Original
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
Martin de Candre's Original scent is deceptively simple in its composition consisting mainly of lavendar, mint, and rosemary. Yet despite its simplicity, the bouquet is rich and intensely aromatic, mimicing many of the qualities of a fougere, but with a sweeter and more floral tone. Just as with MdC Fougere, it is fresh and clean, although spicier in its herbal profile and with an added touch of mint. Although no matching splash or EDT is offered, it pairs nicely with most Fresh Aromatics including fougeres, chypres, and barbershops. It can be worn year-round and is more of a day than a night scent, and one which would be perfectly suited to leisure, sport, or the workplace.
Available For Purchase From
Scent Strength
6
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, Mint
Heart Notes
Rosemary
Base Notes
IIngredients
AQUA; STEARIC ACID; PALMITIC ACID; COCOS NUCIFERA OIL; POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE; GLYCERIN; SCENT ; SODIUM CHLORIDE; EUGENOL; GERANIOL; LIMONENE; LINALOOL