After Shave Advice

I've been shaving for + 50 years and I wouldn't use anything but an alcohol-based aftershave; moreover, if it has a touch of menthol so much the better. I've tried all sorts of alcohol-free balms, witch hazels and other post-shave applications for sensitive skin and none has worked for me. The alcohol-based splashes leave my face feeling clean, soothed and invigorated. My favourite splash is Harris Arlington, but I have a rotation of another dozen alcohol-based splashes including several from TOBS, Trumper, Aqua Velva, M&S, Prada, Alt Insbruck and Bromley. One post-shave product that doesn't work for me at all is alum: it leaves my skin feeling dry and stiff.
 
Mate - for me a shave wouldn't be a shave without an alcohol-based after shave. I too had read stuff about alcohol splashes being bad for freshly shaved skin but I don't find that to be my experience. Since I completely shifted to 'proper' shaving my facial skin has never been better. The post-shave routine I always use is as follows - 1) Allum - seals any tiny lesions or weepers you may have picked up. It is also a useful feedback aid - if it stings you've been too heavy-handed. 2) Witch hazel - applied with cotton make-up pads. Products such as Thayers and Humphreys are lovely but relatively very expensive. I ordinarily use the bog-standard BP version - normally about two quid from a supermarket. 3) Alcohol splash. I have loads - well more than I strictly need - and normally try to pair the scent with the soap I have used. With most the scent doesn't persist that last long - that's not what it's for. Some of the brands that work for me - from Spain - Myrsol, Floid, Lea Classic and Artic Glacial. Elsewhere - OSP tonics I find are top end. RazoRock and Fine are good too. Alt Innsbruck is a favourite. I have some non-alcohol a/s - Nivea for instance - but I don't seem to reach for it that much. 4) Lastly - I use a balm. I could recommend Myrsol, Weleda, Alvarez & Gomez Barberia as great products. The various Real Shaving Co. balms and moisturisers perform brilliantly for the cost. As does Nivea. 5) Edt or parfum - if I'm in the mood. This is where your long lasting scent comes from - it's extremely personal so I would hesitate to recommend any. What works on one person will stink on another. I hope this helps - I.
 
Hi Digimonkey. Thank you for your considered response to my enquiry. That all makes perfect sense to me and seems like a routine I can gladly adopt. I already use the allum and witch hazel. The fun now starts with sampling some splashes. The thing is, I really do spend more time and more money on my 'beauty' regime than my other half does now. And I'm loving it! Thanks once again.
Barry
 
No worries mate - my other half always looks immaculate - unlike me. I suspect most people assume - when we are together - that she is my social worker or carer! She has never once complained about me taking an interest in 'male grooming' though. Cheers - I
 
IMO, there are two general groups who use AS: those who do it purely for the fragrance and want to smell good above all; those who do it for skin "nourishment". Obviously, there will be those who may overlap into the other category somewhat, but generally the aforementioned groups hold fast IMO. I fall into the former group as I just simply like to smell good.
 
My routine is always changing and it is one of the things I particularly enjoy about shaving.

I use Alum block, balms and AS with a bit of alcohol and scent or alcohol and menthol. The product I always use though is Thayers witch hazel. If I use a soap that I like but it doesn't give me a soft moisturised skin feel then I finish with a balm AS. On the other hand, if I think I don't need anymore moisturising then I might go for something like Fine AS or an EDT after the Thayers witch hazel, this morning for instance, I finished the shave with Fine Snake Bite..... the Stirling Scots Pine Sheep soap leaves my skin nicely moisturised so I don't need any balm.

There's lots of choices out there you just need to find what works for you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register