I remember when I started this whole adventure, I was VERY zero-sum. Balm over splash. Straight over DE. Everything wet shaving was about finding what was best for me and if I used anything else, I’d somehow be losing something. Why?

I’m not sure where this mindset came from. I guess it’s ingrained in me via today’s marketers vying for my consumer dollar, but it’s really done nothing than deprive me.

With respect to aftershaves, being I have relatively sensitive facial shin, I was always about the balms. The balm won lol. But as you know balms in the summer can really get bogged down. I searched and searched for lighter balms rather than just cutting it with water or using something else. Worse still, I didn’t get that lovely pore closing from the splash. I went on this way for years.

Anyway, today, after my shaves I’ll rub any remaining suds around my face, rub alum across it, splash some water on my face and then use a nice splash to shock the old face. I finish it off with a little balm. So I use every aftershave type available to me, not just one. It’s awesome!

What about you? Any secrets? Insights? I love “closing” with a little bit of everything. Zero-sum sucks!