Aftershave or cologne?

I’ve always thought of aftershave as something that should be a bit diluted since it’s meant to be applied more liberally. Every now and then I get an aftershave that is more like a cologne in that it’s SO concentrated that it’s too strong to use in anything more than a drop or two. Today I received TOB, Mr Taylor. The scent is great but wow, it’s really more of a cologne. I’m wondering if this will be usable as an aftershave. On the other hand, DR Harris Marlborough cologne is so light that it could be an aftershave. Anyone else find these things to be true?

YES! I have an OLD bottle of Stetson that says aftershave but is WAY to strong to use it that way. I tried once and people around me let me know that it was too much. The new version is very light and gone by the time I leave the door. So I use that and then 2-3 drops of the old Aftershave as a cologne. Aqua Velva Musk is another aftershave that is very strong but it doesn't seem to project far because no one seems to even know I am wearing it except me.

I keep thinking how I might use it as an aftershave. Maybe leave my hands a bit wet when I apply it so the few drops kind of disperse some and not kill me?

I found the TOB aftershave I had was way too strong as well, and that’s coming from a guy who loves a strong scent.

There’s no rhyme or reason it seems with respect to scent strengths. Not that it matters too much for me unless I spray my clothes with it - my skin seemingly eats scents! Which sucks because I like the idea of a cologne. I literally have to rub Vaseline on my skin and spray that area to have any hope in heck of it lasting more than a minute.

Yes, I have had similar experiences too. There seems to be no rhyme or reason why that happens either.

Bob

I don’t use a cologne, but I do like aftershaves.

When I apply an AS, I usually let it sit in my hand for a few seconds to let the alcohol evaporate before putting it on my face. I suspect you would not do that with a cologne.

As a result of this technique, I have not found an AS that was overwhelmingly scented and it has the effect of reducing post shave burn.

I did something that worked fairly well. In my palm, I cut the overly strong TOB with an equal amount of witch hazel. It allowed the little that I used to get kind of washed out some. Plus witch hazel is always a good choice. This will at least give me a shot at using it up. We'll see if I buy again.

This is an interesting topic because i've found the same thing going from aftershave and aftershave and cologne to cologne. In fact, there have been times when i have been complimented on my aftershave even when i was wearing cologne (i could tell they meant the aftershave because of their description of the scent)
The lines, i think, have blurred a bit these days. You can buy an aftershave like from PAA that will smell alllllll day. And you can walk out of any pharmacy or store with a cologne that might last less than 4 hours. I wonder if at some point we'll all just decide to wear one or the other.

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Originally Posted by Butzy

This is an interesting topic because i've found the same thing going from aftershave and aftershave and cologne to cologne. In fact, there have been times when i have been complimented on my aftershave even when i was wearing cologne (i could tell they meant the aftershave because of their description of the scent)
The lines, i think, have blurred a bit these days. You can buy an aftershave like from PAA that will smell alllllll day. And you can walk out of any pharmacy or store with a cologne that might last less than 4 hours. I wonder if at some point we'll all just decide to wear one or the other.

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For me, its not so much the longevity of scent but the POWER. I think of cologne as a more concentrated scent, a little going a long way. A/S I think of as less powerful because you will use it in greater quantities. And, its going on your face. If its really strong, it'll choke you to death. So when I get an A/S that is really powerful, its actually a let down because its hard to use.

I don't use colognes but I always equated them with long-lasting scents. Maybe they are just more concentrated and not also formulated to last a long time. I like AS's; the experience of using them is mostly for me anyway. I don't want to smell like them, just smell them as part of the shave experience.

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Originally Posted by Paulbuck

I don't use colognes but I always equated them with long-lasting scents. Maybe they are just more concentrated and not also formulated to last a long time. I like AS's; the experience of using them is mostly for me anyway. I don't want to smell like them, just smell them as part of the shave experience.

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I totally agree

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Originally Posted by Paulbuck

I don't use colognes but I always equated them with long-lasting scents. Maybe they are just more concentrated and not also formulated to last a long time. I like AS's; the experience of using them is mostly for me anyway. I don't want to smell like them, just smell them as part of the shave experience.

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Like Myrsol Lemon. I love it. But I don’t want to smell like a lemon ALL day.

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Originally Posted by OCDshaver

Like Myrsol Lemon. I love it. But I don’t want to smell like a lemon ALL day.

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https://youtu.be/LZTNBdKNUek

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Originally Posted by earcutter

https://youtu.be/LZTNBdKNUek

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Thanks for that. I haven’t heard that one in a long time.

Many of mine can be too strong to use before work, like Floid, Tabac, & Pinaud Clubman, (depending on how much you use, and I use lots). This doesn't usually apply to me though, because I normally shave at night. I use cologne during the day. Sometimes I can still smell the aftershave in the morning!

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Originally Posted by DZEC

I don’t use a cologne, but I do like aftershaves.

When I apply an AS, I usually let it sit in my hand for a few seconds to let the alcohol evaporate before putting it on my face. I suspect you would not do that with a cologne.

As a result of this technique, I have not found an AS that was overwhelmingly scented and it has the effect of reducing post shave burn.

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I have always thought that the point of an aftershave was the alcohol and to let it evaporated would loose those properties.

I usually shave in the morning and work in a scent free place so I usually don't use a scented product. Or if it disappears quickly good.

My wife one time commented on why I wanted such a big bottle of aftershave. "It should last for years." But then I showed her I splashed it on!