Using a balm and splash on for same shave

1)So I have noticed a lot of guys saying they use a balm AND an AS splash on for the post shave routine. My question is what order would you use them in?

I love the feeling of alcohol based splash on. Clubman is my favorite by far, leaves me feeling great and I love the smell.
I like using balms for the moisturizing quality they have. Particularly Proraso sensitive balm, again great smell, great feel.

2)If I were to try and combine my two routines into one and use a splash on and a balm, how would I gain from it??

​3)Also, i use an alum block so im not too interested in witch hazel, but I do have an interest in GFT skin food. Is the skin food simply an AS balm? or is it something all in its own?? Would I use it instead of the balm or in addition to a splash and balm routine?

I know im asking for a lot of knowledge in this own post, but as this has become my most healthy obsession I have many questions..

Thanks in advance for the help.

Occasionally ill use a balm & splash if I've had a fairly rough shave. Saturday I used Nivea sensitive skin balm then Clubman about 20min later. I think the only benefit would be if you suffer from dry skin and want the balm moisturize.

I just got my first gft Sandalwood skin food and I would think its more of a balm. Absolutely awesome stuff.

The best answer is the one that works best for you.

Most recently, I have used cold water splash (3-5 times), followed by the alum block which I rub on and allow to dry as I tidy up, then I use another couple splashes to wash off the alum and then pat dry and put on whatever balm or aftershave suits me. Lately, I have been using Nivea products.

Previously I used cold splashes, then witch hazel, then balm.

I figure the balm feeds the skin...so it always goes on last to help restore my precious beauty :D If I want to smell good, I use cologne on my chest.

If I use lotion or balm, I use it after the splash. The balm acts as a "final coat", undiluted by the splash.

My most intensive routine involves Scented witch-hazel, then AS splash, then lotion. Other times I just use one or two out of that sequence. It all depends how I'm feeling.

Michael

Relather, run alum over my face, rinse with warm water, cold water splash, then AS or ASB (mostly in winter...face gets pretty wind burned with the wet winters here). That's it. Usually let the alum sit while I rinse off the brush. it's like an assembly line when I shave....damn OCD :rant:

I am a all of the above guy

I do cold water rinse, then a cold water alum block rubbing, then a AS Splash, then finally a think AS milk (I use The Shave Den AS Milk - its nice and thin)

I love the feeling of the alcohol splash but it is a bit drying for me so the milk is perfect.

Interesting thread. My grandfather once told me that he would use an after shave first, then wipe it with a towel lightly and apply a moisturiser (Nivea Creme was the only one available in that time in his country).

Many old-school barbers would shave gentlemen in this way. I have never understood why the after shave was applied and then wiped, but my grandfather did have baby soft skin.

Personally I just go straight for the balm and that is just about enough for me.

Lately I have been relathering after the shave, Wash off with a hot face cloth, cold water splash, the AS, then balm. I think the AS tightens your skin and is antiseptic, then the balm for moisturizing.

Thanks guys, so far it looks like most use AS then balm when using both. I would think that using the AS second would remove the balm.

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.

I am an only AS for about 9 months of the year. Winter I will normally use a balm followed with a bit of TOBS dry skin cream on cheeks and chin area.

I hardly ever use both, but when I do I'll use an alcohol splash first to "seal the deal" followed with a balm for the moisturizing properties. Keep in mind that being Canadian this helps during the cold dry winters, so other's priorities may be different.

i don't use after shave. i apply Thayers and Unrefined Shea Butter as my post-shave routine.

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Originally Posted by celestino

i don't use after shave. i apply Thayers and Unrefined Shea Butter as my post-shave routine.

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Man that must give you a soft, baby-face, kind of look. Sweet!

If I'm using both, I splash then bomb.

Splash then balm. Every time.

The best combo I have come across for myself is a pea sized dab of 444 aftershave gel, rub it well in the palms of your hand, add a good splash of Aqua Velva, again rub both well and straight to your face. Ice-menthol kick that's just intoxicating. Best of both worlds for me.

In the winter time when i use balm the splash comes first then the balm, which reminds me winter is coming need to get some balm

Wow, I thought I was the only person that used both. I love the tightening sensation of the splash but my skin leans toward dry most of the time. So I follow up with a balm too. I'm a sucker for bay rum and love Captains Choice. But my favorite soaps are DR Harris so I think I need to sample their line of A/S products.