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Since paying more attention to the subject of shaving this is the issue I am still trying to resolve. What does our skin really need after shaving? What happens to our skin that needs attention and what product is best suited to meet those needs? Appreciating that we are all different are there some common needs?
After my recent shave at The Gentleman's Shop, my barber applied an alum bar. This was said to relieve soreness and to heal nicks and cuts. After this a moisturiser was applied to my face. To return oils and nutrients lost during shaving? Then my barber applied a pleasant smelling gel - said to be pleasing but not necessary.
So does all this mean that there are two real needs to be addressed and perhaps one want?
The two essentials being (1) the need for antiseptic healing and soreness relief and (2) the restoration of things lost during shaving?
The want is the natural desire to smell nice after a shave through the application of a pleasing scent. Nice but not necessary.
After shave products address all these needs and wants in their different ways. But is there a best approach?
I am a hi fi fan. I can get a box of tricks that does everything. But for best results you have separate boxes tailor made to do their specific job. So we have a source (CD player , DVD player, tuner etc.) amplifier and speakers.
So we can have multi purpose after shave lotions or balms on the one hand. Or 'separates' for example: alum bar, moisturiser and scent on the other.
I posted this to encourage discussion and would appreciate the learned thoughts of others. I know that at the end of the day we do what we like but I never follow the herd when it's doing things for the wrong reasons.
After my recent shave at The Gentleman's Shop, my barber applied an alum bar. This was said to relieve soreness and to heal nicks and cuts. After this a moisturiser was applied to my face. To return oils and nutrients lost during shaving? Then my barber applied a pleasant smelling gel - said to be pleasing but not necessary.
So does all this mean that there are two real needs to be addressed and perhaps one want?
The two essentials being (1) the need for antiseptic healing and soreness relief and (2) the restoration of things lost during shaving?
The want is the natural desire to smell nice after a shave through the application of a pleasing scent. Nice but not necessary.
After shave products address all these needs and wants in their different ways. But is there a best approach?
I am a hi fi fan. I can get a box of tricks that does everything. But for best results you have separate boxes tailor made to do their specific job. So we have a source (CD player , DVD player, tuner etc.) amplifier and speakers.
So we can have multi purpose after shave lotions or balms on the one hand. Or 'separates' for example: alum bar, moisturiser and scent on the other.
I posted this to encourage discussion and would appreciate the learned thoughts of others. I know that at the end of the day we do what we like but I never follow the herd when it's doing things for the wrong reasons.