Narrowing down soap selection

[Wgg2017]

I don't know if LA Soap Company is still in business, but if they are, and you want to try another Fougere, their Topanga Fougere is really nice.

Edited to add that they apparently still are in business, and they still offer Topanga Fougere, as well as a scent called Blackfern, which sound like it might also be up your alley.

Just wanted to add that they go by Chiseled Face now instead of LA Soap Company for anyone googling the products.

 

[kingfisher]

Just wanted to add that they go by Chiseled Face now instead of LA Soap Company for anyone googling the products.

Is this true??? I found them by Googling LA Shaving Soap Company. Their packaging doesn't look at all like the Chiseled Face products, and their soap recipe appears to be different, as well.

The owner of LASS is a guy named John. I don't know who owns Chiseled Face.

 

[jesseix]

Just wanted to add that they go by Chiseled Face now instead of LA Soap Company for anyone googling the products.

Is this true??? I found them by Googling LA Shaving Soap Company. Their packaging doesn't look at all like the Chiseled Face products, and their soap recipe appears to be different, as well.

The owner of LASS is a guy named John. I don't know who owns Chiseled Face.

LA Shaving Soap Co is still a separate brand/label. It’s now run through Groomatorium by Ron from CF.

The Los Angeles Shaving Soap Company

groomatorium.com

 

[Wgg2017]

Is this true??? I found them by Googling LA Shaving Soap Company. Their packaging doesn't look at all like the Chiseled Face products, and their soap recipe appears to be different, as well.

The owner of LASS is a guy named John. I don't know who owns Chiseled Face.

Now I’m not sure if it’s two separate companies that share some scents or if it’s one company with two brand names.

Here’s a link to what initially made me think LA Soap Co had changed their name to Chiseled Face: It’s Topanga Fougere sold from Chiseled Face. Topanga Fougère - Shaving Soap - https://chiseledface.com/products/topanga-fougere-shaving-soap


Here’s a link to LASC’s Topanga Fougere that I just found and the scent descriptions are essentially identical. Topanga Fougère Shaving Soap - https://lashavingsoap.com/collections/shaving-soap/products/topanga-fougere-shaving-soap

The two companies also share Bespoke #1, Black Fern, Black Rose, Vanilla Eucalyptus & Mint, and Woody Lavendar.

So I’m not sure what’s up lol.



Edited to add: @jesseix solved the mystery. I looked at the ingredients between the two Topanga Fougeres and they are very similar. Not sure what the difference between the two brands would be.

Chiseled Face Topanga Fougere: Stearic Acid, Aloe Vera Juice, Potassium Hydroxide, Beef Tallow, Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, Glycerin, Natural Fragrance (Lavender Essential Oil, Clary Sage Essential Oil, Ho Wood Essential Oil, Geranium Essential Oil, Balsam Tolu Essential Oil, Vanilla Extract, Vetiver Essential Oil, Bergamot Essential Oil, Patchouli Essential Oil, Opopanax (Sweet Myrrh) Essential Oil, Anise Extract), Mango Butter, Avocado Oil, Silk Powder

LA Soap Company Topanga Fougere: Stearic Acid, Palm Kernel Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Shea Butter, Castor Oil, Water, Aloe Vera Juice, Essential Oils and Natural Scents(Lavender Essential Oil, Clary Sage Essential Oil, Ho Wood Essential Oil, Geranium Essential Oil, Balsam Tolu Essential Oil, Vanilla Extract, Vetiver Essential Oil, Bergamot Essential Oil, Patchouli Essential Oil, Opopanax (Sweet Myrrh) Essential Oil, Anise Extract), French Red Clay, Sodium Lactate, Allantoin

 

[kingfisher]

Now I’m not sure if it’s two separate companies that share some scents or if it’s one company with two brand names.

Here’s a link to what initially made me think LA Soap Co had changed their name to Chiseled Face: It’s Topanga Fougere sold from Chiseled Face. Topanga Fougère - Shaving Soap - https://chiseledface.com/products/topanga-fougere-shaving-soap


Here’s a link to LASC’s Topanga Fougere that I just found and the scent descriptions are essentially identical. Topanga Fougère Shaving Soap - https://lashavingsoap.com/collections/shaving-soap/products/topanga-fougere-shaving-soap

The two companies also share Bespoke #1, Black Fern, Black Rose, Vanilla Eucalyptus & Mint, and Woody Lavendar.

So I’m not sure what’s up lol.



Edited to add: @jesseix solved the mystery. I looked at the ingredients between the two Topanga Fougeres and they are very similar. Not sure what the difference between the two brands would be.

Chiseled Face Topanga Fougere: Stearic Acid, Aloe Vera Juice, Potassium Hydroxide, Beef Tallow, Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, Glycerin, Natural Fragrance (Lavender Essential Oil, Clary Sage Essential Oil, Ho Wood Essential Oil, Geranium Essential Oil, Balsam Tolu Essential Oil, Vanilla Extract, Vetiver Essential Oil, Bergamot Essential Oil, Patchouli Essential Oil, Opopanax (Sweet Myrrh) Essential Oil, Anise Extract), Mango Butter, Avocado Oil, Silk Powder

LA Soap Company Topanga Fougere: Stearic Acid, Palm Kernel Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Shea Butter, Castor Oil, Water, Aloe Vera Juice, Essential Oils and Natural Scents(Lavender Essential Oil, Clary Sage Essential Oil, Ho Wood Essential Oil, Geranium Essential Oil, Balsam Tolu Essential Oil, Vanilla Extract, Vetiver Essential Oil, Bergamot Essential Oil, Patchouli Essential Oil, Opopanax (Sweet Myrrh) Essential Oil, Anise Extract), French Red Clay, Sodium Lactate, Allantoin

Interesting. Learn something new every day. So to me it looks like the scent is identical, but the goal bases are actually quite a blt different. For one thing, the CF version is a tallow soap and the LASS version is non-tallow.

 

[jesseix]

Interesting. Learn something new every day. So to me it looks like the scent is identical, but the goal bases are actually quite a blt different. For one thing, the CF version is a tallow soap and the LASS version is non-tallow.

Yeah my understanding is that when Ron took it over, he said he would keep it as a vegan base (which it was originally). So I'm not sure if the ingredients in the base are exactly the same as the original LASSC releases, but it is a vegan base in part for that reason.
I have a feeling too that by doing that he can keep it as a slightly differentiated product base from the CF soaps, and appeal to that market segment.

 

[Wgg2017]

Interesting. Learn something new every day. So to me it looks like the scent is identical, but the goal bases are actually quite a blt different. For one thing, the CF version is a tallow soap and the LASS version is non-tallow.

I’m 0 for 2 today maybe it’s time for reading glasses. I completely missed the tallow in the CF

 

[Virgil Sollozzo]

Like many of you, I don’t have any local options for trying scents before purchasing. I’m a once or twice-weekly shaver, so product lasts a long time. I’m looking for some guidance in a couple scent families.

I have a couple samples in my cart from Maggard and eyeing a few containers elsewhere.

I really love the idea of the outdoors, forest, trees, nature, warm, and woody spice notes, but without smelling like a lumber yard.

I usually don’t mind light florals (I even tried of TOBS Rose - it was nice), and spice (B&M Bay rum was my first - it grew on me). Citrus can be quite nice.

I’m not sure about earthy or musky scents (tobacco, leather,?)- I’ve not tried any yet, but have some samples picked out. My wife also really doesn’t like the idea of smelling tobacco on me (neither of us smoke, but it’s more triggering for her).

I’m not a fan of classic barbershop scents - especially those with the slightly medicinal citrus (eg most of the “standard” TOBS scents like Eton College or B&M Seville). Not a fan of cooking/menthols.

Based on a couple of aquatic fragrances I sampled at the mall, I don’t think they are what I’m looking for.

- I’ve liked the TOBS citrus scents - some I almost wanted to eat!
- TOBS Royal Forest was quite nice, though slightly cloying.
- B&M bay rum took a while to grow on me and I would definitely consider another good option. I’d consider buying again except that I like
Variety and trying new things.
- Wholly Kaw fougere bouquet - I’m mixed in the scent. I use the splash daily and it’s just nice to have something complex linger for a little bit, but I’m not sure what the fougere family holds beyond this example.

On my short list to try… (most of these are samplers in my Magards cart, except Elysian which they don’t carry)

- Ariana and Evans - Sylvan Fog - not sure - no reviews
- chiseled face - summer storm
- Chiseled face - jarnvior - reads nice, zero reviews
-


- Wholly Kaw - King of Oud - not sure if this is going to be present tobacco too much
- chiseled face - ghost town barber - same, but it seems to be a crowd favorite


- Elysian Olympus
- Elysian - limoncello
- A&E Cuban highball
- A&E St Barts
- chiseled - Bay Rum
- chiseled face - Santa Paula
- Noble Otter - noir et vanille
- NO - Monoi de Tahiti
- NO - firefighter
- NO - Rawr

I have a few bay rum aftershave samples that I’ve seen highly recommended here also loaded in the cart. (Warm, spice)

Most of these are $3 samples, except the Elysian, which have to be purchased as a whole tub. I did similar samples with TOBS a couple years ago and found out I didn’t really care for most, so this is a lower cost trial and error without having to blindly commit.

Are any on this list standing out as “steer away from” based on what I think I’m steering toward? I’m not scent-smart, so it’s all challenging to read a label and have a man idea what it’s going to be like IRL.

Anyhow, thanks in advance!

Even if you think you know a general type you want - just buy samples until you find the ones you love. I have several I use routinely now that I never would have found had I just not kept buying samples. I use Vespers by B&M now - had you told me to try it based on the written description, I would not have. I've tried it and it is not at all what I thought it would be and not something I could imagine ever liking but I think it is fantastic - I have a tub now. I have several others like this, too. So I recommend just buying samples - all you can from each artisan - and try them all. You'll surely find a couple gems.

A couple other I found that I just stumbled on but love?:

• PAA Red Planet 369 - I have the soap, AS/cologne, solid cologne...
• B&M Le Grand Chypre
• PAA Black Shroud
• Declaration Grooming - Massacre of the Innocents and Tresmagestus
• Southern Witchcrafts - Samhain