Proraso is a brand that I was first introduced to when a former boss gave the team small Christmas gifts one year.  This was a long time ago.  A time when I was exclusively using a Mach 3 cartridge razor; MySpace was emerging in popularity; and Harry’s Razors wasn’t even a thing.  I received the Proraso Green Preshave cream in my little gift bag. Back then, I had no idea what this brand was and I didn’t know what a preshave cream was.  I was still using canned foam.

Proraso Green Shave Soap in a Tub in one of my Shaves of the Day

When I first tried it, I knew immediately knew that I liked the cooling sensation and the scent.   That was my introduction to Proraso.  Since then I’ve had the chance to use and become a fan of the different varieties of scents and products that they offer.  The Proraso White Shaving Soap remains one of my favorite scents. 

The Proraso Green Shave Soap is a very soft soap; widely considered a croap

This Proraso soap is a very soft soap with an off-white in color and it smells like soap with a mild eucalyptus scent.  If you take a eucalyptus and blend it with a mild aroma of an Arko shave stick – that’s what it reminds me of.  That’s not a bad thing; I like the scent.  The Proraso green shaving soap doesn’t require a ton of water to get a thick protective lather.  It applies easily; washes off easily; the already mild scent doesn’t linger; it doesn’t leave my face or head feeling dried out; and because of the menthol I get a cooling tingle when applied. All in all, it always contributes to a great shave experience.

I find Proraso shave soaps easy to lather.

As I wrote previously, Proraso scents are something that I’ll always associate with wet shaving.  Perhaps because I was first exposed to one of their products at a time when I was just using canned dollar store foam or perhaps it’s because the company has been around since the early 1900s. But the Proraso shaving soaps in a tub are a staple in the shave den.  Proraso is becoming more widely available, from my local grocery store to Amazon to a number of shave stores across the Internet.  The accessibility to this classic line has never been greater.

Proraso products at my local grocery store!

 

Parker Shaving’s Sandalwood Sheabutter shave soap is one that I’ve used off and on for quite some time but just getting around to doing a review.   Admittedly it’s not one that I use often.  That is not due to performance or smell.  I just really like the travel sized container and tend to reserve it for when I have to fly as it doesn’t take up a heck of a lot of space in my dopp.  Though, I may reach for it on occasion while at home.

Parker Shave Soap on a trip with me to Hawaii

The label notes Sandalwood Sheabutter.  However, this doesn’t smell like other sandalwood fragrances I have previously smelled.   I can’t pinpoint what the fragrance is.  But, the soap smells sweet and almost floral.  My wife’s first impressions were of lilac, lily of the valley, and cut grass.  It is not an appalling scent by any stretch; just not what I would necessarily reach for if I was in a mood for an all sandalwood themed shave.

 

One of my Shave Of the Day photos ... I think this was in Florida

While I haven’t taken it to a wide range of places, I’ve used the soap in California, Hawaii, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania.  Each time, I found the soap pretty easy to lather.  I also found to be slick, protective, and the scent washed away during that post shave rinse.  All of this made for a positive shave experience both at home and away.

 

I easily get a slick, protective lather with this soap.

Parker Safety Razor’s Sandalwood Sheabutter Luxury Shave Bar is available in a 100 gram bar as well as the travel sized 50 gram container.   It looks like the clear travel container that I use may no longer be available.  I will have to say that I do like the black container that is pictured on many other sites.   I am torn which I prefer. 

 

A home SOTD with the Parker Shave Soap

 

One would think that with the Covid19 lock downs; one would have more time to write.  Personally, I’m finding the opposite to be the case.  Not sure about you, but working remotely (for me at least) means the work is always there.  So, I find myself dedicating more time on my day job.  Plus, there are the never ending home improvement projects that seem to now have more urgency.  Even after the weight of some of that gets lifted a part of you may sometimes sit in front of the computer and just come up blank.   Well … those are my excuses at least. 

 

One of my SOTDs with the Taconic Eucalyptus Mint Shave Soap

Regardless, I figured that it’s a new year, time for new habits … and time for a new post.  I’ve reached into the archives to find posts that I started but never finished.  One of which is the Taconic Eucalyptus Mint Shave Soap.   

Updated since I purchased mine: the latest (as of this writing) packaging design.

It looks like the packaging has been updated since I purchased and first started using it.  But the ingredients appear to have stayed the same.  Which I view as a good thing.   This is a soap I really like; most notably its smell.  I find the aroma opening the tin to be pretty powerful.   I’d open the canister about a foot or so away from my nose and I’m met with a scent reminiscent of Vicks VapoRub with a little bit more mint added.   Personally, this is a scent I enjoy that scent very much. 

The soap puck.  As you can tell, mine has been through a few lathers

To my nose, the scent isn’t as powerful when lathering.  I can definitely smell it, but it isn’t as overwhelming as when the canister is first opened.   It washes away pretty clean as well and I find that the scent doesn’t linger around.  There are some lotions, soaps, or shaving creams that can have an over powering aroma or scent that it gives me a slight headache.  I didn’t find that to be the case with this Taconic Eucalyptus Mint shave soap.

An enjoyable lather.

The soap is a puck measuring roughly 3 inches in diameter. Lather-wise, I get a nice, thick, and protective lather from it.  I’ve been using the soap off and on for a while.  It’s been with me to Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania.  I find it easy to build a lather with the Taconic Eucalyptus Mint shave soap even with the different water types of those states.   Maybe 2021 will bring opportunities to try to different shaving soaps, creams, razors, blades, and what have you in different parts of the states or even world.   Here’s to hoping.

Lime is one of those scents that I associate with the summertime.  I suppose I associate it with Margaritas, Mojitos, or other summertime cocktails.  One unique lime scent is Soap Commander’s Respect.  Described on their site as “ … a lovely deep earthiness with a well-balanced, sophisticated respectful kiss of lime … ”.  Respect is a blend of lime and patchouli. So, I would imagine that it’s the patchouli that gives Respect that unique “earthiness” quality. 

Soap Commander's Respect Shave Soap and Aftershave Balm

To me, the scent is fairly strong.  It doesn’t fill up the room when opening the container. But, I could hold my nose about 6 inches away from an open container and get a nice whiff of it.   Whatever washes away from my head and face, faintly remains in the sink or shower and I could sometimes smell it when I go back to the bathroom. 

Messily building a lather

I wrote about a different Soap Commander patchouli blend in a previous post, Soap Commander Confidence Shave Soap and Aftershave Balm.  In that post I noted that I had to use Confidence sparingly because my wife dislikes patchouli.  Even though (to me) Respect is pleasant and smells primarily of lime, the patchouli in this soap is what my wife notices.  So, this is another scent that I like that I have to use sparingly.  

Personally, I think Pinaud's Lime Sec goes well with Respect

As far as the lather goes, I get a thick and protective one that has a good cushion and slickness.  As with any of the Soap Commander soaps that I’ve tried, this is a constant and a characteristic that I’ve come to expect from their shave soaps.  Like in previous posts, I’ve gotten into the habit of using the Marco Method when using Soap Commander soaps.  I frequently spend time in New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida. The water quality feels different between the states,  but this hasn’t affected the quality of lather I get with Soap Commander soap.  But as they say in the wet shaving world:  your mileage may vary (YMMV).

My Latest SOTD

I used the Respect Shave Soap for my latest shave of the day (or SOTD), which means my wife could smell the residual Respect aroma.  Of course with COVID19 shelter in place directives, perhaps shaving with this soap may not have been my smartest move. 

I’ve had RazoRock’s Essential Oil of Lime is a soap in the soap hoard of my shave den for some time.   So long that RazoRock has gone through changes in the formula and packaging designs since I got this.  I suppose I tend to hoard soap and use (and even review) them at my own pace. 

RazoRock Essential Oil of Lime - Yea, I'm behind a couple of versions

Essential oil of Lime is described as a “fresh lime scent.”  Personally I think this is a very pleasant scent and something my wife really likes. It reminds me of lime zest rather than, say, freshly cut limes. As with the RazoRock soaps that I’ve used, the scent isn’t overpowering.  I’m aware I’ve lathered with it but not so much that it is eye watering.  I find that it washes away to a hint when rinsing my face off.  When washing my face after using an alum block, I find the scent disappears.

Loading the brush.

This version of the Essential Oil Of Lime is white in color and is very soft in texture.  From some YouTube videos and pictures of the latest version, it appears that these characteristics haven’t changed that much as many are still calling it a croap.  With this soap, I get a slick and protective lather.  As with other RazoRock soaps, it is fairly easy to build without precise measuring of water.  I don’t know about you, but some soaps that I’ve used it feels like you have to have it down to the milliliter otherwise it would be too thin or thick.

RazoRock's soaps produce a slick and protective lather.

While RazoRock has their own Essential Oil of Lime Aftershave to complement the soap, there are also a lot of lime scented aftershaves to choose from that could nicely complement the soap.   To name a few Pinaud’s Lime Sec, St. John’s West Indian Lime, and Col Conk’s Lime aftershave.  Though, I tend to reach for the Captain’s Choice Lime.

A recent SOTD

The new formulation appears to contain Shae Butter, Argan Oil, Aloe Vera, and Lanolin.  While I have not tried it I am curious to about the performance.  It sounds like this would help to hydrate and protect the skin a bit more during a shave.  In the meantime though, I’ll have to use this version … which is definitely not a bad thing.  It smells great, easy to lather, and helps to protect my skin during a shave.   What’s not to like.
What do you think of the Essential Oil Of Lime Soap?  Leave a  comment below and let us know what yo think.