questions if you want to pm me or email.

 

[Jefebadskin]

As many stated its artisan, but the scents are exceptionally well done, not like the amateurish attempts by many local soap makers. Spearmint and eucalyptus isnt in my shave rotation though, i love it as a bath soap. I get great lather, and it's because I tend to start with a dry brush, load like its my job, and add water as needed. I also use the 2 other brands you mention. I love Proraso performance, that is easier to lather, end result is a little worse than mystic water for me based on post shave feel. I love the tobs jermyn st scent, but performance doesn't get to the mystic water, proraso level for me.

 

[JCinPA]

^^^^

I would second this, her Lily of the Valley is sublime.

 

[k2clones29]

If you thought the lather was a bit thin, that is a very common reaction among new users of MW. It can be hard to dial in for some reason. But when you do, it is absolutely fabulous! If you do it right you won't think it is middle-of-the-road soap at all. Use a lot of it and you will love it.

See this vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-NdGpFtsGA

Use twice as much product as you think you need and then start backing off from there. It is wonderful soap if done right.

John beat me to the punch. He headed a long test in lathering MW last year. I joined in. The soap is great stuff, just has a narrow window for lathering. Aside from that, I love all of Michelle's soaps. Grate stuff!

 

[jeffsf]

I just got my sampler from Mystic Water Soap; six samples for not much more than $10 delivered from Maryland to San Francisco in just a couple days. Sometimes USPS works miracles!

I have to say I'm impressed by the balance of the fragrances. The easy decision is that definitely like MWS. The hard decision is which one! My initial impressions of opening the bags was very different than taking the soap out and playing with it. Getting it in your hands makes them come alive. I'm finding it nearly impossible to pick a "favorite" from among the six I sampled:

• The Green Fairy -- Makes my mouth water thinking of black licorice
• Maestrale -- Lavender leads off with mint, but backed nicely by rosemary and more
• Sardinian Honey -- Yes, it smells like rich honey. Don't eat
• Sensitive Skin -- Not intentionally scented, but just a gentle impression, without "reeking like soap" to me
• Viola di Bosco -- Simple violets, clean
• Wild Lavender -- Rich, deep lavender in multiple layers

All distinctly different and well balanced. A hard thing to achieve with someone like me that doesn't typically like scented products.

Michelle says she's got some lemon verbena queued up. Don't you dare buy it all out before I figure out what I'm going to order on top of that!

 

[celestino]

Michelle makes some of the best soap that i have ever used!
Actually, i only use her soaps along with Mike's! For me, these are the best soaps that i have ever tried with some great scents.
Wait until you try her Bay Rum and Sandalwood; intoxicating!

 

[brucered]

Great scents, great service, great product(s) and up there, if not the best, post shave feel out there....as well Michelle is an awesome lady to do business with or talk about her products with.

my tip: leave a layer of lather on your face after your last pass/rinse, while you clean your brush and razor, then rinse it off. Very moisturising shave soaps. Keep in mind, they don't seem to play nice with hot, hot scuttles. so if you scuttle them, use warm or dry scuttle to prevent the lather from breaking down. a minor issue and once you dial it in, you won't that fact one bit.

It's the only soap in my den I have purchased 3 tubs of, to prepare for the Sabbatical....it's that good.

 

[TheVez2]

Mystic water is my favorite soap. The lather quality is equal to or greater than soaps costing much more. The way it leaves my skin feeling after use is second to none!

 

[Allegrabene]

If you thought the lather was a bit thin, that is a very common reaction among new users of MW. It can be hard to dial in for some reason. But when you do, it is absolutely fabulous! If you do it right you won't think it is middle-of-the-road soap at all. Use a lot of it and you will love it.

See this vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-NdGpFtsGA

Use twice as much product as you think you need and then start backing off from there. It is wonderful soap if done right.

Yeah I'd also echo what jefe said and start with a drier brush than you think you need and don't use hot water, maybe not even lukewarm but just sort of room temp water. Ive found that with this soap, like mwf, heat is the enemy. You can always introduce more water little by little to get you where you need to be but if you use too much water up front, forget it. It's almost impossible to get rid of excess water once it's been introduced. Keep plugging away because once you figure it out with these soaps, I'd say the performance is unsurpassed

 

[bmurphy777]

The Wild Lavender scent is absolutely fantastic!

 

[KWilliams40]

I just received my first order for 2 pucks yesterday(Adirondak Jack and Coconut Lime Verbena). Now I want to order more scents after reading this thread.

 

[JCinPA]

Yeah I'd also echo what jefe said and start with a drier brush than you think you need and don't use hot water, maybe not even lukewarm but just sort of room temp water. Ive found that with this soap, like mwf, heat is the enemy. You can always introduce more water little by little to get you where you need to be but if you use too much water up front, forget it. It's almost impossible to get rid of excess water once it's been introduced. Keep plugging away because once you figure it out with these soaps, I'd say the performance is unsurpassed

You quote me, I'll quote you!

This is brilliance, IMO. And I agree, I've had soaps as good, but none better. Some easier to dial in, perhaps, but the performance with MW is phenomenal. It's a bit like a Porsche. Once you learn to handle it, it's a dream.