After Shave Routine and Stuff -- I don't have any

[goby]

So... I've got a DE razor which I love, got the blades, and got shaving creams and soaps. Now I need an "after the shave" routine and equipment.

I'm using a sample of Trumpers Skin Food after I shave. Nice stuff, but darn is it expensive!

So I was thinking of two companies. Proraso and Saint Charles.

I love Proraso shaving creme, so I was thinking of their splash and their balm. I assume I use both, right? Or just the balm? (Well, reading the "sticky" thread it seems like everyone uses a splash and balm).

And Saint Charles seems to make products that most people love (with the obvious YMMV that is everywhere in this hobby). And I LOVE the fact that their samples are the perfect size to get plenty of different scents/styles and they are bigger than a 2-3 uses.

I know nothing has a 100% thumbs up, but is there:

a brand that most people love that I might be missing? (I prefer to stay away from really expensive stuff for now)

an item (like witch hazel) that I should use?


Any other suggestions would be great. Thanks!

 

[goby]

Please... can someone point me in the right direction.... please?

What is the Proraso/MWF/3 T's of the Aftershave world? Where should I start?

If no one helps me, I will quit this board, throw away my DE stuff, and start doing PIF's with Fusion cartridges and cans of goo.

Thank you!


PS Just kidding about quitting the board and giving my DE stuff away.

 

[superbleu]

For splashes, Proraso and Speick are 2 of the best I have tried.

For balms Prairie creations is nice, Wellsey and scott balm made by shaving essentials is good, the gentlemans refinery balm is also nice but a bit spendy.

 

[menemsha43]

I like Proraso splash a lot. Very crisp, clean, refreshing scent

 

[kingfisher]

You can't go wrong with the Saint Charles Shave aftershaves. I have only tried three of the splashes and they are all nice. I'll have to try some of the balms as winter is now approaching.

The products are top-notch and the pricing is right.

I have been using Hydro, Extract of Limes, and Mediterranean Citrus AS splashes, and I like them all. The Hydro is mild and mildly scented, the Limes gives a little burn and is moderately scented, and the Mediterranean Citrus gives a little burn followed by a cooling because it is mentholated. It has a nice scent, as well. All of them go in to damp skin and leave the skin smooth, not sticky.

Give SCS a try. I think you'll be pleased. You can buy sample sizes of these aftershaves to try, and then pick up a full-sized bottle of whichever ones you like best.

 

[goby]

Thank you!

I did some research, and I also an interested in the Provence Sante Green Tea Aftershave. I think if I stick with any of those brands you guys mentioned or the Provence I will be in good shape.

Thank you very much.

 

[rm71]

I'm assuming you are in the USA, so you are spoilt for choice
Proraso splash is great. Highly recommended. There are cheapies like Old Spice, Brut,and AV that do the trick as well.

 

[Boba Fett]

I suggest you try different products and develop your own routine. There is no right or wrong here, there is only what you enjoy.

 

[ShaveAddict]

If u want good aftershave not expensive Pinaud/Clubman gives u a wide range of products, and all of them are classic.

 

[luvmysuper]

As mentioned - don't discount the real discount products (pun intended)
Pinaud makes a fine line of aftershaves - Clubman, Bay Rum, Lilac Vegetal
ANd the old stand-bys like Aqua Velva, Skin Bracer, Brut and Old Spice.
Most of these have even cheaper "knock off" versions available, Swan for AV, Ivy Club for Old Spice.

They are pretty inexpensive, so you can try them and haven't lost really any investment if you don't like them.

 

[Mr. Igg]

As mentioned - don't discount the real discount products (pun intended)
Pinaud makes a fine line of aftershaves - Clubman, Bay Rum, Lilac Vegetal
ANd the old stand-bys like Aqua Velva, Skin Bracer, Brut and Old Spice.
Most of these have even cheaper "knock off" versions available, Swan for AV, Ivy Club for Old Spice.

They are pretty inexpensive, so you can try them and haven't lost really any investment if you don't like them.

Agreed. Joel had a great post/evaluation on this, pointing out the cost of these is very low, and many work very well. Also, other guys have mentioned this and I can confirm: if you don't advertise what you're wearing, I've gotten generally rave reviews, especially from my wife and her female friends, from wearing AV, Brut, and O/S.

Back to the splash/balm/both. The basic answer is what the good Mr. Fett said, to use what you enjoy. Some use just a splash. From my reading, that appears to be more of a summer/warmer option. Others use just a balm. I use both, because my skin dries pretty fast if I don't use at least a light balm.

Along with the inexpensive, yet good-performing, options, I'd add, yes, grab a witch hazel and try it out. At the risk of oversimplification, you have two (maybe 3) basic choices: 1) Thayers, 2) Dickensons, 3) (maybe) store brand.

Thayers is the "high end", though it's still something like $10 for a huge bottle, so it's hardly expensive in the long run. It comes in scents, and often adds good stuff like aloe. Lots of guys love it. I, on the other hand, generally find it leaves my face sticky, so I default to Dickenson's or store brands (which appear to be the same, hence my "maybe" 3 options, probably only 2). The plus side to Dickensons is that it's cheaper ($4-$7 depending on where you get it for an equally large bottle). The downside is some guys find it's scent--while pretty fleeting--to be unpleasant. My sense of smell isn't strong enough for it to be a problem, and again, Thayers leaves my skin tacky, so for me, cheaper wins.

 

[beginish]

You can also pick up some Nivea ASB. It's inexpensive, available and effective.

 

[joshmpdx]

my routine is:
warm water rinse
cool water rinse
dry
444/AS splash

i would recommend picking up:
Aqua Velva
Floid
Speick
SCS Splash (or two)

and a Balm of your choice for the cold and windy days.

 

[OldSchoolYoungin]

I used to do the trifecta: Thayer's WH, alcohol-based splash and balm.

Makes your face look great, but it was too much for my oily skin.

Nowadays, I just use the Thayer's followed by an alcohol-based splash; normally Aqua Velva (during warmer months), Musgo Real, Pinaud Bay Rum or Shulton Old Spice.

If I ever need extra moisturizing, I always reach for the QED Aftershave Skin Conditioner, which is the best aftershave balm I've found. If you decide to go with it, be forewarned that it's extremely thick and you only need a very small amount for your whole face.

 

[Swampfox]

as mentioned - don't discount the real discount products (pun intended)
pinaud makes a fine line of aftershaves - clubman, bay rum, lilac vegetal
and the old stand-bys like aqua velva, skin bracer, brut and old spice.
Most of these have even cheaper "knock off" versions available, swan for av, ivy club for old spice.

They are pretty inexpensive, so you can try them and haven't lost really any investment if you don't like them.

+1

 

[The National Razor]

Thank you!

I did some research, and I also an interested in the Provence Sante Green Tea Aftershave. I think if I stick with any of those brands you guys mentioned or the Provence I will be in good shape.

Thank you very much.

I like this, but be warned that it has no alcohol.

You might want to pick up some splashes from the drugstore--Aqua Velva, Clubman, Old Spice, Skin Bracer--that's a nice rotation right there.

Also maybe get a nice expensive one--my favorite of these is Taylor of Old Bond Street No. 74 Original.

Have fun

 

[kvanhorn]

I used to do the trifecta: Thayer's WH, alcohol-based splash and balm.

Makes your face look great, but it was too much for my oily skin.

Nowadays, I just use the Thayer's followed by an alcohol-based splash; normally Aqua Velva (during warmer months), Musgo Real, Pinaud Bay Rum or Shulton Old Spice.

+1 AS Balms just don't work for me either. I use hot rinse, cold rinse, Witch Hazel (uber-generic, not even Dickinson's) at .89 a bottle, (Alum block instead of WH if I'm traveling), and alcohol based AS. I've tried AS from all of the 3 T's... but I keep coming back to Pinaud Clubman and Aqua Velva. Both just work fantastic.

 

[my19]

I've fallen into this after-shave routine:

Hot water rinse
Cold water rinse
Dickinson's witch hazel
After-shave balm or splash -- nothing too pricey here: Bigelow Black ASB ($10 from Bath & Body Works); Ogallala Bay Rum splash; a free sample size ASB from the Art of Shaving; SCS ASM (from the Bulgarian Rose sample pack); or for a kick of menthol, Barbasol Pacific Rush (2 bucks from Dollar General).

Depending on mood and where I'm going, I might finish up with a bit of cologne.

I need to pick up some Pinaud, too.

 

[Swampfox]

I need to pick up some Pinaud, too.

And there's your spice!