suggestions from the pros.....

I personally only use one or the other and it depends on the weather and how the shave left my face feeling. For smooth shaves during the warmer months I normally use an aftershave splash, if I happen to have a rough shave or the weather has been cold and dry I will use a balm. With a good balm and aftershave the scent wont last long so if I am going out for a night on the town I will follow up with a spritz of cologne. I do have fairly sensitive skin so I find humidity and temperatures really effect the smoothness of my shave.
 
My regime is as follows.

Hot shower, three pass shave, COLD water splash....repeat several times. Blot dry. Then Thayers Witch Hazel splashed on liberally and left to dry while I clean up the brush and lather bowl.

I really like the cucumber and lemon for this. Very soothing with the aloe and heals my skin up.

Once the witch hazel has dried (about the time it takes me to straighten up my countertop and get everything put back where it goes), I splash on a little Clubman Bay Rum AS. Once that is applied, then I top it off with Lubriderm 3 in 1 unscented lotion....just a dab or two massaged into my face and neck.

Balms can give you a shiny appearance if you use too much.

Wet shaving's official slogan should be "your mileage may vary" because what works for me may have horrible results for you. A scent that works on my skin may be rancid on yours.

Luckily, a bottle of Thayers is less than ten bucks. They make an unscented version that you might be interested in that wouldn't clash with whatever balm you are using.

And here is a site that will give you all you care to read on various wet shaving topics.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/forum.php

Regards.
 
Ok. My aftershave has a good scent but doesn't last very long. My balm has very very little scent and I just didn't want the balm covering or eliminating the aftershave scent. Will have to get some bay rum soon. Everyone here seems to use some version of it sometimes.
 
gunfixrjoe said:
Ok. My aftershave has a good scent but doesn't last very long.
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It's not supposed to. The fragrance in an aftershave is there to hide the medicinal smell of many of the ingredients. It should clear quickly leaving your skin ready for any other scent you wish to apply in the form of a cologne. Your aftershave shouldn't compete with your cologne.

Some modern aftershaves are really an aftershave/cologne and do have a strong scent that is intended to persist thus serving both purposes.

My balm has very very little scent and I just didn't want the balm covering or eliminating the aftershave scent.
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As it should. Balms also shouldn't compete with your cologne.

I have very oily skin. All I need or want after a shave is a through rinse with cold water and then a splash of alcohol. But other people will find that their skin type demands other treatments.
 
I do a thorough cold rinse, pure witch hazel splash, that dries and the I do an AquaVelva sash, that dries then I apply sensitive skin balm. I have only done this procedure for 5 day's, since I discovered this forum, and my neck irritation has cleared substantially.
 
gunfixrjoe said:
I do a thorough cold rinse, pure witch hazel splash, that dries and the I do an AquaVelva sash, that dries then I apply sensitive skin balm. I have only done this procedure for 5 day's, since I discovered this forum, and my neck irritation has cleared substantially.
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Good deal. Sounds like it is working well for you.

I had the same problem with neck irritation. The WH is doing wonders for mine. I saw in the other forum that someone hooked you up with a nice razor. When you find a blade that works well for you, you will be on your way to wet shaving nirvana.

And on the bay rum, a little goes a long way, at least for me it does. The Clubman stuff is a bit stout and burns like hades. I found it at a Walgreens (their website will tell you a store near you that stocks it) for less than 8 dollars. I find that after my WH treatment, the Clubman doesn't burn nearly as bad as it does splashed on right after a shave.

Scent last a bit longer than I like too but by the time I get to work and have had my coffee, it seems to have dissipated.
 
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Scent last a bit longer than I like too but by the time I get to work and have had my coffee, it seems to have dissipated.




Actually, I would prefer that the scent sticks around a bit. I will keep trying new ones till I find one I like that has a good lasting scent.
 
lwt210 said:
Good deal. Sounds like it is working well for you.

I had the same problem with neck irritation. The WH is doing wonders for mine. I saw in the other forum that someone hooked you up with a nice razor. When you find a blade that works well for you, you will be on your way to wet shaving nirvana.

And on the bay rum, a little goes a long way, at least for me it does. The Clubman stuff is a bit stout and burns like hades. I found it at a Walgreens (their website will tell you a store near you that stocks it) for less than 8 dollars. I find that after my WH treatment, the Clubman doesn't burn nearly as bad as it does splashed on right after a shave.

Scent last a bit longer than I like too but by the time I get to work and have had my coffee, it seems to have dissipated.
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The Clubman Bay Rum does sting a good bit, but I've found that after that sting subsides my face feels great and just about any irritation is gone.
 
If you use both: use the aftershave first. When that dries off (let it air dry), then use balm.

ALSO: don't forget that even though you can't smell your aftershave after a while, it might still smell strong to other people. Ask a coworker or friend/wife/whatever if they can smell it clearly when you stop smelling it.
 
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