Which order do you apply?

Right now i'm using a few aftershave products and was wondering if anyone has input as to which should get applied first.

Here is my routine:

1. Cold water everything, shave, cold water rinse.

2. Alum block

3. (this one varies) witch hazel or alcohol based splash

4. either the witch hazel or splash (depending on what step 3 was)

5. After shave balm

Does it matter which you apply first? Does applying one before the other (steps 3 and 4) provide any benefit or does it really make no difference at all?

For what it's worth, I tend to keep it pretty simple:

1. cold water rinse post-shave
2. witch hazel or alum
3. AS or balm (I seem to be on a major bay rum AS run these days, so it has been quite a while since I've used a balm...)

And that's pretty much it.

I soap up again and apply a hot towel followed by a cold water rinse and the the alum and then the witch hazel and then the AS.

Well here we go:

Cold Water
Alum
Clean Brush and Scuttle
Cold water
Aftershave Balm

1. Thorough hot water rinse
2. Alum (or astringent of choice)
3. Cold water rinse
4. Aftershave splash
5. Aftershave balm

For the most part I don't double up on the aftershaves, I'll use one or the other (splash or balm), but that's the order when I use both. As well, step 4 would normally be Trumpers Skin Food before the AS, but I ran out quite some time ago and haven't got around to ordering a replacement..

Cold water splash
After Shave Balm

Here's my post-shave routine:

First, a cold water rinse, then I put on either some witch hazel or some Alum, then Some ASB or AS.
If I use Alum, I will naturally rinse that off after a minute or so with another cold water rinse before the balm.

Cold water rinse and apply alum block
Clean sponge and brush, drain sink
Cold water rinse and pat dry followed by Thayers witch hazel
AS before I go out never use AS balm

Bob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ace

Cold water splash
After Shave Balm

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A true minimalist Ace!

Birnardo: +1 on rinsing it off, I do the same thing. Not sure why though, just read it on here.

Bob: why no balm? I find that, especially in winter, I really benefit from the moisturizing effect of it. My skin is fairly oily and recently started using the new l'oreal for men aftershave balm (hydra sensitive) and find I like it MUCH more than the proraso or zirh stuff. It's thick and creamy and just feels incredible.

Here is my post shave routine:

Rinse with warm water and that is it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mainaman

Here is my post shave routine:

Rinse with warm water and that is it.

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Stefan you had to one-up Mr. Ace didn't you? ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by brooksie967

Stefan you had to one-up Mr. Ace didn't you? ;)

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not saying everything is flawless, just rarely use anything after the shave

Hot water to rinse off soap.
Alum block dipped in running cold water rubbed on face. Cold water rinse off.
Witch hazel splash. Towel fanned to dry. Aftershave at neck line. Moisturizer all over face and neck.

Hot water rinse
Alum block
*Do stuff til alum dries*
Shower
Balm (if staying in) or aftershave (if going out)
I've also used proraso preshave as an aftershave but, although pretty good on the face, I shave my head too & find it makes my scalp oily.

Warm water rinse
Alum
Cold water rinse
AS splash or sometimes a balm and RR Wax (for my head) keeps the shine down

1. shower prep (wash face)
2. Poraso pre shave
3. Shave
4. Cold rinse
5. Witch hazel
6. Moisturize

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pyrateknight

Well here we go:

Cold Water
Alum
Clean Brush and Scuttle
Cold water
Aftershave Balm

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Exactly what I do and if unscented, I will throw on some AS at the end.

1. Warm water rinse
2. Cold water splash
3. Witch hazel application. I don't have an alum block
4. Either AOS after shave balm in sandalwood or Gillette after shave lotion. I only have the two so it depends on my mood.
Continue with my day.
Pretty minimal as I don't have many items to work with.

I see a lot of similarities

1) Cold Water Rinse
2) Alum block
3) Dry Razor and Strop 10/15, apply 5 parts mineral and 1 part alcohol on Razor all while Alum dries
4) Cold Rinse
5) Witch Hazel
6) Face Lotion
7) Sandalwood Balm or Pinaud Clubman splash

Feelin' Like a Million Bucks!

A post shave routine I know works for myself is:

1. Water.
2. Moisturiser.

Sometimes, I'll use Proraso pre/post as #2, which is followed up with a cold water splash. Embrace the chill. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alliisteralphie

Really this is the right order to apply on your face after shaving but make sure that all products apply on your skin properly.

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Not sure what you're getting at there? I apply stuff with my hands to my face?

I go for the overkill approach. Cold water shave and wash, alum block, witch hazel, Clubman AS, lightly scented balm, and maybe a light hit of Clubman again.

I always apply the hazel right after the cold water rinse, before any aftershave. I do this only to preserve the scent of the aftershave. Also, in response to why rinse off the alum ( if I use it), is because in my experience, it always dries & leaves behind a noticable white film wherever it was applied.

I rinse of the soap residue, some after shave and I'm ready.
Never used any moisturizer or the like in my life....

1. Rinse cold water
2. Club man AS
3. Strop and oil blade

Why witch hazel? I'm a nuby! Why alum block?:beer1:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brewdaddy

Why witch hazel? I'm a nuby! Why alum block?:beer1:

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The alum block closes the skins pores up, along with reducing/stopping any blood seepage.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deegee

The alum block closes the skins pores up, along with reducing/stopping any blood seepage.

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Witch hazel essentially does the same thing except stop bleeding

As a rookie, I prefer

1) Lather up again

2) Hot towel wipe down

3) 2-3 ml of unscented baby oil ( weird but feels awesome )

4) Choice of aftershave depending on the day.

Matt

After I shave, I lather my face up again (I always have an excess of cream even though I only use a pea sized amount of Proraso tube cream) because it feels amazing, clean up and put everything away, rinse and then I put on a bit of Cromwell and Cruthers shave oil. I find the biggest myth of aftershaves is that it needs to say aftershave on it. Sometimes I'll use the Proraso pre-shave cream as an aftershave too, but, I prefer the oil. It quenches my skin wonderfully and eliminates any and all irritation or redness that I may have and it feels and smells great!

I like to put witch hazel on while I get ready then splash some aftershave when I am on my way out the door.

Russell

After the shave, cold rinse, alum and as balm. Alum or other stringent(witch hazel) to close thepores so you wont clog em with the balm.

For me, shower, warm.

Then cold from there on:
lather
shave
rinse.