modifying aftershaves

[gurana]

There's a couple of old threads on this topic, and another current one that seems more directed at a particular brand. i just wanted to get this out there to see what types of things people do to enhance their favorite aftershaves...

The number one suggestion seems to be: add glycerin. While I've not seen any post or thread that indicates some sort of ratio (e.g., x tsp/y fl.oz.) I've seen suggestions for adding up to 1 tsp or using something like an eyedropper to add a little bit until you've discovered the proper amount.

I'm interested in this because I'm looking to simplify my post-shave routine as much as possible. Right now I go:

• warm water rinse
• cold water rinse
• pat dry
• witch hazel
• allow to air dry while I clean up
• liquid aftershave (my go-to right now is Pinaud Clubman)
• aftershave balm (nivea sensitive usually)

(After I get ready for the day, I usually add another face lotion all over... I don't really consider this part of my post-shave routine and would do it even if I didn't shave.)

I've also seen suggestions that one could add witch hazel to your AS. Again, I've not seen any particular suggestion for what amount to add. If I did both of these, I could knock 4 steps off of my post-shave. Since I use a regular face lotion, I wouldn't need the ASB necessarily. And I'm probably just being redundant with the witch hazel in a lot of regards, so I could lose that step all together probably.

Are there any guys here that consistently modify their aftershaves in a similar fashion? Do you do it in-bottle, or do you mix it all up in some other larger bottle to account for the added volume?

 

[guitarslinger]

I added witch hazel to some pinaud bay rum.

It louched it to a cloudy purple/white colour, and changed the scent negatively.

I do NOT recommend modifying aftershaves.

 

[Crawford Montizano]

This is not going to answer you question but try this if you are looking to simplify things

• Hot Water Rinse
• Witch Hazel
• Clean up brush/ razor/ sink area, takes about a minute or so
• Cold Water Rinse
• AFB/ Or AS
• Air Dry

 

[tsmba]

Wouldn't it be easier to simply switch aftershaves than to try to modify one?

 

[gurana]

Wouldn't it be easier to simply switch aftershaves than to try to modify one?

Not necessarily... I mean, there's a cost associated with that, plus I'd have to leave my house. I already have witch hazel and glycerin... Also, it'll allow me to use the aftershave I already have. Perhaps with the next bottle, I'll get something that has glycerin already. But this doesn't account for the possibility that the new product isn't as good as the one I was able to mix myself.

Besides, where's the satisfaction in simply going out to buy it? I bet you buy pre-chopped fire wood, don't you? Next thing you'll tell me is that you buy shave-ready straights and mix your own lather

edit: botched my own smart arsed comment... suppose I should've suggested that you buy pre-lathered soap, lol

 

[VR6ofpain]

I poured in about 2/3 of a bottle of Men's Choice SPICE aftershave into my half empty bottle of Clubman. The new scent is better than the Clubman alone, mostly because it softens the overly aggressive scent of Clubman. Another per is the super alcohol rich Clubman burn has also been reduced by the addition of more water (the SPICE aftershave's first ingredient is water, not alcohol like Clubman) and proplyene glycol.

Is this what you meant by modification?

 

[Deltaboy]

I poured in about 2/3 of a bottle of Men's Choice SPICE aftershave into my half empty bottle of Clubman. The new scent is better than the Clubman alone, mostly because it softens the overly aggressive scent of Clubman. Another per is the super alcohol rich Clubman burn has also been reduced by the addition of more water (the SPICE aftershave's first ingredient is water, not alcohol like Clubman) and proplyene glycol.

Is this what you meant by modification?

My Dear Sir your a Hairy Tick

Noone should ever mess with a Classic like Clubman!

 

[VR6ofpain]

My Dear Sir your a Hairy Tick

Do you mean you're, as in you are? Yes I am, thank you!

 

[GoldenMonkey]

Aside from adding a little glycerin, menthol crystals, and ground alum to an alcohol based spash, no

 

[rm71]

I decant some of my aftershaves to smaller plastic spray bottles and add some witch hazel to those.

 

[gurana]

I decant some of my aftershaves to smaller plastic spray bottles and add some witch hazel to those.

I'm thinking this will be the way to go. It may be more difficult to find correct ratios, but it will allow experimenting without destroying a whole bottle.

I'm thinking I'll try a clubman + glycerin combo to start off... not sure that using a witch hazel will be a good idea, but might try that in the future.

 

[sfcablecar]

I mix Thayer's unscented witch hazel with pure aloe vera gel and any good balm plus 1 drop of peppermoint oil for a menthol kick, all in my hand before applying to my face. It's an amazing custom elixir. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Sue]

What is your current aftershave 'not' doing for you that you want to change or improve? What are the ingredients in the A/S you are unhappy with?
Sue

 

[Chevyguy]

I'm thinking this will be the way to go. It may be more difficult to find correct ratios, but it will allow experimenting without destroying a whole bottle.

I'm thinking I'll try a clubman + glycerin combo to start off... not sure that using a witch hazel will be a good idea, but might try that in the future.

Try adding about 5 drops of glycerine to your clubman. Anymore and it might leave your skin feeling sticky after you apply it. Doesn't take much.

Clayton

 

[rafikz]

I've added JR Watkins Lavender Oil (with real lavender oil and a bunch of moisturizing oils) to Nivea sensitive balm

 

[cymric]

I've also seen suggestions that one could add witch hazel to your AS. Again, I've not seen any particular suggestion for what amount to add. If I did both of these, I could knock 4 steps off of my post-shave. Since I use a regular face lotion, I wouldn't need the ASB necessarily. And I'm probably just being redundant with the witch hazel in a lot of regards, so I could lose that step all together probably.

You are incredibly redundant. You only shaved; it's not like you took a salt bath, got sun-burn, and on top of that had a lousy shave. Witch hazel is an astringent and so is alcohol; if you can stomach the alcohol you can drop the witch hazel right there and then. A balm is a far more effective moisturiser and skin soother than is the glycerin in a splash, so if you need the skin care you can also drop the splash. And once the skin is full of balm, a facial lotion on top of that will just be overkill, at least on the areas you already applied the product.

I use two products, either splash or balm, depending on the quality of the preceding shave and the weather outside or planned activities during the day. If I don't like a product, I don't go messing about with it, but move on to find another. There are many available, and it is unlikely that you won't find one to your liking.

 

[urr-lord]

i cut clubman special reserve with about 25-30% witch hazel and add a few drops of glycerin.cuts the power of the reserve down to a 24 hr scent as opposed to a 36 hr scent.