When I first began - after I was done shaving, I would dunk my alum in the warm soapy water in my basin, and give my face a rub-down. I did this to see if I was applying too much pressure. Burn for me = too much pressure. Then after washing up I would wipe my face off with a cold water rinse, and then apply a balm.

To this day I still do it that way... more out of habit than anything else.

That said, when summer comes and the temps rise, after my cold water rinse I'll apply an AS or even a mentholated AS! It's sweet! If I feel like it after - I'll throw on a balm.