So, I've just now been getting my face wet into the Timeless Manly Art of Shaving and I'd love some aftershave advice from the old pros. Still have a bottle of Aqua Velva that I now treat like a poisonous snake in my medicine cabinet, and I have to say, I'm more than happy to bid adieu to alcohol-based AS. Heard great things about Bay Rum, Witch Hazel (specifically Thayer's) and browsed plenty of shaving supply sites offering all sorts of different fragrances and whatnot. I'm finishing up my undergraduate and still have the budget of a broke college kid so price sensitivity is important to me. What sorts of AS would you recommend to a young buck with only a few bucks to spare and moderately oily skin?
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- Thread starter Robcat2012
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Bay rum and witch hazel usually are alcohol based, I have oily skin too so I only use alcohol splashes but if you don't like them you should try to get some samples first to see if balms agree with you.
BTW why don't you like AV?
BTW why don't you like AV?
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I can't think of many splashes that are alcohol free, if any. AquaVelva, Old Spice, Brut, and Skin Bracer should be tried, though.
Robcat, there are a couple nice lower-alcohol splashes out right now that are somewhat easy to find (and which may also suit your skin type): Nivea Energy Splash and Stetson Cooling Moisture AS. I can get both of these at Walmart, and the Nivea has recently appeared at my local Kroger grocery. They both come in nice glass bottles for a bit more than $5.
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Thanks for the tip, I'll start scoping out balms and see if they're more up my alley and within my budget. Honestly, I don't mind the smell of AV at all - in fact I find it refreshing and pleasant - but now I'm wanting something with little/no ETOH.
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Although I've never heard of Stetson, the grocery down the street carries a decent selection of Nivea products and I'm already using some of their bodywash. I'll look for both next time I make a shop stop. Thanks man00ver.
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Found a great Nivea balm at the local Walgreens for $6.99. Very soothing and not too fragrant, right up my alley. Thanks all for the responses and direction.
Robcat, I have always preferred balms because I was afraid that alcohol-based splashes could dry out my (like many of us) sensitive skin.
But in the summer time it's hot around here (about 40º C lately) and I tried one of those splashes (Proraso new formula). I'm delighted. However, to minimise the kick and posiible irritation from the alcohol this is what I do: after the final cold water rinse, I leave my face slightly wet; then splash some drops of the splash (lol) on my hands, rub them, wave them to allow the alcohol to evaporate a bit and then apply it on to my face. Great!
But in the summer time it's hot around here (about 40º C lately) and I tried one of those splashes (Proraso new formula). I'm delighted. However, to minimise the kick and posiible irritation from the alcohol this is what I do: after the final cold water rinse, I leave my face slightly wet; then splash some drops of the splash (lol) on my hands, rub them, wave them to allow the alcohol to evaporate a bit and then apply it on to my face. Great!
You may want to take a another look for the Nivea Energy Splash if you're looking for a stronger scent - you may find it at a local HEB. I'd also second man00ver's Stetson Cooling moisture (Walmart is the only place I've found it near me).
I would suggest looking at the guide: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Interactive_Guide_to_Aftershaves
Try Boosters AS. Very inexpensive .. But the scent does not last long...
My favorite aftershave when I first started was Nivea Sensitive. Then I got a few samples from Garry and tried Speick and Proraso splash. I didn't like them at first because it was winter and my skin gets pretty dry in winter. Then it got hot and I don't know what I would do without Proraso. Not too fragrant, but SWMBO likes it. Might be a couple extra bucks, but worth it to me.
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- #14
I picked up a bottle of Nivea Sensitive right before my first DE shave and I have not been disappointed. Usually I steer clear from anything that's thicker than water (even sunscreen) to avoid the greasy skin feel and strong odor I associate with lotions, but for some reason my face loves this stuff and after a minute or two all that's left is a residual fragrance. I don't need to shave daily, so this bottle should last a while.
Will have to give a look-see to Proraso, Stetson, and Boosters. It's the tail in of July in Texas right now with a weekly highs of 95-108°F (35-42°C), I can definitely see the logic in using a "lighter" AS for hotter climates haha.
grab some afta from walmart to start. walmart also has a "she moisture shave tea tree herbal bump preventer" witch hazel splash that has no alcohol and is pretty darn good. I'd paid more for a lot less.
Harris Pink. Low alcohol. PINK!
Provence Green Tea splash is a good one. no alcohol. One of the better splashes with zero burn.
Harris Pink. Low alcohol. PINK!
Provence Green Tea splash is a good one. no alcohol. One of the better splashes with zero burn.
I use generic witch hazel right after I shave, It's got alcohol (14% IIRC) in it but unless I use a blade that is really dull I don't feel any burn. After I splash on the witch hazel I let it set while I clean up my brush and razor, by the time I'm done the witch hazel is mostly dry and I splash on an aftershave. I still get some burn with the really alcoholic aftershaves, but the witch hazel pre-splash makes it a lot more tolerable.
if you like the classic scents, Canoe makes a low alcohol AS and it smells like Clubman, as for lightly scented balms, Every Man Jack makes a very nice post shave lotion for about $6, you can get it at Target
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