Used to think in terms of UK when it comes to talk shaving soaps/creams, but I foud quite an interesting world in Germany and when I came into a Norwegian soap, I got curious. Some countries are bound to a certain product and rarely the are seen for what they really are. Italy? Spaghetti and pizza (in spite of what many Americans think), Netherlands? Cheese! Scotland? Bagpipes! Norway? Stockfish! But this is true for ethnic jokes only… Actually each one of these countries has a highly reputed name in shaving soaps! Getting to know them it’s only matter of your approach to shaving! Do you shave just to be tidy? You’ll probably never get to know most of them! You think your daily shave is a due pamper to yourself? You’ll know them all! Or a fairly good amount of them… However, in years, I stumbled upon many soaps whose scent was not what I expect from a shave. Some soaps smell like food: coconut, banana and also… bacon! I would not know how to get a fried eggs aftershave! So I quit buying on scent explanations: I do want to smell what I am going to lather on my face! That’s why i appreciated the possibility of purchasing some samples from Fitjar Islands. Normally I am fond of hard soaps rather than creams, but, as far as smelling is concerned, either one works. The first thing I did as i got the sample set, was, obviously, smelling it! I was perplexed by the fragrances wich, to me, were Mediterranean! I imagined ‘Northern’ fragrances more… say warm, dusk, smoky! Instead they smell fresh, citrusy… Perfect scents for spring/summer time! How about autumn and winter? Well, if you shave with Floris, Santa Maria Novella, Goodfellas Black & White, would it make a difference? On top of scents I was amazed by the texture: never found a shaving cream so soft and creamy. Suitable for scuttle and face lathering, they require some attention with water. They must not be drowned but water must be added slowly until you get to the matching point with your personal technique end they will turn into and explosion of whipped cream: a delicious feeling on your skin!
