EMG06
"TSC's Bingo Admiral"
Funky brush! Taxidermy snake head?
The Shaving Cadre
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Mystic May
- Thread starter Spider
- Start date
LOL, no. Just a handle I found on etsy. But very realistic indeed.
remfan170
Jr. Shave Member
May 15, 2026 (Mystic May Every Other Day)
• Brush: Semogue – 1470 (Boar)
• Razor: Ern – Model 421; 11/16, Full Hollow, Square Point
• Soap: Mystic Water – Sweet Briar
• Aftershave: Stirling – Unscented Aftershave Splash
• Balm: Stirling – Unscented Post Shave Balm
• Fragrance: Mystic Water – Sweet Briar Perfume Oil
My father is a wealthy man. He held many different jobs during his working life, but one that he really seemed to enjoy was a head liquor buyer for a cooperative of liquor stores. He enjoys whiskey, and, as you can imagine, he has had the opportunity to sample hundreds of different whiskeys in his life. From peaty Scotches to sweet Bourbons, he can describe most any kind of whiskey. Moreover, he can afford to drink them.
But, if you go to his home, there has always been one bottle that he prefers above all others: Crown Royal Special Reserve. That’s his drink, wherever, whenever. Don’t get me wrong, it is a quality whiskey. But, in terms of provenance (Canada) and the fact that it is a blend made by a major distillery, it isn’t rare or prized. It’s just smooth, right down the middle. He loves that. And, in lots of places in my life, so do I. While I love to explore the margins and the extremes of tea, beer, shave soap scents, etc., sometimes I just love the smooth, down-the-middle blend. I call it “beer taste on a champagne budget.”
I re-learned that about myself with my quest to find “my” tobacco fragrance. I must have tried about ten different tobacco shave soaps, which is just a fraction of what is available. They ranged from cloyingly sweet to smelling like a bonfire. Many of them attempted to recreate the experience of being at a tobacco shop or the smoking room of one’s home. All had their merits, but it turned out the grass was not greener on the other side and I wanted what I had all along. Namely, I just really wanted the smell of Virginia strain pipe tobacco that is well represented by Mystic Water’s Sweet Briar (Pipe Tobacco). It is very natural smelling, a tiny bit sweet, and just right (down the middle). It is mostly the smell of the cured leaf and little else. Anything else in there serves the pipe tobacco and so it isn’t tobacco and x.
I enjoy wearing Sweet Briar as a fragrance because it isn’t too much to think about and isn’t too evocative or redolent. I know that seems odd, but some days I really don’t want complex. I suspect that this is because I do not smoke and while I have been to some wonderful tobacco shops to buy cigars to give to my dad and brothers, I do not really hang out in them. I do appreciate the ritual of it all, though.
Michelle Burns of Mystic Water notes, “When I was looking for a name for my new pipe tobacco scented soap, I came across a description on a tobacconist's website that perfectly described this scent : ‘A mild blend, the aroma upon opening the bag is sweet and…well, briary. Certainly vanilla is among the aromas...’ I don't know if Sweet Briar Flake tobacco is what the blender had in mind when they made this fragrance oil, but the description seems to fit.” Well put, Michelle, I agree.
Have an awesome day, friends!
• Brush: Semogue – 1470 (Boar)
• Razor: Ern – Model 421; 11/16, Full Hollow, Square Point
• Soap: Mystic Water – Sweet Briar
• Aftershave: Stirling – Unscented Aftershave Splash
• Balm: Stirling – Unscented Post Shave Balm
• Fragrance: Mystic Water – Sweet Briar Perfume Oil
My father is a wealthy man. He held many different jobs during his working life, but one that he really seemed to enjoy was a head liquor buyer for a cooperative of liquor stores. He enjoys whiskey, and, as you can imagine, he has had the opportunity to sample hundreds of different whiskeys in his life. From peaty Scotches to sweet Bourbons, he can describe most any kind of whiskey. Moreover, he can afford to drink them.
But, if you go to his home, there has always been one bottle that he prefers above all others: Crown Royal Special Reserve. That’s his drink, wherever, whenever. Don’t get me wrong, it is a quality whiskey. But, in terms of provenance (Canada) and the fact that it is a blend made by a major distillery, it isn’t rare or prized. It’s just smooth, right down the middle. He loves that. And, in lots of places in my life, so do I. While I love to explore the margins and the extremes of tea, beer, shave soap scents, etc., sometimes I just love the smooth, down-the-middle blend. I call it “beer taste on a champagne budget.”
I re-learned that about myself with my quest to find “my” tobacco fragrance. I must have tried about ten different tobacco shave soaps, which is just a fraction of what is available. They ranged from cloyingly sweet to smelling like a bonfire. Many of them attempted to recreate the experience of being at a tobacco shop or the smoking room of one’s home. All had their merits, but it turned out the grass was not greener on the other side and I wanted what I had all along. Namely, I just really wanted the smell of Virginia strain pipe tobacco that is well represented by Mystic Water’s Sweet Briar (Pipe Tobacco). It is very natural smelling, a tiny bit sweet, and just right (down the middle). It is mostly the smell of the cured leaf and little else. Anything else in there serves the pipe tobacco and so it isn’t tobacco and x.
I enjoy wearing Sweet Briar as a fragrance because it isn’t too much to think about and isn’t too evocative or redolent. I know that seems odd, but some days I really don’t want complex. I suspect that this is because I do not smoke and while I have been to some wonderful tobacco shops to buy cigars to give to my dad and brothers, I do not really hang out in them. I do appreciate the ritual of it all, though.
Michelle Burns of Mystic Water notes, “When I was looking for a name for my new pipe tobacco scented soap, I came across a description on a tobacconist's website that perfectly described this scent : ‘A mild blend, the aroma upon opening the bag is sweet and…well, briary. Certainly vanilla is among the aromas...’ I don't know if Sweet Briar Flake tobacco is what the blender had in mind when they made this fragrance oil, but the description seems to fit.” Well put, Michelle, I agree.
Have an awesome day, friends!
remfan170
Jr. Shave Member
May 17, 2026 (Mystic May Every Other Day)
• Brush: Semogue – 2000 (Boar)
• Razor: Muhle – R41 (Black)
• Blade: Barbero – Platinum
• Soap: Mystic Water – Tea Tree and Blue Gum (Eucalyptus)
• Aftershave: Long Rifle Soap Co. – Hivernant Shave Tonic
• Balm: Every Man Jack – Signature Mint Face Lotion and Post-Shave
• Fragrance: Mystic Water – Rosalimone
What makes an elite base? To my mind, it has to be slick and protective. It has to whip up a consistent, lovely lather (can be thinner or more voluminous). Being moisturizing is expected. But, most important, it has to be “doing something” for your skin long after you finish shaving. That’s really what separates elite bases from just the very, very good ones. Mystic Water has an elite base. I feel like my skin is moisturized, healthy, and happy long after I finish shaving. I use Mystic Water and my face is ready to brave the midwestern elements of heat and/or cold.
Today’s soap has Tea Tree oil and Blue Gum Eucalyptus. So few shaving soaps have tea tree oil (surprising given the amount of folks in wetshaving specifically because they have sensitive skin). The only other one I can think of is Long Rifle’s Hivernant. I will have to ask Michelle Burns about something that has puzzled me. There are Mystic Water soaps with Eucalyptus (e.g. Eucalyptus and Spearmint), but then there are Mystic Water soaps with Blue Gum Eucalyptus. I know Tasmanian Blue Gum is one of about 700 types of Eucalyptus plant, but my understanding is that about 90% of “Eucalyptus Oil” comes from the Blue Gum. I wonder if Michelle is using different essential oils? I don’t think she is labeling incorrectly, but I just wonder about the essential oils.
As Michelle notes: “Another customer special request: tea tree oil has documented antiseptic properties and this soap would be a good choice for anyone with oily or troubled skin. The scent of tea tree oil has been described as "medicinal" but in combination with the Blue Gum eucalyptus the overall effect is invigorating and fresh.”
My face feels amazing. My sinuses feel cleansed. I feel refreshed and ready to go! Fun and slightly embarrassing fact: I overlooked this soap for a while because Blue Gum made me think of artificial Laffy Taffy type candy. Glad I learned what I did.
Have an awesome day, friends!
• Brush: Semogue – 2000 (Boar)
• Razor: Muhle – R41 (Black)
• Blade: Barbero – Platinum
• Soap: Mystic Water – Tea Tree and Blue Gum (Eucalyptus)
• Aftershave: Long Rifle Soap Co. – Hivernant Shave Tonic
• Balm: Every Man Jack – Signature Mint Face Lotion and Post-Shave
• Fragrance: Mystic Water – Rosalimone
What makes an elite base? To my mind, it has to be slick and protective. It has to whip up a consistent, lovely lather (can be thinner or more voluminous). Being moisturizing is expected. But, most important, it has to be “doing something” for your skin long after you finish shaving. That’s really what separates elite bases from just the very, very good ones. Mystic Water has an elite base. I feel like my skin is moisturized, healthy, and happy long after I finish shaving. I use Mystic Water and my face is ready to brave the midwestern elements of heat and/or cold.
Today’s soap has Tea Tree oil and Blue Gum Eucalyptus. So few shaving soaps have tea tree oil (surprising given the amount of folks in wetshaving specifically because they have sensitive skin). The only other one I can think of is Long Rifle’s Hivernant. I will have to ask Michelle Burns about something that has puzzled me. There are Mystic Water soaps with Eucalyptus (e.g. Eucalyptus and Spearmint), but then there are Mystic Water soaps with Blue Gum Eucalyptus. I know Tasmanian Blue Gum is one of about 700 types of Eucalyptus plant, but my understanding is that about 90% of “Eucalyptus Oil” comes from the Blue Gum. I wonder if Michelle is using different essential oils? I don’t think she is labeling incorrectly, but I just wonder about the essential oils.
As Michelle notes: “Another customer special request: tea tree oil has documented antiseptic properties and this soap would be a good choice for anyone with oily or troubled skin. The scent of tea tree oil has been described as "medicinal" but in combination with the Blue Gum eucalyptus the overall effect is invigorating and fresh.”
My face feels amazing. My sinuses feel cleansed. I feel refreshed and ready to go! Fun and slightly embarrassing fact: I overlooked this soap for a while because Blue Gum made me think of artificial Laffy Taffy type candy. Glad I learned what I did.
Have an awesome day, friends!
MW was the first "elite" base, although that wasn't a term used back when Michelle debuted it on the forums. Her soap was part of the second generation of artisans, that took shave soap to another level. But her formula still stood above her peers because she designed it from the ground up and with a purpose, rather than just trying to re-create a known brand, which is what many other artisans did. Her background in soapmaking really shows in the ingredients she used.
In the years since, there have been many other artisans on the scene, but most are still not as elite as MW. And the ones that are better, usually do so by using far more premium/exotic ingredients which also drive up the cost of the soaps.
The fact that Michelle's soaps have lasted so long in the hobby, and still remain top tier, is incredible. I hope more new shavers discover and appreciate MW soaps.
remfan170
Jr. Shave Member
May 19, 2026 (Mystic May Every Other Day)
• Bowl: Fine Accoutrements – Stoneware Lather Bowl
• Brush: Semogue – 1470 (Boar)
• Razor: Muhle – R41 (Black)
• Blade: Lord – Super Stainless
• Soap: Mystic Water – White Tea & Ginger
• Aftershave: Floïd – The Genuine After Shave
• Balm: Every Man Jack – Signature Mint Face Lotion and Post-Shave
• Fragrance: Imaginary Authors – The Language of Glaciers
Hard to describe this scent, but it is very pleasant and light. I would say the white tea is more there to tone down the ginger rather than to smell of white tea (which itself smells very delicate). It’s a nice scent to have as ginger tends to usually be included in spicier, fall/winter scents. This is much milder and more delicate, but still as charming. Like ginger ale as opposed to ginger beer, I suppose.
Have an awesome day, friends!
• Bowl: Fine Accoutrements – Stoneware Lather Bowl
• Brush: Semogue – 1470 (Boar)
• Razor: Muhle – R41 (Black)
• Blade: Lord – Super Stainless
• Soap: Mystic Water – White Tea & Ginger
• Aftershave: Floïd – The Genuine After Shave
• Balm: Every Man Jack – Signature Mint Face Lotion and Post-Shave
• Fragrance: Imaginary Authors – The Language of Glaciers
Hard to describe this scent, but it is very pleasant and light. I would say the white tea is more there to tone down the ginger rather than to smell of white tea (which itself smells very delicate). It’s a nice scent to have as ginger tends to usually be included in spicier, fall/winter scents. This is much milder and more delicate, but still as charming. Like ginger ale as opposed to ginger beer, I suppose.
Have an awesome day, friends!
remfan170
Jr. Shave Member
May 21, 2026 (Mystic May Every Other Day)
• Bowl: Doug Smith Pottery – Ceramic Shave Bowl
• Brush: Semogue – 1470 (Boar)
• Razor: GEM – Junior 1912 Brass with Art Deco/Chain Link Handle
• Blade: Accuforge – GEM Microcoat
• Soap: Mystic Water – Windjammer
• Aftershave: Stirling – Stirling Spice Aftershave Splash
• Balm: Stirling – Unscented Post Shave Balm
• Fragrance: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original EDC
It has been quite a while since I used some of these. I keep thinking that if I spend a healthy amount of time away that I will rediscover the love I had for Tabac and Old Spice style scents that I had about a year and a half ago. I haven’t, and the aversion to the strength is strong. Whatever is sweet or powdery or milky in this category of scents just seems cloying to me. I feel a bit bummed about that, because I really loved Tabac. But, I suppose we evolve in our preferences over time. There are notes associated with this category of scents that make me very nervous: tonka bean, vanilla, heliotrope, hedione. carnation. I’m not sure how these function, but I get nervous when they are in things. I fear they will bring the cloying sweetness. The sort of Stevia-style sweetness.
Windjammer is Mystic Water’s Old Spice dupe. According to Michelle, “It is comprised of top notes of orange, sage & lemon, blending into carnation, geranium, cinnamon, jasmine and heliotrope. The lingering base notes are of vanilla, cedarwood, frankincense resin, tonka bean and musk.” Does it smell like Old Spice? I can’t be precise because I haven’t used the original Old Spice and Stirling’s Spice (and perhaps Seaforth! Spiced) forms my understanding of what that smelled like. But, ultimately, yes.
Comparing MW and Stirling, the latter has spices in it. Stirling’s Spice does the “trick” that I dislike about the category. It “masks” the spices with that sweet thing. Mystic Water’s version is less spicy and has much more of those sweet notes, though it is well-balanced by other things. Overall, MW has a sort of singular scent to it and kind of feels like a 1990s (my childhood) bath soap. That isn’t a criticism, it’s just, how do you describe the scent of Irish Spring, Coast, or Ivory? It certainly is part of that whole Old Spice category, but kind of mild and inoffensive.
I would pick Stirling Spice between the two. Quite honestly, I don’t mind being a bit dismissive of Windjammer because it is a fragrance oil that Michelle gets from a different party. In that sense, I don’t really think of it as her creation. I believe Sweet Briar might be the same way, but I am not exactly sure. And I love Sweet Briar. My recommendation about Windjammer is that if you like Old Spice in the way that I like Bay Rum, I would try a sample of it. Just don’t expect it to be so “on the nose.” But, it could be one of those unique and interesting soaps you have and enjoy. Low risk, potential for high reward.
Have an awesome day, friends!
• Bowl: Doug Smith Pottery – Ceramic Shave Bowl
• Brush: Semogue – 1470 (Boar)
• Razor: GEM – Junior 1912 Brass with Art Deco/Chain Link Handle
• Blade: Accuforge – GEM Microcoat
• Soap: Mystic Water – Windjammer
• Aftershave: Stirling – Stirling Spice Aftershave Splash
• Balm: Stirling – Unscented Post Shave Balm
• Fragrance: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original EDC
It has been quite a while since I used some of these. I keep thinking that if I spend a healthy amount of time away that I will rediscover the love I had for Tabac and Old Spice style scents that I had about a year and a half ago. I haven’t, and the aversion to the strength is strong. Whatever is sweet or powdery or milky in this category of scents just seems cloying to me. I feel a bit bummed about that, because I really loved Tabac. But, I suppose we evolve in our preferences over time. There are notes associated with this category of scents that make me very nervous: tonka bean, vanilla, heliotrope, hedione. carnation. I’m not sure how these function, but I get nervous when they are in things. I fear they will bring the cloying sweetness. The sort of Stevia-style sweetness.
Windjammer is Mystic Water’s Old Spice dupe. According to Michelle, “It is comprised of top notes of orange, sage & lemon, blending into carnation, geranium, cinnamon, jasmine and heliotrope. The lingering base notes are of vanilla, cedarwood, frankincense resin, tonka bean and musk.” Does it smell like Old Spice? I can’t be precise because I haven’t used the original Old Spice and Stirling’s Spice (and perhaps Seaforth! Spiced) forms my understanding of what that smelled like. But, ultimately, yes.
Comparing MW and Stirling, the latter has spices in it. Stirling’s Spice does the “trick” that I dislike about the category. It “masks” the spices with that sweet thing. Mystic Water’s version is less spicy and has much more of those sweet notes, though it is well-balanced by other things. Overall, MW has a sort of singular scent to it and kind of feels like a 1990s (my childhood) bath soap. That isn’t a criticism, it’s just, how do you describe the scent of Irish Spring, Coast, or Ivory? It certainly is part of that whole Old Spice category, but kind of mild and inoffensive.
I would pick Stirling Spice between the two. Quite honestly, I don’t mind being a bit dismissive of Windjammer because it is a fragrance oil that Michelle gets from a different party. In that sense, I don’t really think of it as her creation. I believe Sweet Briar might be the same way, but I am not exactly sure. And I love Sweet Briar. My recommendation about Windjammer is that if you like Old Spice in the way that I like Bay Rum, I would try a sample of it. Just don’t expect it to be so “on the nose.” But, it could be one of those unique and interesting soaps you have and enjoy. Low risk, potential for high reward.
Have an awesome day, friends!
Thank you, gentlemen! I'm honored and flattered to learn about Mystic May and I love love love all the photos of your daily shaves! I realize how much I've missed the forum and this community, and know that I need to check in more frequently. I've been busy with running Mystic Water Soap, now Mystic Water Soapworks LLC. I've stopped predicting when the new website will be ready - there never seem to be enough hours in the day to work on it - but I hope it will be soon. It will be easier for me to list new products, like my aftershave and other new products I've been working on.
To answer a question that came up in this thread: The difference between Blue Gum and other eucalyptus oils: I primarily use eucalyptus globulus (also known as blue gum) and eucalyptus radiata. The Eucalyptus & Blue Gum is made with the globulus type. The two oils are very similar, but radiata is said to be a bit sweeter, and better if using for respiratory problems or for children.
On a personal note, I spent the winter recovering from knee replacement surgery and when I wasn't able to make soap I returned to a craft that I hadn't done in many years: Ukrainian pysanky.
An elderly neighbor in Bloomington, Indiana taught me how to make them and although I'm not Ukrainian I like to help keep the tradition going.
To answer a question that came up in this thread: The difference between Blue Gum and other eucalyptus oils: I primarily use eucalyptus globulus (also known as blue gum) and eucalyptus radiata. The Eucalyptus & Blue Gum is made with the globulus type. The two oils are very similar, but radiata is said to be a bit sweeter, and better if using for respiratory problems or for children.
On a personal note, I spent the winter recovering from knee replacement surgery and when I wasn't able to make soap I returned to a craft that I hadn't done in many years: Ukrainian pysanky.
An elderly neighbor in Bloomington, Indiana taught me how to make them and although I'm not Ukrainian I like to help keep the tradition going.
Thank you for stopping by! We'd love to hear more from you.
Can't wait! Remember too you have your own forum here, where you can advertise products or anything new going on at MW Soapworks!
Those eggs are awesome! That takes talent.