Review (5/5): Excellent shaving soap!
I bought this shaving soap, not knowing anything about "real" shaving soaps or creams. Since I started shaving, around my 13th birthday (I'm 40 now), I have always used multi-bladed cartridge razors and foamy shaving cream in a spray can. I moved to spray gels, and stayed current with the multi-blade trend. I had been using a Fusion Proglide since it came out, and before that, a plain Fusion since it hit the market. I began to notice several years ago, that shaving irritation on my neck was getting progressively worse. It got so bad, I got to where I would only shave twice a week. I tried almost every lubrication you can buy in a can for shaving, but nothing helped because my skin is so sensitive and my beard and stubble is so thick. I looked for a better cream.
I bought a cheap shaving brush and selected about 4 types of shaving soaps and creams. I happened to see this PAA Solstice, and thought it looked interesting. Once I got it and opened it, I was mesmerized by the scent. I can't accurately describe the olfactory goodness of this stuff, so I won't try. The smell was so good, I hoped it worked 1/2 as good as the scent is. Using my cheap brush, an old mug and my trusty Fusion Proglide, I whipped up the best lather a first timer could, and started to shave. Well, I actually tried a trial lather with a cream rather than this soap, but you get the idea.
At any rate, I experienced a very comfortable shave that also happened to be the closest I'd had in years. I did have mild irritation on my neck, but it was much more comfortable than anything I had tried previously. The soap lathered surprisingly well, considering i didn't really know what I was doing. It left a really slick layer to my face which helped my razor glide across my face with ease. And of course the aroma was amazing when hot water was applied to this stuff. I didn't realize it at the time, but this changed my life.
I was so thrilled by my experience with this soap, I thought now is as good a time as any to try double edged razor shaving...the old way. I bought a double edge safety razor, and even more creams and soaps. I picked up better brushes, pre-shave products, aftershave products, and an assortment of blades with which to experiment. I dove head first into traditional shaving...all because of how much I liked this soap. My skin has never been as healthy as it has been since I changed how I shave and care for my face. I still suffer mild neck irritation, but it is greatly reduced. I've added several Phoenix soaps to my shaving arsenal, and they're all great. But Solstice is by far the favorite of the bunch. I've used creams or soaps that may be better in some respects, but Solstice is an all-around performer. I rotate creams or soaps, but Solstice sees more use than anthing else in my cabinet. PAA's customer service has been A-rate also.
To put it simply, I love this shaving soap. My absolute favorite. The only complaint I have is that I liked it so much, I've invested a whole lot more into shaving than I ever thought I could...and it's all Solstice's fault! At least I like shaving again!