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Just wondering if you guys recommend I use my alum block before or after an alcohol based aftershave.
Or...another option...use the alum then witch hazel then non alcohol aftershave lotion.
or any other opinions or techniques or tricks you gents may have...
My post shave is this - watered down lather, cold water rinse, alum block on big gashes to stop the bleeding, witch hazel, then nivea balm. I think nivea has some alcohol in it. I find I like the nivea as it leaves a layer of something that protects my face for a good part of the day.
I finish shaving then a really cold water rinse, followed buy a liberal use of alum and then either witch hazel or after shave.
After a shave, I put a nice warm towel on my face for a minute, wipe off any excess soap from the shave, then dip my alum in some cold water and rub it around on the shaved area liberally. I clean my brush and lather bowl, put them away and then rinse my face with cold water. Then I pat dry with a towel and then I apply my after shave splash.
That's my routine. Different things work for different skin. It took me months to get into one that works well.
Scott and Doc both do the same as I do.
Quote:
Originally Posted by erictski
My vote would be to use the alum before the aftershave...and my rational is to seal the face as much as possible before putting anything on your face that contains alcohol.
My post shave ritual is cold water rinse followed by alum block rub, pat dry, Trumper's Skin Food (or the moisturizer of your choice), then any aftershave or cologne.
If you throw on aftershave right after shaving it can burn like hell.
If you throw on aftershave right after shaving it can burn like hell.[/quote]
Oh yeah Alum is much more soothing!!! :eek::eek:
Seems to me the alum and the AS do the same thing; why use both?Quote:
Originally Posted by erictski
I keep the alum around just for cuts. So normally, it goes unused. Though I use a witch hazel based post shave splash (after some cold water) and then use a glycerine based skin conditioner after.
=)
I think the alum works better at toning the skin and sealing any nicks. It is also an antibacterial agent so it helps with my chronic acne.Quote:
Originally Posted by cubed1
AS I use because it smells purdy!
Oh yeah Alum is much more soothing!!! :eek::eek:[/quote]Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc
I love it when it burns like Hell!
dannyr
oh yeah gotta have that burn!!!!!:rofl2:
My post shave routine:
Cold water rinse.
Rub face with Alum Block.
Let it sit for a while and clean out my brush.
Cold water rinse.
Thayer's superhazel
Aftershave splash
I never skip the alum block. I agree that it has some antiseptic properties and is a good nick closer. Maybe using the alum, witch hazel and AS is over doing it, but it's become a habit and it works for me.
I'm a firm believer in the alum block.
Cold water rinse, wet alum block, two passes of the block over the face, and an air dry.
It seems like the alum does a much better job at reducing/elliminating the visible razor irritation if it's left to dry on your face. My razor burn is *very* visible; any irritation at all, and the skin turns cherry red. It looks far worse than it feels, actually. Alum puts out the light, but again, only if left to dry. I leave it on all day, actually. For those of you with oily skin, it helps keep the oil at bay. I don't really have too oily of skin, so it does tend to get a bit drying on some days.
i usally do cold water rinse, alum block, clean brush and stuff, rinse then after shave. this works for me
-dan-
Whoah, I would never put nivea in my face.
Anyway, I am new to straight razoring but I generally use cold water to rinse of foam and then I use Weleda Iris Toner as aftershave. I never actually had a feeling of needing more than that and I do have a dry and sensitive skin. Oh, all their products are made biodynamically and organically and it has this as ingredients:
Ingredients (INCI): Water (Aqua), Alcohol, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel), Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon), Iris Germanica, Fragrance (Parfum)*, Linalool*, Citronellol*, Geraniol*.
Does not burn, sting, or make you ugly! :rofl2:
Yeah, for me too.Quote:
Originally Posted by sinnfein
alum block lets you know how close your shave was,
i love the burning feeling of alum in the morning :)
Alum IS aftershave so I don't see the point in using aftershave at all after the alum.
Alum has no scent...Quote:
Originally Posted by cotdt
As many other guys, I do a cold water rinse, than run the alum block over my wet face, leave it on for some time, while I dry the razor and clean up the mess, then wash away the white powder that the alum left, and apply some AS, usually a balm.
Before for me.
Al raz.
After a shave, I use the alum with cool water first. Then, after drying, I apply after shave (with or without alcohol (balm)). The latter makes me feel fresh and soothe, which for some reason I don't get it from the alum alone.
My routine is: wash off lather with cold water, apply alum (like the little sting it has got) clean up the sink-area, wash off alum (I really feel how the alum has tightened up the skin by then) pat dry, apply A/S with alcohol in it. I have tried without and it just doesn't give that little heat to the face that I like.