Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements - Aftershave Cologne - F-Bombs

Warm, Woody, Spicy, and Gourmand. This "Oriental Leather" is an homage to Tom Ford's F***ing Fabulous.  

"CK-6 is the current pre-eminent benchmark soap base title holder in my den. This is the best all-around performing soap base I've ever used...for now." ~ Matt Hilton 

We all have hobbies outside this hobby, and that includes Fran and myself. Our hobby is SOAP...obvious I know, but is it really? 

As mentioned above, for the last few years Fran and I have had a little secret pet project that we would get to whenever we had some free time in the lab. We were on a quest to create the slickest, thickest shave soap formula known to man w/ the ultimate post shave feel.

This ongoing task is actually how we came up with our very popular, high butter Crown King Formula! If you have tried our Crown King Formula you know it's top shelf stuff that can hang with the best...but what if we made a few more tweaks...purely for fun? 

So, we kept going, like all creatives, we are never satisfied and with more than 7 years of experience in us now we schlepped on!

NOTE: This has been one of our most, if not thee most, trial/field tested formulas to date, and a good sample of the shave population was recruited for feedback over the last few months. We were not going to make this call on our own, we were too close to this thing, this hobby, this challenge that was now becoming something else...but I digress.

"What's amazing about this soap is that I believe (and I do not say this lightly or without trepidation - it's a weighty statement) *raises* the bar to a new level even for the tallow classics. I have not seen ANY base (vegan, tallow, artisan, commercial) take as much water as this without breaking down. I've never tried anything with a post this nourishing. I've never seen any soap, from any maker, last this long without drying up. This has to be THE most stable soap base I've ever seen." ~ Carlos R. Anglada

Tallow is the Benchmark?

Some traditionalists think yes, though they really can't say why. I do admit however the number of Tallow or Bust purests is shrinking...but there is still this Animal Fat is the Best mentality out there, and I find it baffling...at least from the chemical end of things. Soooooo, sick and tired of all this Tallow vs Veggie talk, we thought we'd attempt to end it once and for all by delivering a soap that checks off all the boxes when it comes to all of tallow’s supposed mystical attributes: Better Glide, Better Moisturizing Properties, Better Post Shave Feel, Better, Etc. See what we were up against? Don't even get me going into the seemingly magical combination of Lanolin & Tallow! lol 

Rather than try to find a new, yet to be used species of tallow or fat (Prairie Dog Fat?), we went deeper into the jungles of South America for a tallow alternative, or rather, a Superior fat! 

Over the last several years Fran and I have carefully researched all the different butters the world has to offer, and have gone on a long, sometimes mysterious, sometimes frustrating journey to see where our experiment would take us. With much trial and error and careful note taking we believe we have arrived!

So Here we are, Formula CK-6...or what I like to think of as Ground Zero to a new paradigm. You folks decide if I am crazy. [*Fran says Overly Dramatic. Regardless, this stuff is something else!]

Introducing The CK-6 Formula: Fat of the Land

"Lather just explodes off the brush within seconds.  Performance as good as the best tallow-based soaps. Exceptional post shave feel." ~ Mantic 59, Sharpologist

CK-6 is made up of some very Exotic Butters, Oils and Waxes from around the world: Kokum Butter, Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Jojoba Wax, Bacuri Butter, Cupuacu Butter and Murumuru Butter! Can you guess which are the Brazilian Beauties? [Hint: they sound like lyrics in a samba!]

A Mystical Trifecta of Slick

Bacuri Butter: is very popular in the north of Brazil, it comes from the seeds of a beloved local fruit with a rich pulp, and flavor.

Bacuri butter has a high absorption rate, due to its high level of tripalmitin (50% to 55%), which penetrates the skin quickly. The high amount of fatty palmitoleic acid (5%), compared to other oils (less than or equal to 0.5 to 1.5%), makes the Bacuri oil a fantastic emollient, and a super moisturizing agent. Think killer post shave feel!

 Capuacu Butter: is a close cousin to the cacao plant, the trees and fruits are similar, however, cupuacu has a richer pulp. Cupuacu butter is naturally softer than cacao, therefore easier to use, and offers more benefits than the cocoa butter.

Cupuacu butter has very high water absorption capacity (Over 200% Greater Than Lanolin)- Read that again. Due to its capacity for water absorption and the ability to obstruct the evaporation of moisture from the skin, Cupuaçu butter just might be one of the best moisturizing ingredients available. (take that Lanolin!) Fun Fact: Chocolate can also be made from cupuacu - it is called “cupulate".

Murumuru Butter: is a phenomenally slick butter that gives a most excellent skin feel and slip. It is called the "vegetable silicone" for its ability to rapidly replace mineral silicon in the dermis. It comes from the seeds of a palm tree that is very abundant in the wet regions of  the Amazon forest. 

Murumuru Butter is also rich in vitamin A and C and Omega fatty acids 3, 6, and 9. The main fatty acid found in this butter is called Lauric acid (at an astonishing 47%) It also has myristic acid, oleic, palmitic and linoleic acids. When these 3 sisters combine with Kokum, Cocoa, Jojoba & Shea you get some serious Premium, Luxury, Fatty Lather; killer creamy, slick, buttery goodness that possesses Superb Residual Slickness and Earth Shattering Post Shave Feel! You will not even need to use a balm after and good luck keeping your hands off your face all day!

"This soap formula is a game changer. It's the best soap I've used. ~ Jason Bryan, Distorted Cheese Shaving

A few of our testers were straight up Tallow Worshipers but CK-6 left them confused and a bit shaken (*slight exaggeration...but only slight.) Many straight up thought we were playing a practical joke on them. Admittedly, I did tell them they would be testing our New Tallow Shave Soap. :) Only after they excitedly declared it exceptional and almost magical did I break the news. Hee Hee Hee,  I live for moments like this. [Note: two did use the word "Magical" in their description...so take that Fran!]

Due to the unique/exotic ingredients used in the formula, it is priced slightly higher out of necessity. All our testers agreed this would be a more than fair price for 5 Ounces of such a premium recipe. 

Now what's this Doppelgänger Stuff?

Scent Profile: Bergamot, Ambroxan, Geranium, Pepper, Lavender, Vetiver, Patchouli - Fresh, Amber, Spicy and Warm. Aromatic with a hint of citrus, spicy warm, and ultra-masculine. Really delicious stuff and an homage to Christian Dior's Sauvage!

Doppelgänger?

I know, right? But trust me, you will dig what's going on here folks! For a few years now, I have gone out of my way to bring some really classic scents back to life. I must admit, this is a selfish obsession for the most part. These are scents I love, and wish were still available...so in all actuality I'm on a personal mission.

Luckily, a lot of you have similar tastes, so it's a win - win for all! But lately, I have been getting requests to do some scents, classic and modern, that are just a bit outside my wheelhouse. Typically, I respectfully decline...but then I got to thinking, a lot of these scents or frags don't have matching shave soaps, a dilemma for the Fraghead Wet Shaver. Clearly there's a need and clearly, it's not always about what scents I prefer! 

"And that lather! It truly is remarkably good. I am seriously trying to cut back on shaving soaps, but after this shave I am thinking I somehow need more CK-6 shaving soaps. I’m very impressed. Thick, slick, wonderful lather that leaves my skin feeling exceptionally nice.

I highly recommend the CK-6 formula. Really striking." ~Michael Ham, Leisureguys Guide to Gourmet Shaving

So with that, I have no doubt you are going to absolutely freak when you try our latest Out of This World formula. I truly believe it is light years above all that we have seen in the shave world so far. (My pride is embarrassingly gushing, no?) - Fran and I really look forward to your thoughts and feedback! 

*Maybe Fran is right?

Then there's our most EPIC Aftershave/Cologne!

As with all our aftershave/colognes nothing but the best ingredients went into this ultimate blend of soothing, skin nourishing, classic splash: Tonka Bean Hydrosol, Aloe Vera, Vegetable Glycerin, Hedione, Liquid Silk! Then there's the all day staying power of Barry White!

We have been blurring the lines between aftershave & cologne since we created our first batch so many years back. We choose to use time intensive, old school, traditional perfuming methods. Each one of our aftershaves is "matured" a minimum of 4-6 weeks, some up to a year! Different select ingredients are added at key moments, which is crucial in creating a true, high quality artisan aftershave/cologne...A difference we know you'll understand after that first splash!

What's inside & Why?

Tonka Bean Hydrosol: Also called tonkin bean or tonquin bean is the seed of Dipteryx odorata plant. This flowering tree is native to Central American and South American and produce a pea- like fruit.

Traditionally, Tonka Bean extracts are not only effective in pain relief but also used to heal bruises, open wounds and deep cuts thought to aid in a faster recovery.

Aloe Vera: Natures Aftershave! Aloe contains two hormones, namely auxin and gibberellins, which promote healing and contain anti-inflammatory properties to reduce inflammation. Also, Aloe is loaded with antioxidants that promote the growth of new skin cells & fight off skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Vegetable Glycerin: Used to treat many oily skin conditions, like acne, skin infections, wrinkles and fine lines. Glycerin attracts moisture onto your skin which is why it is considered a humectant. Glycerin is also an emollient, making skin not only moist, but soft and supple to the touch.

Liquid Silk: Contains a hydrolysat of silk protein, Acts as a natural humectant to hydrate and condition the skin, leaving skin feeling softer and smooth. Liquid Silk forms a natural layer over the skin, keeping moisture locked in and harsh conditions out, leaving skin protected and well-nourished. Liquid Silk contains silk amino acids which give the skin a very soft and velvety feel. Liquid Silk amino acids (silk proteins) also have a certain amount of antioxidant benefits. 

Soap Ingredients

Ingredients: Potassium Stearate, Glycerin, Potassium Cocoate, Aqua, Potassium Kokumate, Sodium Lactate, Potassium Shea Butterate, Potassium Castorate, Sodium Stearate, Potassium Cocoa Butterate, Potassium Avocadoate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum (Capuacu) Butter, Astrocaryum (Murumuru) Seed Butter, Platonia Insignis (Bacuri) Seed Butter, Parfum [Fragrance]

Aftershave/Cologne Ingredients

Ingredients: Alcohol, Tonka Bean Hydrosol, Fragrance, Aloe Vera, Vegetable Glycerin, Hedione, Liquid Silk

Name trademarks and copyrights are properties of their respective manufacturers and/or designer. This version is NOT to be confused with the original and Phoenix Shaving, LLC has no affiliation with Tom Ford.