Out of the darkness
When many of us were introduced to shaving as young men, it was a grim chore to race through to get to the rest of the day. Most of us did not start out using the best tools and products. It was often an aerosol foam followed by a couple of mediocre blades encased in disposable plastic. Or worse yet, electric. The results were less than stellar.
But people have been discovering the beauty and joy of simple tasks. We might grow our own tomatoes, perfect a pour-over coffee technique, or even just practice focused breathing. The slow food movement is a great example of people reconnecting with the basic elements of life.
Finding our groove
This ethos has even impacted men’s grooming. The act of shaving can be that quiet, centering moment at the start of the day, an opportunity to exercise a simple skill of self care, using high quality tools and products. Hardwicke's of California plays its part in the Slow Shave Lifestyle by striving to provide the best shaving cream in the world.
In 2012, I embraced traditional wet shaving, the use of real shaving cream applied with a brush, and a single blade to shave (my choice is a safety razor with a double edge blade, but some guys choose a straight razor or high quality cartridge razor). What a revelation. It took a minute longer, but it was a pleasure instead of a grind, delivered better results, and improved my state of mind as I embraced the rest of my day.
Saponification Proclamation
Many of the shaving creams & soaps I tried were excellent. For all my admiration of them, I wondered if these predominantly old European products could be improved upon. Could performance be even better? Could I integrate more organic ingredients? Could the scent profiles evoke a more New World/West Coast perspective than these Old World standards?
So I began this quest, learning that shaving cream is a kind of “true soap”, selected oils combined with lye in a chemical process called saponification. I studied soap making and performed hundreds of experiments, deconstructing the best existing products and exploring myriad ingredients, old and new. After 10 years, these efforts led to this finished product.
These creams have become favorites for myself and others. I sincerely hope they help enrich your grooming experience!