My shave experience just doesn't feel complete anymore unless my face is frozen.
This has definitely been an evolutionary progression, as when I first started to wet shave 7+ years ago, I shunned anything menthol. I felt that it made my face irritated and numb, and I couldn't feel how much pressure I was using while doing my passes. So, I stayed away for a number of years.
About a year or so ago, I began to experiment a little more as I thought I had gotten my technique and routine down pretty solidly. So, during a wicked humid summer day here in Western Massachusetts, I picked up some Skin Bracer from Wal-Mart and immediately fell in love with the scent and cooling it effect it had on my face. I then graduated to Osage Rub and wow, was that far more intense, and I still loved it! Again, the Rub's scent was very soothing and calming for me and left my face feeling wonderful.
I've been having a great time using Stirling's Glacial line, including their unscented Glacial Balm. That is truly cold. I've been pairing mine with cold water and then sitting in front of the fan/AC for even chillier aftershave effect. Just had a shave with it 20 minutes ago and my face is still frozen solid. I'm also really liking Proraso Green for both the scent and coolness factor. My face seems to really respond well to menthol as the post-shave feel is purely sublime - zero irritation and absolutely some of the softest skin that my face has known since I was a toddler.
Anyone else have an addiction to all things menthol? I'm already planning my next menthol combo and looking forward to it as the temps and humidity keep rising here.
This has definitely been an evolutionary progression, as when I first started to wet shave 7+ years ago, I shunned anything menthol. I felt that it made my face irritated and numb, and I couldn't feel how much pressure I was using while doing my passes. So, I stayed away for a number of years.
About a year or so ago, I began to experiment a little more as I thought I had gotten my technique and routine down pretty solidly. So, during a wicked humid summer day here in Western Massachusetts, I picked up some Skin Bracer from Wal-Mart and immediately fell in love with the scent and cooling it effect it had on my face. I then graduated to Osage Rub and wow, was that far more intense, and I still loved it! Again, the Rub's scent was very soothing and calming for me and left my face feeling wonderful.
I've been having a great time using Stirling's Glacial line, including their unscented Glacial Balm. That is truly cold. I've been pairing mine with cold water and then sitting in front of the fan/AC for even chillier aftershave effect. Just had a shave with it 20 minutes ago and my face is still frozen solid. I'm also really liking Proraso Green for both the scent and coolness factor. My face seems to really respond well to menthol as the post-shave feel is purely sublime - zero irritation and absolutely some of the softest skin that my face has known since I was a toddler.
Anyone else have an addiction to all things menthol? I'm already planning my next menthol combo and looking forward to it as the temps and humidity keep rising here.
