Disclaimer: I received the sample for free. However, I have no interest in her company.
Her website lists the scents as: Bay Rum, Lime, Marrakesh, Wild Lavender, and Unscented. I read somewhere she is formulating a few more scents. Price for a 4 oz. (3") puck: $9.91 (puck only), $11.79 (in a plastic "travel tub") Shipping looks reasonable at $3.50 for a single soap.
She does offer a batch of 3 samples for $3.50 (plus $3.50 shipping)
As for ingredients, the website says this:
I decided to use two different brushes to see how it lathered up for me. I soaked both brushes and put a little hot water on top of the soap while I took a shower. Michelle had said in an e-mail that some guys have found the soap to generate "bubbly" or airy lather and surmised that too much water was used at the outset. So, I made sure to shake out the brushes well and loaded the soap very thoroughly (approx. 30-45 seconds). I used a Semogue 2011 LE badger (size 1), which is dense, has a lot of backbone, and a fair amount of scritch (a very good soap brush). As a counterpoint, I also chose a Savile Row 3824, which is softer and less dense, although also an excellent brush.The main ingredient in my shaving soap is tallow. But since I want to use only the best ingredients, I render the tallow myself from beef suet that I get from a fellow farmers market vendor who raises grass fed beef on her local Maryland farm. I add organic unrefined shea nut butter, castor oil, palm oil, avocado oil and stearic acid along with extra glycerin, bentonite clay, aloe vera leaf juice, wheat protein and liquid silk. It is saponified with both sodium and potassium hydroxide.
I lathered the Semogue for my first pass. I had to play with the mix a bit, adding water a few times as the soap was rather "dry" at first. I eventually got a satisfactory mix, resulting in a very smooth, mousse-like, creamy lather.
The lime scent was quite strong and, to my nose, very accurate.
For the second pass, I used the SR3824. Again, I got a very creamy smooth lather that provided excellent lubrication.
Either brush held enough lather to complete three passes. After shaving, I squeezed the remaining lather out of the brush and applied it to my face while I cleaned everything up. I had a few nicks/weepers (as usual due to my poor technique/desire for BBS) and they were all sealed. No need for any witch hazel or even ASB, although I used some because I like to
So, I'll use the same ratings I've seen here recently:
Ease of lathering: 8/10 - I've only used it once, but I think it will be pretty easy to get dialed in. Not as easy as some, but no problem for me with either brush.
Longevity of lather: 9/10 - very good.
Scent: 10/10 - I can only speak for the lime scent, but I like it a lot.
General skincare: 10/10 - Left my skin very smooth and very "moisturized". The conditioning properties were excellent - reminded me a bit of MWF in that regard.
Price: 10/10 - compared to most of the soaps I've seen (especially the top-drawer models), this is a real bargain.
Would I buy again: It was a free sample, but I will definitely be placing an order.
The website is very informative and offers other products (bath soap, facial soap, shampoo bars, etc.) at very reasonable prices. I can tell Michelle is obsessed with what she does and I am impressed with her offerings! I think I will be trying some of the other soaps (like the sea salt soap) as well.
You've just given me yet another product that I think I should try!
