Grooming Dept

Bufflehead Soap which I love, only uses the duck fat after the cook of the soap - just as a superfat.

I'm glad you enjoy the soap, but your statement is incorrect.

Can't wait for Aether to be released.

I have five of the scents but am missing Vetiver Noble. Mohammad was kind enough to include a nice sized sample of the Vetiver Noble in an order. They are all wonderful but I think my favorite is one I initially would not have picked...Elan. Primarily juniper but it is so beautifully blended with the other notes and the next batch will be stronger!

Bufflehead Soap which I love, only uses the duck fat after the cook of the soap - just as a superfat.

I'm glad you enjoy the soap, but your statement is incorrect.

I stand corrected! my apologies.

The lavender soap arrived yesterday. Did a couple test face lathers and have a few comments. Labels are nicely done and tub is sturdy so I am happy with packaging. Mohammad, thank you for your hand written note. It is very much appreciated. A couple comments on the smell out of the tub. It seems to me that is has medium scent strength and does smell like a mix of different types of lavender. Personally, I don't dislike the scent but I don't love it. To me, it reminds me of a lavender product that has some other notes of added ylang ylang and orange oil. This scent has more of a feminine smell to me or maybe it isn't herbaceous or spicy enough to me. I love a lot of lavender scents and this one still is nice, but it doesn't appeal to me quite as much as I would like.

More importantly, the smell is pleasant and I will be able to use it happily and see how well the performance works on my skin. Anytime a soap can take a lot of water while lathering, it tends to be something I favor and can consider using. So when I read everyone saying how well the lather works with the incorporated water, I was happy to give it a try. I gave it a test lather with 2 different silver tip badger brushes and it was very easy to use. Both lathers were consistent with what I shoot for. When I pull the lather out of the knot, the center peak should drool with a bit of water or runny type lather. It isn't really a success unless all the lather looks glossy and doesn't have a matte or dry appearance. Both lathers fell slick and softening on the face.

I look forward to giving it a shave today or tomorrow. One more note, The texture of the soap is a soft for a soft soap. This really isn't my preference but it seemed to be okay during the loading phase. I left the soap to cure a bit with the lid off so I can get a bit of a firmer consistency. Luckily, neither of my feelings on the scent or softness in texture are not deal breakers for me. I am really looking forward to the shave with this soap.

GroomingDept Mohammad, can I ask what are the different types of lavender are i this and if you can share how long the soap cures for before packing and shipping?

Just had my second shave with one of Mohammad's soaps.  Mohammad - you have outdone yourself!  I used the Elan soap and the lather was nothing short of amazing.  I face lather and I kept working up this thick, rich lather till it got to the point that i wanted to eat it!  and the post shave feel was glorious. Even though i have too many soaps to even begin to count, i'm on my way back to your website to buy some more!  btw, i'm sending you a private message with a question.

thanks!

The lavender soap arrived yesterday. Did a couple test face lathers and have a few comments. Labels are nicely done and tub is sturdy so I am happy with packaging. Mohammad, thank you for your hand written note. It is very much appreciated. A couple comments on the smell out of the tub. It seems to me that is has medium scent strength and does smell like a mix of different types of lavender. Personally, I don't dislike the scent but I don't love it. To me, it reminds me of a lavender product that has some other notes of added ylang ylang and orange oil. This scent has more of a feminine smell to me or maybe it isn't herbaceous or spicy enough to me. I love a lot of lavender scents and this one still is nice, but it doesn't appeal to me quite as much as I would like.

More importantly, the smell is pleasant and I will be able to use it happily and see how well the performance works on my skin. Anytime a soap can take a lot of water while lathering, it tends to be something I favor and can consider using. So when I read everyone saying how well the lather works with the incorporated water, I was happy to give it a try. I gave it a test lather with 2 different silver tip badger brushes and it was very easy to use. Both lathers were consistent with what I shoot for. When I pull the lather out of the knot, the center peak should drool with a bit of water or runny type lather. It isn't really a success unless all the lather looks glossy and doesn't have a matte or dry appearance. Both lathers fell slick and softening on the face.

I look forward to giving it a shave today or tomorrow. One more note, The texture of the soap is a soft for a soft soap. This really isn't my preference but it seemed to be okay during the loading phase. I left the soap to cure a bit with the lid off so I can get a bit of a firmer consistency. Luckily, neither of my feelings on the scent or softness in texture are not deal breakers for me. I am really looking forward to the shave with this soap.

GroomingDept  Mohammad, can I ask what are the different types of lavender are i this and if you can share how long the soap cures for before packing and shipping?

I'm glad your first take on the soap is positive and I hope it continues to be that way

I used two Bulgarian lavenders, and a two different French lavenders and Hungarian Lavender absolute. It's really hard to make a universally liked lavender for men. Some people liked this scent and some people didn't. I'm discontinuing it though! And will focus on getting scents out that incorporate lavender with other fragrance notes.

Unfortunately, I can't say how long I cure the soap - when I first started making soap, I asked 8 artisans that question and nobody would give me an answer! It's certainly a soft soap, it will develop a slight hardness after the first couple usages, but the soap is sufficiently cured.

I look forward your extended thoughts on the soap.

I'm glad your first take on the soap is positive and I hope it continues to be that way

I used two Bulgarian lavenders, and a two different French lavenders and Hungarian Lavender absolute. It's really hard to make a universally liked lavender for men. Some people liked this scent and some people didn't. I'm discontinuing it though! And will focus on getting scents out that incorporate lavender with other fragrance notes.

Unfortunately, I can't say how long I cure the soap - when I first started making soap, I asked 8 artisans that question and nobody would give me an answer! It's certainly a soft soap, it will develop a slight hardness after the first couple usages, but the soap is sufficiently cured.

I look forward your extended thoughts on the soap.

Thank you for your reply to my questions. Regarding storage, would you recommend against leaving the lid off for continued or daily use? That may be something I would like to let it harden at the loading surface and give the fragrance a chance to air out a bit and age as well. The scent of the different lavenders will continue to age and blend together, correct?

What type of lavender is most pleasant to your nose if you are smelling each different one individually? I appreciate you sharing the source locations of the oils. One lavender I love is lavandula angustifolia of India as well as another lavandula angustifolia of France.

What kind of brush do you use with the Grooming Dept soap? nachum vtmax GroomingDept

Zac, I love using a larger Tuxedo knot. It's the finest synthetic available right now imo and Mohammad's soaps are the perfect consistency to pick up just the right amount. Yes, a lot of leftover lather but that goes on the face after the shave during clean up.

I mean the entire face...forehead, nose, closed eyes. Great moisturizer. I do that with really great soaps. Looks silly but oh so good.

Thank you for your reply to my questions. Regarding storage, would you recommend against leaving the lid off for continued or daily use? That may be something I would like to let it harden at the loading surface and give the fragrance a chance to air out a bit and age as well. The scent of the different lavenders will continue to age and blend together, correct?

What type of lavender is most pleasant to your nose if you are smelling each different one individually? I appreciate you sharing the source locations of the oils. One lavender I love is lavandula angustifolia of India as well as another lavandula angustifolia of France.

What kind of brush do you use with the Grooming Dept soap? nachum vtmax GroomingDept

Cheers Zach, I'm happy to answer most questions

I personally love the Bulgarian lavender, it's less camphoraceous than most lavenders, fruiter and floral, it's also pungent. The lavandula angustifolia you like is mostly used in soaps along with Spike Lavender (Lavandula Latifolia) and Lavender 40/42. All are wonderful lavenders. I think the variety of lavenders is what makes people like one over the other. Amazing versatile fragrances component.


My approach to the lavender was to create a perfume like scent. I'll probably try another blend of lavenders in a year. I'm a huge fan of lavender and soliflore type fragrances.

I don't think the lavenders will coalesce or change, I let the blend rest for 4 weeks. I personally leave jars uncovered for at least a week after I use any soap.


I like Camden Grey They're one the better places to by EOs, but are not cheap and shipping is high. Really fine products.

In order of preference: I use synthetics, boar, and badger - I have not experienced the big dense badger brushes, but they're beautiful to look at.

vtmax mentioned this soap in a PM today, so of course I had to check it out. I know I'll be buying some, but of course I don't need it. Thanks, all y'all, for enabling!

vtmax mentioned this soap in a PM today, so of course I had to check it out. I know I'll be buying some, but of course I don't need it. Thanks, all y'all, for enabling!

Sold out pretty much of everything! My gratitude to everyone at DFS for taking a chance and trying my soaps.


Next week, Elan & Bonum Mane return ( I doubled the scent strength) and 3 new scents. One of them is called Basique. It's like a Fougère, It's woody but fresh. The notes are: Vetiver, Patchouli, Amyris, Geranium, Lavender, Woody notes.