Newbie here and need a recommendation!

[Canuck88]

Hi everyone,

I'm so glad I've finally found this site - until now I had been using overpriced crappy shave creams (Aveda, etc.), and now I'm in love with Proraso Red (I also have Speick waiting to be tried). Up until now I've been using Biotherm and Aveda after shave balms, which I don't mind - but locally they are about $50 for a small tube (way too overpriced).

So it's time for me to find a new aftershave or balm. I recently ordered the Ogallala Bay Rum and Sandalwood aftershave thinking "oh, that should have a nice spicy / warm / woody and manly scent" - but when I put it on my wife said "that smells awfully girlie" and she's right. I'm not familiar with the bay rum and sandalwood scents, but this particular concoction ended up not quite being what I'm looking for. However, I did love the feel and consistency of it (thick/oily).

So please any recommendations that meet the following criteria would be much appreciated!

• Natural ingredients
• Soothing and healing properties - non drying
• A "masculine" smell - which for me means spicy-woody with some citrus/herbal... (Pepper, tobacco, cinnamon, bergamot, lemon, lavender, sandalwood, sage, cedar). I haven't worn cologne in many years (and don't plan to - so I'd like the splash/ball to have some staying power), but when I did I liked the spicy scents of Dolce & Gabbana and Dior Fahrenheit if that helps.

Any suggestions are very much appreciated!

 

[Canuck88]

Anybody?

 

[Pedro Navaja]

Welcome aboard Canuck and sorry for the lack of responses. It is unusual here in the forum, but I suspect your list of criteria is both too specific and too broad at the same time...if that makes any sense. Natural ingredients is a dicey term, and it is usually reserved for products that will cost you a hefty premium. There is a wide range of products that are somewhat natural, good, and reasonably priced, but like I just said, there are a lot of them. You may want to start in your local drugstore/beauty supply store and trying out what they have there. You might be surprised. At least you are guaranteed to come out with a list of what you don't like and go from there. Another thing to do is to order some samplers from someone like Gary here in the forum. For a few bucks you can buy a wide range of 1/4 oz samplers and give them a try. Finally, if you have a specific scent you already like in a cologne, you may look that one up because more times than not these fragrances are sold in kits that will include an aftershave, lotions and whatnot. Do not be discourage, on the contrary, have fun with it and even try stuff you've never thought you might enjoy. And please continue to ask anytime you need help, advice or just for the sake of asking. Also keep us posted in what do you learn/find, we are always up for something new. Take care, and again, Bienvenido!

 

[Redman667]

I think you should give Speick a try. Its a herbal lavender scent which does not last very long but is has great skin healing goodies inside. One of my favorites.

 

[August West]

Welcome. I think the Speick will serve you well. C.O. Bigelow is available locally at Bath and Body Works and may be worth a try but I see it may not meet your fragrance druthers.

 

[skleice]

Queen Charlotte Soaps balms are great. You might like Fougere or celestial woods.

 

[mistercitizen]

Speick is what I always recommend right out of the gate. Great scent and great performance.

Ben

 

[Okla1911]

Check out Garrys Sample shop for a wide variety of AS's to try out. I've sampled my way through about dozen so far. I like robust manly scents & Floid Vigoroso is my favorite so far. Good luck, the journey is a good one to take!

 

[Ron Scott]

Speick, to me, is a lesser aftershave than today's Old Spice at 5 times the price.

If you'd asked a question here about the aftershave you and your wife both thought smelled girly I'm sure there would be guys responding singing its praises.

i suggest you go to stores or buy samples and try different aftershaves before buying. That or shop online and get disappointed a good percentage of the time.

Tough love...

 

[tdmsu]

Krampert's Finest. He makes bay rum and a menthol cooling AS. Makes my face feel great and my wife likes the scent.