Mickey Lee Soapworks: The Kraken Review

I’ve already proclaimed my love for aquatic and barbershop scents. I love them both equally and if I had to choose one, it would be a well-done aquatic scent. With that in mind, Mickey Lee Soapworks’ The Kraken should be a 10/10, since it blends both of my favorite scents together.

I’ve tried soaps from Mickey Lee Soapworks before, but The Kraken is my first go at using the soapmaker’s new formula, well the first time I’m officially reviewing the stuff. While I liked the previous scents that I’ve tried before, I wasn’t a huge fan of the lather. But this new stuff is awesome.

The Kraken costs $14.00 for 4 oz. of soap. That brings the stuff to $3.5 per ounce. That’s a little expensive, but it’s certainly not in the realm of things that are overpriced.

The scent, as Mickey Lee Soapworks describes it as, “We took classic barbershop a step further and incorporated an undercurrent reminiscent of fresh ocean air; hints of salt air, sea kelp and agave.” Unfortunately, the scent comes off as banana to me. I know, it’s weird, but it’s proof that everyone’s nose is different. While my sniffer got banana, my girlfriend’s got lavender. When I purposely told my brain that banana wasn’t there, I got a fresh, clean, and slightly aquatic barbershop scent.

It’s an enjoyable scent, but not one that I would like to use often. The lather, on the other hand, is impeccable. Loading a synthetic brush for 30 seconds winds up with way too much soap. But working the gorgeous white and blue stuff into a lather is incredibly easy. The soap just explodes with minimal effort into a thick, slick lather. It’s one of the easiest soaps I’ve ever used, making it worthy of its $3.50 per ounce price tag.

The new formula is also stellar at post-shave feel. My face feels moisturized and skipping a post-shave product isn’t out of the realm of possibility. The scent, though, doesn’t last very long. I could smell the scent on my hands until the 30-minute mark, which is a shame as the scent strength is a little above medium out of the sample jar.

Scent Pleasantness: 7/10

Scent Strength: 7/10

Lather Quality: 9/10

Price: 8/10

If you haven’t tried Mickey Lee Soapworks’ new formula, I urge you to try it. The soap is easy to lather, creates an amazing vessel to shave one’s face with, and is well priced. If you enjoy barbershop scents, you’ll definitely likes The Kraken, just don’t be surprised if you happen to smell something else in the tub, like banana, or lavender.

Overall: 8/10