What exactly are the categories for each product?

[bigDee]

I'm talking about in terms of anything that you put on your face, besides the shaving cream or shaving soap. What is the difference between an aftershave, and an aftershave balm? Are there more catergories? Where do these fit?

Proraso pre/post
Proraso aftershave balm
Proraso aftershave splash?
Trumper's skin food
Thayer's WH
QED DaVinci water

[Leisureguy]

Proraso pre/post is both a preshave (put a little on your wet face after you've washed it with soap and rinsed, before you lather) and an aftershave (on the dry and shaved face, after the warm water rinse and cold water rinse and drying).

Generally speaking, a "balm" is intended to have a healing effect and is usually a creamy liquid of some sort. It is used as an aftershave. An "aftershave" without any modifier is usually a perfumed liquid rubbed into the shaved face after it's been dried (same as a balm). Example of a balm: l'Occitane Cade Aftershave Balm (comes in a tube, and is made with shea butter). Example of an aftershave: Taylor's No. 74.

Thayer's Witch Hazel can be used as an aftershave, or as an aftershave prep---i.e., put it on, let it dry a bit, and then some aftershave.

Others will know more.