Fougere
Martin de Candre
Martin de Candre (MdC) is an institution in the wet-shaving world. Its soaps are renowned not only for beautiful, distinctive scents and best-in-class lathering, but also for exceptional usability, each jar typically yielding far more shaves than the average tub. Founded in 1974 by the Marchand family, who still manage the company today, MdC produces its shave soaps using the Marseille hot-process saponification method, heating and curing the soap over several days. Several fragrances have become touchstones of the category, most notably Fougère, Rose, and the Original, against which many others are compared.
Scent Description
Fougere by Martin de Candre is one of the most iconic and beloved fragrances in all of wet shaving. It is the quintessential fougere, bursting with a green freshness which perfectly captures the smell of ferns on a forest floor. The heart of the fragrance is built on geranium and patchouli, but the intense greenness comes from the bergamot, thyme and oakmoss which makes it aromatic and herbal. To use the soap is to wrap yourself in a lush green forest. Martin de Candre doesn't make a matching splash or EDT, so one challenge is to find an accompanying scent. Regardless, Fougere is a perfect choice for the discriminating gentlman with a taste for classic fragrances.
Available For Purchase From
Scent Strength
7
Longevity
6
Scent Family
Fresh
Subtype
Fougere, Aromatic
Suitability
Home, Work, Daytime
Inspiration
Unique
Country of Origin
France
Menthol
Non-menthol
Companion Products
None
Base Description
The Martin de Candre soap base is widely revered for both performance and longevity. Although each jar is typically 2–4× the price of an average shaving soap, it delivers substantially more shaves, thanks in part to the dense base produced by the Marseille hot-process saponification method, a tradition dating to the 17th century. The formula is deliberately spare, about twelve ingredients, centered on coconut and olive oils, yet the lather is exceptionally rich and dense, with class-leading cushion, strong stability, and excellent slickness. While not inexpensive, MdC consistently justifies its premium by elevating the daily shave into a luxury experience, making it a staple for discerning wet shavers.
Lather Properties
Cushion
10
Density
10
Slickness
8
Stability
Lather Type
9
Creamy
Base Type
Base Name
Vegan
Martin de Candre
Skin Food
Stearic Acid, Coconut Oil, Glycerin
Top Notes
Lavender, Thyme, Bergamot
Heart Notes
Geranium, Patchouli
Base Notes
Oakmoss, Amber
IIngredients
AQUA; STEARIC ACID; PALMITIC ACID; COCOS NUCIFERA OIL; POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE; GLYCERIN; SCENT ; SODIUM CHLORIDE; EUGENOL; GERANIOL; LIMONENE; LINALOOL
As others have stated, this is the best Fougere soap period. Its scent is an amazing and MdC soaps perform flawlessly.
The best Fougère soap available does everything very very well.
MdC is a brand of excellence. Right up there with SV and B&M. This one is a fresh, fairly subtle fragrance that leaves me refreshed. The lather is par excellance, thick and slick. I always use too much product because I can't believe how efficient it is. A little goes a long way....small scoop or no more that 20 swirls on brush to load.
I like the MdC soaps but I think they are overrated. Yes m, they explode with lather and have excellent cushion, but the glide is average and the soap can be drying. The fragrance of this soap is nice.