Phoenix&Beau: My vegan & tallow shaving soaps [testers required]

Good morning all,

Whilst we're all enjoying the scent assessment process (and waiting for your V8.3's) can I ask for your thoughts on packaging and pricing, please? What size pucks / tubs do you tend to go for, e.g. traditional 125ml, smaller 60ml refills, etc and what price bracket do you shop within, e.g price per ounce, etc? What would you like to see in new packaging? Plastic, wood, glass, aluminium, etc?
 
Good morning Kerry, I personally buy smaller refills unless I know the product is excellent and will be rotated over the year. In which case I would buy a bigger puck and would prefer a wooden container to avoid broken glass. Price/ounce really depends on the quality of the final product.
 
Nishy said:
Good morning Kerry, I personally buy smaller refills unless I know the product is excellent and will be rotated over the year. In which case I would buy a bigger puck and would prefer a wooden container to avoid broken glass. Price/ounce really depends on the quality of the final product.
Click to expand...
+1 on this
 
I had another sniff just and I have just used the numbers and not the description.

1. Initial citrus/lemon, smokey and earthy. Not for me at all.
2. Citrus,Spice,Wood,Sage and Lavender. This one I like.
3. Dirty rose, smoke,menthol/eucalyptus a bit sweet but it is growing on me.
4. Heavy Citrus smell, very sickly Not for me at all.
5. Spicy/woody made my eyes water not sure why. This one I like.
6. Cannot figure out, but know it is not for me.
in order;
2.
3.
5.
1,4 & 6 I don't like.
Things did not change from last night.
As far as packaging and cost, well cost will be determined by quality. I don't like large containers as they take too long to use up. Prefer quality plastic or aluminium screw top containers with enough surface area to load the brush. No wood or glass.
Hope this helps.
 
phoenixandbeau said:
Many thanks @Nishy interesting that you placed Boudicea in 2nd place but probably wouldn't go for it as a purchase. Re number 3 (Albion) it's heavily scented with sandalwood and has (along with several more essential oils) a quantity (though not too much) of benzoin and ylang ylang. That's your sweetness right there and I think we all have a certain fragrance that triggers bad drinking memories :D:eek: Mine is sweet orange and whiskey, aka Southern Comfort.. :eek:

Thanks again for your feedback.

Whilst version V8.3 is curing* can I have a last call for scent feedback, please. Your comments are very important to me and I'd like to hear what you think about the six scents.
@grarea
@missingskin (hope the cold's better ;))
@Hippo
@mouse

Have you managed to have a sniff?
*I'm pencilling next Monday (the 30th) as sending you all your next test samples.
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Hiya Kerry, I just listed the numbers as to preference, rating them individually would be different, is this what you wanted? If so not a problem. Number 6 was the standout scent from the selection, but (this is highly personal) not standout in terms of overall rating.

I like the smoke, and I like darker scent profile, but with EO I find deeper scents do lack depth due to EO's lighter and more crisp nature. I understand that quality (more complex and deeper) sandalwood, oud and vetiver tones come at a substantial price when considered as an EO. I would suggest adding a mitti (indian mud) vein into number 6 and perhaps a santal blend with leather. It seems and I could be wrong, that Indian based fragrances are making a comeback amongst soap makers. Douglas is bringing out 2 scents this week one called Magi which sounds superb, as well as SC. I prefer a darker, deeper scent profile this time of year. I find myself wearing applewood/apple brandy/cinnamon/vetiver/oud mixtures a lot more, in tune with far eastern (minus oriental flower based) fragrances.
 
Nishy said:
Hiya Kerry, I just listed the numbers as to preference, rating them individually would be different, is this what you wanted? If so not a problem. Number 6 was the standout scent from the selection, but (this is highly personal) not standout in terms of overall rating.

I like the smoke, and I like darker scent profile, but with EO I find deeper scents do lack depth due to EO's lighter and more crisp nature. I understand that quality (more complex and deeper) sandalwood, oud and vetiver tones come at a substantial price when considered as an EO. I would suggest adding a mitti (indian mud) vein into number 6 and perhaps a santal blend with leather. It seems and I could be wrong, that Indian based fragrances are making a comeback amongst soap makers. Douglas is bringing out 2 scents this week one called Magi which sounds superb, as well as SC. I prefer a darker, deeper scent profile this time of year. I find myself wearing applewood/apple brandy/cinnamon/vetiver/oud mixtures a lot more, in tune with far eastern (minus oriental flower based) fragrances.
Click to expand...
Thanks @Nishy that's great reading. I'll add it all to my research.
 
Nishy said:
Good morning Kerry, I personally buy smaller refills unless I know the product is excellent and will be rotated over the year. In which case I would buy a bigger puck and would prefer a wooden container to avoid broken glass. Price/ounce really depends on the quality of the final product.
Click to expand...
+ 1 for me on this one as well...100-150 is big enough I Reckon....o_O

Billy
 
Evening all,

Well I'm on to my third shave with V8.3 and I thought I'd share some pictures.

1: Here's the 10g sample enjoying a quick bloom. Hardware = Gillette Rocket HD with a brand new Japanese feather.
IMAG0617_zpsyeaxdhmz.jpg

2: 30 second load with what I think was slightly too wet a brush (I'm testing to see how thirsty the soap is; moderately it turns out) :). Proto-lather painted on to my face whilst I set about loading.
IMAG0621_zpsyf88sssm.jpg

3: Three cycles of lathering; 30 second bursts with a few drops of water added at the beginning to get the slickness just how I like it. This produces a lovely thick, stiff and yoghurty lather that has a great sheen to it.
IMAG0628_zpsastjxwhg.jpg

4: This is the brush after I've face lathered; with what I had on my face, on the brush and left in the bowel I had enough for way in excess of 5 passes. As it was I enjoyed a 2 pass with and across the grain shave on 2 days of stubble. With the 3 shaves I've had so far it's producing a consistently rich lather that provides very nice cushion and glide. Post shave is turning out to be equally pleasant; no drying and once my skin has properly dried / is breathing again it's left feeling smooth with a slight silky feel to it.
IMAG0631_zpsq1mfykdq.jpg


So far, so good. I've got a sample out with a trusted wet shaving friend who has used his feather straight and (same feather) mongoose SE. He states - "went very well - good lather & glide - Very good, smooth, no dryness or tightness".

More soon :D

Kerry.
 
Afternoon Gents,

I have the next iteration of my vegan formula ready for sharing with the same 12, I shall send the samples out in the post tomorrow. Usual rules apply, please; objective and detailed feedback sought. This version is made up of the following:
  • Stearic acid (for lubricating / softening properties)
  • Coconut oil (lather volume enhancer)
  • Castor oil (enhances the creaminess of the formula)
  • Hemp oil (high in conditioning and oleic (slip) properties)
  • Unrefined shea butter (high in conditioning properties)
  • Glycerin
  • Distilled water
As well as the above I also have a tallow / lanolin / shea butter version to share / gather feedback on, though this time I have 20x samples to share. The formula is based around the following:
  • Stearic acid
  • Beef tallow
  • Castor oil
  • Unrefined shea butter
  • Lanolin (superb post shave and protective qualities)
  • Safflower oil (excellent post shave / slip enhancing properties)
  • Glycerin
  • Tussah silk (improves slip)
  • Allantoin (mitigates skin irritation)
  • Vitamin E (preservative & anti-irritant)
  • Distilled water
  • Coconut milk (adds a deep richness to the lather)
Who would like to test the latter for me, please? The same rules apply here also; testers to provide detailed and objective feedback.

Kind regards,

Kerry.

Please add your names to the 20:
  1. @nick_s
















 
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