That lovely thing we call Hamamelis virginiana

[Crawford Montizano]

A few months ago I posted a link to where we where get our beloved witchhazel. But for the new people and some people who are just curious, here is a link for some other uses for it.

Enjoy.

http://www.wisebread.com/15-wonderful-uses-for-witch-hazel

 

[dpm802]

That's some good reading, and interesting info.

I just discovered witch hazel in general a few months after I started wet-shaving. Then, I re-discovered last year when I finally sprang for a bottle of Thayers ... truly wonderful stuff. My shave-den will never be without Thayers again.

 

[Rev. Nathan]

Someone here stated they keep their bottle in the fridge -- I've got to say, on a warm day it is a real treat!!

Just chuck it in the freezer before your shower (15-30 min before application) or keep it in the fridge at all times. If you add peppermint EO to your WH, you get an extreme cooling sensation. Serve that was 40 degrees and... !!

 

[memoryleak]

I will confess to having once being a "doubting Thomas" regarding WH until I gave Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel a try. I am now a true believer in all the good karma it brings to my ugly mug.

 

[Uncle Erik]

That's an interesting suggestion about cold witch hazel - I'm going to give it a try when the weather (finally) turns warm around here!

 

[soapbox]

Added the link to the B&B wiki page on Witch Hazel.

 

[mycarver]

I've been using it for some time now but similar to the uses in the story I've been adding to it as well. A bit of Vitamin A, E, ( just break a gel cap ) and Aloe to make my "witches brew" as I call it. I make it up in a small travel type bottle as I need it and takes less space in my cabinet. A quick shake and it's good to go.

 

[Desdinova]

Also select the WH that smells most like feet.

The more it smells like stinky feet, the better the grade

 

[Allen Quinn]

Also select the WH that smells most like feet.
The more it smells like stinky feet, the better the grade

I really need to invest in some good-quality witch hazel, if only so that the bottle would be less generic looking...

After shaving this morning, I took off my glasses to splash on some witch hazel. I opened the bathroom cabinet, grabbed the bottle, poured some into the palm of my hand, and proceeded to rub it all over my face. For a fraction of a second my brain registered that it didn't smell quite right, and, in the same instant that I realized my mistake, the world exploded in a fiery ball of pain.

You see, I use cheap CVS-brand witch hazel. It's nothing special, but it gets the job done. Unfortunately, it looks almost exactly like my cheap CVS-brand rubbing alcohol which is next to it on the shelf, particularly when I'm not wearing my glasses...

 

[soapbox]

I really need to invest in some good-quality witch hazel, if only so that the bottle would be less generic looking...

After shaving this morning, I took off my glasses to splash on some witch hazel. I opened the bathroom cabinet, grabbed the bottle, poured some into the palm of my hand, and proceeded to rub it all over my face. For a fraction of a second my brain registered that it didn't smell quite right, and, in the same instant that I realized my mistake, the world exploded in a fiery ball of pain.

You see, I use cheap CVS-brand witch hazel. It's nothing special, but it gets the job done. Unfortunately, it looks almost exactly like my cheap CVS-brand rubbing alcohol which is next to it on the shelf, particularly when I'm not wearing my glasses...

...welcome...to...B&B?

 

[Desdinova]

You see, I use cheap CVS-brand witch hazel. It's nothing special, but it gets the job done. Unfortunately, it looks almost exactly like my cheap CVS-brand rubbing alcohol which is next to it on the shelf, particularly when I'm not wearing my glasses...

You're not a man until you use Purell as an AS

 

[pauls51]

Well there you go! You learn something new everyday... !

 

[Allen Quinn]

You're not a man until you use Purell as an AS

You know, in retrospect, I've used aftershaves that felt like they had a similar alcohol content to the rubbing alcohol. Not pleasant, but not the end of the world either. However, the rubbing alcohol doesn't smell as good as even the worst AS.

Unless, of course, you enjoy that ultra-sterile hospital waiting room scent

 

[Duncanh48]

I have to admit that I haven't tried witch hazel before, but have now placed an order for some Thayers Rose Petal, lookign forward to giving it a try!

 

[Desdinova]

Unless, of course, you enjoy that ultra-sterile hospital waiting room scent

The ladies love that smell

LOL

 

[shortgamer]

I use Dickenson's el cheapo version which sells for a couple of bucks at big box drug stores. I spray copious amounts of John Varvatos men's cologne into the bottle and mix. I get a somewhat cloudy mix that appears to be stable. WH really works well as an astringent. It feels good on the face after shaving and has a nice but not greasy after feel. The Varvatos (or your favorite cologne) provides a nicer scent (IMHO) than the WH alone.