Bought these from Maggard Razors.
Soap Maker: Officina Artigiana Milano
Country of Origin: Italy
Available scents:
Presentation
Beautiful and large thick/heavy glass jars with aluminum lid in thick paper box. Every cream/soap maker charging $25 and above should take notice (I am looking at you Santa Maria Novella). Each soap comes with a small pamphlet elaborating on the five oils used in the soaps. Only 2 of the 4 boxes had one in this case.
The maker uses a special nozzle to create an abstract flower design with 5 petals (one for each of the oil used) when they're filled but since it's a combination of manual and mechanical labor, not all jar have it. In this case, 3 out of the 4 jars did. Picture taken day of delivery:
Texture/Color/Ingredients
Semi-dense crops. Color varies white, off-white/light cream, off-white/cream to yellow.
The list of ingredients is short, with plus or minus couple differences, and all include the soap maker's 5 oils (Argan, Almond, Joboba, Castor and Grape seed).
Scents
Stay Traditional
The "olfactory pyramid" description on the box lists:
Top notes: Pompelmo (Grapefruit), Limone (Lemon), Fragola (Strawberry), Aldeidica (Aldehyde), Pesca (Peach), Verde (Green)
Core notes: Ozonica (Ozonic), Salina (Saline)
Base notes: Muschio (Moss)
My observation: There is nothing "traditional" about it, at least not in a barbershop type of way. This could lead to confusion if one is not familiar with the soap and/or has not done some research before buying. If the information I read in a Youtube comment is accurate, the name "Stay Traditional" is the name of an Italian wet shaving Youtube channel and the soap maker made a collaboration with them. The box also says “A special thank you to mr. Andrea Faggiani of Stay Traditional" on one side. I checked Youtube and such channel does exist.
The scent is a grapefruit citrus bomb. If you love grapefruit scent, this is for you. Unfortunately, it's not my cup of tea (solely based on smell) and it was returned to the seller untouched. Having not tried it, there could be, likely is, more to the scent than just grapefruit - this soap maker is known to produce complex scents. People who used and reviewed this soap online do mention, at least, lemon and strawberry in the scent when it's lathered. I see this being a Summer favorite for those who love citrus in their soaps. If you love citrus, this is for you.
Maremoto
There is no "olfactory pyramid" description on the box but the seller's listing states:
Top notes: Aquatic
Middle notes: Ozonated
Base notes: Green
My observation: Cologne like. If my memory serves me right (going back almost two decades), that's what Armani Acqua di Gio smells like. A poster on Reddit said it's "inspired by Megamare by Orto Parisi". Unfortunately, it's not a scent for me and it too went back to seller untouched. Here again, since I did not lather it, I could not conclude if there is more to it. I see it being a year-round soap. If you love ozonic scents, you'll like this.
Oli Del Benessere
The "olfactory pyramid" description on the box lists:
Top notes: Betulla (Birch), Pepe Nero (Black Pepper), Orchidea (Orchid)
Core notes: Avana (Havana), Whisky (Whisky), Zafferano (Saffron)
Base notes: Legni Preziosi (Precious Wood), Ambra (Amber),
My observation: This one is spectacular (based on smell and lathering/shaving). Mysterious. Refined/elegant. "Dark" (in a good way). Multi-layered and ultra complex. It reminds of an old monastery or cathedral where the smell of the stone and wood structure interlays with the natural essences of surrounding gardens. A scent where all three top, core and base notes can be detected. Light enough to be used year-round and not just in Fall/Winter. An absolute keeper. I would make this an occasional or seasonal soap just to value its uniqueness furthermore.
Narjan
There is no "olfactory pyramid" description on the box but the seller's listing states:
Top notes: Cistus
Heart notes: Tobacco, Violet
Base notes: Moss, Labdanum, Grey Amber, Cedar Wood, Sandalwood
My observation: Another fantastic, complex scent. Near-Eastern. An Oud-like scent came to mind at first. Elegant. Woody. Floral. Smoky. Masculine. Light yet complex. Another keeper
Performance
Lather, protection, glide, residual sleekness and post-shave rival and/or outperform the likes of Martin de Candre, Mike's Natural and other top tiers. I have not tried Saponificio Varesino but I read a member here stating that Officina Artigiana is "SV quality class soap". The 5 oils soften the skin for hours as if you applied an actual face cream. Scent lingers lightly for hours.
Additional
To the best of my knowledge, each scent has a matching aftershave. An EDP also exist for the Marmoto.
Oddly, the soap maker does not appear to have a website.
Conclusion
An overlooked soap maker that delivers exceptional soaps.
Soap Maker: Officina Artigiana Milano
Country of Origin: Italy
Available scents:
- Stay Traditional
- Maremoto
- Oli del benessere
- Najran
Presentation
Beautiful and large thick/heavy glass jars with aluminum lid in thick paper box. Every cream/soap maker charging $25 and above should take notice (I am looking at you Santa Maria Novella). Each soap comes with a small pamphlet elaborating on the five oils used in the soaps. Only 2 of the 4 boxes had one in this case.
The maker uses a special nozzle to create an abstract flower design with 5 petals (one for each of the oil used) when they're filled but since it's a combination of manual and mechanical labor, not all jar have it. In this case, 3 out of the 4 jars did. Picture taken day of delivery:
Texture/Color/Ingredients
Semi-dense crops. Color varies white, off-white/light cream, off-white/cream to yellow.
The list of ingredients is short, with plus or minus couple differences, and all include the soap maker's 5 oils (Argan, Almond, Joboba, Castor and Grape seed).
Scents
Stay Traditional
The "olfactory pyramid" description on the box lists:
Top notes: Pompelmo (Grapefruit), Limone (Lemon), Fragola (Strawberry), Aldeidica (Aldehyde), Pesca (Peach), Verde (Green)
Core notes: Ozonica (Ozonic), Salina (Saline)
Base notes: Muschio (Moss)
My observation: There is nothing "traditional" about it, at least not in a barbershop type of way. This could lead to confusion if one is not familiar with the soap and/or has not done some research before buying. If the information I read in a Youtube comment is accurate, the name "Stay Traditional" is the name of an Italian wet shaving Youtube channel and the soap maker made a collaboration with them. The box also says “A special thank you to mr. Andrea Faggiani of Stay Traditional" on one side. I checked Youtube and such channel does exist.
The scent is a grapefruit citrus bomb. If you love grapefruit scent, this is for you. Unfortunately, it's not my cup of tea (solely based on smell) and it was returned to the seller untouched. Having not tried it, there could be, likely is, more to the scent than just grapefruit - this soap maker is known to produce complex scents. People who used and reviewed this soap online do mention, at least, lemon and strawberry in the scent when it's lathered. I see this being a Summer favorite for those who love citrus in their soaps. If you love citrus, this is for you.
Maremoto
There is no "olfactory pyramid" description on the box but the seller's listing states:
Top notes: Aquatic
Middle notes: Ozonated
Base notes: Green
My observation: Cologne like. If my memory serves me right (going back almost two decades), that's what Armani Acqua di Gio smells like. A poster on Reddit said it's "inspired by Megamare by Orto Parisi". Unfortunately, it's not a scent for me and it too went back to seller untouched. Here again, since I did not lather it, I could not conclude if there is more to it. I see it being a year-round soap. If you love ozonic scents, you'll like this.
Oli Del Benessere
The "olfactory pyramid" description on the box lists:
Top notes: Betulla (Birch), Pepe Nero (Black Pepper), Orchidea (Orchid)
Core notes: Avana (Havana), Whisky (Whisky), Zafferano (Saffron)
Base notes: Legni Preziosi (Precious Wood), Ambra (Amber),
My observation: This one is spectacular (based on smell and lathering/shaving). Mysterious. Refined/elegant. "Dark" (in a good way). Multi-layered and ultra complex. It reminds of an old monastery or cathedral where the smell of the stone and wood structure interlays with the natural essences of surrounding gardens. A scent where all three top, core and base notes can be detected. Light enough to be used year-round and not just in Fall/Winter. An absolute keeper. I would make this an occasional or seasonal soap just to value its uniqueness furthermore.
Narjan
There is no "olfactory pyramid" description on the box but the seller's listing states:
Top notes: Cistus
Heart notes: Tobacco, Violet
Base notes: Moss, Labdanum, Grey Amber, Cedar Wood, Sandalwood
My observation: Another fantastic, complex scent. Near-Eastern. An Oud-like scent came to mind at first. Elegant. Woody. Floral. Smoky. Masculine. Light yet complex. Another keeper
Performance
Lather, protection, glide, residual sleekness and post-shave rival and/or outperform the likes of Martin de Candre, Mike's Natural and other top tiers. I have not tried Saponificio Varesino but I read a member here stating that Officina Artigiana is "SV quality class soap". The 5 oils soften the skin for hours as if you applied an actual face cream. Scent lingers lightly for hours.
Additional
To the best of my knowledge, each scent has a matching aftershave. An EDP also exist for the Marmoto.
Oddly, the soap maker does not appear to have a website.
Conclusion
An overlooked soap maker that delivers exceptional soaps.
Last edited:
