Soap-on-a-Rope is the Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread

By Katie Dickens October 5, 2015

soap on a rope is the greatest thing since sliced bread header — Image used with permission by copyright holder

While salacious rumors have been started about the much maligned soap-on-a-rope, it’s origin story is actually pretty virtuous. The first tethered bar was invented purely for functional purposes: Okay, it was to prevent the user from dropping said soap but also to keep it fairly dry so it didn’t dissolve into a soggy blob. So anyway this smart British company came up with a way to keep the soap fairly dry and solid. Since then it’s become a bit of a kitschy novelty, but consider the seriously useful application of the attached cord before you judge. Most importantly, it’s a money saver as the soap will most certainly last longer. Then there’s also the cleanliness factor (as its not sitting in standing water and won’t leave a trail of scum on the ledge). And of course, by wearing it on your wrist, there is no danger of dropping it. Here are five of the best bars, both (really, really) old and new.

The Art of Shaving Vetiver Soap on a Rope

$25, artofshaving.com — $25, artofshaving.com Image used with permission by copyright holder

Get this limited-edition soap while you still can. Besides the fact that this giant bar will still BE around for a while, it’s other pluses include an incredible Vetiver scent and moisturizing formula.

Jack Black Turbo Body Bar Scrubbing Soap

$15, getjackblack.com — $15, getjackblack.com Image used with permission by copyright holder

It’s soap! It’s a scrub! It’s on a rope! The already super popular Turbo Body Bar has somehow been made even better now that it can hang. Besides getting you squeaky clean, there is natural lava rock to scrub away all OF your tough bits.

Musgo Real Soap on a Rope

$12.50, beautyhabit.com — $12.50, beautyhabit.com Image used with permission by copyright holder

This has been around since 1887 so its staying power alone is a good indicator that it’s pretty great. The soap includes the ingredient du jour, coconut oil, which makes it both moisturizing and antibacterial.

Byrd Soap on a Rope

$16, birchbox.com — $16, birchbox.com Image used with permission by copyright holder

For the minimalist, this multi-tasking option can be used to clean your hair, face and body. And its subtle coconut-y smell will make your bathroom smell of the tropics. Always nice on a chilly fall day.

D.R. Harris Almond Soap on a Rope

$25, mrporter.com — $25, mrporter.com Image used with permission by copyright holder

Smelling of a fine English gentleman who wears bespoke Savile Row suits (that’s rose and clove if you must know), this soap won’t pass judgment if you prefer Chucks and off-the-rack jeans. Because it’s an inanimate object. It will keep your skin smooth and moisturized just the same.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Katie Dickens is a Manhattan-based beauty and grooming writer. She has held staff positions at Glamour, In Style, People…

Grooming

How often should you change your razor blades?

Razor being rinsed under water.

It's a hassle and an annoyance, but when it comes to your daily shaving ritual something that you absolutely don't want to skip is changing out your razor blade. Trying to shave with a dull razor is bad for your skin and can cause razor bumps, plus creating a higher likelihood of problems like infections, and it will do a poor job of removing hair, resulting in a patchy shave. If you're not up for trying out a straight razor, then you'll need to get into the habit of regularly swapping out the replaceable blades on your razor or using fresh disposable razors instead. Knowing when to swap out your old blades for new ones will help keep your skin happy and your face looking its best, so our guide can help you work out how often you need to change your razor blades.

How often you should change your razor blades
According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, you should change your razor blades or throw away disposable razors after every five to seven shaves. High-quality razor blades should last five to seven shaves if you take care of them properly and keep them clean. However, cheaper disposable razors may wear out sooner.
Signs it’s time to change your razor blades include skin irritation after shaving, a less close shave, patchy areas or spots missed, skin that still feels rough after, dullness of the blades, feeling hairs are getting pulled instead of cut, and excessive friction of the blades across your skin that it feels like you have to drag it over your skin.
Moreover, a razor that has an accumulation of gunk that can’t be rinsed away should be immediately discarded, as this causes nicks and infections by dragging unevenly across your skin and introducing harbored bacteria into your pores.

Grooming

Best men’s cologne sales: Save on Tom Ford, Creed, and more

Someone spraying a Tom Ford cologne on themselves.

The best cologne is an important investment for everyone. You might look great but your scent is a great way of endearing yourself to others, whether at a work meeting or on a date. More importantly, you want to feel great about how you smell, right? Learning how to apply cologne is vital before finding the best men’s cologne sales so you can invest in some great new scents. We’ve tracked down all the best men’s cologne sales and listed them below so you can soon find the right aroma for your personal brand.
Today’s best men’s cologne sales
Across the internet, you can find great men’s cologne sales on major brands like Montblanc, Prada, Versace, Tom Ford, and many others. It’s a great idea to stock up on a few different scents so that you have different colognes for different occasions. Here are the best men’s cologne sales around today.

Creed:
Dior:
Cartier:
Clive Christian:
Hermes:
Versace:
Tom Ford:
Givenchy:
Burberry:
Prada:
Montblanc:

Grooming

How to shape a beard: The ultimate guide for every face shape

Trimming a beard

You never want to be caught with a scratchy, messy beard while you're out and about. Regardless of the time of year, it's vitally important to keep your beard grooming on point. For starters, having high-quality beard oil or beard balm will definitely help you get started, product-wise. Whether you're still getting the hang of growing one out, or are a seasoned pro, it's crucial to upkeep and maintain the best beard shape for you and your face shape. Yes, you read that right, learning how to shape a beard will help you maintain the best beard shape for your facial features.

Shaping your beard takes diligence, yet it yields incredible results and will make you look more handsome, as opposed to Tom Hanks in Cast Away. Whether you have experimented on your own with trimming your beard or not, now is the perfect time to learn how to trim your beard properly to freshen up your look.