As new DE shaver, I have discovered that the foam-n-go shave that I was used to with cartridges doesn't fly. At the very least, you need a good soap and an aftershave.
I like the soap rather than cream, and, after quickly learning that balms don't work so well for me, I'm on the witch hazel swab/alcohol AS train.
Now I know what I like, I can just go get it ... simple enough, right?
Nope.
Here in Rochester, I've made the tour for the basics--grocery stores, drugstores, discount/overstock stores, beauty supply stores, malls, etc., and they're all the same--Aqua Velva, Brut, Skin Bracer, Old Spice, and, occasionally, Clubman. Soaps are Williams and VDH. Almost across the board, and what little variation there is isn't notable. The VDH/Clubman combo is the best of what's around, but the wife isn't exactly hot for a man that smells like her grandpa.
For other brands, I can get the C&E but don't like the scents, and can't afford the Truefitt and Hill at the high end men's salon.
I've gone online, for a second round of stab-in-the-dark experimentation (the first didn't go so well--I don't want to talk about it), and I have some conks and tabac, as well as some bay rum AS and Florida water, on the way. I've even taken a stab at making my own soap (not half bad, actually). But the lack of local availability is really frustrating, especially given the variety of scents involved.
I'm just venting, really, but I am curious--how many of you are also in the shaving desert, and how do you deal with it?
Ryan
I like the soap rather than cream, and, after quickly learning that balms don't work so well for me, I'm on the witch hazel swab/alcohol AS train.
Now I know what I like, I can just go get it ... simple enough, right?
Nope.
Here in Rochester, I've made the tour for the basics--grocery stores, drugstores, discount/overstock stores, beauty supply stores, malls, etc., and they're all the same--Aqua Velva, Brut, Skin Bracer, Old Spice, and, occasionally, Clubman. Soaps are Williams and VDH. Almost across the board, and what little variation there is isn't notable. The VDH/Clubman combo is the best of what's around, but the wife isn't exactly hot for a man that smells like her grandpa.
For other brands, I can get the C&E but don't like the scents, and can't afford the Truefitt and Hill at the high end men's salon.
I've gone online, for a second round of stab-in-the-dark experimentation (the first didn't go so well--I don't want to talk about it), and I have some conks and tabac, as well as some bay rum AS and Florida water, on the way. I've even taken a stab at making my own soap (not half bad, actually). But the lack of local availability is really frustrating, especially given the variety of scents involved.
I'm just venting, really, but I am curious--how many of you are also in the shaving desert, and how do you deal with it?
Ryan
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comparatively speaking
