Biggest soap/cream Pet Peeve?

[Spider]

There are things that I like and dislike about certain soaps, and there are attributes in general that I like or don't like. My favorite attribute is slickness, but if a soap is not super slick, I wouldn't say it's a pet peeve, I just deal with it.

But I do have one huge pet peeve when it comes to lathering software. If a product has this attribute, I'm likely to not use it anymore. But I don't want to share it just yet, I want to see what your Pet Peeves are, if any, and see if anyone shares the same one before I divulge it.

So what attribute(s) bother you the most about soaps/creams? This is broad and can pertain to the soap itself or the container or whatever. I just want to see what bugs you. (i.e. soap makers take note! LOL)

 

[NurseDave]

Well I dunno. I would say something like slickness wouldn't be a pet peeve because it's related to performance. Maybe you're wondering what's our no go for using a soap. Slickness would be up there. No slickness, no buying. Bad scent is on that list too. Could be the best soap performer in the world, and I'm not suffering through a scent I don't like.

 

[JWS VII]

Soaps/creams that leave a film or "scum" on your shave gear. Now, I realized that all soap will leave some level of residue over time. However, some are way worse than others. Proraso, I think, is a classic example. Decent (great, for some) performer otherwise, but the scum levels are real!

 

[dangerousdon]

My biggest pet peeve of mine is a full size soap container that I can't load my brush from.

My next one would be labels that smears, smudges, or gets damaged with one drop of water. Mike's Natural soaps had these labels for a while that was like a brown paper bag...I get the idea...your branding your product as natural. But your label sucks. Sudsy Soapery had something similar... but was slightly better.

 

[Spider]

Soaps/creams that leave a film or "scum" on your shave gear. Now, I realized that all soap will leave some level of residue over time. However, some are way worse than others.

THIS!!!! This is my Pet Peeve. And that is the primary reason I hate using creams. It seems that every cream I use leaves a thick film. When I have to rub my brush on a towel after one shave to clean off the scum, that's a big problem for me.

My biggest pet peeve of mine is a full size soap container that I can't load my brush from.

What do you mean? A container that is too small in diameter, or a tub that is filled to the brim? The small diameter bothers me, but the full tubs don't (but I know some folks appreciate the headspace).

My next one would be labels that smears, smudges, or gets damaged with one drop of water.

MdC? Yeup that bugs me too. Unfortunately CBL's labels are in that category right now. A few of mine are getting smudged. But I know Chris has plans for different labels in the future.

 

[dangerousdon]

I didn't think about the headspace thing. Seriously...people complain about having to much soap?

I meant diameter. I know I can scoop it out and smear it in a bowl...but I want to load from the tub!

My top labels on CBL soaps are doing okay...but my side labels are smudging. I don't mind in this instance...because I know Chris just got things going and is working on improving things!

 

[Spider]

I didn't think about the headspace thing. Seriously...people complain about having to much soap?

Chad does!

I meant diameter. I know I can scoop it out and smear it in a bowl...but I want to load from the tub!

Agreed! I have yet to try my Wild West soaps, which are smaller tubs. We'll see how it goes.

My top labels on CBL soaps are doing okay...but my side labels are smudging. I don't mind in this instance...because I know Chris just got things going and is working on improving things!

I agree. I know he wants to change that. It'll just take some time.

 

[Dave in KY]

Funny you mention this KJ. As I was just reading down and before I got to your 2nd post I was thinking that JWS VII hit something I keep wanting to mention in a video. I've often thought about soaps that don't rinse clean quickly off equipment are doing the same to my skin and I do pay attention to this when checking a soap out.

 

[dkeester]

I definitely sympathize with the soap scum thing, and the tub width thing, and the label smearing thing. I don't really get the headspace thing. It is nice to have a good lip to help keep the brush on the puck. It does help keep lather flinging to a minimum. However, it isn't a huge issue for me.

My pet peeve is when the soap crumbles as you load it. I don't like it when chunks break off of the puck and I end up with soap chunks stuck to my brush with the proto-lather. I always end up with unlathered soap bits in my final lather. Thankfully this happens very infrequently. I usually only see it at the end of a 3017 after I have had to manipulate the soap in the container in an attempt to get the last of the puck to load properly.

 

[GearNoir]

I also understand the soap scum thing, but I like some of the usual suspects that happen to fall into that general category, like Proraso. Sometimes Proraso gives me little to no scum though, so I think it’s more in how people build their lather with those soaps, or it could be also the rotation of soaps, so I’m not using it daily.

I definitely like a little head space in my tub. Suds getting all over the rim and outside are pretty annoying.

 

[CBLindsay]

I am probably a little to easy going to have REAL pet peeves but there are a few things I dislike enough to notice.

Perhaps by biggest issue is scent strength be to weak. I would rather get a big ol nostril full of a bad scent than have a stroke trying to detect a wonderful but faint scent.

I am also one that dislike excessive residue. And yes, many commercial creams are notorious for this but there are some soaps too. WSP rustic is one that has a tendency to be scum depositor. When I was new at this game WSP rustic was one of my go to soaps (and proraso cream) so I just assumed the scum was par for the course. Now, the soaps I use are less likely to leave scum so when one does I really notice it. The scum thing is the major reason I wipe my blade on a sponge so the rinse water in the sink stays free of floating scum until I am done rinsing. There are ways to reduce scum but the nature of shaving soap ensures scum or residue will always be around.

I suppose container type and size might be a pet peeve but not for the reasons you think of first. Yes, loading from a really small (haslinger puck size) container is a joke but I cut my teeth on the little 4ounce tins from WSP so I don't take issue with them. ...And yes, I end up appreciating the larger low profile tubs for the easy of loading. What really irks me is the variety of sizes and shapes the tubs come in. I don't like the taller or rounded top containers becasue they never stack or store right. I like uniformity so tubs that are unique outliers really bother me. Even the cool green containers from Stirling get me, they are a different thickness. I have no problem mixing my food on my plate but I separate soaps into different storage places just so the shape and sizes are the same.

I don't like top labels that smear or tear but have never really cared about the side or bottom labels. Those darned CBL soap side labels (and some top labels) really do smear. I honestly can't think of ANY other brand that has side labels that smear. At least the top labels are ok.

Now, in defense of brands like Mikes Natural, Long Rifle and Wild West Shave Co they have made changes along the way to improve the top label. In further defense I will suggest the "smaller" artisans that are more responsive to customer requests tend to have lower quality labels because they allow them to me more agile than ordering "perfect" labels in bulk.

 

[Spider]

Nice observations Chris!

 

[Cvargo]

After having used over 400 soaps, and currently having 254 (Thanks CBL for pushing me over 250 UGH) soaps in the den here are my pet peeves in no particular order

[list type=decimal][*] Non waterproof labels[*]Scent strength too low[*]Soap Scum looking at you proraso green[*]Jars that don't have straight sides, meaning there's a lip[*]Jars filled to the brim that cause me throw lather all over the whole bathroom while lathering[/list type=decimal]
Honorable mention that might need some explaining.

While I love the deal to grab 6 oz of soap from some artisans at a killer deal, and while yes 4 oz is the NORM. If someone can garner a tub that the same width as what we have all expected as standard, cut it in half, and only give me 2 to 2.5 oz of soap I would be in heaven! I want all the scents and if everyone gives me 4-6 ounces of soap each time I order it is going to prevent me from being able to try everything I want. But I understand it is cost prohibitive for artisans to deliver on this request so I just suffer!

 

[Aaron]

In addition to what others have already said, I'll add another thing. It's petty, I know, but with dozens of companies and hundreds of products to choose from, I can be petty.

Offensive names, pictures, and marketing. I'm not going to have puns on profanity, nearly naked pin-up girls, or macabre names or pictures on my soap labels.

Sure, I can move a soap to one of the many empty tubs I have or peel off the label, but I'm not going to. Sometimes it's an entire brand and sometimes it's individual products, but I'll never buy them.

 

[Spider]

In addition to what others have already said, I'll add another thing. It's petty, I know, but with dozens of companies and hundreds of products to choose from, I can be petty.

Offensive names, pictures, and marketing. I'm not going to have puns on profanity, nearly naked pin-up girls, or macabre names or pictures on my soap labels.

Sure, I can move a soap to one of the many empty tubs I have or peel off the label, but I'm not going to. Sometimes it's an entire brand and sometimes it's individual products, but I'll never buy them.

It is petty, but I get it. And I’m mostly with you on that one. But everyone is different and some folks like that. It’s niche. And yes, there are entire brands I steer clear of for one reason or another. That’s why I’m glad thee are so many choices out there, and another brand has soaps that are just as good as the ones you choose to avoid.

 

[Dave in KY]

In addition to what others have already said, I'll add another thing. It's petty, I know, but with dozens of companies and hundreds of products to choose from, I can be petty.

Offensive names, pictures, and marketing. I'm not going to have puns on profanity, nearly naked pin-up girls, or macabre names or pictures on my soap labels.

Sure, I can move a soap to one of the many empty tubs I have or peel off the label, but I'm not going to. Sometimes it's an entire brand and sometimes it's individual products, but I'll never buy them.

I Feel EXACTLY the same way Aaron. I like KJ understand why they do it sometimes but I stick with what I'm comfortable with and buy with my conscience.

 

[dangerousdon]

In addition to what others have already said, I'll add another thing. It's petty, I know, but with dozens of companies and hundreds of products to choose from, I can be petty.

Offensive names, pictures, and marketing. I'm not going to have puns on profanity, nearly naked pin-up girls, or macabre names or pictures on my soap labels.

Sure, I can move a soap to one of the many empty tubs I have or peel off the label, but I'm not going to. Sometimes it's an entire brand and sometimes it's individual products, but I'll never buy them.

It is petty, but I get it. And I’m mostly with you on that one. But everyone is different and some folks like that. It’s niche. And yes, there are entire brands I steer clear of for one reason or another. That’s why I’m glad thee are so many choices out there, and another brand has soaps that are just as good as the ones you choose to avoid.

I Feel EXACTLY the same way Aaron. I like KJ understand why they do it sometimes but I stick with what I'm comfortable with and buy with my conscience.

As a consumer I definitely respect the overall point of each one of you. After all...it is your money. I don't always agree with the opinions and views of those on the forums and Facebook. But I am definitely less concerned with graphics or names. Though I will admit that sometimes makers sometimes push the envelope on this...but even that I have a certain amount of respect for. And yes...I do realize that I am one of those people who purchase certain products that you guys don't like...but I am okay with that. We can all definitely like different things and we can all definitely disagree on things all the while still being friends!

 

[Dave in KY]

As a consumer I definitely respect the overall point of each one of you. After all...it is your money. I don't always agree with the opinions and views of those on the forums and Facebook. But I am definitely less concerned with graphics or names. Though I will admit that sometimes makers sometimes push the envelope on this...but even that I have a certain amount of respect for. And yes...I do realize that I am one of those people who purchase certain products that you guys don't like...but I am okay with that. We can all definitely like different things and we can all definitely disagree on things all the while still being friends!

Hey, I was just stating my feelings in support of Aaron since they are the same. No attack on you or anyone else. Never said I don't think others should do what they wish. Just giving my side of the coin knowing for some there is another side of the coin. It is understood that 1 persons pet peeve is not another persons or it wouldn't be happening, correct?

 

[GearNoir]

 

[Cvargo]

We all speak with our hard earned dollar. Nothing wrong that at all. There are a couple soaps I am not interested for similar reasons. I think when a maker does that they realize they will be limiting who they market it to, but they are okay with that.