AA24 - Day 18
Brush: Zenith Multi-Color (2006 XSE) 21mm Unbleached Boar Knot
Blade: Gillette Platinum [18]
Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Varen - Soap (Mutton Tallow)
Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Varen - Splash
Fragrance: Hermès - Terre d’Hermès Eau Intense Vétiver - Eau de Parfum
Tags: $ShepherdsofStirling $RawHoggin $Discord
AA24 - Day 22 - Trouble in Paradise
Brush: Zenith Multi-Color (2006 XSE) 21mm Unbleached Boar Knot
Blade: Gillette Platinum [22]
Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Varen - Soap (Mutton Tallow)
Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps - Trouble Maker - Splash
Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Fougère Gothique - Eau de Parfum
Tags: $ShepherdsofStirling $RawHoggin $Discord
Well this blade is now testing my technique and pressure management. I managed a DFS with no irritation, but the blade is definitely past its prime.
Just when I think the boar stank is subsiding, it comes back with a vengeance. Are there trapped pockets of stench hiding in this knot? What is going on?
The line up today was pleasant. Trouble Maker and Fougère Gothique are both earthy, smokey, and excellent.
Weekly Tub Check: 176g (∆ -8)
Good news! The first time I mailed out the smushes to the US addresses they were returned for being suspicious. I had to repackage and try again.
AA24 - Day 21 - Westman Wednesday
Brush: Zenith Multi-Color (2006 XSE) 21mm Unbleached Boar Knot
Blade: Gillette Platinum [21]
Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Varen - Soap (Mutton Tallow)
Post Shave: Westman Shaving - (Desas)sossego - Splash
Fragrance: Noble Otter - Monarch - Eau de Parfum
Tags: $ShepherdsofStirling $RawHoggin $Discord
Subtle lavender with bright citrus notes, warm vanilla, and woody base notes, (Desas)sossego is an understated and welcoming scent.
I should have guessed that 😊
Dang autocorrect 😂
Varen is one of only two full size soaps I've killed
What was the other one?
AA24 - Day 17 - Varen + Moos = 💚
Brush: Zenith Multi-Color (2006 XSE) 21mm Unbleached Boar Knot
Blade: Gillette Platinum [17]
Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Varen - Soap (Mutton Tallow)
Post Shave: Mäurer & Wirtz - Sir Irisch Moos - Aftershave
Tags: $ShepherdsofStirling $RawHoggin
With other AA scents I've used, I've almost been completely nose blind to them by now. Varen is such a beast of a scent that, while I've gone nose blind to some of it, I'm able to pick out and appreciate some of the more subtle nuisance that I normally wouldn't have noticed. I'm really enjoying using it this year.
AA24 - Day 16 - A Contemplative Shave
Brush: Zenith Multi-Color (2006 XSE) 21mm Unbleached Boar Knot
Blade: Gillette Platinum [16]
Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Varen - Soap (Mutton Tallow)
Post Shave: Declaration Grooming - Contemplation - Aftershave
Fragrance: Declaration Grooming - Contemplation - Eau de Parfum
Tags: $ShepherdsofStirling $RawHoggin $Discord
Happy Fougère Friday!
AA24 - Day 19 - Beloved
Brush: Zenith Multi-Color (2006 XSE) 21mm Unbleached Boar Knot
Razor: Aylsworth Razors Drakkant Plus
Blade: Gillette Platinum [19]
Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Varen - Soap (Mutton Tallow)
Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Beloved - Splash
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Beloved - Eau de Parfum
Tags: $ShepherdsofStirling $RawHoggin $Discord
Beloved is incredible, and being a strong, lavender-forward scent, it pairs nicely with Varen.
If this wasn't AA, I would have already binned this blade. For the time being, I'm going to keep going with it.
Brush Break-In Progress Album