newbie seeking aftershave with non-aggressive scent

[andreios]

Hi,
in my shaving shopping list is now almost everything ticked, the only think I have to buy is something to be used aftershave.
I am not sure about those balms or gels, I think I want a proper liquid aftershave, but I am too confused while looking at the variety. Could you help me pick something up?
Well, I have a normal skin I suppose, perhaps a bit sensitive, not too dry (most of time). But I also have a very sensitive and delicate sense of smell - most of the aftershaves I have tried while I have been shaving some years ago before I grew by beard have smelled rather unpleasant.
So I think I`m looking for something with very delicate scent, without any hints of sweetness. It could be fresh (fruity), not lavender or something like that, perhaps something more manly, but still very delicate.
And there is also a important point - it should be available via internet and shipable to Prague for some reasonable price. (I will be in London the day after tomorrow, but I am not sure I`ll be able to do any shopping and if I will, I!ll first hunt some tea.. )

 

[JPM]

You might try Trumper's Lime AS. It has a nice scent but it dissipates pretty quickly. For some, that may be a bad thing, but based on your description perhaps it will be good for you. It is a bit on the pricey side but you should be able to get it via Internet.

 

[HoratioCaine]

You might try Trumper's Lime AS. It has a nice scent but it dissipates pretty quickly. For some, that may be a bad thing, but based on your description perhaps it will be good for you. It is a bit on the pricey side but you should be able to get it via Internet.

The Trumper lime has a fantastic scent, but it is about as unforgiving as an aftershave gets, being comprised of just alcohol, water and scent (plus a bit of coloring). Personally, I can't use it, which is a bummer, because it would easily be on my short list of daily aftershaves if I could.

As long as we're in that price range, Santa Maria Novella makes much more skin-friendly aftershave splashes - called aftershave "lotions" by the company - that are (amazingly) more reasonably priced than the Trumper aftershaves. The only ones I can recommend with fairly mild, easily likeable scents are the lavender and the Russian Cologne. Don't be so quick to dismiss lavender - there are as many types of lavender scents as there are products that contain them, and some can be very masculine. I have no idea where you can get SMN in Prague, though.

 

[WhosYerBob]

Lots of aftershaves to choose from and even more colognes. I'd suggest reading the archives here for more details, ask questions, read even more over at Basenotes, ask questions, try a few - and did I mention the parts about the archives, Basenotes and questions?

 

[JPM]

The Trumper lime has a fantastic scent, but it is about as unforgiving as an aftershave gets, being comprised of just alcohol, water and scent (plus a bit of coloring). Personally, I can't use it, which is a bummer, because it would easily be on my short list of daily aftershaves if I could.

As long as we're in that price range, Santa Maria Novella makes much more skin-friendly aftershave splashes - called aftershave "lotions" by the company - that are (amazingly) more reasonably priced than the Trumper aftershaves. The only ones I can recommend with fairly mild, easily likeable scents are the lavender and the Russian Cologne. Don't be so quick to dismiss lavender - there are as many types of lavender scents as there are products that contain them, and some can be very masculine. I have no idea where you can get SMN in Prague, though.

Hey HoratioCaine, I didn't realize that about Trumper's. But what do you think about the scent being mild? The OP seemed more concerned about an overpowering scent vs. something mild on his skin.

 

[menemsha43]

Provence sante green tea is fairly mild

 

[HoratioCaine]

But what do you think about the scent being mild?

I don't know that I'd call it mild so much as vanishing. It packs a great punch of pure lime scent when splashed on that dies down within a couple minutes, and is all but nonexistent within a half-hour. But I might be getting too semantic on the terms I use - Trumper lime may well fit the OP's needs. I too have a pretty sensitive nose and am ultra picky about the scents I wear, and for me, Trumper lime isn't strong enough. Damn fine scent though, one of my absolute favorites.

 

[kingfisher]

Go to www.saintcharlesshave.com and pick up some Mediterranean Citrus Aftershave spash or some Hydro (if you like spashes). These are gently and pleasantly scented, feel great, and leave the skin feeling great. The scent fades away within a few minutes. Top notch stuff at a very good price.

 

[cellopudding]

I'll be following this thread closely. I myself am interested in trying some Bay Rum, but don't really know where to start.

 

[JPM]

I don't know that I'd call it mild so much as vanishing. It packs a great punch of pure lime scent when splashed on that dies down within a couple minutes, and is all but nonexistent within a half-hour. But I might be getting too semantic on the terms I use - Trumper lime may well fit the OP's needs. I too have a pretty sensitive nose and am ultra picky about the scents I wear, and for me, Trumper lime isn't strong enough. Damn fine scent though, one of my absolute favorites.

Have you tried the TOBS Victorian Lime? I like Trumper's but am a bit disappointed with how fast it is gone. I like TOBS products but haven't tried the Lime.

 

[HoratioCaine]

Have you tried the TOBS Victorian Lime? I like Trumper's but am a bit disappointed with how fast it is gone. I like TOBS products but haven't tried the Lime.

Yes. It certainly lasts longer, but I was none too fond of the scent - a little artificial and harsh, to my nose. In fairness, I will say that Gordon on SMF (quite esteemed on that board for his knowledge of classic fragrances) says it's his favorite lime fragrance of all. In fact, it was on his recommendation that I did a blind buy of the bottle. Needless to say, YMMV applies to everything.

I actually like T&H West Indian Limes cologne quite a bit - it's not as pure as Trumper, but has a lot of fresh citrus zing to it, and quite a bit more staying power. The bath soap and aftershave balm match it nearly perfectly; unfortunately, I personally feel the shaving cream isn't quite in the same scent league, emphasizing sweetness over citrus - although some people really like it.

 

[Wingnut]

I'll be following this thread closely. I myself am interested in trying some Bay Rum, but don't really know where to start.

You might want to start out with either Pinaud's Virgin Island Bay Rum and/or Master Bay Rum. Check out the reviews section here to see if either of these ring your bell, and to find other Bay Rums as well. The good news is that both are easy to find, both online and in a B&M store, and are relatively inexpensive (<$10 for a large bottle), so even if you don't fall in love with them you're not out a lot of cash.

Other options (that are also reviewed here at B&B) that run a bit more cash are Domenica, Royall, and C. O. Bigelow. FWIW, my ranking (in descending order) is:

Domenica
Royall
Pinaud
Master
(I haven't tried the C.O. Bigelow splash, but enjoy their Bay Rum balm very much)

The neat thing about Bay Rum is that there are many variations on the theme, and prices go from the almost ridiculously cheap to quite expensive, so I'm sure you'll find something that's both to your liking and within your budget. Good luck, and enjoy!