May 29, 2024 - Hopeful confusion, then Overwhelmed Joy
- Prep: CeraVe Foaming Cleanser
- Brush: Yaqi Timberwolf (26mm)
- Razor: RazoRock Lupo .95
- Blade: Astra (4)
- Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Druantia - soap
- Post-shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Samhain - alcohol-free splash
I planned for this to be a relaxing evening shave, but I simply could not resist. You see, a package from Anticatura (the third one this year, FFS!) arrived this morning, and I'd been sniffing the software ever since. One soap was me completing another matching set, and right off the tub smelled just as it should, a touch less nuonsed but familiar and right. Another is a new one, both in base and scent, but smelled lovely too, so I don't expect any surprises. But Druantia ... I couldn't decide what to make of it. And of course that drew me in.
You see, a while (less than 2 months) back, amongst other things, I bought myself a HoM Rumble balm. I was thrilled and excited, because it had so many things I either enjoy eating (milk chocolate, coffee) or smelling (rum, woods), as well as a positively wholesome description. So imagine my puzzlement when I opened it, gave it a sniff, and smelled ... nothing much of anything. I sprayed some on my hands, applied some to my face, yet still nothing much, beyond perhaps a vague hint of milky sweetness somewhere far away. And it's not the balm's fault at all; everyone I showed it to agreed that it's a strongly-scented balm, and I ended up gifting it to my dad, who shall hopefully enjoy it much more. But it has taught me something about my shitty nose, so when I opened the tub of Druantia and got nothing besides a gentle, dirty but not unpleasant scent, I got worried and curious.
Unfortunately, lathering did not reveal much here, either. I think I can smell the fungus? Something earthy and gently damp, anyway. After rinsing it off, I get a tingle of oakmoss, a promise of something that never comes. But where are the woods, the spice? I don't know, and am honestly a little sad, because I hoped to be impressed, I was prepared to be disgusted, but a SW scent that leaves me entirely neutral? That's madness.
I'll give it another chance of course. I love the SW base, so I'd rather not sell unless I have to. But until I figure this out, at least I've got Samhain!
And holy shit do I have it! A year or more ago, I tried and enjoyed a sample of the soap, and thought I knew what I was in for. I did not. This splash is beautiful, delicious, and strong. I can smell it, I can taste it, I can feel it deep within my bones. And OK, clearly I'll need to apply less next time, but right now, I wouldn't want it any other way.
I love how clear and present all the scents are here. I can smell the pumpkin, hazelnut, bourbon, damn near everything. The only thing that feels absent, or at least much less clear than it was in the soap sample, is the charred wood. I quite enjoyed the way that slight dirtyness would poke its head up every so often, reminding you that something wasn't quite right. So without a doubt, I shall get the tub as well.