A little reward order I got myself for passing the final exams for my RN degree at the end of August. Disclaimer: All items were bought by myself with my own money - except the free sample.
Vendor: ABC/AboutBodyCare (Germany) - not sponsored by or affiliated with them in any way!
Contents:
- Razor: Razorine Flatboy 73, a full brass razor with a very unique flat head geometry. Efficient, a bit less mild and definitely heavy (113 gr.)
- Noble Otter - Ace, shaving soap: given that I aced my exams and that I liked the scent notes, this was a no brainer. If Motörhead could be a shaving soap, this could be it. Woody notes with smoke and leather is my initial impression from the first sniff of the dry soap.
- Los Jabones de Joserra - The Witcher, shaving soap: in the middle ages, nursing and healthcare were often seen as "witchcraft". This is José's unique "Vetonia" base, combining traditional beef tallow with goat milk, duck fat and honey - being somewhat of a modern day witcher too. The scent notes sounded pretty interesting with oud, leather and tobacco as main notes. Initial impression: a very intoxicating, even hypnotic blend of masculine fragrances. As the artwork (no AI btw, as a "Northern Pride" is credited as the artist) suggests, it has a dark & mysterious note to it - but maybe that's just confirmation bias due to the expectations set by the art.
- Zingari Man - The Master, recovery splash: what can I say? I like barbershop scents, I like dark & spicy and I always wanted to try ZM's alcohol free aftershaves. Also fitting since the scent is dedicated to men honing their craft, which is what I really intend to do now.
- OAM - Dolce Vita ASB: has a gel-like texture, smells like a combination of caramel milk and musk. 👍🏻
- Two body soaps by french artisan E&S Rasage: Aqua Viva and Barber. I like these scents very much.
- Tatra Razor blades: given that I like exploring new blade options and these are made in the Czech Republic, I want to see how they perform for me
- Free sample: Extro - Terra Degli Dei 1927, shaving soap: smells like an old cologne, contains goat and donkey milk. Nice freebie, curious how it'll perform.
05.10.2025
This was a test to see if I react negatively to any ingredients of the soap - thankfully, it doesn't seem to be the case! The first use of it was probably under a myriad of bad circumstances, so it's nice to know that José's new Vetonia base doesn't give me any problems. I always was very impressed by the quality of JdJ soaps and this one's lather is no exception. In fact I might put it at the top of european artisans.
Today I was also able to appreciate the scent more. It has in fact a bit of a sweet and powdery note to it, reminds me of barbershop soaps. Plus there are definitely some spices, which probably work to give it this "mysterious" touch. In general, it is a masculine fragrance with a unique twist. While "Masala Connection", my other full-size JdJ soap, is more of an old school manly scent, this one is recognisably more modern and experimental.
Using my kamisori shavette yet again and it didn't disappoint this time, as I took things slowly and deliberately. Even worked well on my neck where I did ATG first & only, which usually results in irritation. I was so slow that I actually finished listening to a whole dark ambient album by Stuzha while shaving. And yeah, beard lineup as in cheek line and neck line - I was told bluntly that the circle beard makes me look at least 10+ years older, so until I can grow a nice moustache again it's tamed stubble for me.