Board-Work; or the Art of Wig-making, Etc. / Designed For the Use of Hairdressers and Especially of Young Men in the Trade. To Which Is Added Remarks Upon Razors, Razor-sharpening, Razor Strops, & Miscellaneous Recipes, Specially Selected.

by Edwin Creer

Shaving Pastes.

(1.) Naples soap (genuine), 4 ozs.; powdered Castile soap, 2 ozs.; honey, 1 oz.; essence of ambergris, and oils of cassia and nutmegs, of each 5 or 6 drops.

(2.) White wax, spermaceti, and almond oil, of each ¼ oz.; melt, and, while warm, beat in two squares of (white) Windsor soap, previously reduced to a paste with a little rose water.

(3.) White, soft soap, 4 ozs.; spermaceti and salad oil, of each ½ oz.; melt them together, and stir until cold. It may be scented at will. When properly prepared, these pastes produce a good lather with either hot or cold water, which does not dry on the face. The proper method of using them is to smear a minute quantity over the beard, and then to apply the wetted shaving-brush, and not to pour water on them, as is the common practice.