March 1 Focus Shave - Cold Water
Razor: Rex Ambassador
Blade: Silver Star
Soap: Barrister & Mann Paganini's Violin
I was getting desperate for a March Focus, and tonight I was inspired at the last moment to select Cold Water shaving for the month of March. I live in the sunny southeast, and the cold water is actually quite warm once the weather heats up. There is at least a hint of chill in the cold tap right now. The shave was not uncomfortable or unpleasant in any way; only a slight shock during initial face washing, but I was well adjusted by rinse-off. It is a little weird to feel the cold metal of the razor, but not a problem Shave was smooth, and I am irritation free afterwards.
If you have not tried B&M's new omnibus soap base, I recommend it. A unique lathering experience, and the most remarkable post-shave feel. I could not resist the recent release of Paganini's Violin and Passaflora. I read the following description of Paganini's Violin posted by someone on another forum:
To me, it has a familiar, romantically haunting tone, reminiscent of waking up the morning after after your first real date with your first childhood sweetheart, still smelling the perfume she wore (though it is fading) on your hands, because you held her‘s throughout the entire movie. That is what Paganini’s Violin smells like, to me. It’s youthful, but elegant. It’s subtle, but hints of it last all day. Simply brilliant.
How could I resist the opportunity to be magically transported to the early 1980s and all of the exuberance and promise of youth? I have used Paganini's Violin twice now, and, well boys, I confess it wasn't magical or even emotional. Don't get me wrong, it is really nice, but mild and subtle. I am not at all disappointed in the soap. I am only sad about its inability to evoke poetry and the thrill of youthful innocence. I guess that's a lot to ask of a $19.99 tub of shaving product.
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