The Subjectivity of Soap Scents: What is "good" and what "stinks"?

Last night, I was attempting to create some order in my 'shave den' and began sorting the soap pucks and tubes of creams from all the other collected paraphernalia. My wife and two of my sons happened to be present as I began stacking up the items for sorting. When I had separated over 30 pucks (!) into nice, neat stacks of tins, I had the idea of asking them their opinions on the scents of all these soaps. I was curious to see how their opinions compared to my own. So began the 'soap sniffing' party...

The results I found interesting.
There was clearly some scents that all three found off-putting—and I was inclined to agree on some of these choices. I know this 'testing' is a 'YMMV' situation and choice of scents is a very personal one. But since I share close quarters with these participants, I wanted to hear their likes and dislikes.
The worst offenders? (in no particular order)

• A white cake of Williams I had in a plastic container—all disliked the scent immensely and the boys asked if it actually was a soap and not a urinal puck.
• Tabac - All three said it smelled like Grandma (my mom), who wears Miss Dior. I love this soap, but I had to agree with their observations.
• Shea Moisture Shave Butter Créme - a gag reflex from two soap sniffers, an earthy, slightly citrus scent that I personally don't mind, but it was not popular with the participants.
• Stirling 'Beer' - yes, it does smell of beer, but unfortunately, smells more like the stale, yeasty smell of old, leftover beer. Brought to mind the scent of the morning after big frat parties in college. No one cared for the scent.
• Valobra Fougére - All thought it too powdery and 'perfumey', 'like really cheap perfume' I actually don't mind the scent, but I was alone in this observation.
• Petal Pushers Fancies Oakmoss & Sage - My wife practically retched when sniffing this puck; the others merely made a wrinkled face. I was asked, "Can soap spoil?" as the scent reminded them of fermenting vegetation. I favor a 'sage' scent, but this one can be overpowering.
• RazoRock Cumba Cheech - thumbs down from 3 participants; I happen to like the clean, citrusy scent.
• Stirling 'Black Ice' - split vote, 2 for; 2 opposed. Anise-scented (black licorice); I enjoy it.
• RazoRock XXX - Old-fashioned barber-shop scent that I really like, but I was the only one; wife didn't care for it, and the boys thought the scent belonged in a retirement home
• Mike's Natural Vetiver - a grassy, slightly smoky scent that 75% didn't care for.

The favorites? (in no particular order)

• Cella - All enjoyed the strong almond scent; one thought it too sweet smelling for a morning shave.
• Stirling 'Coconut' - fresh-smelling, tropical; all liked it
• Stirling 'Margaritas in the Arctic'- Citrus, limey scent, "lime smells real, not fake'" all liked the scent.
• L'Occitiane Cade - clean-smelling, 'smells like it's expensive...'
• DR Harris Marlborough - 'manly-scent,' all liked the scent.
• Martin De Candre, regular - 'clean,' 'I like it...' exotic'
• Martin De Candre, fougére - 'citrus & herby' 'nice..' all liked the fougére, but preferred the regular MdC scent.
• Institut Karité- 'fresh scent,' 'a little flowery' All liked this soap scent.
• Pre de Provence - 'Sage,' 'smells like the herb garden' 'a good man's soap...'
• Provence Sante Green Tea - subtle, but pleasing smell, "...smells like an expensive guy's soap.." I find it a bit 'feminine...'
• Mike's Natural Orange,Cedar & black pepper - orange, woody; 3 of 4 liked it;

There were a number of soaps that brought indifferent reactions from the 'testers' due to the scents being so mild that no strong opinions were formed— Mitchell's Wool Fat, for example. I know that MWF's scent grows much stronger when lathered, but the hard puck is very subtle.

Overall, this was a fun sampling. No NEW ground was broken with regards to what exactly makes a GOOD SMELLING soap. But I am always interested in sharing scented products and garnering opinions from others—especially those who have to be around me and are subject to possible olfactory assaults from my choice of soaps and aftershaves.

 

And then there was Arko..... lol.

Personally, I like PPF Oakmoss & Sage. But, scent is subjective. And I find the PS Green Tea interesting in that they pegged it as an expensive guy's soap. Green Tea soap always smells feminine to me.

As always, YMMV.

 

Ok from this testing, I think I'm going to try RazoRock Cumba Cheeck (i like citrus), Stirling 'Coconut', and maybe the Dr Harris Marlborough...they all sound like I'd like them lol I have to agree on the Shea Moisture Butter Ceme.. the smell is a little different. Not enough so that I dont use it, but enough so that it would never be my daily.

 

Scents both in terms of soaps and fragrances is the one area that in the shaving arena that I am weakest in. I know what scents I like, but my nose is not able to detect and differentiate all the various scent notes. I can identify the primary scent if it is clear such as citrus, vanilla, musk, leather, but the blends, top notes and middle notes my nose cannot clearly identify. I do appreciate the talent of those than can identify the differences and usually if it is a Fragrance I will go to basenotes.net to try to find out if there is a general review and breakdown of the scent so I can better understand what I am smelling.

 

Alas, but no Arko in the house. The PPF Oakmoss scent I find is actually milder when lathered. But a freshly-opened puck tin packs a wallop. I agree on the feminine tilt on the green tea soap...at least to my nose—probably why it isn't in my regular rotation.

 

You added soaps to my list... my wife is about to dread me. or.. dead me?

 

Just tell her about all the money you're saving over cart shaving.

 

She's smart though

 

Well, then... it was nice knowing you.

 

Ah how I love PdP but it makes me itch.

 

I've done the same thing with my wife and daughter. I also do aftershaves, Cella and WSO get high marks from my girls. The only aftershave my wife approves of oddly, Clubman Vanilla. Your list is super!

 

If I let my SWMBO smell my stash (!), I could just as well put it all on the Nope List. She's a general scent-disliker.

Makes my life easier - I get the soaps/creams I want and our couch is big enough for her not to smell me

Nice list though

 

Whoops! I added a few more (RazoRock XXX , Stirling, Mike's Naturals) to the list as somehow I managed to skip over them while typing in earlier.


Some (about 8 or so) of the more nondescript soaps not on the list are some 'artisan-made' as well as some store-bought glycerin soaps with negligible aroma.

 

Probably dead you......I think with his list there are a lotof new soaps to try. I know there are a few more for me to try.

 

Kevin
You did a great review there. I enjoyed reading it.

 

Especially now with Dapper about to swim with the fishes.

 

I lost my gils last week you guys!

 

See post #9 above.

 

You can't even send a penguin or 50 to save me?! I guess I'll take it like a man and scream like a girl.

 

And interfere with the plans of a woman who would give her husband cement shoes? I'm not crazy, you know. Although I hear that screaming like a little girl sometimes attracts rescue dolphins.