Macduffs Soap Company Old Strathcona Shave Soap 120g

“Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new.” - Henry David Thoreau
“Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new.” - Henry David Thoreau

Strathcona was a trading town on the southern banks of the North Saskatchewan River, serving as neighbour and a trading partner with the city of Edmonton on the north bank. A few short years after finally reaching “city” status, Strathcona was absorbed by the faster growing Edmonton and was amalgamated in 1912. Today, this area is recognized as “Old Strathcona” and is home to the city’s cultural center, hosting many of our festivals, independent theatres and music venues, all while communicating its history through original architecture, even it’s train station remains.

It makes sense then that this history serves as the inspiration for my barbershop scent: a barbershop (as it applies to the perfumery world--the wet shaving world that word has a slightly different meaning) contains a strong “fougere” element (lavender, geranium, coumarin/tonka bean), a combination that was discovered by perfumers in the 19th century. Fougere has become a staple in the fragrance industry with many modern innovations that have continually revitalized the scent, keeping tradition alive while still moving forward.

Old Strathcona makes a bold herbal green opening with the inclusion of basil and tarragon, both of which share some similarities with anise but remain distinct and add their own nuances. Bergamot and lemon smooth out the opening which goes into a floral heart of rosewood, carnation and geranium. The base of the scent is the true star featuring white patchouli, tonka bean, a trio of tree mosses (oak, cedar, pine), a slight amount of vetiver and finally tenacious mushroom absolute for a bit of earthy saltiness.

Excluded is the classic lavender addition to make room for rosewood, giving a different kind of floral sweetness distinct from the more popular lavender fougeres.

*Please note that I am using natural tree moss absolutes, which are suspected to cause skin sensitization in some individuals--although there is some controversy in the perfumery community about how these conclusions were reached. All the same, this is your warning so you can make a decision that best suits your skin.

Ingredients: Stearic Acid, Tallow, Glycerine, Castor Oil, Kokum Butter, Shea Butter*, Cocoa Butter, Camellia Seed Oil*, Mango Butter, Aloe, Goat Milk, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Sodium Lactate, Argan Oil*, Jojoba Oil*, Pumpkin Seed Oil*, Tremella Seed Extract, Silk Peptides, Green Tea Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Yogurt, Parfum