Ingredients:
Distilled water infused with green tea & calendula, stearic acid, coconut oil, beef tallow, castor oil, glycerin, potassium hydroxide, lanolin, mango butter, sodium hydroxide, sodium lactate, bentonite clay, Moroccan red clay, fragrance oil, tussah silk.
Fragrance:
Cedar and saffron wet shave soap in the newest scent in my shaving soap line. The scent has fragrant cedar infused with the sensual smoky scents of patchouli, sandalwood, and vetiver, then topped with eastern spices and a trace of white musk.
It is infused with calendula and green tea and has the addition of two different kinds of clay instead of one. Both types of clay are said to be cleansing and detoxifying and they add a little bit of natural color to the puck.
Initial Thoughts: (4.8/5.0)
As stated above, Utah is churning out some wonderful shave accoutrements and this is no exception, especially when you factor in cost, which I normally do not do, however this stuff is a fantastic product for the price and uses very nice ingredients. The scent has fragrant cedar infused with the sensual smoky scents of patchouli, sandalwood, and vetiver, then topped with eastern spices and a trace of white musk. It is infused with calendula and green tea and has the addition of two different kinds of clay instead of one. Both types of clay are said to be cleansing and detoxifying and they add a little bit of natural color to the puck. It is a 4.75oz puck in a nicely adorned tin. The only complaint is the tin size as it can be a bit small for loading the lather.
Ingredients: Distilled water infused with green tea & calendula, stearic acid, coconut oil, beef tallow, castor oil, glycerin, potassium hydroxide, lanolin, mango butter, sodium hydroxide, sodium lactate, bentonite clay, Moroccan red clay, fragrance oil, tussah silk.
Latherability ( 5.0/5.0 )
This shave soap is very much like Stirling in the lathering stage. With slightly damp brush, after a teaspoon of water on the puck it creates a very nice pasty proto-lather for either bowl or face lathering. Again like Stirling it does require some dialing in on the water front, but once there very thick, slick and mounds of lather. For straight shaving it will require a bit more tweaking on the water ratio, once on the face and make sure you dry your hands or everything will go flying. Do not over water this soap or it can break. Get the ratio right and you will be rewarded, and the water band is quite wide.
On the Face: (4.7/5.0 )
Playing around a bit, you can dial this in on the face rather easily, very slick, protective and the fragrance, although very subtle, remains throughout the shave and does not evolve much. you can feel the effects of the clay's in the soap as it is very soft and silk like feeling on the face.
Stability: (5.0/5.0)
With the water ration right, go take a nap, walk around the house, whatever. When you come back to shaving the lather will be ready and waiting, very well hydrated. One word of caution, rinse your blade often, even a straight, as this lather is not giving up the ghost in any way, shape, or form
Glide / Slickness: (5.0/5.0)
Again Like the uniqueness of Stirling this stuff is uber slick, and the glide so smooth. You would be hard pressed to get a "singer" or any blade to make a noise while shaving with this soap. and actually gets better throughout the shave with tremendous post rinse residual slickness, just adding another layer to you subsequent passes.
Fragrance: (2.5/5.0 )
This is the only part of the soap that under performs, but that is subjective. The fragrance is great, although very subtle. the good news is it remains throughout the passes, while lathering, and post shave. It could be a bit stronger, however it is NOT, just cedar and saffron. This is a very complex fragrance. The best description I can think of is, years ago, some of you may remember, in most large malls there was a store called "Wicks & Sticks". It was a quirky store that sold artisan candles, medieval stuff, incense and so forth. Well the mash of all these fragrances hit you as soon as you went inside. Wonderfully calming and relaxing. If you did not have a wicks and sticks, go fins a candle store that has different fragrance infused candles, and you may get it.
Post Shave: ( 5.0 /5.0 )
no need for an aftershave splash or balm here, and what is unique is the fragrance just hangs on although light is is with you for the ride. Hydration and moisturizing of the face is outstanding. For those whom have dry skin, this will certainly be a winner for you, and for those like me, whom have oily or combination skin, fear not, as it does not become greasy over time, like some can. It is very similar to the feel of your skin with Shea Butter, but without the oily after effect that it can cause to more oily prone skins. One of the best post shaves of the hundreds of Soap tried, and exceeds even PannaCrema, Mystic Water, and Stirling in post shave face feel.
Summary: (32.0 / 35.0 )
Keep and eye on this artisan. Like many she makes other soaps and various stuff, but has the dedication to Natural Products, and Handmade small batch production. In the ever expanding debate on Artisan vs Commercial production Lisa's Herbal Creations fit the mold exactly in what should be considered an Artisanal Soap maker. There is always debate on the use of Bentonite, Moroccan , or any clay for that matter. but Lisa nails it here. Good ingredients, good product, fantastic shave soap, and for a price that is outstanding. As you know artisans can change flavors very quick, so if this sounds like a soap you would enjoy get it now, before it goes away. Truly a wonderful shave experience and since it scored over 30, it is a Tier 1 soap for sure.
