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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

Hi All, Big changes have been happening at ShaveSplash: The Rabbit Hole, and I’m excited to share that the app is now available on Android in the Google Play Store. Here’s what’s new: ShaveSplash AI (new optional subscription feature) Instead of building endless charts and tables, I built something more powerful: you can now ask questions about your own shave log in plain English. ShaveSplash AI connects to OpenAI so you can uncover patterns in your gear and results, figure out what’s working best, and get suggestions to improve comfort and efficiency. The more you log (and the more detail you add about your gear), the better it gets. Because each AI query has a real run-time cost, this is the only feature that requires a subscription. Discount Codes I’m working with artisans to occasionally share special coupon codes through the app. When one is available, the bell near the settings icon will light up. A big thank you to Peter Charkalis at Ariana & Evans for being the first sponsor. Universal Search You can now search across your Log, History, and Den by typing into the search bar. Search by name, brand, or attributes like “synthetic,” “steel,” or “coated” to quickly pull up what you need. Blade Gaps and Exposures Razors and plates can now include blade gap and exposure data. This is especially helpful when using ShaveSplash AI to connect razor specs with comfort and efficiency. Expanded Randomizer In Spin the Carrot, you can now choose which categories to spin—for example, just razors and blades, or just soaps and splashes. Duplicate Elimination (Spreadsheet Imports) When uploading data from a spreadsheet, duplicates are now automatically removed. Support for Straight and Single-Edge Razors Razors can now be cataloged as Straight, AC, GEM, DE, or Injector. You can also track construction type (1-piece, 2-piece, 3-piece, 4-piece, or adjustable), plus new fields like weight and handle model. My goal is to keep building something fun, useful, and easy. If you give the update a try, I’d love your feedback. Just hit reply and tell me what you want to see next. Warm regards, Lee/Teutonblade

Number Six Number Six dates to 1772, and you can smell that long lineage immediately. Its structure echoes the early citrus colognes that defined the genre, most famously Farina’s Eau de Cologne (1709): a brisk, high-voltage zesty opening, an aromatic herb thread, and a softly floral finish. Where classic Eau de Cologne often feels more rounded and nuanced, Number Six turns the brightness up even further. On skin it reads less “bergamot and neroli” and more a direct, lemon-forward blast, the kind of snap you get from traditional European splashes like Pitralon Classic or Epsilon’s Blue Mediterranean. As the initial zing settles, rosemary adds a sublte herbal note and lavender arrives as a powdery floral veil, although both lighter than in many cologne archetypes, making the scent feel more straightforward and linear than multi-layered. In warm weather that simplicity can be a virtue: bright, refreshing, and unmistakably “just showered.” The one caution is that the cleanliness is assertive enough to flirt with an antiseptic edge, and in certain moments can nudge towards a clinical or medicinal feel.  Still, for fans of traditional citrus aromatics, Number Six delivers exactly what its history suggests: a crisp, nostalgic, old-world cologne character that feels neat, dignified, and time-tested. Learn More About Caswell-Massey Number Six See the full ShaveSplash details here

Razor Emporium writes.... Join the Razor Emporium team and 100+ wet shaving enthusiasts for a full day celebrating traditional shaving, craftsmanship, and community. Whether you’re a longtime enthusiast or brand new to the hobby, this is a laid-back, family-friendly event built around great people and great gear. Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026 Start Time: 9:00 AM Location: Razor Emporium 210 S. 37th Street Phoenix, AZ 85304 Admission: Free Family Friendly: Yes — bring the whole crew Meet shaving vendors and artisans from around the world Behind-the-scenes Razor Emporium shop tour Live Razor plating demonstration Hands-on soap making class Food Truck on Site Cash Bar Photobooth Free Entry Free Raffle Prizes Shopping opportunities with exclusive products Relaxed, welcoming community vibes all day long

Outer Spice Douglas Smythe writes... Top notes: Citrus. Lemon, Nutmeg, Bergamot, Clary Sage Middle Notes: Geranium, Lavender, Carnation, Pimento Berry, Jasmine Bottom Notes: Vanilla, Amber, Woody, Spice, Musk, Tonka The opening is bright and familiar with citrus, lemon, bergamot, nutmeg, and clary sage. The heart delivers the unmistakable notes of geranium, lavender, carnation, pimento berry, and jasmine. The base settles into warm vanilla, amber, woods, spice, musk, and tonka, grounding the fragrance exactly the way the original did. (and then some) If you wore Shulton’s Old Spice, this will take you back immediately. If someone you loved wore it, you’ll recognize it just as fast. Outer Spice is not nostalgia cosplay. It’s a tribute to a fragrance that marched through history, crossed oceans, came home, threw back a whiskey and helped define what men’s fragrance once was.ied a refined floral spine beneath the spice. Carnation was never an accident! Learn more about Old Spice here

Saponificio Varesino Cosmo Cosmo is an original composition that feels familiar at first blush. With its bold, citrus-forward opening, a dusting of pepper, and a firm vetiver backbone, it shares some DNA with another Saponificio Varesino favorite, Desert Vetiver. Where Cosmo departs is in its gourmand leanings: a touch of coffee adds depth and earthy texture, while vanilla and incense broaden the base and nudge the profile away from purely woody towards an oriental-tinged finish. The spice accord is the signature here. Unlike a bay rum or barbershop, Cosmo leans into the drier spices of coriander and pepper paired with a roasted coffee note, creating an earthy heat that serves as a crisp foil for the bright citrus. Together they feel vivid and energizing, a pairing that’s more eye-opening than heavy. As it settles, vanilla and incense smooth the edges and round the bouquet into a semi-sweet foundation that calms the sharper angles without muting the character. The result is classy, complex, and confidently masculine, with a gentlemanly nod to an earlier era before the fruit-forward trends of the 1990s.  Fresh, spicy, with real depth and a refined finish, Cosmo makes a statement while staying versatile, and is a strong daytime pick when you want something conservative and timeless, but still interesting enough to feel intentional. Visit The Razor Company to learn more about Saponificio Varesino Cosmo The Razor Company

The Tube 2.0 ShaveSplash tested the Tube 2.0 from creative powerhouse Phoenix Shaving for a full week, asking three simple questions: Are the ingredients good? Is it easy to use? Does it work? The answers were: yes, yes, and yes . Within the wet shaving community, the necessity of a pre-shave is often debated. Many believe a well-hydrated proto-lather is sufficient, and some argue that pre-shaves can even work against your shave. The official ShaveSplash view is more nuanced: pre-shaves absolutely have their place, but it might not be needed with every shave. On days when your face feels a bit raw, when your razor feels assertive, or when a blade begins to tug, the added slickness, protection, and skin support of a well-formulated pre-shave can meaningfully elevate performance. Pre-shaves generally fall into four categories, each with distinct mechanisms and tradeoffs. Oils Method: Plant oils such as castor, grapeseed, avocado, or almond increase glide. Pros: Minimal barrier between steel and stubble. Cons: Can interfere with lather adhesion, feel greasy, and be difficult to rinse clean. Creams Method: Emulsions built on fatty acids and emollients such as stearic acid, cetyl alcohol, and butters. Pros: Light protective layer that integrates well with lather. Cons: Can over-hydrate lather if overapplied. Gels Method: Humectants like glycerin structured with gel formers such as carbomer or xanthan gum. Pros: Support lather while adding slickness. Easy to rinse. Cons: Applied too thickly, they can introduce drag. Solids Method: Concentrated glycerin bases enhanced with clays, waxes, and butters. Pros: Controlled application, easy handling, and typically rinse clean. Cons: Overapplication can clog narrow blade gaps or lather channels. Phoenix Shaving arguably defined the modern solid pre-shave category with the release of the Cube in 2017, whose square format blurred the line between soap and pre-shave. Its real innovation lay in the formula, which leans on glycerin and sorbitol to provide humectant-driven slickness but also contains a thoughtful blend of skin-supportive ingredients including activated bamboo charcoal to absorb excess oil, sweet almond oil for added glide, jojoba wax to reinforce the skin barrier, cupuaçu, murumuru, and bacuri butters for moisture retention, and aloe and vitamin E to calm and support stressed skin. The Tube 2.0 builds on and refines the Cube's design with its deodorant-style packaging, which is nothing short of ingenious. One of the hidden challenges of shaving is maintaining grip on a razor, especially heavier stainless models. Many shavers resort to alum on the fingertips to increase friction. The Tube 2.0 elegantly sidesteps the issue altogether by housing the product in a twist-up stick so your hands never come into contact with a slippery block. Even better, it can be reapplied between passes without compromising grip and the rounded head allows for an effortless rolling application and precise spot treatment on areas that need extra assistance. It is controlled, clean, and intuitive. With formula and usability accounted for, two of our three questions were decisively answered. As to performance, as with all shave products this is somewhat personal and "your mileage may vary". That said, the combination of glycerin, sorbitol, and conditioning butters undeniably boosts slickness and on challenging days with raw skin, assertive razors, and less forgiving blades, the Tube 2.0 clearly enhances comfort and glide. The key is restraint. Applied too generously, any solid pre-shave can create a protective layer thick enough to accumulate in the razor head, particularly in designs with narrow blade gaps. ShaveSplash achieved optimal results with a thin, even coat, followed by reapplication between passes as needed to avoid obstructing lather flow. Of note, the mentholated version adds a clean cooling hit, roughly 10–25% stronger than Proraso Pre-Shave in ShaveSplash testing, that will feel especially welcome in hot weather or on days when the skin needs an extra layer of soothing coolness. Conclusion With a smart formulation and a genuinely clever delivery system, Tube 2.0 is more than an iteration, it’s a refinement. It won’t replace the need for good technique or well-hydrated lather. But on days when your shave needs reinforcement, whether that means extra glide, extra comfort, or a refreshing blast of menthol, the Tube 2.0 is a convenient, thoughtfully engineered tool that can provide a noticeable boost in comfort and control. For those who believe pre-shaves have a time and place, the Tube 2.0 makes a compelling case. Phoenix Shaving Visit Phoenix Shaving to Learn More

George Washington by Strike Gold Shave Frank Misa, the creative force behind Strike Gold Shave, has an uncanny ability to identify fragrances that feel current, wearable, and broadly appealing. In a fragrance landscape awash in near-misses and also-rans, Frank’s real gift is curation: he sifts through the noise and somehow lands on scents that feel instantly collection-worthy. More often than not, the result wears like a must-have rather than a maybe. George Washington expands Strike Gold’s Presidential lineup in a smart way by filling a gap it didn’t quite realize it had. Inspired by Kilian’s Apple Brandy, this is a citrus-forward composition that avoids the usual trap of becoming a one-note lemon or orange blast. Instead, it builds a layered, modern accord, weaving fruits, spirits, woods, and amber into something polished and confidently contemporary. Apple is clearly part of the story, but it doesn’t dominate the spotlight. In fact, the scent leans into that “New Fruit” playbook that took off in the 90s and still shapes modern masculine perfumery, think the juicy, crowd-pleasing energy you find in Creed Aventus or YSL Y. Here, pineapple plays a surprisingly strong supporting role, giving the blend a succulent, almost sugary glow without tipping into candy territory. Where George Washington really distinguishes itself is in its ethereal architecture. Rum, brandy, and cognac don’t read as heavy or syrupy. Instead, they add an airy, vapor-like lift, an electric depth that feels atmospheric rather than overindulgent. It captures the idea of aged spirits more than the weight of them, like the lingering impression of a well-made cocktail rather than the aftermath of an all-day happy hour. The base is where the fragrance earns its backbone. Cedarwood and oak provide a masculine framework that grounds the fruit and keeps the profile from getting too glossy. A subtle confectionary touch from vanilla and ambroxan adds richness, but it’s restrained, more “smooth finish” than “dessert.” Cardamom brings a well-placed spark of spice, and a pinch of moss introduces earthiness that, at moments, hints at a tobacco-like nuance, though less loamy and less plush, more dry shadow than velvet. All told, George Washington is a lively blend of bright bergamot, apple, and pineapple, tempered by woods, amber, and a measured sweetness, then pushed into motion by the volatility of beautifully rendered spirits. It feels mature without being stodgy, playful without being adolescent. If there’s a caveat, it’s that the vibe leans a little too after-dark for a conservative office day. But for social gatherings, date nights, or anytime you want something modern, charismatic, and just a touch mysterious, this one absolutely delivers. Shave Soap Scent Strength: 7 Longevity: 8 The Patriot base blends premium ingredients to deliver a high-performance, structured lather. Goat’s milk amplifies density and creaminess; castor oil, glycerin, and tussah silk elevate both primary and residual slickness; while kokum and shea butters soothe the skin and support lasting hydration. The result is a quality modern artisan soap with good cushion and density, high slickness, and ample stability. Shave Soap Skin Foods Aloe: light humectant which soothes irritation. Supports skin barrier to prevent water loss. Shea butter: emollient and mild occlusive which moisturizes and protects. Kokum butter: emollient and mild occlusive which moisturizes and protects. Castor oil: adds slickness and acts as light humectant. Glycerin: humectant which boosts hydration and aids in slickness. Dragon fruit: soothes redness and mild antioxidant. Chamomile water: soothes redness. Tussah silk: adds slickness and smoothes the skin. Aftershave Scent strength: 7 Longevity: 8 Aftershave skin foods Rose Water: soothes mild redness and lightly hydrates. Aloe: light humectant which soothes irritation. Supports skin barrier to prevent water loss. Witch Hazel: astringent and anti-inflammatory. Vitamin E: emollient which moisturizes and is an antioxidant. Calendula: reduces irritation. Chamomile water: soothes redness. Red Clover: antioxidant which softens skin. Visit Strike Gold Shave

Dragon Noir A new soap from Phoenix Shaving has dropped inspired by the legendary Drakkar Noir. Top Notes: Lavender, Bergamot, Lemon, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon Verbena, Basil, Artemisia; a fresh, herbaceous citrus burst. Middle Note: Juniper, Coriander, Cinnamon, Carnation, Jasmine, Angelica, Wormwood; spice, warm herbal complexity, and a bit of floral nuance. Base: Oakmoss, Leather, Fir balsam, Pine Needles, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Patchouli, Cedarwood, Amber, Resins; deep woods, earth, resin, and leathery tones anchor the scent with warmth and classic masculine depth. Douglas Smythe writes..... When Drakkar Noir hit its peak in the late 80s and early 90s, it was everywhere. Clubs. Cars. High Schools, College dorms. Office elevators. Date nights. It was one of the best selling men’s fragrances on the planet. For a stretch of time, it defined what “men’s cologne” even meant. Lord knows my best friend Mike wore the hell out of it! (Drakkar was his scent, Shulton's Old Spice was mine.) Aromatic. Dark. Clean. Sharp. Comforting. It was the smell of confidence for an entire generation. Dragon Noir is our tribute to that time. And it's is no accident we are dropping Dragon Noir. Across cultures and traditions, the dragon is not chaos. It is considered grounding. It represents raw, earthly energy and stability. A symbol of endurance and protection. Dragon symbolism is often tied to feeling centered in your body and steady in your mind. It shows up again and again in systems focused on resilience and regulation. For example: Somatic grounding. In therapeutic visualization, a “dragon tail” is used as an imagined anchor. It connects the body to the ground. It creates a sense of weight, support, and strength. Elemental connection. Earth dragons are associated with stability, endurance, and deep connection to the natural world. Balanced energy. In Eastern philosophy, the dragon reflects harmony. It unites opposing forces into something steady, centered, and whole. Resilience and protection. Dragon scales are symbols of armor. They represent personal strength, nervous system safety, and the ability to withstand pressure. Rooted focus. Wood and Earth dragons are linked to being organized, grounded, and clear headed. Fun Fact: A drakkar is a term for a type of Viking longship or warship, originating from Old Norse words for "dragon"! So it's as simple as that Shave Cadets! Stay strong, resilient and steadfast in these "interesting times"...and give 'em hell! 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] Learn More About Dragon Noir Here

ShaveSplash: The Rabbit Hole Hi ShaveSplash friends, I’m excited to share that ShaveSplash: The Rabbit Hole  is now live on iOS, and I’m getting ready to launch the Android beta . To release on Google Play, Google requires at least 12 testers  who keep the app installed for 14 days . If you’d like to help, I’d be grateful. Want to join the Android beta? Email me at teutonblade@shavesplash.com  with the Gmail address you use for the Google Play Store , and I’ll send you the invite and next steps. What the app does (and why I built it) My design philosophy was simple: build the shave log and den tracker I’d want to use every day. I focused on four things: customization, granularity, data integration, and live updates . 1) Customization Every shaver evaluates a shave differently. Many apps lock you into their scoring system. The Rabbit Hole lets you create your own. You can track shaves quantitatively  (1–10 scoring, multiple categories) and qualitatively  (DFS, BBS, irritation notes, and more). Presets are included, but everything is customizable, and your results roll into analytics so you can spot patterns over time. 2) Granularity Wet shaving gear is wonderfully specific, and trackers are often too generic. Razors can have different plates, metals, finishes, and many of us own multiple versions of the same model. The Rabbit Hole lets you track those details across razors, blades, brushes, soaps, aftershaves, balms, and EDPs , so your den stays accurate and useful. 3) Data integration ShaveSplash’s soap and aftershave database is packed with product data meant to help you understand what you’re using and why it works. I built an API that lets you select soaps and aftershaves from the ShaveSplash catalog  and pull that info directly into your shave log. 4) Live updates Wet shaving is about the shave, but it’s also about the community. The app includes a live feed of community news and new product coverage, plus quick access to ShaveSplash.com and its tools. The app has no subscription fees  and no hidden charges . It’s built as a community tool, and I’d love your feedback on what to improve or add next. Thanks, as always, for your support and for making ShaveSplash what it is. The iOS app is now live on the app store in 175 countries and in the US can be found here: https://apple.co/3Z8wfBa Warmly, Teutonblade P.S. If you join the Android beta, please keep the app installed for the full 14 days  so the test counts toward Google’s requirement.

Pulp + Petal Pulp + Petal feels like Happy Chap bottled a tropical afternoon and didn’t bother to hide the grin. The theme is loud and clear from the first hit: sunshine, warm air, and the kind of carefree sweetness that belongs near sand, saltwater, and a drink with a little umbrella in it. This is not a scent that tiptoes in. It arrives bright, juicy, and immediately legible, yet it never gets rough around the edges. The blend is smooth, polished, and intentionally fun. Passionfruit takes the lead, vivid and mouthwatering, with passionflower adding a soft, floral lift that keeps the fruit from turning syrupy. Pineapple comes in next, adding a tangy snap that reads more “fresh-squeezed” than candied, while coconut cream settles underneath as a gentle, velvety base note that rounds the whole thing out. The effect is a tropical cocktail accord: upbeat, sweet, and easy to wear when the vibe is casual. In a buttoned-up office it may feel a touch too playful, but on a beach day, a summer weekend, or a night at the tiki bar, it’s exactly the point. See more details here . Visit Happy Chap

Full details can be find here . Here's what Maggard posted.... Maggard Razors is hosting our 9th annual Wet Shaving Meet Up DATE: April 25, 2026 TIME: 12pm - 4pm LOCATION: 124 S Winter St. Adrian MI 49221 In 2025, we saw over 185 attendees and 14 vendors, making it one of the largest wet shaving events in the USA. This year, the event will be capped at 180 attendees and 18 vendors, and we’re charging a nominal ticket fee ($36) to secure your spot. you’ll receive: – $14.00 meal voucher for a participating restaurant in downtown Adrian – Free soft drinks, water, and a selection of beer and hard seltzers for the day – Entrance into drawings for door prizes (Guaranteed 100+ winners chosen, some big ticket items!) to all ticket holders purchased before 4/23/2026 – guaranteed samples/freebies from most of the vendors in attendance – a MASSIVE Pay-it-forward table. Bring your old, unused, or unwanted items, drop them on the table, and pick up anything from the table that fancies you. RULES: For software, you may donate full size products in their original packaging with minimum 50% of the product remaining. No sample sizes or “home made” packaging please! Hardware should be clean and functional (no defective / unsafe razors). – The opportunity to meet and greet with some of the wet shaving’s most popular artisan vendors CONFIRMED VENDORS BARRISTER AND MANN THROUGH THE FIRE FINE CRAFT SHANNON'S SOAPS DOWNTOWN ADRIAN FOOD CHOICES We work with local restaurants downtown to give you several food choices on meet day. Turn in your MEAL TICKET to one of 4-5 participating restaurants and Maggard will pick up the first $14.00 of your bill! Restaurants currently on board: Located downtown: Sauce (Italian + Bar) Chomp Burger (Burgers + Bar) Maumee St. Taproom+Kitchen (Homestyle small plates + Bar) Located near hotel: Aubrees (Pizza & Assorted Menu + Bar) Culver's (Butterburgers, Frozen Custard) AFTER MEET GATHERING ~9:00PM - 11:30PM (Saturday night) Hampton Inn & Suites Conference Room HOTELS PREFERRED: Hampton Inn & Suites - LOCATION OF AFTER PARTY Address: 1335 S Main St, Adrian, MI 49221 Phone: (517) 266-2600 Group rate is $114/night. Details for booking will be published as soon as our contract is signed and I get a link for booking. Comfort Inn & Suites Address: 425 Industrial Dr, Adrian, MI 49221 Phone: (517) 759-3410 The Carlton Lodge Address: 1629 W Maumee St, Adrian, MI 49221 Phone: (517) 263-7000 Holiday Inn Express Adrian Address: 1077 US-223, Adrian, MI 49221 Phone: (517) 265-5700