June 9, 2025

• Brush: Wald Stratos Haunter 29mm A1
• Razor: Gillette President Y-2
• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (2)
• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles - Midnight Dreary - Soap
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming - Opulence - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

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The date code for this Aristocrat places it in 1953, still in the throws of the atomic age.

My normal goto for dupes is Stirling. I have a number of the “Man” series soaps and planned to go with Island Man. At the last minute I took a look at Shaving Fragrance Homages and found that Midnight Dreary is a dupe of Tom Ford Black Orchid. I was in the mood for Caties Bubbles anyway.

I have Master Soap Creations “Bloom” soap which is a dupe of the same fragrance, but decided to use Opulence aftershave which a dupe of Layton by Parfums de Marly. I’m double duping today.

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