I think I'm turning into a Witch Hazel junkie

[Rockminer]

When I first started down this new wet shaving thing, ( was using carts and goo ) one of the products, I was put off by, was Witch Hazel. The first time I smelled it I thought " this smells like ____." After using it, for a while, I started to like it. I use the plain Witch hazel from Target. I have gone from not liking it at all to being disappointed If I couldn't use it. I relate it to Cilantro, I hated the stuff up until about 10 years ago Then something happened. Now If I eat an authentic taco, and it doesn't have Cilantro, It's hard to even eat.

Just wondering if any of you feel the same way about Witch Hazel or other shaving products?

 

[man00ver]

It's good stuff, and I formerly found it indispensable. But now that I rarely have an uncomfortable shaving result, I've mostly left it behind and go straight to the AS splash. The one regular role it has for me is as a toner when I'm using a scented balm, if I don't have a splash that matches the balm's scent.

 

[tjg5181]

I have 2 variations of Witch Hazel that I use. I have a cheap brand from Wally World, as well as a bottle of Dickinsons. I usually have a rather comfortable shave, so I'm not sure that I necessarily need it, but nevertheless it's part of my routine. I bought some of the cotton pads, saturate them in the Witch Hazel then "dab" on my face. I try not to "wipe" my face with them, trying not to cause more irritation. I too at first was offset by the smell of it, as was my wife, however, I have since become accustomed to it. After it dries I put on the ASB to cover up the scent and then call it a night =)

 

[DEGuy]

I use it after each daily shave. It's an excellent skin toner and it simply feels good. I do the rest of my post-shave routine, Nivea Post Shave for Sensitive Skin and Zdrave cream, with witch hazel as my base.

 

[Quigg]

I love it. I have three varieties, Rose, plain with aloe, and Superhazel, all from Thayer's. Personally, I like the smell. My wife, though, is allergic to the Superhazel (my favorite one!). It turned out that its wonderful spicy smell comes from cloves. Evidently, she is allergic to that spice. So, reluctantly, I put that one in the cupboard.

 

[DICE]

I love it, it's not only good for after a shave but is great as a skin toner, as well as dark circles or puffy eyes. I use Thayers Rose.

 

[PomfretSteve]

I feel the same way about my alum block, WH not so much, a good AS does the same for me without adding an additional step.

 

[jay67212]

I use it 3 days out of 5. It usually depends on how good of a shave I've done. I view it as a "go to" to help with irritation.

 

[mistercitizen]

I went through a stage where I over bought on witch hazel. I got about 3 or 4 bottles of every variety of Thayer's that sounded good to me.... as well as plain old drugstore witch hazel. I keep drugstore witch hazel in an old L'Occitane edt bottle with sprayer and a few drops of glycerin every time I fill it up. I printed off one of the old school witch hazel labels on one of the other threads to use as a label for my bottle. Looks really cool and it's just the right size to grab after a cold water rinse to give myself a few sprays on the face and neck. I will usually rinse again after a few minutes of letting the witch hazel do it's thing and then I will apply aftershave lotion and balm. Thayer's tends to leave a bit of a sticky feeling behind for me that I don't care for. I like my face to be soft and smooth to the touch after a shave.... not tacky. Witch hazel is really good stuff though and is good for quite a few things.

Ben

 

[Nick Danger]

I love it, it's not only good for after a shave but is great as a skin toner, as well as dark circles or puffy eyes. I use Thayers Rose.

+1 on witch hazel as a skin toner.

I use the Thayers Cucumber, which is alcohol-free. Great stuff. My skin really loves it.

Nick

 

[LeHibou]

Got some Thayers Aloe Vera today and it worked better than the aftershave I have. I think, until the aftershave runs out, I'll use that more as a cologne. Thayers is the real deal.

 

[mdmmd]

I use the generic wally world WH and while I love the effects of it, the smell did bother me a little. Not so much initially but I'd keep getting a little whiff of it through the day (I like Nivea Sensitive balm which doesn't have much of a scent) and that was driving me nuts. I bought some bay rum fragrance oil from a local soap-making supply store, put a few drops in and a little glycerin and now I have the best of both worlds. Love it and it was incredibly cost effective. After all, I need to save money to make up for a moderate case of RAD.

 

[LouBarraza]

I use the Target WH every now and then.I hate the smell also (reminds me of cooked franks) but feels good on the skin.I really like Simple skin toner that also contains allantoin and it's completely scent free.If I have a rough shave and want to skip a step,I'll just use Proraso splash which already has WH in it.

 

[pipskicks]

I used a bottle of Dickinsons and I hated the scent, but I didn't want to toss it or have to buy thayers in addition to it.

So I put mine is a spray bottle from Sallys and I use the Dickinsons with a few drops of lime essential oil. I switch it up and use lavender once in a while, but I think lime is better because it has astringent properties. Tea tree oil would make a good addition too, but I just got those two to mix in, works great though, I wouldn't buy thayers, I'm running out so I'm just going to buy the cheapest one, I have the scent ready

 

[Rockminer]

I think i'm going to have to try and make some scented WH. Sounds like you guys are having good luck making your own.

 

[shanman]

I love Thayers Lavendar and the Rose, both alcohol free. I bought the lemon but it was more an astringent- has alcohol.

 

[Nick Danger]

I love Thayers Lavendar and the Rose, both alcohol free. I bought the lemon but it was more an astringent- has alcohol.

If you like the Thayers alcohol free WH, try the Cucumber if you can find it. I had to order mine online, because while the Lavender and Rose were both available at Whole Foods, the scents weren't quite right for me. Performance-wise, all three seem to have the same ingredients. The cucumber is a nice, mild and fresh scent. It doesn't linger so it doesn't clash with my cologne, but it smells great while I'm using it.

Nick

 

[shanman]

Thanks,I'll do that Nick.