Newbie DE shaver in search of new aftershave

[jhadsell1883]

I started DE shaving about 6 months ago and am feeling overwhelmed with the variety in all products available. So far I have an EJ89L and low end brush/bowl along with a few TOBS\Proraso creams, Mike's soaps (thanks to B&B) and Nivea ASL. Currently I'm looking to invest in a best badger brush, maybe EJ or Vulfix. That said I have no idea where to start in trying AS splashes. As I go through the soaps and creams I am finding some scents I like including sandalwood, bayrum, and the barber shop scent from Mike's. I really like the Nivea ASL, although not sure I need it since I have figured out how to shave and do not have sensitive skin.

The main issue I'm having is deciding what to buy due to limited funds. With that said I'm looking for a few quality items\brands to try that give me a bit of variety without being $30-50 per bottle.

 

[rushchairman]

One line that doesn't get a lot of play around here is Aubrey Organics. My favorite is North Woods, but you might find their Spice Island (spin on bay rum) appealing.
Forget about that $30-$50 craziness, too. Aubrey Organics is available @ Whole Foods for about ten bucks.

 

[Luke49783]

You need to check out Garry's Sample Shop. Garry is a member here and fantastic to deal with. This is a cheap way to figure out what you like and what you don't. Each sample is enough for 3-5 uses and cheap enough that if you don't like it on the first go, you aren't out much money.

http://sampleshop.blogspot.com/

 

[DKS2375]

I also started this year using a EJ89L and an EJ best badger brush.

This summer I have been using the green Proraso pre-shave, shave soap and aftershave. In this hot weather the menthol in all three feels so good in the mornings.

 

[JazzyJ]

The two I've been using recently are Speick and Musgo splashes. Both make my face look and feel fantastic. Speick is around $15 for a bottle, and Musgo is $25.

 

[Ron Scott]

Old Spice and Dominica Bay Rum, especially for the summer. Great feel and smell.

UK/EU AS' are just OK IMO.

 

[Rohrbach]

You need to check out Garry's Sample Shop. Garry is a member here and fantastic to deal with. This is a cheap way to figure out what you like and what you don't. Each sample is enough for 3-5 uses and cheap enough that if you don't like it on the first go, you aren't out much money.

http://sampleshop.blogspot.com/

+1

This is really a very nice way to try out different products, without having to spend a fortune for one product, just to find out if you like it or not.

 

[patrickthebassbash]

If you like bay rum there are quite a few of them available. If you like cloves and spice, Pinaud Virgin Island Bay Rum is great. Master's has more of a pure bay oil scent. And one of my personal favorites is Gabel's Bay Rum. Cheap, good quality and smells fantastic! Another suggestion would be to pick up a bottle of Pimaud Clubman. It's the best aftershave I have found.

 

[mistercitizen]

Another suggestion for Speick AS splash. It's a great one.

Ben

 

[MACRI]

I'm a lover of the Pinaud brand. I Rotate between Bay Rum, Lime Sec and Pinaud Original. I also grabbed some Pinaud Talc.
I would love to get my hands on the Pinaud Vanilla but I doubt my local distributor will get it.

Needless to say I also have Old Spice, Proraso, Imperial Leather, and many more in my regular rotation of A/S.

 

[CGBradley]

Third on the Speick AS splash. Also, Dominica Bay Rum with Lime is a personal favorite of mine.

 

[ridnovir]

Another suggestion for Speick AS splash. It's a great one.

Ben

dito - if you can only have one that should be it.

 

[wsteineker]

Like the gents above said, grab a bottle of Speick and don't look back.

 

[Seattle]

You need to check out Garry's Sample Shop. Garry is a member here and fantastic to deal with. This is a cheap way to figure out what you like and what you don't. Each sample is enough for 3-5 uses and cheap enough that if you don't like it on the first go, you aren't out much money.

http://sampleshop.blogspot.com/

\


Do this. See Garr's site. Try our 4 or 5 different ones and them pull the trigger on a full bottle.

For example, Musgo and Speik are really effective for some. But the Musgo smell (which I like) some people hate. Musgo being very effective, but he stickiness sucks. And Speik for me seems to magnify razor burn sometimes. Clubman SR - some love it others think it smells like old aunt Mildred. Bottom line, spend $15 at Garry's versus $75 on three bottles that you might not like.

 

[Chadao]

+1

Old Spice and Dominica Bay Rum, especially for the summer. Great feel and smell.

UK/EU AS' are just OK IMO.

 

[jhadsell1883]

So I received my order from Garry last week and have been through the first round of my AS trials. I ordered a sample of Speick, Musgo Real, Proraso, Floid Blue, Floid Vigoroso, and Captain's Choice Bay Rum. So far I'm not loving any of them but they are very different scents than what I'm used to. I do love how they make my skin feel after a shave. Maybe a favorite will emerge after a second week of use. So far my wife is a fan of the bay rum after it has dried down, after a fresh application it is too strong. She also likes the Musgo Real but I'm not a huge fan of the tackyness.

 

[blindmouse]

In your travels you should also try Captains Choice Lime. I see you have the original in your sampler. I love the lime. Still has some sweet bay rum-ness to it. Dry down smells kind of like chai tea.. and my face feels great. I was never really a splash guy until now.

 

[JerYnkFan]

One line that doesn't get a lot of play around here is Aubrey Organics. My favorite is North Woods, but you might find their Spice Island (spin on bay rum) appealing.
Forget about that $30-$50 craziness, too. Aubrey Organics is available @ Whole Foods for about ten bucks.

Is Aubrey's a balm or liquid?

 

[Thu'umhammer]

Garry's Sample Shop is a great way to check out aftershaves. I personally recommend Proraso Green Aftershave Splash, it really clears up any irritation and has a great scent/cooling feel. It's only $15 for a 150 ml bottle, or $40 for the 400 ml bottle, which makes it pretty affordable if you commit to it long term.

 

[MrEdifus]

You can buy a more modern-smelling one, Gilette Cool Wave, from Wal-Mart in glass bottles for the same price as the common classics (AV, SB, etc.) It's longevity isn't as impressive as some of the others, but if you wear cologne or EDT, it layers well with them.