Joseph Chance is a British brand based in Halifax, UK that began with selling handmade men’s accessories, before more recently exploring the men’s grooming field, releasing its own fragrance and natural soaps. We tested out Joseph Chance’s new grooming products and also sat down with its founder, Marcus Thompson, to learn more about his inspiration behind the brand.
Marcus started the brand having been inspired by his maternal grandfather, Joseph Chance, who was a motorbike speedway champion. From our interview with Marcus, he recalls that his grandfather was “a true gentleman, always well dressed, polite and stylish but ready for adventure”. Marcus wanted to create a brand that had all the qualities of his grandfather but reflected modern culture.
“I think men’s grooming is at a very important stage in its development”, he said. Marcus sees the industry becoming progressively more about “self-care, self-worth and confidence, and less about extravagance and showing off”.
We tested out Joseph Chance’s Original Eau de Perfume, which is designed, made and bottled entirely in the UK. The fragrance is a blend of blood orange top notes, with oud middle and base notes. The oud (which is warm and smoky for those that are not familiar) is definitely strong in this one, so two sprays on application may be enough. The performance of the fragrance is great and can last a whole day.
We also tried their handmade charcoal and sea salt soap bar, as well as their natural shaving soap. These are paraben-free, cruelty-free, vegan friendly and sulphate-free. The soap bar felt great on the skin and was cleansing without being too harsh. Meanwhile, the shaving soap lathered up well, giving a rich and velvety experience, and did the job perfectly. Both are quality products and well worth a try.
Although Joseph Chance’s grooming line is still relatively new, its products show promise and is definitely a brand to look out for in the future.
Check out their webpage or instagram for more details. Their physical store is in Piece Hall, Halifax, UK.