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The GOAT Fragrance The GOAT is one of the most complex scents ever reviewed by ShaveSplash, and also one of the most exquisitely architected. Best understood as a Floral Oriental, it is likely to be polarizing, with some finding it perfume-like and others finding it intoxicating, addictive, and deeply unique. Many scents contain both feminine and masculine facets, and some are genuinely unisex, but The GOAT achieves something especially impressive: despite its floral intensity, it remains distinctly masculine. Rose, Peony, and Saffron give the scent a dusty, pollen-like floral quality, while the ingenious contributions of Black Tea and Cannabis Flower provide depth, shadow, and structure. The Black Tea adds a velvety, dry, slightly leathery note that reads almost like Tobacco, acting as a counterfoil to the delicacy of the flowers. Green Cannabis contributes a resinous, almost humid dampness, adding earthiness and botanical texture as part of what Eric Hebert calls his “Dirt Accord.” Nubian Musk brings a subtle skin-like warmth, while Purple Fig injects a jammy fruitiness that, when combined with Vanilla, wraps the entire scent in a delectable sweetness, almost like a savory filling inside a sweet crepe. The result is a captivating bouquet that seems to dance around the wearer like a mobile over a crib, mesmerizing and soothing at the same time. The GOAT is an extraordinary contribution from an up-and-coming perfumer, one that feels both collectible and essential for serious connoisseurs. It projects well, so expect to be noticed, and use it with restraint at the office or in formal settings. But its beauty is so great that, applied thoughtfully, it can feel welcome almost anywhere. ShaveSplash rarely takes such a firm view on fragrance, understanding that every scent has its audience, but The GOAT earns our highest recommendation. Soap Base The Braford 2.0 base presents itself as built by a serious wet shaver, for serious wet shavers, and it proves worthy of that claim. The key building blocks of beef tallow and stearic acid are concentrated to provide substantial density and cushion. Shea and mango butters provide creaminess, which is further smoothed and stabilized by lanolin, coconut milk, and castor oil. Honey acts as a mild humectant, helping to moisturize the skin, while aloe vera soothes, jojoba oil conditions, and tussah silk adds slip. Its real strength is its creamy wetness, which is heavy, thick, and extremely stable. This is a premium collection of ingredients that delivers exactly what it promises: a rich and luxurious shaving experience. Ingredients: Beef Tallow, Stearic Acid, Aloe Vera Juice, Potassium Hydroxide, Coconut Milk, Sodium Hydroxide, Shea Butter, Mango Butter, Castor Oil, Dudu Osun (African Black Soap), Fragrance Oil (Parfum), Essential Oils, Honey, Sodium Lactate, Jojoba Oil, Lanolin, Tussah Silk. Aftershave The Cajun Blade Store refers to its aftershave as an “After Sauce,” an apt name given its thick, creamy texture, which presents more like a light balm than a traditional splash. The key ingredient behind that texture is xanthan gum, whose role is more functional than therapeutic: it thickens, stabilizes, and gives the formula its distinctive body. Alcohol and witch hazel provide the familiar antiseptic and astringent qualities of a classic aftershave, while glycerin helps hydrate and jojoba oil and vitamin E add conditioning. Some will appreciate the heavier tactile feel of the Sauce, which gives the product a more substantial and protective character on the skin. Others may find that richness leaves behind a bit of residual tackiness. Ingredients: Alcohol (Denatured), Aloe Vera Juice, Witch Hazel, Vegetable Glycerin, Jojoba Oil, Fragrance (Parfum), Essential Oils, Vitamin E, Xanthan Gum. Visit The Cajun Blade Store Read the full ShaveSplash review here

Visit Phoenix Shaving Scent Notes: Orange, Neroli, Lemon, Clove, Lavender, Woody Phoenix Shaving writes.... There are countless interpretations of Florida Water, much like Bay Rum or Sandalwood, each maker with their own spin. But when most folks hear the name, they picture that unmistakable bottle from Murray & Lanman. That’s the one we’re riffing on today. Agua Dulce (Spanish for sweet water) pays homage to the mythic roots of Florida Water, namely, the legendary Fountain of Youth. This fragrance blends Old World refinement with the raw, bright energy of the New World. Like the fabled waters it references, Agua Dulce is meant to rejuvenate and refresh, morning to night. Florida Water has always carried a strange, nostalgic charm. Maybe you remember a glass bottle on a grandparent’s dresser, ever-present, rarely used. The cryptic label. A scent you instantly recognize, even if you never really studied it. That’s how I remember it too. And like any good myth, everyone remembers it a little differently. Some catch orange blossoms. Others swear they smell Coca-Cola, Juicy Fruit, or cracked pepper. A Splash of American History Florida Water is a fragrance that is part of the American story. In the 19th century, perfumery was still considered a luxury, mostly worn by European aristocrats. In the young United States, fragrances were rare and typically reserved for the very wealthy. But Florida Water was different. Light, bright, and accessible, it quickly became a staple, especially in the humid South and out on the Western frontier. Picture settlers in covered wagons, leaving behind Missouri, Virginia, or Pennsylvania, bringing along a cherished bottle to help them stay fresh on the dusty trails of Arizona, Texas, or New Mexico. A practical luxury for both men and women, it was the kind of cologne you'd splash on to cool off, cut through the summer heat, and feel just a little more human. Agua Dulce channels that legacy, familiar, mysterious, and undeniably refreshing. Soap Ingredients: Potassium Stearate, Glycerin, Potassium Cocoate, Aqua, Potassium Kokumate, Sodium Lactate, Potassium Shea Butterate, Potassium Castorate, Sodium Stearate, Potassium Cocoa Butterate, Potassium Avocadoate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum (Cupuacu) Butter, Astrocaryum (Murumuru) Seed Butter, Platonia Insignis (Bacuri) Seed Butter, Parfum [Fragrance] Soap Net Wt 4 0z (113 g) Aftershave Ingredients: Alcohol, Orange Blossom Hydrosol, Essential/Fragrance Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Seaweed Extract, Tamarind Extract 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) Glass Bottle with Reducer

Strike Gold Shave From Strike Gold Shave.... Introducing: Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson was the 3rd president of the United States, serving two terms from 1801 to 1809. He took office following his victory in the election of 1800, succeeding John Adams. As president, he is best known for the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the U.S A tribute to refinement, intellect, and the cultivated spirit of early America, Thomas Jefferson – Man of the People captures the essence of vineyard elegance blended with rustic charm. Inspired by Jefferson’s well-known love of fine wine and Virginia viticulture, this shaving soap features Wine Country Fragrance— a rich, layered fragrance built around the character of three distinguished varietals. The result is a balanced, wine-forward aroma that is fruity yet mature — never overly sweet — with a warm, wooded finish that lingers elegantly through the shave. Crafted for performance as much as character, this soap delivers a dense, creamy lather with excellent cushion, glide, and post-shave feel worthy of a statesman. Refined. Cultured. Grounded in tradition. Scent Profile: Merlot: Features velvety plums, apples, red raspberries, and strawberries with a light alcohol/spicy background. Cabernet Sauvignon: Focuses on wild grapes, strawberries, and sweet sugary notes. Pinot Noir: Highlights grapes and black cherries with cedarwood. 🪒 Designed for the modern shaver who respects tradition but lives bold.🇺🇸 Family-owned. LAW ENFORCEMENT OWNED 100% made in the USA. Available exclusively at 👉 StrikeGoldShave.com. – Shave Like a Patriot. Crafted in our updated, slicker, more nourishing soap base and paired with a reformulated aftershave splash for optimal post-shave comfort and projection. Shave Soap Ingredients :Stearic Acid, Tallow, Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, Potassium Hydroxide, Kokum Butter, Goat Milk, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance, Castor Oil, Glycerin, Dragon Fruit, Chamomile, and Tussah Silk. Natural Splash: With powerful ingredients that will help repair and protect your skin after shaving. Ingredients: Denatured Alcohol, Rose Water, Purified Water, Aloe Vera, Witch Hazel, Fragrance, Vitamin E, Calendula, Chamomile & Red Clover Extract. Visit Strike Gold Shave to Learn More

Fragrance Derby is built around a minty, herbaceous freshness that immediately calls to mind lush meadows, sunshine, and warm air moving across open grass. Rather than pushing the scent into overt booziness, the Bourbon note adds a touch of sweetness, giving the composition lift while smoothing out some of mint’s sharper edges. Musk provides depth and helps round the fragrance, keeping what could have been an intense blast of cooling mint from becoming too linear or bracing. Although Derby is clearly an aromatic scent and sits adjacent to the fougère family, it forgoes the perfumed intensity of the classic fougère trio of lavender, coumarin, and oakmoss. Instead, it leans into the straightforward cleanliness of mint, softened by grassy sweetness and a gentle musky base. In that sense, it shares some spiritual territory with scents like Barrister and Mann’s Kalyptos or even Proraso Green: refreshing, cooling, and easy to wear. Derby feels like a shaded retreat on a hot summer day, the kind of fragrance that keeps you feeling shower-fresh whether you are at home, outdoors, or heading into a busy day at work. Soap Base The Sego base undoubtedly sits in the premium tier, producing a yogurt-like lather that is rich, dense, and properly wet. Unlike other yogurt-style lathers from brands such as Barrister & Mann, Adopted Acres, or Moon, Sego has a distinctive, slightly elastic texture, almost reminiscent of toothpaste. That added body makes the lather feel especially protective and remarkably stable, likely aided by Glyceryl Rosinate, a resin-derived ingredient used for tack, adhesion, and texture modification. Castor Oil and Sodium Lactate further support the base’s slickness and dense, almost gel-like quality. The formula is also rich in skin-nourishing emollients, including Shea Butter and Jojoba Oil, while Oat Kernel Oil, or Avena Sativa, adds another conditioning element often valued for its soothing, skin-supportive properties. In use, Sego feels every bit like a top-tier soap base: luxurious, protective, unusually stable, and fully worthy of its iconic reputation. Skin Foods: Glycerin, Shea Butter, Castor Oil, Radish Seed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Oat Oil. Aftershave Zingari Man offers an aftershave serum that occupies a thoughtful middle ground between a traditional liquid splash and a cream-based balm. The brand also makes the intentional decision to omit alcohol, avoiding the dryness and potential stripping effect it can sometimes bring. In its place, the serum leans into a more skin-conscious formula, including ingredients such as Moringa Oil, a conditioning emollient valued for its softening feel and antioxidant potential, and Snow Mushroom Extract, a hydration-supporting ingredient known for its moisture-binding polysaccharides. The result is an aftershave product designed less around the fleeting sting of a classic splash and more around comfort, conditioning, and a calm, well-finished post-shave feel. Skin Foods: Moringa Seed Oil, Witch Hazel, Glycerin, Jojoba Oil, Oat Oil, Snow Mushroom, Allantoin, Chamomile Water, White Willow Bark. Available Here at The Razor Company Read the complete ShaveSplash review here

Phoenix Shaving Sometimes an exceptional fragrance emerges that seems to reach backward into the past while pushing confidently into the future. Fiddler’s Friend is one of those rare scents. It feels familiar without being nostalgic, modern without being pushy, and richly composed without ever becoming heavy. Its greatest achievement may be that it is genuinely multifaceted, yet remarkably easy to wear. The listed notes tell only part of the story, because the real character of the fragrance comes not from any one ingredient in isolation, but from the way those elements move together. It is warm, spicy, clean, masculine, and inviting, with one foot in the classic barbershop tradition and the other in the more modern world of polished spicy ambers. With a soft oriental quality built around spice, amber, patchouli, and musk, it is balanced by a distinctly barbershop sensibility: oakmoss, woods, and a clean masculine finish. In that sense, Fiddler’s Friend carries echoes of two very different fragrance icons. There is a trace of the modern, explosive spice profile found in Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb, but also a subtle nod to the gentlemanly warmth of vintage Shulton Old Spice. Yet Fiddler’s Friend does not feel derivative of either. It borrows the emotional language of those scents and translates it into something lighter, cleaner, and more contemporary. What separates it from many classic barbershop or old-school masculine fragrances is what it leaves behind. There is no heavy lavender powderiness, nor the feathery floral lift of carnation, geranium, or jasmine. Instead, Fiddler’s Friend presents a crisper, more streamlined palette. It remains warm and golden, but never dense. It glows rather than smothers. The spice blend is not fully broken down, but what comes through suggests cinnamon, ginger, and perhaps a faint touch of nutmeg. These spices are handled with restraint. They are not loud, sweet, or culinary in an obvious way. Rather than weighing the fragrance down, they give it freshness and vitality. Bergamot provides an important lift, acting almost like a bright foil against the spice, allowing the composition to sparkle at the edges. The overall impression is one of golden richness: sumptuous, clean, inviting, and quietly delectable. There is a vaporous, almost evanescent quality to the musk that keeps the scent from becoming too thick or syrupy. It rises easily, wears comfortably, and settles into the skin with a kind of effortless masculine polish. Fiddler’s Friend may be as close as a fragrance gets to a true daily driver. It is relaxed enough for casual wear, refined enough for formal settings, and approachable enough to please without pandering. It has presence, but not aggression. Warmth, but not heaviness. Character, but not eccentricity. If you were to ever own only one fragrance, this could be it. Fiddler’s Friend is the rare scent that feels equally suited to a crisp white shirt, a worn leather chair, a quiet drink, or a Sunday morning shave. It is modern gentlemanliness in fragrance form: calm, composed, inviting, and quietly unforgettable. Arriving this weekend April 25-26 with a complete collection including shave soap, aftershave, EDP, Cube, Star Jelly, and more. Visit Phoenix Shaving to Learn More Read the Full ShaveSplash Review Here

The Deacon Shaves For nearly four years, Deacon Eugene Wohlfarth has shared his passion for wet shaving through weekly videos on his YouTube channel, The Deacon Shaves. But his videos are about much more than the razors, soaps, and fragrances beloved by wet shaving enthusiasts. They are moments of reflection on life, on the search for emotional and physical well-being, and on the importance of community. Just as importantly, they offer viewers a glimpse into his personal experiences and the lessons he has learned as a deacon. What comes through immediately in Eugene’s videos is his candor, sincerity, and kindness. He gives of himself generously, hoping only to be of help to others, whether by encouraging them to find joy in the simple ritual of wet shaving or by speaking honestly about the suffering, struggle, and happiness that all people, himself included, experience at different times in life. Over the years, he has become a true pillar of the wet shaving community, whether in online forums, at in-person events, or through his much-loved channel. ShaveSplash was fortunate to catch up with him and hear more of his story. Here is Deacon Eugene Wohlfarth... You live publicly in two worlds that many people would not naturally connect: the diaconate and wet shaving. When did each of those two parts of your life begin? Is there an intersection between the two? My journey into the diaconate began when I was about 8, singing in our parish youth choir. I always felt I was being called to do more in the church, but as I got older, I wasn’t interested in the celibacy requirement for the priesthood. When I married, the diaconate was the answer to doing more in the Church. Wet shaving started even younger, because my great-grandfather was a barber in Queens, NY, where I was raised. The memories of the scents from his shop and the products he and my grandfather used, along with the tradition of giving a razor from the year someone was born, brought everything full circle. The intersection of these occurred when I realized I wasn’t getting as good a shave as I could be with cartridges. While researching how to get a better shave, I came across the Youtube Channels of people like Sinatra Lennon and Gio Fatboy. I realized I could get a much better shave, and be more presentable in my ministry. I also realized I could help people see the human side of the Church with my own Youtube Videos. Wet shaving is built around patience, preparation, and attention. Has your life as a deacon changed the way you understand the practice of wet shaving? I think the Diaconate was the start of my patience, preparation, and attention. Having to prepare a homily every week taught me preparation and attention to detail. Working with many different priests certainly taught me patience! That all flowed over into the attention to detail of selecting the razor and software needed for shaving. It also helped teach me more patience in re-learning how to shave. A lot of men treat shaving as a chore. What do you think people miss when they fail to see the ritual side of it? They miss the chance to relax before a stressful work day, take care of themselves, and enjoy something that’s meant to be enjoyed.   As someone in ministry, how do you think about outward appearance? Is grooming simply practical, or is something deeper at work? Refer to Matthew 6:16-18. While it deals with fasting, it also deals with how you should generally appear, whether in ministry or going to church, or in everyday life. To paraphrase: Advise against appearing gloomy, disheveled, or “somber” to show others you are fasting…instead individuals are instructed to maintain a normal, clean appearance, washing the face and grooming, so that the fasting is a private matter.” So, definitely something deeper. Your channel is not just about products, but about personal experience and reflection on life. Do you see your YouTube work as purely hobby content, or in some small way also as a form of helping others? It’s definitely more than hobby content. Whether it’s helping someone else along their journey of wet shaving, or having the chance to minister to someone in a time of need (physical, emotional, or spiritual), I like to think I can do that with the channel. Wet shaving can easily become a collecting hobby. How do you personally balance the enjoyment of fine tools, scents, and craftsmanship with the other aspects of your work and personal life? It’s not easy to draw the line and maintain the balance. I made that mistake and last year it almost cost me my marriage before I realized it. Once I did, I learned that 1. Family is first, and 2. Picking and choosing can be just as rewarding as simply impulse buying. You have a deep connection with all things Italian. Where does that connection come from? What about the world of Italian wet shaving, and all of its amazing artisanal products, do you love the most? My mother’s side of the family is completely hardcore Italian! My great-grandfather actually won a diamond ring (and my great-grandmother) in a poker game in Italy! He was the barber that came to America in the 1800s. It’s the diamond my wife wears to this day in her wedding ring – a genuine 1800s Miner’s Cut diamond. The idea for Italian Shave Wednesday came from an old TV commercial from the Northeast about a product called “Prince Spaghetti”. Every Wednesday was Prince Spaghetti Day. So, keeping with Italian tradition, Italian Shave Wednesday was born. As far as products, I love the connection to the Old Country, a lot of the traditional scents, and artisanal values that are put into the products. When it comes to gear, do your personal favorites come down to performance, or is it more about personal taste, or even sentiment? It’s actually a little bit of each. For example, my 1961 Fatboy is from the year I was born. The scents are personal taste (or my wife’s 😊), and some of the older razors like my World War I army issue pay tribute to those that came before and paved the way so we can still enjoy this tradition and our freedom. Tell us a little about your ideal set up. What do you look for in a soap, a brush, a blade and a fragrance? Every time can be different. Whether it’s matching a season, holiday, an event or a theme. Some examples are Whiskey Week, or Christmas, cause awareness and tributes . So, I don’t really have an ideal setup as it changes to match the occasion or mood. You've given a lot to the world of wet shaving through your videos and community participation. What has wet shaving given you in return? Lower blood pressure for one! Just ask my cardiologist, who said “keep it up”. I’ve even introduced him to wet shaving, and gave him a starter set. We talk about it every time I see him! It’s given me a chance to meet new people, make wonderful friends, and connect to communities I otherwise wouldn’t have found. It also gives me an office that smells absolutely different and amazing every day. If you could tell the entire world of wet shaving one message, what would it be? First, don’t let this hobby become an obsession. I made that mistake and it almost cost me the love of my life. Second, as I said earlier, family first. Third, enjoy and take your time as time is not something that is guaranteed and finally “Be good to yourselves and each other. Have a great day, and smooth shaves” Visit The Deacon Shaves on Youtube Eugene and Brenda Deacon Wohlfarth Ordained Eugene and Brenda

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