My wife used to buy my balm - usually around £35/40 on the likes of Floris and Givenchy. Now I buy it myself, I spend a lot less - like this Proraso at about £11 delivered in the UK. Helps a bit towards the other indulgences.
David Somerset'sOriginal shave oil Gold & ChocolateShave & Protect* JagFix synthetic Old SpiceFresh Lime shave cream Gillette1958 Special Rocket razor AscoBlue & Red super stainless blade Thayer'sLemon witch hazel Booster'sIced Lime ASL Nivea for MenCool Kick ASB
As I have hot & cold running water, pretty much on demand in my new(-ish) flat, I used hot water to rinse between, & after, my two passes; then warm, to luke-warm, to cool, & then cold water rinses after my polish-up half-pass. I finished off with dunking my face a few times in a sinkful of proper, nice cold-as-cold-could-be fresh water, prior to application of the three afters.
The half-pass felt very dry, draggy, and half-arsed. It made for a few time-delayed weepers.
Grrrr.
- nothing the cold-water dunks, & the afters didn't sort out, but still...
* NOTE: this might actually be a Shave & ProtectGold & Chocolate, not a Gold & ChocolateShave & Protect brush.
I never was 100% sure, & couldn't have been arsed to double check with the supplier at that time.