Could it be? My face actually likes the alcohol in splashes

[brucered]

So, after 2 years of avoiding splashes for fear of the "burn" and the alcohol content, I am now starting to see, they do work for me.

I always avoided splashes for the alcohol content, burn etc. I had tried a few samples, but never really enjoyed them. I would put them on, get the burn, then rinse it off as it wasn't pleasant, but that has all changed the last 2 days.

I recently picked up some 4711 splash to use as a cologne, but it wasn't strong enough for my liking. Then yesterday, I decided to give it a try as an AS splash. Yes, I got the burn initially, but after 10-15 sec, it was gone, my face felt great, no oily feeling, no greasy feeling, just a smooth, soothed face. I also notice, all the redness I may usually get around my neck area, was not there.

Finally starting to see why all you veteran wet shavers choose splashes over balms and all the talk of healing properties in the alcohol etc. The burn was still not my first choice of feel when putting on AS, but it was a "wake me up", and my face felt great the rest of the day. No redness, no irritation, no dryness.

My 4711 will continue to get used as an AS Splash. Now I'm quickly trying to acquire a few more before the 2013 Sabbatical starts. I picked a Spanish Floid Amber last night, I'll looked to add a Proraso from my local SDM and a Speick.

If you are afraid of the "BURN" and alcohol become of sensitive skin...Give it a try and see if it works for you, it seems to be working for me. I wish had seen the thread here or done some more research earlier, as I could have been enjoying splashes for the past 2 years. N2theBreech nailed it when he said, "it's a days worth of burn, compressed into a couple minutes"

Bruce

 

[Dusty1]

I have all of those splashes on my list to try, let us know which one you like the best!

 

[Silence!]

I love the burn. I was like you in that I sought out balms to avoid the burn. But after I discovered my go-to aftershave splash, Mandom Lucido, I don't use anything else.

 

[brucered]

I love the burn. I was like you in that I sought out balms to avoid the burn. But after I discovered my go-to aftershave splash, Mandom Lucido, I don't use anything else.

yes, that initial burst of "burn" is well worth the healing properties it seems to deliver.

off to SDM today to get some of the ever popular, well regarded, Proraso Splash.

 

[StuMcB]

For high alcohol content try the Alpa range. Some are over 60%. And the 378 smells very simalar to SIM

 

[Deleted member 48987]

Bruce, have you tried Floid Blue? It's probably my favorite of all the big names.

I was just like you initially. I thought people were nuts for using splashes with alcohol and enjoying the burn. Now, it's one of the best parts of the shave for me. I personally think the stuff from the grocery store actually is somewhat unpleasant to use, but the Floids and Proraso are fantastic. I think the old formulation Proraso has a little more menthol and the scent fades quickly if that's what you're after. Perfect to accommodate your new fragrance AD.

 

[otto76]

I went the opposite direction, starting with only splashes and disliking balms. In the last year maybe I have picked up some balms I like a lot though. That said, I still like splashes better, Proraso is a favorite, I really like La Toja also. To me it has a different burn than most (starts out severe and quickly turns into this kind of radiating, lingering warmth) and leaves my face feeling great.

 

[Niles]

I've always been a fan of aftershave splashes. My skin has always been on the oily side.

 

[Gordy2]

Lately, I've been using Sea Breeze after rinsing followed by WH to dampen the Sea Breeze sting and kill the smell. The SB does let you know it's there but it really cleans up my face and sanitizes any small weepers. I like the bit of wake up alcohol in AS gives and I do follow the AS and Sea Breeze/WH up in winter with an ASB for moisture.

 

[brucered]

I'll look into Floid blue. Lots of forum talk, it's been revived (same formula) and have always wanted to try it. SDM only had the old formula Proraso, but I may just buy it. Doesn't appear to be a paraben reforumla issue, just reformulated when the other stuff got changed.

I will still use my balms, no doubt. But I'm just now getting exposed to splashes, so will likely add a few staples and alternate between splashes and balms or see what time of year each work better for me.

 

[rxonmymind]

I cooled on the balms and have used splashes exclusively. Definately worth it. But let me add that sometimes I do mix just a dab of balm with a splash such as Lucido(unscented) as the balms are sometimes to thick.

 

[brucered]

But let me add that sometimes I do mix just a dab of balm with a splash such as Lucido(unscented) as the balms are sometimes to thick.

'

you're killing me here....now I just added a 3rd type of AS. balm, splash and mix....Getty Up.

this is why I love discovering new aspects of wet shaving. i mix 444 sometimes with my WH, but never thought of mixing splash & balm.

 

[Deleted member 48987]

I usually spray on a thin coat of a splash with an atomizer, let it sit for 30 seconds or so, then apply a balm.

 

[rxonmymind]

'

you're killing me here....now I just added a 3rd type of AS. balm, splash and mix....Getty Up.

this is why I love discovering new aspects of wet shaving. i mix 444 sometimes with my WH, but never thought of mixing splash & balm.

Yup. Sometimes the splash doesn't have the horsepower to last if you will, in certain weather extreams thus the mix. Like in cold(30's+) & windy areas. My face will dry out quickly with splash as I work close to the ocean. In the summer, splash is sufficient.

 

[Lando]

like my splashes with alcohol and menthol, the menthol somewhat counteracts the burn. dr harris splashes are nice, and my go to is alt innsbruck. scent fades quickly with these.
the old proraso is great too, but the scent although mild does have legs, i can smell it in the evening in the shower. the newer version may be less potent

the non alcohol splashes such as provence sante are not for me, just kind of meh
the original la toja is also a nice splash with a good scent, and still available

 

[dieselfuel79]

Bruce,

A pea sized amount of some 444 and a splash of your choosing

 

[brucered]

Bruce,

A pea sized amount of some 444 and a splash of your choosing

Thanks...I'll be trying at today with my 4721.

so is the Old Proraso splash preferred over the new!

 

[SEnSE]

Weird, I don't get much burn at all from my splashes. Maybe I'm just used to it as that's all I use. You'll have to let us know if you notice the burn diminishing over the next few weeks or months.

If you like bay rum then look up a guy named Krampert or Captains Choice, but the captain has one of the biggest burns of any as I've ever used so you might want to wait on that one. The other one though has no burn.

 

[brucered]

i'm sure the burn will vary with which splash i use, and how well my shave is, kind of like alum.

as for Krampers and Captains...i have sampled both, captains was WAY too much burn for me. my kramperts is much more soothing, but i'm not sure i am a bay rum fan after all. i want to like i, but find it very medicinal smelling. the captains "cat o nine tails" was repulsive to my nose.

a couple last application questions....

a) can i skip the WH after my last pass and rinse? and just go straight to the splash
b) are you guys apply splash to a dry, damp or wet face? i have been using it, pad my face dry after 30sec or so, then apply the splash.

 

[alias]

I'm a big fan of splashes too. If I'm using a splash I tend to forgo witch hazel. I generally use witch hazel in place of a splash when I don't want the scent of an aftershave to clash with my fragrance choice. I apply the splash to a dry face and during the winter also use a balm afterwards for moisturising. But there's a Mantic video where he suggests applying to a slightly wet face so I think it's another case of YMMV.

You're leaving it late to stock up on splash before the sabbatical, Bruce!