Over-Indulgence? More products than SWMBO!

[Ground Roots]

Hi all,

I'm slowly adding to my shave den, purchases here and there. I had my first shave today with all products and my EJDE89L with feather blade. I showered first, lathered my whiskers with a glycerin soap and let it set in while getting my kit ready. I applied TOBS lather over the soap and did my usual 3 pass shave. Afterwards, leaving my face wet, I used my alum block (first time use, truly amazing), applied Proraso Splash and then dabbed on Nivea after-shave balm. In total I used 5 products. It felt great, skin subtle and the small bit of razor burn on throat cleared great (although I'm beginning to think the rumours of feather blades having a short life are true). However, the amount of products seems excessive to me. Is this attention to detail or simply a case of over-enthusiastic consumerism?

 

[Vlad]

It's just being a well-groomed gentleman

 

[Mendel]

It's just being a well-groomed gentleman

+1

 

[dpmtherrien]

Actually no, looks like you'll fit right in around here.

 

[Graybeard57]

It's all of the above. Just tell yourself you need it all. Eventually, you believe it. Works for me!

 

[KyMash]

I love to consume.

 

[dlegros]

Seems reasonable to me

I tend to use the following routine:
• Brush in bowl of hot water
• Real Shaving Co Face Scrub in the shower
• Steal a bit of SWMBO's conditioner and massage into whiskers then finish shower (alternatively skip this step and apply Proraso Pre-Shave after shower)
• Build lather in bowl (Tabac last time)
• Shave with Merkur 34C, currently with Derby blades
• Rinse then Alum block
• Apply aftershave balm (either RSC or Nivea)
• Finish with either aftershave splash or EdT

So that can run to 8 products for a shave (including the hardware)

I am curious as to your using splash before balm - is there a particular reason? I opted for applying balm first to increase longevity of subsequent AS/EdT, of course shaving is a very personal endeavour and YMMV always applies

 

[Ground Roots]

I am curious as to your using splash before balm - is there a particular reason? I opted for applying balm first to increase longevity of subsequent AS/EdT, of course shaving is a very personal endeavour and YMMV always applies

Hi there. I use the splash before balm because I figured I'd be rinsing off the balm in a way. I've combination skin, dryness along the "T-Zone" and apply balm there more so than rest of face. I have read others using your method. Another case of YMMV. I'm considering mixing splash and balm in hand before applying to get both on at once. Have you tried this?

 

[GarrettReid]

I feel like if I did have a significant other I would heavily outnumber her in bathroom products. Once I had to start moving cologne and shampoo out of the bathroom into my dresser I knew something had to give.












So I added another shelf.

 

[ksblazer]

I see how this can happen.

When I originally joined B&B and looked around. I figured I'd only need one razor, soap/cream, shave bowl, blades, styptic pencil and aftershave.

I got a greap PIF package that covered everything but the bowl. But then I started reading about all these other great products that you guys are using and feel like I'm missing out.

Since then I have aquired multipe razors, soaps, creams, aftershave, mugs, blades and discovered the magic of witch hazel, menthol crystals and skin balm.

With the exception of the witch hazel and balm. I probably have enough products for 2 years of shaving. But no way do I see that hapening

And I'm not ashamed either. I'm getting the best shaves I've ever gotten and my facial skin looks and feels great.

 

[dlegros]

Hi there. I use the splash before balm because I figured I'd be rinsing off the balm in a way. I've combination skin, dryness along the "T-Zone" and apply balm there more so than rest of face. I have read others using your method. Another case of YMMV. I'm considering mixing splash and balm in hand before applying to get both on at once. Have you tried this?

I've not thought of mixing them - might be beyond the limits of my dexterity!

 

[Mad Man]

It's quite normal to go hard, fast and to excess early on seeking the "perfect" combo of gear.

After a while you may find your rotation "sweet spot" and PIF or BST some low-use gear. You may become VERY Zen and just have one set of "Apex" products. Or you may just become a hoarder stocking up for the Shave-pocalypse.

When you start digging the foundations for a Shave Bunker and ordering Arko by the case-lot you'll know you've got "IT" bad...

 

[miamimoe]

Exactly my story. First year, had the AD's bad. By the end of year two, I had found what works for me, and just buy the products that I need. I have enough of a variety for a decent rotation, but not enough to be overwhelmed. I find that once I got that settled, I started focusing a lot more on technique than on the gear, and the quality of my shaves has finally gotten to where I wanted to be when I got back into wet shaving.

It's quite normal to go hard, fast and to excess early on seeking the "perfect" combo of gear.

After a while you may find your rotation "sweet spot" and PIF or BST some low-use gear. You may become VERY Zen and just have one set of "Apex" products. Or you may just become a hoarder stocking up for the Shave-pocalypse.

When you start digging the foundations for a Shave Bunker and ordering Arko by the case-lot you'll know you've got "IT" bad...

 

[Useless shaver]

It's just being a well-groomed gentleman

 

[bhorsoft]

Master bath is now mine. The invasion of the men's products was successful - sheer numbers overwhelmed the women's products. Victory is mine!

 

[Ground Roots]

So I added another shelf.