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Elysian Soap Shop Shannon Logan, the creative force behind and founder of Elysian Soap Shop, has shared an exclusive coupon with ShaveSplash.com . Get 15% off sitewide by using the code SHAVESPLASH at checkout. Learn more about Elysian Soaps

Elysian Soap Shop Over the last few years, Shannon Logan has built Elysian Soap Shop from a small artisan operation into one of the most distinctive brands in wet shaving. What began as a homegrown soapmaking venture has steadily evolved into a luxury men’s grooming company with a clear point of view, a growing international footprint, and a fragrance aesthetic that feels increasingly confident and self-defined. When I spoke with Shannon last year, she was already thinking beyond the boundaries of the traditional artisan shave market. This time around, our conversation focused on how Elysian has evolved since then: the success of the Atlantis line, the introduction of the new Cashmere soap base, what recent launches like Augustus and Calliope reveal about the brand’s direction, her experience exhibiting at Cosmoprof Bologna, and what lies ahead in 2026. Along the way, Shannon also shared new details about Elysian’s expansion into Asia, her long-term ambitions for the brand, and several upcoming releases that should have wet shavers paying close attention, including today’s release of the exciting new Atlantis Frost. Here’s Shannon…. Since we last spoke, Elysian has had several notable releases, including Atlantis Blue, Augustus, and Calliope. Of those, was there one that especially resonated with the community? Atlantis Blue, probably. Anytime I do a flanker in the Atlantis line, it does very well. I think we’ve become known for our aquatics. At this point, we’ve really developed a full spectrum within the Atlantis family. We have the original Atlantis, Atlantis Deep, Atlantis Blue, and now Atlantis Frost, which will be available on April 10th on the website. Frost is essentially a mentholated aquatic. So between the light aquatic, the dark aquatic, the classic aquatic, and now the frost version, we’ve covered a lot of ground, and that’s become a real signature area for us. Atlantis Frost How do you think about the differences between Atlantis, Atlantis Deep, and Atlantis Blue? What’s unique about each of their formulations? They all share the same general DNA in the sense that the aquatic accord runs through all of them, but they differ quite a bit in their top notes and base notes. With the original Atlantis, I think of it as the classic version. To me, it opens with sweet orange, and underneath that there’s a deeper base built around dry, grassy vetiver and some tobacco notes. It has that classic fresh citrus feeling, but with marine notes added in. I’ve described it almost as if Acqua di Parma made an aquatic version of Colonia. It’s versatile, polished, and very much a daytime scent. Atlantis Deep came from the idea of creating something that could move into the evening space. It’s our dark aquatic, and it’s also by far our most complex formula. There are a lot of materials in there. Rose, cassis, patchouli, marine notes, heavier musks. It’s layered in a way that really gives the sense of moving through the scent. By the time you get to the base, it feels like you’ve been on a journey. That complexity is what gives it its depth. Atlantis Blue goes in the opposite direction. It’s lighter, smoother, and more uplifting. It has pear and pink grapefruit, and overall it’s much more fluid and seamless. The original Atlantis has more of a push and pull between the top and base, which gives it a very distinctive character. Atlantis Blue is more about lift, freshness, and polish. It still has beautiful woods underneath, but it wears as a brighter, softer, more luminous aquatic. Atlantis Deep has become something of a cult favorite. What gives it that darker, deeper effect? Part of it is the way we handled the marine accord. It’s still aquatic, but it’s more intense and more immersive. In the original Atlantis, it feels like a current. In Atlantis Deep, it feels like you’re being pulled through something deeper. Then you add in the oakmoss, the cassis, the rose, the heavier musks, and some of those more inky, textured materials, and it starts to feel much more dimensional. It’s not dark in a heavy or oppressive way, but it has depth, complexity, and a kind of powdery richness that people seem to really love. It’s our best seller, period. I can barely keep it in stock. You also introduced the new Cashmere soap base last year. What changed in the formula, and what were you trying to achieve? We launched the Cashmere base with Atlantis Blue, and going forward that’s going to be the direction we move in when we launch new scents. The old base and the new base are similar in some ways, but we added specific butters and oils to create that tighter, denser, wetter yogurt-like texture that a lot of people really love in premium soap bases. We wanted something that could take a lot of water, hold up under a lot of use, and still produce a dense, beautiful lather. We also added hyaluronic acid and cashmere, which has a lanolin-like effect. The goal was to create a base that feels richer, more luxurious, and more resilient. I’m very happy with how it came out. Augustus took things in a different direction, leaning into vanilla, spice, and woods. What was the inspiration there? We wanted to do a straightforward vanilla scent, but a masculine one. There are a lot of vanilla fragrances on the market, but many of them either smell synthetic and plasticky, or they drift into a more floral direction. We wanted to avoid both of those and create something warm, woody, spicy, and grounded. Something that really felt like a true vanilla, but with structure and masculinity. Augustus definitely heads into amber and oriental territory, with the dark chocolate, black pepper, nutmeg, vanilla, and woods, but the idea was always to keep it controlled and elegant. It’s been doing very well for us too. Atlantis Deep is still the runaway leader, Atlantis Blue is right behind it, and Augustus has been getting snapped up quite a bit. Calliope felt like a bit of a departure as well. It was. Calliope was fragrance-only, and it definitely leans more unisex, maybe even a little feminine. It has pineapple, verbena, and sandalwood, and it’s quite pretty. Every so often, I like to throw in something like that because I know a lot of customers are shopping not just for themselves, but also for their wives, daughters, or girlfriends. And that’s exactly what happened. People bought it for their wives and daughters. I think it’s nice to have those little Easter egg fragrances in the box. You open your Elysian package and there’s something for you, but maybe there’s also something your wife will love. I like the idea that the people around you get to enjoy the hobby too. You also brought back Royal Milk Tea this spring. What inspired that rerelease? I re-released Royal Milk Tea just because it’s such a beautiful scent. It was inspired by my time in Japan. One of my favorite things there was Royal Milk Tea from the vending machines, basically a sweet Earl Grey tea with milk. I wanted to capture that feeling. So the fragrance has that Earl Grey bergamot character, some creamy facets, and beautiful spices. It came out really lovely. Sometimes it’s just fun to bring back a seasonal scent because it deserves another moment. And honestly, it makes my whole house smell incredible when I’m making it. Earlier this year you exhibited at Cosmoprof in Bologna. What was that experience like? It was a really important experience for me. Cosmoprof Bologna is an extremely prestigious and difficult show to get into. It’s also very expensive, but I was fortunate to receive a grant from the state of Pennsylvania that covered most of the cost. Even then, it came down to the last minute before they were able to place me in a booth. I was in the USA Pavilion, which was really special. It felt meaningful to represent the United States there. I met a lot of buyers, made some promising contacts, and came away with leads I’m still following up on now. More broadly, trade shows like that are incredibly valuable because you learn so much. You get a sense of where different markets are headed, how people in other countries do business, and where your brand might fit in internationally. That kind of information is hard to get any other way. Elysian seems to be expanding well beyond its original footprint in the wet shaving world. How is the broader business evolving? It’s going really well. Last year, we tripled in size, which was honestly surprising. A big part of that came from adding distribution in Hong Kong and China. This year we expanded further in those markets, and it’s going very well. In fact, by April we had already done roughly a quarter’s worth of revenue in a single week, which was a pretty striking sign of momentum. The growth is exciting, though I’m also very conscious of not expanding so fast that production gets jammed up. That’s something I’m always watching. I’ve also applied for grants and explored other funding opportunities. I don’t necessarily think I need investors, but I’m open to strategic support if it helps accelerate the right kind of growth. You’ve always seemed to envision Elysian as something bigger than a niche artisan shave brand. What does that larger vision look like to you? I think Elysian could eventually be much larger. In my mind, there’s room in the market for a men’s grooming brand of real scale and identity, something in the orbit of Kiehl’s, Aesop, or even Acqua di Parma in terms of how it’s perceived. But I think it should stay focused on men. Women will absolutely shop a men’s brand, for themselves and for the men in their lives. But once you start mixing in overtly feminine products, men often stop feeling like the space is really for them. So I want men to feel that Elysian is their space. If I ever do a more feminine line or something more specifically oriented toward women, I would probably launch that separately. As the company grows, what does the next phase of operations look like? Right now, the next step is equipment. We need to continue improving production capacity so we can keep up with demand. I already have a little help in the lab, and I’ll definitely need additional support over time because I can’t do everything myself forever. But in terms of the larger roadmap, I want to continue expanding into markets where I know there’s already demand. Italy, for example, is one of the strongest countries for interest in the brand after the United States. Longer term, I’d love to have a showroom here in the U.S., a place where people could visit, see how the soap is made, shop in person, maybe even attend release events. If that model works, then maybe you eventually replicate it in other markets as well. That’s the dream. Looking at the rest of 2026, what are you most excited to roll out? First, I really want to finally create sample sets. People ask me for them constantly, and I know they would be useful. The biggest delay has honestly just been packaging development. I want them to look a certain way. Second, I would love to create a higher-tier version of some of our bestselling fragrances, starting perhaps with Atlantis Deep. I’m thinking in terms of an extrait version with a stronger concentration, upgraded sprayer, more naturals, more expensive materials, and more luxurious packaging. Something truly premium for customers who already love the scent and want the next level version of it. As far as new releases go, Atlantis Frost launches tomorrow (April 10th). After that, in June, we have a new line coming called Valhalla, which is an aromatic fougère. I’m extremely excited about it. It smells zesty, fresh, bright, and luminous, and early reactions to samples have been very strong. After that, we’re hoping to do Hadrian around late summer or early fall. And then for Halloween, we’re planning a special release called Caligula, which will go in a darker, sweeter direction. That one should be a lot of fun, both in scent and in packaging. It sounds like Elysian is moving in a lot of directions at once, but with a very deliberate vision behind it. That’s the goal. We’re still a very small team. It’s me, my fiancé, my assistant, my label artist, my perfume designer, and a few key industry connections. We do everything ourselves. But I think that’s also part of the magic. The company is still very hands-on, very personal, and very intentional. We’re growing, but we’re growing with a clear idea of what the brand is and what it could become. Visit Elysian Soap Shop to Learn More Shannon Logan

Immortal Peach Douglas Smythe writes... 10 Years Of IMMORTAL PEACH: Back From The Grove! ****REFORMULATION!**** A Rational Indulgence in the Art of Scent Among the many olfactory configurations in the Phoenix Shaving universe, one has managed to transcend mere popularity and move into the realm of near-ritualistic seasonal necessity: Immortal Peach. Now in its Tenth year of consecutive seasonal appearances, this fan/Shave Cadet favorite has become a tradition in its own right. Like all elegant constructs, its genius lies in simplicity refined. Consider, if you will, the scent of a ripened peach: golden, sun-warmed, and dripping with the sort of saccharine clarity that could only result from the chemical complexities of lactones and esters. Now, through careful application of fragrance engineering, this impression has been preserved, no, amplified, to occupy a plane where memory, chemistry, and seasonal joy converge. It's also not of this world. (full transparency) Immortal Peach is an alien life-form encoded in aromatic form, a sensory artifact of spring & summer, preserved through the science of saponification and suspended in a matrix of EPIC. Over the last 10 years it has become a real crowd pleaser is no surprise. Reactions of pleasure follow naturally from such calibrated a design. #Truth Deeper Than Just Peach. Like well-written prose, it has layers: brightness without brashness, sweetness with structure. AVAILABLE IN: CK6 Artisan Shave Soap Aftershave/Cologne Splash Star Jelly Eau De Parfum (EDP) Solid Cologne Conditioning Shampoo Deodorant Matching merchandise for the discerning shave cadet (See Pint Glass Below!) In closing, it must be said that Immortal Peach is more than a seasonal release. It is peach perfection made manifest! Atomic Peach is also now available. Learn More about Immortal Peach Here Phoenix Shaving

For tickets write to gbsher@icloud.com

Vanilla + Vetiver Vanilla + Vetiver is a dense, juicy, tropical burst that pairs the delectable sweetness of vanilla with vetiver in a way that feels remarkably original. Rather than reading as a simple gourmand or a straightforward green scent, it opens into a multifaceted tapestry of fresh grass, ripe fruit, and creamy sweetness that at times even suggests pineapple. This is where Happy Chap stands out. The blending feels smooth, balanced, and decidedly professional, with each element seamlessly integrated into the whole. What makes the fragrance especially compelling is the way it combines cake-like deliciousness, earthy grassiness, and juicy fruitiness without ever losing its composure. It is playful and inviting, yet polished enough to feel intentional rather than novelty-driven. The Palo Santal wood adds depth and structure, though despite being decribed as smoky, this is not truly a smoke scent. There is no impression of wet ash or charcoal. Instead, the wood acts more as a dry, grounding element that fleshes out the brighter facets and gives the composition added dimension. The overall effect is vibrant and verdant, almost like the fresh pollen of a newly opened blossom warmed by sunlight. It captures the feeling of late spring on the verge of summer, full of warmth, color, and energy, like dancing through a sunlit tropical meadow. Performance is equally impressive: scent strength sits near the top of the scale, as does longevity. Fun, youthful, and highly wearable, this is a scent that could easily be dressed up for a night out or worn to the office with a lighter hand. Visit Happy Chap to Learn More

Founder Peter Charkalis announced the launch of a new shave soap and aftershave, Nero e Rosso, to coincide with the Maggard's Meetup on April 25, 2026. Here's what Peter wrote about it: Notes: Black Leather Black tobacco Oud Hint of strawberry Osmanthus Toasted Cocoa Birch Tar Virginia Cedar wood I wanted to create something that sits between two worlds, darkness and contrast. Something deep… but with a twist you don’t expect. Black leather and black tobacco create a dense, commanding foundation, while oud adds a deep, resinous intensity that anchors the composition. Then comes the unexpected. A subtle strawberry nuance cuts through the darkness, never sweet, never playful…just enough to create tension and intrigue. As it evolves, layers unfold: • Osmanthus adds a refined floral-leather facet • Toasted cocoa introduces a dry, bitter warmth • Birch tar reinforces smoky depth • Virginia cedarwood brings balance and structure The result is a scent that shifts, develops, and stays with you. Look for it here on Ariana & Evans Use the code ShaveSplash to get 10% Off at Checkout

The Razor Company is holding a 10% off flash sales site-wide now through Monday March 30th at 11:59pm EST. Visit here to check out the sale

Christan's Wetshaving World Christian Ortlepp is a passionate traditional wet shaver from Schleswig-Holstein, Germany’s northernmost state, nestled between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. A trained businessman with a degree in business administration, Christian brings both curiosity and enthusiasm to the hobby he has come to love. Outside of shaving, he enjoys cooking, taking walks, spending time with his two cats, Leo and Blacky, and hunting for the next great bargain in the world of wet shaving. Through his two YouTube channels, Christian's Wetshaving World (German) and Shave-Off (English), and his involvement in the broader shaving community, Christian has become a thoughtful and engaging voice for traditional wet shaving. His passion for the ritual, the gear, and the people who make up the hobby, along with his unique window into the German wet shaving community, make his programs uniquely appreciated by his many followers. ShaveSplash caught up with Christian to learn more about his journey and his YouTube programs. Here's Christian... Outside of wet shaving and YouTube, what are some of the interests or parts of everyday life that help shape who you are? I’m naturally curious and always open to new things. I really enjoy learning, and I try to discover something new every day. Can you take us back to the beginning. How did you first get into traditional wet shaving, and what was it that drew you in? My journey really began around 2010. I had always wet shaved, but I became curious about how our grandfathers used to shave and liked the idea of using something more environmentally friendly than cartridge razors. So I bought myself a Wilkinson Classic and the small five-pack of blades that came with it. At that time, though, it was surprisingly hard to find good information online. There wasn’t much guidance for beginners, especially about things like the difference between a closed comb and an open comb razor, or which type would suit you best. Do you remember the moment when wet shaving changed from a simple grooming routine into a real passion or hobby for you? Yes, definitely. In 2023, I really fell down the rabbit hole. Before that, shaving was just something I did because I had to. My setup was very simple and budget-focused: a Baili butterfly razor, an Arko shave stick, and only a small selection of blades. Then in 2023, I started watching several wet shaving YouTube channels and became fascinated by the world of artisans, premium gear, and the culture around the hobby. I also joined a German shaving forum, met a lot of great people there, and received some soap samples. Around that same time, I bought my first CNC-machined safety razor, a RazoRock MJ-90A, and from that point on, wet shaving became much more than grooming. It became a kind of wellness ritual for me. What do you love most about wet shaving today. Is it the ritual, the craftsmanship, the scents, the results, or something else entirely? For me, it’s really my personal wellness time each day. I love that sense of “me time,” and I also love the feeling of being fresh and smooth after a great shave. I enjoy using high-quality products, but I also still appreciate an occasional inexpensive shave because it reminds me why I value the really good artisan products so much now. What do you think makes the German wet shaving community unique? Are there any practices, views, or equipment that set the German wet shaver apart? From my point of view, a big part of what makes the German wet shaving community unique is the long tradition of manufacturers in Solingen and the respect for the quality that comes from that heritage. Many German wet shavers begin with, and continue to appreciate, that tradition of well-made safety razors and straight razors. I think that history still shapes the community quite strongly today. What inspired you to start your YouTube channel, and what made you feel that sharing your shaves and opinions publicly was worth doing? A big inspiration was Winni Wittkopp’s channel. When he began making wet shaving videos, I was watching regularly and leaving comments all the time. He was surprised by how much knowledge I had about wet shaving and kept telling me that I should start my own channel and share that knowledge with others. It still took me about another year. A few other people also encouraged me to begin with tabletop videos because at that point I wasn’t yet comfortable being on camera. Then Winni sent me my first supporter parcels for the channel, and in the note he wrote, “Now you have to start your own channel and shaving videos.” That was really the final push, the true kick-off. When you first began making videos, what were you hoping the channel would become, and has that vision changed over time? Back in 2010, when I was first learning, I missed having clear information about the different types of razor heads and how to choose the right gear. So when I started my channel, I wanted to help beginners by sharing that kind of practical knowledge: what to use, what to start with, and what might work best for different people. Over time, the vision has stayed similar, but I’ve changed personally. I went from feeling uncomfortable in front of the camera to feeling much more natural and professional. Now it’s part of my routine, and honestly, these days I can’t wait to make the next video. For people who only see the finished video, what is it actually like to run a wet shaving YouTube channel day to day. What parts are most enjoyable, and what parts are more challenging than viewers might expect? The most enjoyable part is definitely the shave itself while filming. That’s still the heart of it for me. The more challenging part is making sure the setup stays interesting for viewers. You always have to think about the right combination of razors, blades, soaps, and brushes so the content doesn’t become repetitive. And then there is all the time spent uploading, organizing, and handling everything around the video. A 20-minute video can easily require many more hours behind the scenes than people expect. How has having a YouTube channel shaped your shaving journey. Has reviewing gear changed your tastes, standards, or the way you evaluate a shave? Yes, very much. Over time, I’ve developed a stronger preference for CNC-machined razors and higher-grade materials like stainless steel and titanium. The same goes for the rest of the gear: soaps, brushes, blades, and everything else. For me, the higher-end products often make the whole experience feel more like wellness. They tend to be more enjoyable and more refined. Running the channel has definitely raised my standards and changed the way I evaluate a shave. You’ve used a wide range of razors, blades, and other gear. What are some of your personal favorites, and what qualities tend to win you over most? One of my favorite razors is the Yaqi Titanium DC 0.9. With that razor, I can get an incredibly smooth, close BBS shave very easily. When it comes to blades, I especially like Feather Hi-Stainless, Treet Platinum, and Personna. Feather blades, for example, are fantastic in a milder razor because they give you more feedback. For soaps, I tend to prefer artisan brands like HC&C, MMGP Soaps, Areffa Soap, MSC, and others in that category. What matters most to me is quality and ease of use. I also want good blade feel and feedback during the shave. Razors that feel too muted or disconnected are not really for me. What does your own daily or weekly shaving routine look like when you’re not filming. Are there certain products, techniques, or habits you keep coming back to? To be honest, it’s not all that different from when I’m filming. I still enjoy using quality gear, and I like to rotate through different setups rather than using the same things all the time. One small habit I do keep is using blades for a second and final shave after I’ve already used them once in a video. Looking back on your journey so far, what has the wet shaving community and your channel meant to you personally, and what would you still love to explore in the future? The wet shaving community and my channel have meant a great deal to me. I’m very thankful that I’ve met so many people around the world who share this passion, and some of them have become real friends. One of the best feelings is when someone tells me, “I trust your opinion, and because of your advice I found the perfect shaving gear for myself.” That kind of feedback means a lot to me. Looking ahead, I’d really love to explore straight razors more. That’s still an area where I feel like a beginner, and if I’m honest, I still have a bit of respect, or even fear, when it comes to using them. If you could leave the wet shaving community with one message, what would it be? Don’t fear the gap, the blade gap, of course. And I hope wet shaving becomes a daily wellness ritual for you too. To Watch Christian Ortlepp's Video Visit His YouTube Channel Here Christian Ortlepp

Catie's Bubbles Founded in 2013 by Chris Cullen, Catie’s Bubbles is a brand synonymous with artisan wet shaving. Named after his daughter, it has become a fixture of the community, known for quality, originality, and an uncompromising commitment to performance. Chris is a rare figure in the industry: entirely self-taught, yet guided by a sharp scientific mind, relentless experimentation, and a deep passion for the craft. In many ways, he is a perfectionist, always striving for better lather, better balance, and better scent composition. Inspiration comes from everywhere, from his local surroundings to music, friendships, and everyday life itself, and his themes are often accompanied by an atmosphere of elegance, romance, and whimsy. The result is a product that has earned a devoted following for both exceptional shave performance and fragrances marked by precision, balance, and individuality. ShaveSplash was fortunate to catch up with Chris to talk about his journey, from the brand’s earliest beginnings to where it may be headed. Here’s Chris... Paco Rabanne Pour Homme was your first fragrance love, and you’ve also spoken highly of Acqua di Parma Colonia. What did those two scents teach you early about elegance and masculinity, and where do you still hear their echoes in Catie’s Bubbles today? I was still in my teens when I discovered that odd little green bottle and the wonderful scent contained within it. It was truly the first perfume that opened my eyes to how amazing a scent can be and how it can tickle different parts of my brain. I occasionally wore scents but I didn't really start to dip my toe into the deeper parts of the fragrance world until I was in my 30s. Even now, while the style is considered dated by some, the scent itself still brings a smile to my face and lifts my mood every time. That's really what draws me to the medium, I get a chance to tell a story or sing a song or dig up a memory for someone in a way that isn't exactly traditional yet feels personal. My approach isn't about elegance or masculinity, it's about life and connection. Catie’s Bubbles has such a personal origin, right down to the name. Looking back, how much of the brand was built around making great products, and how much was built around creating a life and work structure that fit your family and your values? Everything needs balance and both factors including many others have to be considered. With having two small children, one with some additional needs, the flexibility of self employment coupled with my odd sleep schedule allowed some really interesting working hours to let me be present while still be able to provide for my family as well as make some really fun stuff. You’ve said the scent usually comes first, and that your fragrances often begin as spreadsheets. When you’re building a scent, where does the math stop and the instinct begin? Knowledge from previous experimentation gives me a starting point to build from with the initial skeleton of an idea. I don't even make it that far without both math and what I've learned along the way. If we're going to refer to that as instinct, then I'd say they go hand in hand from beginning to end. I love your idea that the artwork should be a visual presentation of the scent. Can you walk me through a fragrance where the picture came to you instantly, and one where the scent was clear but the visual identity took real work to find? It's a remnant of my former life in retail. People shop with their eyes first. We also haven't invented “Smell-o-Vision” yet even though I'm sure pop culture promised we'd have it and flying cars by now, so we need a way to capture someone's attention and tell part of the story without them being able to smell anything. You live in a place that sounds almost symbolic of your work: a narrow strip between the water and the Pine Barrens. How much has that New Jersey landscape shaped scents like Sunrise and Barnegat Bay, and does place still quietly sneak into your work even when you’re not consciously composing a ‘regional’ scent? The scents that Jersey has influenced the most are Blugere and Pine Barrens. Barnegat Bay was designed as a fairly traditional bay rum, naming it after home was just showing some love. Pine Barrens was made to smell like walking down the trails out here. Blugere was originally called Jersey Blues and was made for a “East Coast Wet Shavers” meetup in NJ. The entire idea of the scent came together in one discussion about NJ with the gentleman that organized the event. That situation has repeated itself multiple times, the most recent when I worked with Matt at Teton Shaves to come up with Top of the World. Le Piment de la Vie launched in 2014 and was still your bestseller back in 2023. Why do you think that scent endured? What does it get right emotionally that more obviously crowd-pleasing scents often miss? LPV is a very unique scent that many have never experienced something like before in fragrance form. It can be a bit confusing for some at first but quickly wraps itself through the mind. Either the sweet warmth, its richness, or the familiar gourmand spices pull on memories of safe and/or happy times which drives an emotional response by many to it. I think that's the key. While it may not be everything to everyone, it hits enough happy buttons in the brain that an emotional attachment to the scent forms quickly. From your perspective, how have the fragrance tastes and trends of wet shavers evolved over the past few years, and how is this represented in your product portfolio today? I've seen 2 camps slowly form, one that seeks unique, original offerings and another that seeks the familiar and won't entertain a scent unless it is a duplication of a commercially available scent they've already been exposed to. I bet a psychologist could do an interesting breakdown of the mental processes that lead to this. 322 started as a joke, yet it became a real fragrance people connected with. What does that say about the role of humor, looseness, or even creative mischief in your process? Have some of your best ideas come when you weren’t trying so hard to be serious? My best ideas come during conversations with others. I draw a lot of my inspiration from places and phenomenon, they normally get brought up chatting with friends/family/customers/myself and then my mind goes off skipping through the flora and putting together odd things that I can occasionally translate into reality. Your soap base produces a distinctive lather which is both high volume and dense, yet miraculously feels airy. When you formulate, what variables are most important in creating that balance, and what makes that kind of lather so difficult to get right? This comes down to math again, it's the starting point for all my formulation. All the ingredients that are available that can be turned into soap are made up of different balances of 8 primary fatty acids, the most common in shaving soap being stearic acid. Those fatty acids all offer different properties once they're turned into soap so the balance between them dictates most of how to the lather works out. It's very similar to the my logic behind building a fragrance, use what you know to give the starting point and then tweak through trial and error until you are happy. You’ve intentionally kept Catie’s Bubbles small, and the brand still presents itself as handcrafted in small batches. In a hobby where scale is often treated as success, what have you preserved by staying small, and what opportunities have you knowingly left on the table? Staying small initially was a strategic decision so that I could drop anything at any moment when I was needed for something with the kids. I know I've left a LOT on the table but I try not to focus on that. Handcrafted is the best descriptor I can use because it is accurate, every soap/aftershave/perfume is made by hand by one person, me. Today the brand spans shaving soaps, premium soaps, aftershaves, perfumes, and newer scent worlds like Top of the World and Daydream. When you look ahead, do you see Catie’s Bubbles becoming an even fuller fragrance house with a dedicated workspace or shop, or is the real ambition still the same simple one: keep the flexibility, keep the joy, and keep making people smile? While the additional financial benefits of expansion could be nice, it would take either a relocation or an exponential growth in business for it to make sense. I'm currently happy with my short, carpeted commute to work and only having to worry about the costs of supporting one piece of real estate in NJ. What’s on the horizon in the near-term for Catie’s Bubbles? Are there any new scents, products, or projects that fans can look forward to in the coming months? I'm not quite sure what has caused it but I've been dealing with way too many creative deserts lately so I don't currently have anything fun to tease, at least nothing close to completion that is worth trying to get someone excited about it. That can change quickly once something clicks so all I can say is follow me on Instagram cause that's where I normally share info first. If you could leave the wet shaving community with one message, what would you want people to remember? Be kind, be friendly, and to quote Adam Pearce, “Love someone today.” This world is too cruel and life is too short for all the chaos and tribalism we've dealt with in the hobby over the years. Visit Here to Explore the Complete Collection of Catie's Bubbles Also Sold at The Razor Company See the ShaveSplash Reviews of Catie's Bubbles Products Here The New Jersey Pine Barrens

Man of the People Frank Misa writes.... Man of the People is a rich, bold scent inspired entirely by the world of wine. Every note in this fragrance pulls from classic wine profiles, creating a deep, smooth, and slightly sweet aroma that’s both sophisticated and incredibly unique. If you appreciate a great glass of wine, this scent will feel right at home in your shave and body routine. Scent Profile: 🍷 Merlot – Velvety plums, apples, red raspberries, and strawberries with a light alcohol/spicy background. 🍷 Cabernet Sauvignon – Wild grapes, strawberries, and sweet sugary notes that add richness and depth. 🍷 Pinot Noir – Dark grapes and black cherries layered with subtle cedarwood. The result is a smooth, fruit-forward scent with deep grape and berry notes balanced by soft wood and warmth. Refined, bold, and truly a scent for the people. Available in shave soaps, aftershaves, and body products. AVAILABLE MARCH 20 For 10% Off Use the Code SHAVESPLASH at Checkout Visit Strike Gold Shave to Learn More

Black Cherry + Incense Black Cherry + Incense is a strikingly original fragrance, the kind of scent that immediately earns its place in a collector’s catalogue simply because it dares to do something different. Deep, luscious, and mysterious, it weaves together dark fruit, dry spice, and delicate smoke in a way that feels both unusual and surprisingly refined. In spirit, it brings to mind a bottle of Syrah, the red wine grape of the Rhône Valley, with its shadowy mix of black fruit, spice, and subtle smoke. Kyle Olson lists the notes as black cherry, leather, and incense, but that close-cropped trio only hints at the complexity of the composition. While the fragrance is certainly fruit-driven, it never feels bright or candied. Instead, the cherry is shaded into darker tones of raisin and plum, creating a succulent sweetness that is rich, smooth, and quietly comforting rather than loud or clawing. There is also a darker undercurrent that gives the scent its depth. The leather seems to contribute not just a dry, textured edge, but something almost chocolatey, adding a velvety nuance that feels creamy, earthy, and rich. The incense is present throughout, but it does not read like the damp smoke of a fireplace. Rather, it evokes the dry, aromatic smoke of toasted clove, softening the fruit while lending the fragrance a subtle ember-like warmth and a gentle flicker of spice. This might not be an everyday scent for some shavers, as its weight and depth make it especially well suited to cooler weather and more contemplative moods. Yet for all its darkness, it never feels oppressive. Its sweetness, smoke, and soft spice create a kind of chameleon effect that gives it more versatility than one might expect. It could feel equally at home on a quiet evening in, at the office, or a night out. Another impressive creation from Happy Chap, Black Cherry + Incense is bold without being abrasive, distinctive without feeling out of place, and original without sacrificing wearability. It has the character and intrigue of something that could, in time, come to be seen as a modern classic. Learn More About Happy Chap & Black Cherry + Incense

Le Piment de La Vie Le Piment de la Vie is an inspired creation from the mind of Chris Cullen, and it lands squarely in Amber Oriental territory. The foundation is classic and comforting, a warm trio of amber, vanilla, and musk. But what makes it memorable is the way it swerves into something far more playful and modern, layering bright fruit over a hot-spice heart, then wrapping it an unexpected veil of dark chocolate. That chocolate note is the masterstroke. It isn’t syrupy or childish, and it doesn’t read like a candy bar. Instead, it comes across earthy and dry, almost the way tobacco can feel in a spicy blend, adding depth and a slightly smoldering warmth. Clove amplifies that effect, creating a darker, more grounded base that keeps the sweeter facets in check. Above it, the spice basket opens up with ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon providing a snap and sparkle, while orange and apple keeps the opening lively and mouthwatering without tipping into “citrus blast.” If you like the idea of Spicebomb-style spice with a gourmand twist, you’ll recognize the profile, but the execution here is different. Spicebomb leans sharper and more aggressive, with a tougher, drier backbone. Le Piment de la Vie is smoother and creamier, with the chocolate acting like a soft-focus lens over the spice, making it feel more cozy than confrontational. In terms of wear, it’s an easy win for fall and winter, date nights, and any situation where you want something distinctive that still feels approachable. It can absolutely work during the day, but there’s an undeniable wink to it that may feel a touch playful for very formal settings. Overall, this is a genuinely original amber-spice gourmand: masculine without trying too hard, bold without being loud, and crafted with the kind of allure that makes you want to keep coming back for another smell. See the complete ShaveSplash details here Find it at The Razor Company