Factors for Purchasing Soaps

I would say general regards as being an excellent performer within the wet shaving community first and foremost followed by scent selections that are appealing to me.

If an artisan makes one of the highest regarded soaps in the world but doesn't offer it in a scent I find appealing, I'll move right along.

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In addition to my prior comments, I'll have to add, I'm not a cheapskate.  If is good for my face and I like it, I'll pay whatever the amount.  I'm very peculiar as to what I use on my skin.

+1 and this is why I mainly use good quality artisanal soaps.

I always search the web to find actual users reviews or comments. I must admit when I do this and see very positive comments then purchase the product, I have never been disappointed.

Hype can sometimes persuade me, but not often anymore (been 6+ years on the forums)

New formulas and scents

People, who I trust, don't hype it, but inform/advice me on products they own and enjoy

Collection OCD - I have always been a collector

Scent and!!! No burning my skin.

These are in no particular order, just some factors I consider when buying shaving products.


1. Positive reviews
2. scent
3. performance
4. price (including shipping)
5. shipping time and customer service


I usually add the shipping cost to the cost of the soap, since that is how much I have to come out of pocket. Often you can get free shipping on larger orders which is nice.

When you are buying new soaps what factors lead you to buying a soap?

Do you go by reviews? Past experience with the artisan's soaps? Recommendation from a friend? Hype here in the forums? Certain description of the scent? Tallow or Vegan? A special edition that you must have?

I like reviews quite a bit, especially for scents and scent strength determination. I prefer tallow but I'm not married to it, as I own several brands of soap that perform well which aren't tallow. I do like going with a vendor I've used before and many times, I develop brand loyalty and stick with those vendors because I know I can trust their products, but also because I want that vendor to stay in business and keep making soaps I love.

For brand new artisans/brands, its pretty much all based on review and then I hope to be able to obtain a sample of the product before I purchase. Sometimes I take a chance but its rare.

I have what I would call a "trusted circle" of friends who share similar taste and if they recommend that I try something it will find it's way to Austin.

Ingredient lists that I have come to prefer also factor in. Not a guarantee but a good start.

Beyond that, as SCShaver mentioned, trusted artisans and their offerings always have a home in the library.

Finally, if it is unique in some way such as Abbate y la Mantia with saffron or Tallow + Steel with self rendered tallow it piques my interest.

Not sure who I am kidding, I just like trying new soaps. All the above is just a rationalization

The main factor is the scent then the packaging and quality.

I meant to add, more often than not, samples affect my decision. I've been fortunate in trying a couple of Barrister & Mann soaps lately and they didn't burn me, but I would say roughly 20 to 25% of soaps burn my skin from the fragrance. Typically, I like trying a sample of something first, before I buy it just so I can test it out with a lather or two on my skin, to make sure I don't get any hives or red skin irritation. I traditionally favor artisans that offer samples but here and there, I'll just buy something on impulse, if I feel strongly that the essential oils/fragrance of something won't cause me an issue, if it hasn't in the past.