Quick review: Mike’s Natural Soaps’ Shampoo Bar

Finding the right shampoo can be tricky, even more so when I try to avoid the stuff where the list of ingredients sounds like an accident in a chemical factory… For several years I’ve been using the shampoo from BodyShop but recently I ordered a shampoo bar from Mike’s, based on the overall positive reviews over at my favourite shave forum.

After the first week of use I’m quite satisfied – it’s easy to use, although different than the liquid shampoo I’m used to, and my hair is clean. The scent is… well, lets say it took me a couple of days to get used to it, but now I find that I rather like it. I suspect it’s the combination of tea-tree oil and peppermint that caused me to pause at first. using the bar is simplicity itself – I just wet my hair, rub the bar over my scalp once, put the bar down, and then proceed as with regular shampoo.

As with everything else, shampoos is a case of YMMV – but with my dryish scalp and short hair I find that Mike’s shampoo bar do a good job with no mess. I’m happy I also picked up one of the travel bars to go in my GoBag.

Shave of the day 7th October

Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Liquid Eucalyptus Soap
Lather: Mike’s Rose & Cedarwood Soap (sample)
Brush: Semogue TSN 2012 LE
Razors: Merkur 39C Slant and Parker 22R TTO, both with a ZaZa Superior Stainless blade
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, alum and Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum

Shave of the day 4th October

Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Liquid Peppermint Soap
Lather: Arko Cool Mint Cream
Brush: Turkish No6
Razors: Merkur 39C Slant and Parker 22R TTO, both with a ZaZa Superior Stainless blade
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, alum and Krampert’s Finest 80 Below

How to choose a new razor

..or maybe how NOT to choose a new razor.

Shave of the day 2nd October

Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Liquid Peppermint Soap
Lather: Nivra Cream
Brush: Semogue TSN 2012 LE
Razors: Merkur 39C Slant and Parker 22R TTO, both with a ZaZa Superior Stainless blade
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, alum and Thayer’s Witch Hazel

Ten minutes to a good shave

Note to Europeans and other sensible people used to measuring temperatures in °Celsius: use water between 40.56°C and 48.89°C.

Shave of the say 30th September

Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Liquid Eucalyptus Soap
Lather: Proraso Eucalyptus & Menthol Cream
Brush:Vie Long 14033
Razors: Merkur 39C Slant and Parker 22R TTO, both with a fresh ZaZa Superior Stainless blade
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, alum and Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum

Shave of the day 27th September

Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Liquid Orange Soap
Lather: Mike’s Lime Soap (sample)
Brush: Vie Long 14033
Razors: YUMA, with a Shark blade
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, alum and Prorasu Liquid Cream After Shave Balm

Dilemma…

Or you could use a DE and save money and the environment…

Shave if the day 25th September

Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Liquid LavenderSoap
Lather: Mike’s Lavender & Rosemary Soap (sample)
Brush: Semogue TSN 2012 LE
Razors: YUMA, with a Shark blade
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, alum and Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum