May 13, 2026 (Mystic May Every Other Day)
• Bowl: Doug Smith Pottery – Ceramic Shave Bowl
• Brush: Semogue – 1500 (Boar)
• Razor: Ern – Model 421; 11/16, Full Hollow, Square Point
• Soap: Mystic Water – Maestrale
• Aftershave: Floïd – The Genuine After Shave
• Balm: Bundubeard – Reijger Aftershave Balm
• Fragrance: Olympic Orchids – Olympic Amber
Yesterday, I wrote about Gentleman’s Nod’s Musashi transporting me to different places that I have been before. Today, I was transported to somewhere I have never been before by Mystic Water’s Maestrale. As I have written before, Michelle has lived in Sardinia, Italy. And she notes that “‘Maestrale’ is the name of the bracing wind that brings fresh, clear weather to the island of Sardinia, where spike lavender, rosemary and peppermint grow wild.” And, that is the bracing, cooling, herbal essential oil blend in this soap.
Spike lavender (some may know it as Portuguese lavender) has more of a camphor, herbal, stimulating effect. In fact, lavandin, is a natural hybrid of spike lavender and English lavender. This gives you a sense of how strong spike lavender can be. Michelle, as usual, blends the peppermint, rosemary, and spike lavender in a balanced and thoughtful way. This is bracing and cooling for those hot summer days when the heat is bearing down on you. Like a blast of sea spray, it cleanses and reinvigorates. This is not shave soap as perfumery. This is shave soap as aromatherapy. However, when we think of aromatherapy, we tend to think of relaxing and calming. But, that is not all we need. This is to wake us up. This is to cut through and clarify. This is that cup of coffee. And, it’s one thing when it’s the menthol making your face tingle. It’s quite another when the essential oils are in the air working on your sinuses and mind. This soap, like all of Michelle’s soaps, does something to me and a lot for me.
Have an awesome day, friends!
