Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Queen Of Shaves!


Ok, maybe not...just yet! During my retail days, I worked at an upscale apothecary that carried a brand of shaving cream called King of Shaves. I think we had more women buying that stuff than the guys, but anyway, I've always wanted to make a cold processed shaving soap. For some strange reason, I always thought the formula had to be really intricate (????). I found a really basic (meaning no exotic butters or additives) formula that I liked, and the only special additive was the bentonite clay to give it slip. I had a little bentonite left over from a giveaway I won last year. I wish it weren't so gray and dingy-looking, but I'm really pleased with the outcome of this soap. This one, too, is all-natural. Many have a different opinion of what "all-natural" means to them. Now, when I say all-natural, I mean no artificial colors or fragrances. The debate could go on. This soap gets its color from the bentonite clay, and it's scented in an essential oil blend of coriander and peppermint.

I love the look of a round shaving soap. I understand they were designed that way to fit into a mug so you could just swivel your brush around it to work up a really good lather. That's cool, but I know not one guy who does that. I actually had an old plastic tube mold that I bought years ago from Go Planet Earth. I loved that mold, but lemme tell ya: It aint made for CP soap! I actually had to cut the soap out of this mold to get it to finally release. RIP mold....

I do have a confession to make: I do not shave any parts of my body. Not my legs, and not even my arm pits. My sister calls me "crunchy". It's so funny that I don't have to shave because the hairs on my legs are really fine, and I have really light, fine hair under my arms. Some of you may find this really gross, but I haven't shaved my legs or underarms since 2009! My soap tester gives this one 2 razors up! She even told me she tried it in her hair as a clarifier because of the bentonite clay...hmmm...I didn't think of that one!

ps-I know this isn't the new soap from the Disaster post, but I wanted to show this one first...

4 comments:

Amy Warden said...

Sounds like you have a winner! I must say I'm jealous that you don't have to shave. I started using an epilady on my legs, so my growth isn't near as bad. The first time I used it was the most horrific pain ever! Now, not so bad. Still...

Kristie said...

That sounds great! I didn't realize clay would make a slippery bar - I've never tried it in soaps before. But don't give up on that mold just yet! I use a length of PVC pipe to make my round soaps, and I've found a good way to get them out... Just pop the whole thing in the freezer for about an hour before unmolding, making the whole thing slightly shrink. Then run HOT water around the outside of the mold to make the PVC expand and the whole tube of soap should slip out with a little push on one open end. Hope this helps!

Catherine said...

Dear Patrice, I like you! My mother always told me once you shave the hair will just come that much thicker and more coarse. She was right! I know she hears me in Heaven! (and has a smile). I don't shave under my arms and rarely need to shave my legs. I don't think it is gross, just smart! Well, anyway the less you shave the better!
Thank you for your visits. I look forward to them. May I ask, would you please give my kids blog a look. They have started a writing blog and it is called: TMPLiterary,blogspot.com
I will thank you in advance for taking the time. Blessings, Catherine xo

Rose Clearfield said...

I love the idea of a soap designed specifically for shaving!