West Coast Shaving recently added some additional branded shave soaps to complement their current lineup. They sent me samples of some of the soaps and a “hybrid” aftershave splash/cologne for me to try.
West Coast Shaving Shave Soaps
West Coast Shaving (WCS) has had a line of their own shaving soaps since November of 2016: Campfire, Winter Spice, Bay Rum, Sweet Almond, Citrus Basil, and Ocean. I’m told they’re made by an artisan in Utah and I think they’re pretty solid. I’ve tried the Bay Rum and the Ocean versions and they perform pretty well for me: you’ll be hearing more about them in the coming weeks, as I’m working on an article about bay rum (some interesting history there, BTW) and another article about “marine” or oceanic-scented shave products.
But last week WCS “upped their game” by announcing an additional line of WCS-branded shave soaps with a different blend of scents and ingredients. Teaming up with Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements for production they came up with new five scents and I was able to get a sample of each:
#1 Gatsby is their “barbershop” or “nostalgia” scent with “notes of ginger, citrus, white pepper, vetiver, mint, cedar, amber, & musk.” For me, the pepper scent dominates (and not in a bad way. It kind of reminds me of Speick, which is a favorite shave cream of mine).
Ingredients: Potassium Stearate, Glycerin, Potassium Cocoate, Aqua, Potassium Kokumate, Sodium Lactate, Potassium Shea Butterate, Potassium Castorate, Sodium Stearate, Potassium Cocoa Butterate, Potassium Avocadoate, Parfum [Fragrance]
#8 Silk Road is a nod to “East meets West” with “notes of bay, sandalwood, citrus, spice, nutmeg, & pine needles.” My nose gets mostly the citrus and spice notes.
Ingredients: Potassium Stearate, Glycerin, Potassium Cocoate, Aqua, Potassium Kokumate, Sodium Lactate, Potassium Shea Butterate, Potassium Castorate, Sodium Stearate, Potassium Cocoa Butterate, Potassium Avocadoate, Parfum [Fragrance]
#9 Denali is straight-up spearmint. 🙂
Ingredients: Potassium Stearate, Glycerin, Potassium Cocoate, Aqua, Potassium Kokumate, Sodium Lactate, Potassium Shea Butterate, Potassium Castorate, Sodium Stearate, Potassium Cocoa Butterate, Potassium Avocadoate, Spearmint Essential Oil
#14 Sequoia aspires to be woody, earthy, and smokey with “notes of cypress, black pepper, coumarin, rosemary, and bergamot….” The cypress notes dominate my nose with rosemary rising later.
Ingredients: Potassium Stearate, Glycerin, Potassium Cocoate, Aqua, Potassium Kokumate, Sodium Lactate, Potassium Shea Butterate, Potassium Castorate, Sodium Stearate, Potassium Cocoa Butterate, Potassium Avocadoate, Parfum [Fragrance]
#17 Rum Runner is yet another take on Bay Rum, this one adding “notes of sandalwood, musk, spice, and whiskey.” The whiskey and spice notes reach my nose first.
Ingredients: Potassium Stearate, Glycerin, Potassium Cocoate, Aqua, Potassium Kokumate, Sodium Lactate, Potassium Shea Butterate, Potassium Castorate, Sodium Stearate, Potassium Cocoa Butterate, Potassium Avocadoate, Parfum [Fragrance]
I should note that all these scents are not particularly strong to my nose (though admittedly my sense of smell is not very sensitive), and softened even further when lathered on my face: if you’re looking for a smack-you-in-the-face scent (like Castle Forbes Limes for instance) these soaps may not appeal to you. It’s worth noting that I think Danali, the only soap in this group with essential oil (vs. fragrance), is slightly stronger. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something more subtle or subdued this may be just what you’re looking for.
Performance
A pleasant or interesting scent is nice, but with so many really excellent shaving soaps on the market the performance has to be good…better than good.
These shave soaps have performed very well for me, even in my “hard” water: the lather was voluminous, cushioning, and protecting. The post-shave skin feel and moisturization is exceptional for me.
Aftershave
An aftershave “splash” is also in the lineup. Actually it’s sort of a cross between a splash or a cologne. Frankly I have never been a big fan of alcohol-based aftershaves, much preferring a “balm” with much less (or no) alcohol, so I am admittedly biased here. And those looking for more of a “cologne” may be disappointed with how long the scent lasts. But I will grudgingly admit the splash I tried wasn’t too bad: there wasn’t much of an alcohol “bite” (even though it’s the first ingredient: Alcohol, Rose Water, Fragrance, Vegetable Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Alum) and the additional ingredients give it a reasonably “skin friendly” aspect for what it is.
So I think the new shaving soaps from West Coast Shaving perform very well indeed and I will be keeping an eye on what they add to the line (like maybe a balm? *Hint hint* *Wink* *Nudge* 🙂 )
Links are affiliate but the opinions expressed are mine and this is not a sponsored post.
Have you tried any of these soaps? What do you think of them? Leave a comment below!
