Tag Archives: grooming essentials

West Coast Shaving Build Your Own Starter Shaving Kit

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On a rainy Saturday afternoon, I was bouncing around the Internet and came across West Coast Shaving’s Build Your Own Starter Shaving Kit. For $30 plus shipping and tax, you’re given a choice of badger brushes, double edge safety razors, shaving cream and razors to choose from. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Could this be? Would I go through the motions only to find out nothing I want is available or worse, the site hadn’t been updated and this offer no longer available? After poking around and building what I thought was a good set, I realize this is happening. This set is priced at $30 plus tax and shipping. I know we’re used to free shipping these days but I was so intrigued by this offering that I wasn’t going to be turned away.

I ordered the set on Saturday afternoon and by Wednesday night, it was waiting for me. Excited see the product, I tore into it that night, took a peak and knew I scored a set that would rival any. I held out though and did an unboxing via Instagram stories. If you missed it, be sure to follow my in the gram.

Out the gate, West Coast Shaving impressed me with it’s packaging. For $30, they are giving you a badger brush, razor, shaving soap and razors. No one could blame them if they bubble wrapped each item and sent it along in a brown box. Instead, each piece is packaged by itself in West Coast Shaving branded packaging. As for the razor, the handle and razor head came in separate boxes.

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The badger brush I choose has an ivory handle and I’m loving the blue tip. Made of synthetic badger hair, the bristles are soft and overall, it’s well constructed.

The stainless steel double edge safety razor is a thing of beauty and by itself, it will last you a lifetime. I’m loving the ergonomic design of the handle and its grip strips. What’s most impressive is its weight. It’s by far the heaviest starter razor I’ve ever held in my hand. This razor is a closed comb, three piece that requires breaking down by unscrewing the handle to dismount the head, which is an additional two pieces. If there’s one criticism, one could argue that a twist to open would be a more appropriate “starter” razor.

Astra Superior Platinum Double Edge Razors were the default or you could pay an additional $7 for a sampler pack. The latter would be a good option if you’re truly purchasing this as a starter kit for someone but kept the Astra blades since I knew I’d use blades I already have at home.

Lastly, the shave soap is West Coast Shaving’s own brand and comes in three scents, bay rum, ocean and lime basil. For a fragrance head like myself, I thought the lime basil would be the most interesting. It’s quite fragrant and I’m liking the juxtaposition of the lime and basil.

Bottom line, this is an excellent kit. It’s remarkable they are offering all of this for $30 plus tax and shipping. What’s pictured above is the set I put together and I love that even at this price, West Coast Shaving offers choices.

Father’s Day is right around the corner and this would make an excellent gift, even for someone who is a seasoned shaver. For a young man graduating college and moving into the professional world, this would make a great gift too.

Well done West Coast Shaving.

This product was purchased by me and all views are my own.

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Why You Should Use Priming Oil

Use priming oil for a smoother shaveEver since I became a father, I haven’t had time for much other than being a father. As a result, my passions have shifted, things that I’m passionate about, have taken a backseat to my new responsibility. Don’t get me wrong, however, I love every minute of it.

Nevertheless, writing about grooming doesn’t seem to want to let me go. I don’t want to let it go either.

I am now a contributing writer for Bevel. If I wasn’t, I’d muster up the time to tell you how great I think this company is. Nevertheless, my first article for them, where I talk about the importance of priming oil, is live. I’ll be writing about shaving and hope you keep up with my posts.

Time is still elusive and I’m burning the midnight oil to write for them and hope to burn some more to get back to blogging here at Fragrantmoments. In the meantime, check me out over at Bevel.

Pit Approved

Deodorant

Have you ever come home, opened the refrigerator and stared into it like something would miraculously jump out at you that didn’t before? That’s the same thing that often happens when I troll the aisles of chain drug stores looking for deodorant. Don’t get me wrong, they aren’t all bad but sometimes I look hard for something else; anything other than what’s already there but somehow I leave without buying anything.  As a result, I didn’t wear any deodorant for a long time. I don’t perspire a lot but the last time I left my pits bare, it was in the fall/winter so I could get away with it. With spring and summer on the horizon and perspiration due to increase, something had to change – enter Baxter of California’s Deodorant.

The first time I smelled Deodorant, I thought I forgot to take a protective layer or something off the roll on. The scent isn’t as loud as most men’s deodorants can be. It’s Citrus & Herbal-Musk scent is subtly present and it won’t compete with your fragrance choice of the day. The citrus notes are in the background giving the scent a slight fresh lift but its earthiness is what will rope you in. It’s all man without the usual “guy” scent. For those with sensitive noses, I think you’ll find this wearable. For those with sensitive pits, this is formulated with you in mind. And it’s aluminum and alcohol free to boot.

Deodorant 2.65 0z $18

Headed Out The Door, Don’t Forget This

Hand Creams
Wallet – check. Phone – check. Keys – check. Money – check. It’s safe to say these items are part of the checklist of items men run through before they leave home for the day. Perhaps lip balm is on there when it’s really cold out but the question I pose today is this, how many of you carry around hand lotion? Does that seem a bit too fussy? Consider the fact that women notice fine details and ashy hands will result in the loss of brownie points. If that got your attention, read on.

If you suffer from ashy skin, you’ll notice it occurring during the winter and after long hot showers, two common factors. During the winter, temperatures drop and the air gets very dry, and while long hot showers can be soothing, the heat opens our pores allowing moisture to escape. In both of these instances, the top layer of our skin is being stripped of its natural moisture, leaving the skin dry and itchy. Add to that the fact that in the winter, we’re constantly washing our hands to kill germs and that is a recipe for ashy hands.

So, what can we do to remedy this? Cutting down the length and temperature of those showers will help but what you really want to do is moisturize your skin more often. Add any one of the following to your daily checklist of must have items before you leave the house to keep your polished look intact. (From L to R):

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter
I can’t even remember when I started using this but it’s stood the test of time. Cocoa butter will do your skin justice. Its rich formula will create a protective barrier between your skin and the elements. The result, moisturized hands that look manicured without feeling greasy.

Jack Black Industrial Hand Healer
Jack Black’s Industrial Hand Healer is a quiet worker bee. Before you know it, eucalyptus, vitamin A and E quickly penetrate your skin to rid it of ash. There’s no residual greasy feeling or extra shine. Hands are left feeling smooth and moisturized and no one’s the wiser.

Portland General Store Wood Super Thick Hand Cream
Formulated for overworked hands, Wood Super Thick Hand Cream is all natural and loaded with essential oils. It works fast to moisturize hands and is the most masculine smelling of the bunch.

Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream
You probably noticed your ladies’ Bliss products but this is one you can use with no shame. You only need a little bit of Bliss’ High Intensity Hand Cream to heal your ash. Macadamia nut oil and grape seed extract work to hydrate and soothe your skin leaving hands feeling rescued.

L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
Super creamy and packed with 20% shea butter honey, almond and coconut oil, L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Hand Cream is by far one of my favorites. Creamy and light, it quickly penetrates the skin to hydrate hands leaving them polished and soft without the feeling of grease.