After about two weeks, I received my PGS Whiskey Balm. Excitedly tore open the packaging and first impressions were...not quite what I'd hoped for. You can't tell from the etsy pics, but the much raved about packaging is more "faux" vintage than actual. The bottle is cheap plastic meant to look like old medicine bottle glass and the label is a slick paper printed to look aged. It's funny how "faux" vintage design can actually be more of a turn off than slick, modern packaging--the lack of authenticity really bothers me. "Oh well," I said, "it only cost $25." Move on to the product.
The Whiskey scent is spectacular. It actually smells like a nice rye whiskey at the start and then softens up to become more woodsy and herbal. My girlfriend is nuts about it. What she's not so hot on (and neither am I) is the fact that the balm leaves my face looking like I just lathered myself in vegetable oil. In spite of the product's description as "non-greasy," I have to wash my hands with soap after applying. The ingredients are a variety of natural oils which I am sure are all wonderful for your skin, but also leave your face a little unsightly to walk into the office with. Granted I'm a morning person, but even applying as little as three drops gives a whole new meaning to "bright and shiny."
Ultimately, I figured out that mixing a few drops with a dab of non-scented lotion allows the balm to absorb much better (while letting you keep the great fragrance). As much as I like the smell though, I don't know if I'm going to want to keep buying a product that needs a workaround to work with.
The Whiskey scent is spectacular. It actually smells like a nice rye whiskey at the start and then softens up to become more woodsy and herbal. My girlfriend is nuts about it. What she's not so hot on (and neither am I) is the fact that the balm leaves my face looking like I just lathered myself in vegetable oil. In spite of the product's description as "non-greasy," I have to wash my hands with soap after applying. The ingredients are a variety of natural oils which I am sure are all wonderful for your skin, but also leave your face a little unsightly to walk into the office with. Granted I'm a morning person, but even applying as little as three drops gives a whole new meaning to "bright and shiny."
Ultimately, I figured out that mixing a few drops with a dab of non-scented lotion allows the balm to absorb much better (while letting you keep the great fragrance). As much as I like the smell though, I don't know if I'm going to want to keep buying a product that needs a workaround to work with.
