Razor: John Clarke & Son Sheffield 3/4″ with custom scales via LatherMeWhiskers
Brush: Tournure de bois 26mm Cashmere Synthetic
Soap: MacDuff’s Soap Company Sea to Sky
Aftershave: MacDuff’s Soap Company Sea to Sky
Other: Thirsty Badger lather bowl
Typically I’m not one to worry about the season when it comes to scents. I usually use what I want, when I want. I may skip a particular heavy scent when it is really hot but that is pretty much it when I decide on a direction. This spring, something has changed. Maybe it was the long, cold, and somewhat isolating winter that brought about the change, but I’m really craving the typical spring fragrances this year. I’ve been looking for brighter citrus and aquatic scents. I quickly realized how lacking that area of my shave den was. Luckily, MacDuff, had me handled in their 2021 spring releases with a few offerings that fit the bill. I had already grabbed Spring Cabin but when the newest ones dropped, but Sea to Sky was another one that I just had to have.
Sea to Sky is MacDuff’s take on a modern aquatic. It offers notes of Bergamot, Orange, Black Currant, Sea Salt, Hyacinth, Lemon Zest, Patchouli, Seaweed, Driftwood. To my nose, this reads more fruity than bright. I get more of that juiciness of the fruits vs the sharp brightness you might expect from some of the citruses. Underneath you get that cool aquatic vibe with a bit of greenness. There is a touch of floral but it is pretty understated. There is also a clean woody-ness that rounds out the base of the scent. It is very clean and fresh without being bright. Scent strength is about a medium. I’m a big fan of the scent and it will be perfect for this time of year.
Soap performance is excellent but I’m still taken by just how soft this base is. It definitely feels like a cream. They could easily package this in a tube and squeeze out the product. Do not try to load directly from the tub. I wish it had a bit more firmness, mainly because I prefer to tub load, but other than that, this base competes with any out there.
I finished up with the matching splash. Scent is a perfect match and the performance is great for the skin. Scent strength is also a solid medium and while it is very present, it doesn’t carry tremendously long.
A fantastic shave today with this set. I predict this being used a lot this spring and summer, at least until I add more seasonal sets, haha.
All for now – J
