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Doug's Journal of Shaving Happiness v2.0

Journal Entry #623
2020 Shaves (DE: 157, SE: 37, Straight: 13, Cart: 0, Skipped: 11)

08/04/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Merkur 38c
Blade: Baili Super Blue Platinum (1)
Bowl: Fine lather bowl
Brush: Yaqi 24mm R1818 Aqua High Mountain Silvertip Badger
Soap/Cream: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Shave Cream (17) + 5 drops of glycerin
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Aftershave Balm (17)
Fragrance: Kierin NYC Nitro Noir


Overview
All good all over

SOTD Pics
None

Shave Quality
I decided to give my face a break from the Feather SS today and pulled out the Merkur 38c. @Jaro1069 was asking about them recently, so it was time to bring mine out. The shave was a smooth and easy two passes to not quite full BBS with no irritation. Merkur razors are some of the best out there, IMO. Adding extra glycerin to the lather has really helped it out.

Gear
38c + Baili Super Blue = a great combination for me. The 38c is a mild and efficient razor on my face. Merkurs will always be some of my favorites.

The Nitro Noir is a great fragrance for me. I love the woodiness of it. I think it is a keeper.

Other Thoughts
More of the things will be here soon.


Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
 
Journal Entry #624
2020 Shaves (DE: 158, SE: 37, Straight: 13, Cart: 0, Skipped: 11)

08/05/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Merkur 15c
Blade: Baili Super Blue Platinum (2)
Bowl: Fine lather bowl
Brush: Yaqi 24mm R1818 Aqua High Mountain Silvertip Badger
Soap/Cream: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Shave Cream (18) + 5 drops of glycerin
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Aftershave Balm (18)
Fragrance: Kierin NYC 10 A.M. Flirt


Overview
Another low irritation day brought to you by Merkur DEs

SOTD Pics
None

Shave Quality
The addition of extra glycerin has turned this cream into an almost elite tier performer. So, today's shave was good. Really, really good. The 15c skated across my face and left me BBS- in two passes. The extra glycerin left a bit of residue on my skin, but that combined with aftershave balms has my skin well hydrated. Today's shave was the best that I have had with the Maca Root cream so far. It is kind of a bummer, however, that it required adding additional glycerin to make it happen. But, let's not look a gift horse in the mouth. It was a spectacular shave.

Gear
I may try the new formulation of the Maca Root, but probably won't. Afterall there are so many top tier products out there. If the old formulation were still around, I wouldn't bother restocking it into the den. It isn't a good enough performer on its own.

Today's fragrance is really good. The smoky open was unexpected and fun.

Other Thoughts
My hip hurts today. Arthritis + going up and down a ladder for an hour or two last night has left me stiff today. But, the fact that all the smoke alarms in my house are now brand new is worth the stiffness today. They were around 20 years old and in need of replacement. I just wish the one hadn't started malfunctioning at 8:00 PM. I am glad that Lowe's was open until 9:00 and that the interconnected alarms are easily replaceable.


Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
 
Journal Entry #625
2020 Shaves (DE: 159, SE: 37, Straight: 13, Cart: 0, Skipped: 11)

08/06/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Gillette NEW short comb w/bar handle
Blade: Crown Platinum (1)
Bowl: Fine lather bowl
Brush: PAA Green Ray 24mm
Soap/Cream: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Shave Cream (19) + 5 drops of glycerin
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Aftershave Balm (19)
Fragrance: Bath & Body Works Midnight


Overview
A killer shave from some vintage brass

SOTD Pics
None

Shave Quality
I need to get back to my straights, but wasn't feeling them today. It was all about the Gillette NEW today, and it was a solid win. The lather was killer thanks again to extra glycerin. The two pass BBS is feeling really great. The alum block was silent on my face today. I could get used to that. Maybe tomorrow I will bring out some vintage steel. We'll see.

Gear
Looking good and feeling good thanks to good hardware and shaving software today.

The B&BW Midnight is a really enjoyable fragrance. I got it on closeout for 50% off. Check your local B&BW to see if they still have any. Apparently it released just as the lockdowns were occurring, so it didn't sell well and B&BW blew it out on clearance. But, at ~$20 USD for 100ml., it was a good deal.

Other Thoughts
A PSA for all of you:
Your smoke detectors should probably be replaced every decade or so. The ones in my house that I just replaced were overdue. Also, don't forget to change the batteries in your Carbon Monoxide and/or Radon detectors.


Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
 
Journal Entry #626
2020 Shaves (DE: 160, SE: 37, Straight: 13, Cart: 0, Skipped: 11)

08/07/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Gillette NEW long comb w/bar handle
Blade: Crown Platinum (2)
Bowl: Fine lather bowl
Brush: PAA Green Ray 24mm
Soap/Cream: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Shave Cream (20) + 5 drops of glycerin
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Aftershave Balm (20)
Fragrance: English Laundry Cambridge Knight


Overview
A vintage NEW delivers again.

SOTD Pics
None

Shave Quality
Two passes, BBS, great lather. What more could a shaver ask for?

Gear
The Tech and the NEW are both excellent shavers. It is easy to forget just how good they are when you don't use them often enough.

The Cambridge Knight is a great scent. I wish it were a stronger and longer lasting, but considering that I paid $13 for it, I can't complain too much.

Other Thoughts
Started watching the Hotel season of AHS. Damn is it good!


Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
 
Journal Entry #627
2020 Shaves (DE: 161, SE: 37, Straight: 13, Cart: 0, Skipped: 11)

08/08/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Gillette NEW short comb w/bar handle
Blade: Crown Platinum (2)
Bowl: Fine lather bowl
Brush: PAA Green Ray 24mm
Soap/Cream: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Shave Cream (20) + 5 drops of glycerin
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Aftershave Balm (20)
Fragrance: English Laundry Cambridge Knight


Overview
A vintage NEW delivers again.

SOTD Pics
IMG_20200808_133417775[1].jpg

Shave Quality
The shave was smooth enough, but I was left with lots and lots of irritation. It would have been BBS- if not for that. The irritation went away after a time, but it was quite noticeable while it lasted.

Gear
The SuperMax Blue Diamond isn't the greatest blade in the world. It was passable, but I think it may have been responsible for the irritation. I don't think I am going to keep using it.

The Yacht Man Blue isn't greatest thing ever. It is pleasant enough. I go anosmic to it almost instantly. When I can smell it, I like it.

Other Thoughts
Cleaning the house is going to take time. At least I have time to do it.


Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
 
Journal Entry #628
2020 Shaves (DE: 161, SE: 38, Straight: 13, Cart: 0, Skipped: 11)

08/09/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Stick Schick Injector
Blade: Chinese Schick (5)
Bowl: Fine lather bowl
Brush: PAA Green Ray 24mm
Soap/Cream: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Shave Cream (21) + 5 drops of glycerin
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Aftershave Balm (21)
Fragrance: Serge Lutens Fleurs d'Oranger


Overview
Oh the razor burn

SOTD Pics
None

Shave Quality
An ultra-smooth BBS that came with lots of lasting irritation. It is still going hours later. I think I may need a day off after this. I think my skin was still a little tender from yesterday.

Gear
All good on the shave gear. Maybe it is time to change the Injector blade, but it was probably just me not being careful enough.

Today's fragrance was really great. It apparently filled the whole house when I applied it.

Other Thoughts
I hate house cleaning.


Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
 
Journal Entry #629
2020 Shaves (DE: 162, SE: 38, Straight: 13, Cart: 0, Skipped: 11)

08/10/2020
No shave

Fragrance: Specimen Fragrances Beach Bum

08/11/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Gillette NEW short comb w/ bar handle
Blade: Tatra Platinum (1)
Bowl: Fine lather bowl
Brush: PAA Starcraft 24mm
Soap/Cream: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Shave Cream (22) + 5 drops of glycerin
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Aftershave Balm (22)
Fragrance: Specimen Fragrances Cherry Popper


Overview
Not too bad

SOTD Pics
tatra_platinum.jpg

Shave Quality
The shave was pretty good. I am going to call it BBS-. There is a tiny bit of irritation that shouldn't hang around long. The big problem is my adam's apple. I scraped it again, so it is a tiny bit raw. I need to work on that.

Gear
This new blade worked well for me. It isn't the best blade out there, but it is serviceable. I just need to be a bit more careful with it.

My scent of the day is a weird one.

Other Thoughts
I wish being healthy was easier.


Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
 
Journal Entry #630
2020 Shaves (DE: 163, SE: 38, Straight: 13, Cart: 0, Skipped: 11)

08/12/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: J4 Gillette Tech head on WCS/CG El Capitan handle
Blade: Tatra Platinum (2)
Bowl: Fine lather bowl
Brush: Yaqi 24mm R1818 Aqua High Mountain Silvertip Badger
Soap/Cream: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Shave Cream (23) + 5 drops of glycerin
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Aftershave Balm (23)
Fragrance: Specimen Fragrances Black Tar


Overview
Better than yesterday

SOTD Pics
None


Shave Quality
It was really close to BBS. I went a bit too hard with it, however. Also, I don't think this blade is the greatest thing on my face. Or else the Maca Root cream isn't... Either way there was some irritation that is only a ghost at this point in the afternoon.

Gear
Feeling kinda 'meh' about this blade. Astra SP is better.

I am not going to miss the Maca Root.

My scent of the day is a a sort of motorcycle scent. I am enjoying it. The wife won't care for it.

Other Thoughts
Have been going out for walks in the early afternoon the past few days. I think it is starting to have a positive effect on my mood and such. Today I walked a mile, but not for a Camel. (If you get the reference, you might be old.)


Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
 
Journal Entry #631
2020 Shaves (DE: 164, SE: 38, Straight: 13, Cart: 0, Skipped: 11)

08/13/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: J4 Gillette Tech head on WCS/CG El Capitan handle
Blade: Astra SP (1)
Bowl: Fine lather bowl
Brush: RazoRock Big Bruce
Soap/Cream: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Shave Cream (24) + 5 drops of glycerin
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Aftershave Balm (24)
Fragrance: Robert Graham Valour


Overview
This face is on fire.

SOTD Pics
None


Shave Quality
I used extra water today and got a thinner sloppier lather. I proceeded to perform my usual two passes. This time it wasn't just irritation that I was left with. I usually lather a third time and rinse it off for skin conditioning. The discomfort started as I lathered the second time. The third lather really set me off. Is my face getting more sensitive? This cream was fine when I used it a couple of years ago. It took at least an hour for the burning to completely subside. What is up with my face these days?

Gear
Not sure about my gear today. Thinking about tossing the rest of the Maca Root.

At least my fragrance of the day is wonderful.

Other Thoughts
The Zoom call last night is just what I needed.


Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
 
Now that is really surprising Doug because the Body Shop is super big on making irritation free products. I have a newer and older tub of the Maca Root stuff along with the AS gel and face protector and it is all really good for me anyway. Can't be the glycerin....maybe the cream turned on ya...?????
 
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