How To Grow A Mustache Gondolier Synergy Shaving Soap Review Performance: 10/10 Scent: 9/10 Value: 10/10 Ingredients: 10/10 This is my second review of a Synergy Soap, and I'm still impressed, perhaps even more so with this Gondolier scent than with the previously reviewed HTGAM Lime. This soap easily provides loads of lather that feels great on the face while providing excellent slip and protection. My face also feels great after my shave - smooth and comfortably moisturized. The Gondolier scent is fast becoming a favorite - my wife likes it, too. I would describe it as floral with some woodsy tones, like a cologne more than a soap. The trick with all three HTGAM Synergy soaps I've used (I recently tried the Meta Nectar, and that scent is amazing!), is to warm up the soap while you shower or prepare for your shave. You could just pour hot water on top the puck, or dunk the whole thing in the sink with your soaking brush. Either way, this step is important, both for waking up the scent, and for helping your brush whip the lather, not that it would need much help, but a slightly softer surface never hurt anyone. The lather builds quickly and thickly on my face, and I find lots more lather deep inside the brush to add to subsequent passes. I like to add a few drops of water to the brush before lathering for my third pass, this warms up the brush and makes the lather feel fuller and more comfortable. Overall, I cannot recommend this soap highly enough. It has become a challenger for my favorite - right up there with Tabac for me. Having said that, the Meta Nectar reminds me a bit of Tabac, but with a warmer scent, perhaps orange rind or dark cinnamon. Either way, IMHO, it's hard to go wrong with any HTGAM soap at this point. When I started traditional shaving last summer, I thought I would never need anything but my first cream - Proraso Green. Now, I rarely use it anymore, instead reaching for an artisan soap like HTGAM.
Excellent review, but you should have bolded and underlined the following statement ... The most important part of a shaving product may be to have a high WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) score!
Really, that's interesting. I agree that Synergy is a very good soap. I haven't tried this scent yet but now it's a lot more tempting. I was going to back off buying soaps for a while.
It does make it easier when my wife likes a scent, but for me it applies more to longer lasting scents, like colognes. Her reaction to Givenchy Pi in the store made it instantly worth the money - I would never have spent that much if I were alone!
I recently received the HTGAM Cavendish soap STICK and thought I'd pass along how pleased I was. I like using sticks because I can control how much product I use when I face lather. When I first opened the stick, I was a little apprehensive because it almost looks like a melt and pour soap and I don't usually get along with them, but I was wrong. The soap is soft and the whiskers pick it up easy. The lather and shave were outstanding. If you like the HTGAM soaps and like to face lather, then I can't imagine you won't like it in a stick.
Synergy makes a fantastic soap IMO. I have the BayRum and the Pumpkin and I like them both VERY much. From someone who uses very few outside products, this is one that I do use. That says something...at least I think it does anyway.... lol
Well written review. Also you need to take into account what "She Who Must be Obeyed" has to say about the scent of a Shaving Cream or Shaving Soap and for that matter an After Shave smells like and or if SWMbO likes it. I sleep too soundly to risk wether she likes the smell of it. Good review. I might have to try some of their soaps.
Good review...Well said. I received Synergy's Gondolier and Meta Nectar in the mail yesterday...Shaved with Meta Nectar and it is a terrific soap with a great scent. My fourth Synergy soap and they all lather well! Tomorrow is reserved for Gondolier and my 59 Slim with a Gillette Super Blue blade. Can't wait =))
I almost pulled the trigger, but the price seemed kinda steep...for the large tin it would cost $23.60 shipped. I have very little experience with soaps so I don't really know if the price is right. Shipping was $6.65. So then I priced smaller tin which was $10 less. I got the smaller one even though its not as good of a value in the case my mileage varies from the OP.
