How should I use the Alum Bar?

[Paul10]

Ok, I thought I would try out the alum bar and picked one up from Mama Bears.

Now, what I did was after the cold water rinse, I would run the bar under the water and rub it on my face. Seemed strange because its like rubbing a stone on your face.

Is this how everyone is doing it?

It appeared to almost leave a residue on my face and made it tingle much like an aftershave.

Just checking to see if I'm doing this right.

Thanks,

[Dennis]

Yup, yup, & yup. If you use an aftershave balm, you may find that the alum "interferes" with it and causes it to break down. After applying alum, I clean up the brush, put away the razor, etc... and then I rinse the alum off with a cold water before applying balm.

Dennis

[htownmmm]

You can also use a toner(witch hazel,hydrosol,etc.) to remove the residue and then apply your ASB.


Marty

[wa_bacchus]

Reverse order. Ice cold water to wet it, and rub all over face (rewetting several times) BEFORE the cold water rinse... Let sit for a bit, then the final cold water rinse to remove residue.

I use thayers rose/lavender witch hazel after instead of a true "aftershave", but I hate alcohol based aftershaves, then an ASB.

I just put Aftershaves/Colognes on my arms and chest for "scent"...

-S

[ada8356]

Yup, yup, & yup. If you use an aftershave balm, you may find that the alum "interferes" with it and causes it to break down. After applying alum, I clean up the brush, put away the razor, etc... and then I rinse the alum off with a cold water before applying balm.

Dennis

This is exactly how I do it... maybe a spritz of hydrosol after rinsing the alum but before the ASB application.

[netsurfr]

Thanks for the question. I had laid my alum bar aside after having similar experience. Did not realize you were supposed to rinse afterward with cold water. I sort of did this when I saw the residue and said "yuck" to myself and took the still wet washcloth to my face.
Good question. One I should have asked a while ago but did not...
Good Shaving,
Steve

[Crag]

Ok, I thought I would try out the alum bar and picked one up from Mama Bears.

Now, what I did was after the cold water rinse, I would run the bar under the water and rub it on my face. Seemed strange because its like rubbing a stone on your face.

Is this how everyone is doing it?

It appeared to almost leave a residue on my face and made it tingle much like an aftershave.

Just checking to see if I'm doing this right.

Thanks,

When I started shaving at 14 I did the same thing and put it on without rinsing...In fact, I used the same one my MOM was using as a deodorant, no rinsing I just rubbed it on my wet face...I thought is was SUPPOSED to smell like that!

My dad laughed like hell when he found out...and showed me the RIGHT way. After shaving rinse face briskly in cold water...Run alum in cool water, and apply to face..wait a few minutes for astringent to take effect..Rinse again, and apply ASB.

Welcome to the Closed Pore Club!

[redbike]

I iron my shirt for the day after applying the alum, and rinse it off when I'm done ironing. Seems to be just the right amount of time.

jim

[Paul10]

So far the Alum just isn't "doing" it for me. I don't feel like it's adding anything good to the shave experience. I will give it a couple more tries and then maybe put it in the cabinet for another day.

[Taz]

So far the Alum just isn't "doing" it for me. I don't feel like it's adding anything good to the shave experience. I will give it a couple more tries and then maybe put it in the cabinet for another day.

I thought this the first time and then I tried using a little less water I was soaking it and my face like a soap, I rinse my face with cold water to close the pores and the grab the pair and just a quick splash under cold water gave it a shake and then applied. Bingo this worked for me.

[TENroaches]

I've been using my alum bar after my cold rinse. I didn't know people rinsed it off after. I love the feel of my face after it dries after the alum bar. Hmmm.

[Chapel]

Reverse order. Ice cold water to wet it, and rub all over face (rewetting several times) BEFORE the cold water rinse... Let sit for a bit, then the final cold water rinse to remove residue.-S

+1, I do this on my face and head each night - love the tightening sensation!