I've probably tried about 15-20 soaps through out my wet shaving years and had to PIF most of them. I have a pretty severe nut allergy (including cocoa), along with some other essential oils. Sadly, most soaps contain some form of oil I'm allergic to. Out of all the soaps I've tried there's only been one that has never given me a reaction and has left my face feeling wonderful. It is Cella. I'm surprisingly fine with almonds and their oil. My skin seems to love it. I got lucky with that as Cella is a great soap worthy of its constant praise. I can whip up a fantastic lather with my trusty Omega Pro 49. ...still, Stirling has the best glide, cushion, slickness, and protection that I've ever felt in a soap. The post-shave feel was easily the best I've had the honor of having. That's why it breaks my heart that I'll have to part ways with this Heavenly soap. But, like I said before - I found my saving grace in their aftershave splashes. Wonderful scents and they work wonders on my skin. I want to give Rod and his company all the help that I can. His products are remarkable. Edit - I forgot a soap - La Toja. It didn't have me break out, but I just wasn't all that impressed with the performance. I heard good things, but maybe it has to do with my water. We have well water and that can sometimes kill some of my soap's lathers.
Send Rod and Mandy a nice note and ask what they have that word work for you. Eliminate the trial and error. I'd imagine they both are up for a good challenge, they may just get to work on something that would cater to people I your position. Any customer service contact I've had with them has been A+ accommodating.
That's a good idea, and that would be amazing. I've tried their Beeswax formula and it still had me break out. But, I'm sure Rod and Mandy are both incredibly busy making soap and running a popular and successful business. I wouldn't want to trouble them with that. My wife has been looking at their site for the last two days and has been making a huge list of bath soaps and body butters to try out and use. They have a terrific business.
I had a reaction to their Bay Rum aftershave. 1 email and an hour or so.... Not only did I know what caused it, I was told what other products to stay away from too. If you simply lay out your problem and ask their suggestions, I'm certain you will be pleased with the direction of the conversation. You don't have to ask for special treatment, but I bet you get it. Questions are free and so are the answers. You can't be the first with a nut allergy. Both of them are smart enough to know the hour they spend helping you will sell 10x the product you buy because word of mouth is crucial to any small business.
I just might then, thank you. Honestly, if they could mimic the ingredients/recipe of Cella, I'd be all set, haha. Give it their Stirling Flair - Maybe give it their Almond Cream scent, and I'd buy it by the Kilo. I'm now wondering if it might be the Castor Oil. I do believe my wife has some and I might do a small dot test on my forearm tonight to see if I break out from it. The only other thing I can think of is that it might actually be the lanolin. I face lather and maybe scrubbing that much lanolin on my face is a little too much. I use pure lanolin oil on my hands and arms, and never had a reaction.
I don't use a stand for any of my brushes. Brushes don't need to hang to dry properly. There are tons of threads on this, scattered about. They look nice, but that's about it.
Specialty Bottle. It worked out , with shipping, to $1.92 ea. I grabbed their 8 oz low profile jars. You might even save more if you prefer not getting plastic. I grabbed plastic since it would not fall and break into a million sharp pieces. I thought of tin but I wasn't sure it wouldn't rust, I liked the screw tops and of course they look cool.
This may be an odd request but maybe if you bowl lathered and used a softer brush if that might help too. Any chance it is the brush? Have you verified that a spot of soap on your arm causes a reaction? For kicks put some soap in your hands and without a brush just work up a lather and apply it to your face - no brush. Then let it sit a short while and rinse off. I just want to make sure it isn't the sum total activity that is irritating . Best of luck
Hello everyone, it's been awhile since I've been around. I'm a menthol addict! I received my order from Stirling on Thursday. Friday it was unseasonably warm here in Atlanta, the Lemon Chill was fantastic, today it will be Black Ice, and Sunday margaritas for me all day including my shave. Having all that menthol around, I gotta say I feel much better now.
This is what I do, too. I've never had a problem. I remember reading somewhere that it's better for the knot because once you shake out the excess water, evaporation is what continues to dry the brush and it supposedly dries quicker bristles up...
Only one bad reaction to a Stirling soap: Executive Man. Lit my face up. PIF'd it to my son. Funny, the Sharp Dressed Man effects me not.
