Inexpensive Balm for a Noob

[MeanGreenZ71]

I am a noob at wet shaving (about a month in) and I am looking for some inexpensive aftershave balm that hopefully I can find locally. I get some razor burn currently. It isn't bad but slightly annoying and I blame it on beginner's technique. I am hoping to get better and avoid any burn. The shaves are so good that it outweighs the slight burn I get.

I am currently using a bottle of Caswell Massey Almond balm that was given to me. The bottle wont last forever though and I would like to find something just as good or better I can purchase locally (Walmart, Target, grocery store, CVS, Walgreens, Riteaid, etc) and for a relatively inexpensive price. It doesn't have to be scent free but keep in mind I am 24 years old and I dont want something that might overpower my cologne. I shave at night so the smell should be gone by the morning anyways...

Also I use a bottle of Old Spice aftershave sometimes instead of the CM balm. What are the pros and cons of using each by themselves? Should I be using a AS and balm together?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[martym]

Nivea Aftershave Balm. Sensitive.
$5 or $6
I put some equate baby oil gel in mine.
It works for me.

 

[dogslife]

Nivea Aftershave Balm. Sensitive.
$5 or $6
I put some equate baby oil gel in mine.
It works for me.

+1

Most big box stores and pharmacies I have been carry it here.

 

[Atalk]

Nivea Aftershave Balm. Sensitive.

+2

 

[dushea]

+2

+3!

 

[MeanGreenZ71]

Awesome. I was looking at the Nivea, Every Man Jack, and Burts Bees. Has anyone tried the last 2? I will probably try the Nivea out anyways. How is the scent?

 

[jpipes3]

Every Man Jack or Bulldog. The Nivea is soothing, but not nearly as moisturizing as these two. My skin needs that extra moisture in the fall and winter.

Oh, and I wouldn't say that any of them have a scent that is strong enough that you need to worry about it clashing.

 

[the_edski]

Every Man Jack is great for the winter and they make an unscented version. Do you use witch hazel currently? It does wonders for irritation/razor burn. It is very inexpensive especially if you buy generic.

 

[mkiraly]

+1 on the Every Man Jack, available at WalMart/Walgreens/CVS, I love it!
+1 on the Witch Hazel, I get mine at The Dollar Store.
Burt's Bees is really good stuff, a little pricey, but hey......

 

[Zeroed]

The aforementioned Nivea sensitive is great stuff. It has a very slight scent that dissipates in a few minutes leaving you to put whatever scent you want.

 

[Eeyore]

Nivea, or Sanex (if you can get it). REWE ASB is quite good as well, but unfortunately not available to you (assuming you are in the USA).

 

[JerYnkFan]

I really like the Aubrey Organics Balms (I use Northwoods and City Rhythms) or Burt's Bees. Burt's Bees doesn't really have a scent to me.

 

[Mick]

If you start with the Nivea, you may not even want to try anything else. Good product with very little scent.

 

[FaceScraper]

Nivea Sensitive Post Shave Balm is awesome and cheap.

 

[Valerius]

Nivea!!!

 

[wagstaff]

Also, The Real Shaving Company. In my neck of the woods, $4.99 for a tube, at Rite-Aid or CVS.

 

[brooksfletcher]

If you start with the Nivea, you may not even want to try anything else. Good product with very little scent.

+1,000%

This is seriously probably the main reason I'm constantly buying it. It's is inexpecive, easy to find and has a matching cream to boot!
I really need to find a solid ASB to replace it, this relationship is becoming addicting

 

[Chaloney]

I usually use a splash but when I need a balm Nivea sensitive is the one I use as well

 

[dpm802]

Awesome. I was looking at the Nivea, Every Man Jack, and Burts Bees. Has anyone tried the last 2? I will probably try the Nivea out anyways. How is the scent?

I have Burts' Bees in my warm-weather rotation. It has a sweet, citrusy scent. I'm somewhat anal about matching brand-names, so I've never tried it with anything other than BB shaving cream. Be aware that it is a very thin consistency, closer to a milk than a balm, so you will likely squirt out a lot more than you need the first few times.

As others have said, though, Nivea Sensitive is your best bet for a top-notch, low-cost, easily available all-around balm. It performs great and matches up with everything.

 

[Rumwood]

I'll chip in and say Burt's Bees. It's my all-time favourite balm.