Anyone else never used an aftershave?

[Cynomys]

In all my years of shaving / not shaving / or haphazardly shaving, I have never used an aftershave. Just a cold water rinse.

I did get a slight case of razor burn when I first tried a two-pass DE shave recently, but after correcting the angles (I was attacking my beard at too steep an angle), that problem was solved.

Now I am awaiting what will be the first aftershave I have tried - Gentlemen's Refinery aftershave balm.

Any ideas on what I might expect not so much from this specific product but from aftershaves in general?

 

[Wingnut]

In all my years of shaving / not shaving / or haphazardly shaving, I have never used an aftershave. Just a cold water rinse.

I did get a slight case of razor burn when I first tried a two-pass DE shave recently, but after correcting the angles (I was attacking my beard at too steep an angle), that problem was solved.

Now I am awaiting what will be the first aftershave I have tried - Gentlemen's Refinery aftershave balm.

Any ideas on what I might expect not so much from this specific product but from aftershaves in general?

In just a few words: burn (perhaps) or a slight tingle, then amazing soothing and smoothness, a whole lot of fun, and a distinctly lighter wallet!

 

[JPDyson]

Not much burn or tingle from the GR balm - should just be a refreshed, moisturized, toned face. Jim over at Vintage Blades swears by that stuff.

 

[The Nid Hog]

I think that expectations from a splash and a balm are different. The splash gives you the zing that Wingnut described; the balm just goes on. I don't care much for balms, but I like a splash for the burn/sting/chill that they provide in the morning. Plus they smell great. I went for many years without using an aftershave regularly and I'm glad that I do now.

 

[luvmysuper]

I have always used an aftershave, from early wetshaving, through the cart and goo years, and now back to wetshaving.

I can't imagine my shave without it.

 

[mkevenson]

I never use an aftershave. I do use whitchhazel and CHL tho.

 

[cheerwind]

I never used an aftershave when I was using the cartridge and goo either. Just a cold water rinse.

Now I the aftershave. It feels so clean and fresh, and the burning, cooling, soothing sensations make a shave feel truly complete. I can probably get away with a cold water rinse even now, but why deny myself the treat?

 

[Go West Young Man]

I never use an aftershave. I do use whitchhazel and CHL tho.

Those ARE aftershaves

Anyways, a balm will soothe any irritation, moisturize and tighten up your skin, and generally leave it feeling healthier and happier. The key is to not use too much or you'll end up greasy and shiny.

 

[HoratioCaine]

Any ideas on what I might expect not so much from this specific product but from aftershaves in general?

It's hard to give you a generalized take on what you'll experience with aftershaves because, one, there are so many different kinds, and two, everyone's experience is different. TGR balm is one of the more moisturizing balms out there. It is very high quality, as well. Given that you're used to nothing but a cold water rinse, the balm will feel very different to you. I would imagine it will either feel very heavy to you, or very soothing, or maybe both. I'm guessing you're either going to hate it, or wonder why you waited so long to start using it. Keep us posted on what you think of it.

 

[mkevenson]

Those ARE aftershaves

Anyways, a balm will soothe any irritation, moisturize and tighten up your skin, and generally leave it feeling healthier and happier. The key is to not use too much or you'll end up greasy and shiny.

Hmmmm, I guess I figured since they weren't marketed as AS then they weren't. But I guess you have a point, that since I use them on my face after I shave, then they ARE AS.

 

[Niles]

I don't care much for balms, but I like a splash for the burn/sting/chill that they provide in the morning. Plus they smell great.

What Nid said. I've always used aftershave splashes.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I never used a fragrance until recently, but I always used rubbing alcohol or witch hazel after a shave. I still use the witch hazel, but have recently added several fragrances. If you've never experimented with wearing a scent, you should. I find it very pleasing and a lot of women seem to enjoy them, too.

 

[kingfisher]

I never used an aftershave in my entire life until I found this forum a little over a year ago.

I didn't even do a cold water rinse. I just rinse the foam off my face with warm water, patted dry with a towel, and went on my way. No problems whatsoever.


Now, however, you'll have to pry the SCS Extract of Limes aftershave milk from my cold, dead hands!

 

[3eff_Jeff]

I started DE shaving just this past April, and I started off with just a cold rinse afterward. I never used aftershave in the 10-12 years I've been shaving (most of it some form of brushless wet shaving). Just like you said, rinse and go.

My face felt fine afterward, maybe a little sticky. After joining this forum, I got some of the Nivea balm and some witch hazel. I found the balm just made me feel greasy and made me break out a bit. It's a big YMMV. I've since added a couple of aftershaves to my collection. My local grocery store carries Honeybee Garden, so I got their Bay Rum (it's nice, but it isn't very bay-rummy--it's floral). My skin really seems to like the toning action of the alcohol. Again, this is my skin. In fact, I'm keeping the Nivea on hand, because I may want it come fall/winter.

Today, I'm wearing Old Spice. Yes, the new stuff. I like it. I'll find out later if my wife likes it (just got it the other day). I also got the Col Conk sample pack (you can get it by sending your address to: [email protected] I didn't hear back from them via email, their package just showed up a couple weeks later). I liked their bay rum and their amber aftershaves, and will probably grab a bottle of each. They felt good on my face, and TWGW likes the scents.

So, I guess I've gone from a never-use-froofy-stink-pretty guy to having a developing ASAD. Experiment, see what you like. See what makes your skin feel the best. What makes you faceturbate? What smells good on you?

 

[BCatl]

I never used it every day until I came here.

Pretty soon, my guess is that you will have a stable of aftershaves. If you have a wife or significant other, you may have some 'splainin' to do! Somehow, that get's worked out.

Other than that, enjoy. Personally I don't use the balms because it's usually so humid down here. If it's really cold with wind blowing in the Winter, I'll put a little Corn Husker's lotion on my face.

 

[Cynomys]

It's hard to give you a generalized take on what you'll experience with aftershaves because, one, there are so many different kinds, and two, everyone's experience is different. TGR balm is one of the more moisturizing balms out there. It is very high quality, as well. Given that you're used to nothing but a cold water rinse, the balm will feel very different to you. I would imagine it will either feel very heavy to you, or very soothing, or maybe both. I'm guessing you're either going to hate it, or wonder why you waited so long to start using it. Keep us posted on what you think of it.

Well, I used my GR after-shave balm for the first time today. It didn't feel too heavy at all, which was contrary to my own expectations since, before this, I had always finished with nothing more than a cold water rinse.

I'm not sure what it is actually doing, though. I am apparently one of those lucky ones who has never had a serious problem with razor burn, so didn't really need the soothing, etc. It's just that the cold water rinse seemed like such a downer as a way of finishing up the shave.

So, at this point, it's not a case either of "can't stand it" or "can't live without it.

 

[chuckr9]

I did not use aftershave until I started DE shavning a couople of months ago - now it is required!