Thread: pretty good post shave ritual

My normal procedure after I complete applying Cade shaving balm is to put a towel around my waist and run around the outside perimeter of my house ten times to allow the shaving balm to dry. Then I get in my car and drive down the freeway with my head out the window like a Chocolate Lab to make sure the drying process is complete. If I don't get a ticket (I drive at speeds in excess of 110 mph), I then return home to watch Jerry Springer and Maury. I can't recommend this ritual to everyone, but it works for me.

Warm water rinse, cold water rinse-pat almost dry, alum block-cold rinse and pat dry, Thayers witch hazel-let dry, Coral skin food-let dry, after shave then EDT or cologne

After giving my face a good rinse, I use the Razorock alum block/stick. re-rinse and apply Thayer's witch hazel with aloe. I think the aloe in the Thayer's helps, especially now in the summer months ( I also apply it to my face after being in the sun a while).

I spend a lot of time rinsing the blood out of the sink while I'm applying Styptic pencil. Then I go looking for Crazy Glue and some bandaids.

Originally Posted by AxelH

Some of us swear by witch hazel as an astringent and cleanser. That would go on before the Neutrogena Post Shave Lotion. I like that stuff, it is not a wet balm, I believe you're supposed to put it on a dry face. It leaves a little residual layer on the face, but this is a good thing, you just have to control how much you apply. I think of this balm as the end of the post-shave scheme because of its viscosity.

I personally really like witch hazel, but often don't need it. I've found a simple, average alcohol + glycerin/propylene glycol aftershave is often enough but every bit helps, especially early on with open razors.

I like using witch hazel after shave, it soothes my skin after shaving and once it's absorbed into my skin, I add an after shave balm.