Shaving Product Review - Eufros "Rosas" and
Chatillon Lux "Rose Santal"

Value (Cost, Packaging and Performance)

Lather (Density, Glide and Feel)

Post-shave (Healing, Moisture and Feel)

Scent (Quality, Strength and Longevity)

From Spain comes in-your-face rose petals, featuring an excellent rose absolute by way of Eufros Rosas (roses) in #soap and #balm form!

NOTE: A quick disclaimer; this is an older version/formula of the soap (2015-2016 vintage) known today as the Regular Line. I meant to take a shot of the backs of the containers, which list the ingredients... But forgot. So an analysis of those will have to wait for the next shave with this combo. Sorry!

The hype surrounding this soap goes back a few years now and seems to grow with each passing year... The software is made by a (very nice) gentleman in Barcelona, Spain by the name of Manuel Garcia (a.k.a. JabonMan on the Spanish forum Foroafeitado). The soaps originally were sold by word of mouth on various forums under this name, in clear PET tubs with a simple label for the name. Later, the packaging improved with aluminum tins and better labels and the brand name became Eufros (which is seen here). In its latest incarnation, the tins and labels have improved further; on par with Wet Shaving Products (albeit in a larger tin) or prior generation Cold River Soap Works. Getting a hold of it is still essentially word of mouth, however. There's no website, no Facebook page - or any other social media for that matter. The only way to reach him is via email. Send him a note and he'll tell you what's available, what the costs are - and then you guys work out an order and payment. Pasteur Pharmacy in NYC picked up a bunch back in September, and while mostly sold out now, they're expecting a delivery literally any time now.

The latest formula is known as the Premium Line - and features "the highest quality components" including jojoba oil, linseed oil, rhassoul (mineral clay mined from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco) and essential oils. I talked to Manuel and as of this writing, he currently has in his Premium Line:

• Brisa de Oriente - 24€ / $28.20
• Dama de Noche - 20€ / $23.50
• Fougère - 20€ / $23.50
• Lima-Especias - 20€ / $23.50
• Rosa Bourbon - 34€ / $40.00
• Sándalo - 26€ / $30.60
• Tobacco - 20€ / $23.50
• Ylang Ylang - 24€ / $28.20

In the Regular Line:

• Tierra Humeda - 18.60€ / $22
• Cítrico - 18.60€ / $22
• Rosas - 18.60€ / $22
• Violetas - 18.60€ / $22

And Vegan:

• Gea - 20€ / $23.50

Past releases have included Agarwood, Lavender, Mare Nostrum and Vetiver de Haití among others. There were also some limited editions; Edén (for the Spanish forum Foroafeitado) and 2016 along with Sin Corte No Hay Gloria ("no cut, no glory" - 2017) and Kasbah. As you may have noticed, these soaps are not inexpensive. This is because of the ingredients, especially the scents. Very high quality stuff is used; for example the rose absolute in Rosa Bourbon or the agar (oud) oil in Agarwood. While liking one accord or another is a very personal thing, you can rest assured that these aren't "cheap" fragrances. Though some of them might not be what you expect. Agarwood for example, is a straight shot of the real deal and not your typical OTC fragrance. It's often described as animalic and musky, or even stanky (yes, it's a wood)... But to know it, is to love it. So proceed carefully or go with "safer choices."

Shipping is a big bugaboo; it's pricey (as can be expected). Just like with Martin de Candre or Saponificio Varesino when ordered direct. Within Europe it's 9.30€ by registered mail up to 500g (two units) and up to 1000g (three-four units) it costs 15.60€. For everyone else, it's 12.85€ up to 500g (two units) and up to 1000g (three-four units) it costs 23.95€. You can also get express delivery for 16.23€ up to 500g, 21.30€ up to 1000g, 26,37€ up to 1500g and 30.43€ up to 2000g.

With all that out of the way, how does it actually perform? Does it match the hype - and the TL;DR version is for the most part, a resounding "yes." Let's start with the scents. As mentioned, very high quality essential oils are used. While you won't find deep, complex accords - most find them very nice, regardless. Some are more... "Polarizing." Either way, if a scent sounds good to you it will probably meet expectations. The particular scent I used today is Rosas which is a simple rose note; think highly floral, just the flower petals. This is in contrast to Rosas Bourbon which is more complex. It's an exquisite rose scent, and you definitely get the impression that it's top shelf stuff. In the tub it was a robust medium, but mellowed a bit once lathered.

Performance is also very nice. Keep in mind that I have an older formula, rather than the latest. I also don't have enough face time with it to nail it down just yet - but my first experience is quite positive. With my default loading (especially with new soaps) of 30s, the soap produced an amazing heap of somewhat fluffier, creamy lather with very good cushion and primary slickness - and good secondary slickness. I suspect that with a little dialing in, the lather will be creamier and less fluffy, but it was really nice just the same. You could easily load this a bit less, say 20-25s and still have enough for a three-pass shave.

I also happened to have the matching Rosas balm. The container is very nice; simple yet clean and professional - and of course, super easy to dispense. Be careful as a full press will yield way too much... You don't need nearly that much. The consistency is on the thinner side but as a result, is very quick to absorb. The face feel is exquisite. Nicely moisturized but "drier" in feel; silky. The scent strength is about a medium with a longevity of a couple of hours. I followed up with a few spritzes of Chatillon Lux Rose Santal #EdP to keep the rose love going for the rest of the day.

Balms are 15€ in 75ml airless containers, in most scents (Rosa Bourbon and Sándalo are 17€). Ingredients include aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, provitamin B5, vitamin E, allantoin, bisabolol, lactic acid, glycerin and very light menthol.

Hardware came down to the #TimelessRazor in a .95mm gapped custom base plate (scalloped on one side, open comb on the other) with a RazoRock Halo handle in titanium and a #PolSilver blade on shave three (scalloped side). The matching titanium #BSB Shaving Brush with a Mühle Silvertip Fibre knot loaded the soap super easy and whipped the lather into a frenzy within the #GTP scuttle. I had originally thought to use the Timeless Razor TRBR38 (bronze) razor just to see how it handled longer stubble on this Monday morning... But I can't resist this most aggressive version. Naturally, a BBS shave was had.

I look forward to not only using other #Eufros soaps, but also the latest formula(s). If this one is any indication, the hype is generally justified. The scent is high quality and both the soap and balm seem to be as well. I have no complaints at all with either and had a truly lovely shave today! A big shout out to brother Darrell, who PIFed this combo to me so that I could try it out - thank you!