Thread: Alum after an all Proraso Green Shave

Turned out to be a very nice shave. I want to shave again! A final splash of Clubman and I'm on my way.

John

Originally Posted by Phrank

Alum before the AS?? I see the glimmer of a trick here...alum constricts the skin....thus????

Yup. After the shave I do a hot water rinse to completely wash off the soap, apply alum as a astringent/antiseptic, cold water rinse to wash away the alum and then seal the deal with a generous splash of AS. Makes my face feel taut and like a million bucks Not only that but sometimes it looks/feels like the shave wasn't that close immediately afterwards but a few minutes later there's nary a trace of stubble. Probably has something to do with all that skin constriction

Phrank

After the shave is a cold water rinse to get rid of the soap residue, smear the alum on, rinse alum away with cold water and put on AS. Thought everybody did it that way.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Phrank

After the shave is a cold water rinse to get rid of the soap residue, smear the alum on, rinse alum away with cold water and put on AS. Thought everybody did it that way.

Bob

Yes - re-reading the post, I misread it. I thought Ryan was using the Alum block before shaving...and it got me thinking...constrict the skin...whiskers stand up better...yada yada...got it wrong, but now that I've thought it? I wonder....

Originally Posted by Phrank

Yes - re-reading the post, I misread it. I thought Ryan was using the Alum block before shaving...and it got me thinking...constrict the skin...whiskers stand up better...yada yada...got it wrong, but now that I've thought it? I wonder....

There is a French video of a guy doing just that. He was applying the alum before hand. The guy who posted the video said this guy always does it that way. And if you saw the vid this guy knew what he was doing.

Also my current favorite shave soap is osma. Which has alum in it. Gives me a great shave and my face feels great afterwards. Really could skip applying any after shave but I still apply my UAB after shave wax.

Originally Posted by Castel33

There is a French video of a guy doing just that. He was applying the alum before hand. The guy who posted the video said this guy always does it that way. And if you saw the vid this guy knew what he was doing.

Also my current favorite shave soap is osma. Which has alum in it. Gives me a great shave and my face feels great afterwards. Really could skip applying any after shave but I still apply my UAB after shave wax.

Just ordered a tin, wow, shaving soap with Alum, that sounds incredible...it makes perfect sense, haha...a shaving soap with a bit of a punch to it...now this is one I can't wait to try!!! Sheesh, read something incorrectly, and it turns out not only is it done, they actually make a shaving soap that way!!!

Who'd of thought it???



edited to add: now I understand SAD....oh gawd help me....

Alum and steel don't get on very well, so you probably want to wash your razor well after using the alum soap.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Alum and steel don't get on very well, so you probably want to wash your razor well after using the alum soap.

Yes! Excellent point! What are effects the alum could / would have on the blade?

I believe alum could be corrosive to steel.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

I believe alum could be corrosive to steel.

Bob

Yes, thanks, was just trying to check out a few threads on that, corrosive, not good...just have to make sure, as always, blade is well rinsed and dried.