SOTD - 2026-01-31

• Prep: Stirling Unscented Preshave Soap
• Brush: Unbranded; synthetic?
• Razor: Stirling de3p6s standard head
• Blade: SharP 7 AM plus super platinum (3)
• Lather: Stirling Duke Shave Soap
• Alum: Stirling Travel Size Alum
• Aftershave: Stirling Duke Aftershave Splash
• Balm: Taconic Aftershave Balm
• Serum: Ash Hopper Blueberry Serum
• Moisturizer: Humble Bee Botanicals “Calendulove” Facial Cream

First pass WTG. 2nd pass XTG on upper lips, cheeks, chin. It was a mistake on the upper lips - I got overconfident because I could tell that I had the lather dialed in really well today. So now I have some irritation that could have been avoided. Also maybe did not help that this blade is on the 3rd use? But really I think it would have been fine if I had even just been less aggressive on the XTG pass.

I included the serum and lotion because I think they both help with irritation from the shave and help to balance out the drying effect from the alum. They are both pretty amazing products! I’m considering ditching the Taconic balm and just using the calendulove. Too bad as the Taconic balm is still mostly full…

First time using Duke: it’s pretty nice! I think this has claimed the #2 spot for me in terms of Stirling scents. Gf and I are on the same page on this one - very nice but not quite as nice as Deton-8.