Maestrale is wonderful too, just had to refill mine. The scents seem more polished/complex than most.
I've had a terrible reaction to every soap I've tried except MW Lilies of the Valley. A wild lavender sample is up for tomorrow morning. We'll see how that goes. Michelle has sent me some lengthy emails helping to explain the effects of various ingredients. Great customer service.
Another thing that was evident in her email is that she has put a lot of thought into every ingredient that is in her soap . . . and maybe more importantly, every ingredient that is NOT in her soap. I inquired of her the possibility that I am reacting to coconut oil. She replied - "a little bit of coconut oil is fine and produces the big, billowy bubbles that people like to see in their soaps, but too much is drying and even a little bit will make some people itch. It was a challenge to make a good shaving soap without using coconut but I wanted to make the gentlest soap that I could. " She added that "Originally, I had wheat protein in there as a skin protectant, but I took that out because of possible gluten allergy issues."
And it makes GREAT lather and a really smooth shave! What's not to love?!
The term "soap artisan" does not do her justice. She is wonderfully talented. It's almost insulting when I read posts that write the soap off because it doesn't lather like other soaps. If you find the lather and decide it's not for you, I can respect that. But her soaps deserve an honest review.
The term "soap artisan" does not do her justice. She is wonderfully talented. It's almost insulting when I read posts that write the soap off because it doesn't lather like other soaps. If you find the lather and decide it's not for you, I can respect that. But her soaps deserve an honest review.
I know that the people who write those posts are being honest in their assessment, but I can't figure out why it isn't working for them. I've been at this for a total of 6 weeks and here's a picture of my first bowl of MW. It had nice firm peeks at first, but since this was a practice bowl I kept adding water to see what it would do. That resulted in softer peaks, but still not even close to thin and foamy. Maybe I'm just blessed with good lather water.
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I think this along with the careful crafting is what makes the lather so good to your skin. Water, water, water. As much as I tire of the hyperbole Charles down at Enchante has been preaching this for years. Water is the lubricant your skin wants. His Hydrolast products load up with it and so does Michelle's soap.
And yes, water qualities do make a difference in lathering ability. Sometimes a big difference. But not to the point I have seen this soap described.
I have been using it since its first incarnation that was a far cry from the finished product we use now. And though I am a dedicated fanboy I was tough on it during testing. If you'd like you can ask Michelle. I was brutally honest during the development of this soap. And let me add for the record I do not receive free samples, product, or any 'inside information'. I am just a super satisfied customer. This is the best shave soap I have ever used.
These are truly one of the best soaps around, along with Mike's and Jabonman soaps! Michelle is a true artist when it comes to the soap and scents.
The term "soap artisan" does not do her justice. She is wonderfully talented. It's almost insulting when I read posts that write the soap off because it doesn't lather like other soaps. If you find the lather and decide it's not for you, I can respect that. But her soaps deserve an honest review.
I have to add a LOT of water and goof around quite a bit to make her lather break. And yes, water qualities do make a difference in lathering ability. Sometimes a big difference. But not to the point I have seen this soap described.