Thread: Alum Block

Once I use an Alum Block my face feels very dried out. However the longer I just leave my face alone after I apply, It starts to look better, despite how it feels. Then I apply some aftershave balm and it feels much better..

So my question is should the alum block be applied, then left for a certain amount of time before applying the balm, or should the balm be applied right after the alum block?

After applying the alum to the face, you should rinse off with cool water, gently towel dry, then apply balm or aftershave.


Scott

I'll have to try that. For post-shave I've been:

Rinsing with cold water (the colder the better )
Putting on witch hazel and letting it soothe while I dry the blade and strop it
Wet the alum block and rub over face, leave to air dry, and about 5 minutes later going back for the balm.

I love the feeling as the alum starts to take effect on my skin. Almost like you can feel the skin scrinching up on its own, getting tight, really toning up. Once I get that feeling I hit the balm.

That thing hurts me like the dickens. I use it to stop the bleeding on a few points but just thinking about using it as an aftershave hurts.

I do it a little differently...after the shave, I

1. rinse with warm water to remove any remaining lather
2. rinse with cold water to close the skin pores.
3. apply alum as an astringent.
4. let it dry while I clean and strop my blade and put it away.
5. rinse off the alum with the witch hazel toner (2 splashes - the first to get rid of the alum, and the second just because I really like this stuff)
6. air dry (or pat dry if I'm in a hurry)
7. balm or aftershave or skin food

If the alum tells me I got a little too frisky with the razor, I'll mix a dollop of Aloe gel with the second Witch Hazel splash

...life is grand

-whatever

-Lou

what is the hazel toner and where do you get that?

Originally Posted by rblair

what is the hazel toner and where do you get that?

That would be 'witch hazel toner', and I use Thayers - you can order it from their website, or here in the States, you can usually pick it up at supermarkets, drug stores or health food stores. They make a number of different Witch Hazel products, with a number of different scents - I'm partial to the Lavender, the Lemon and the Rose but those are the only ones I've tried. Some are mixed with a little alcohol, and some are alcohol free.

Actually, in looking at the site - the ones with alcohol seem to be labeled 'Astringent', while the alcohol free are labeled as 'Toner' - don't ask me what the difference is, they all just feel refreshing and smell good. I don't notice any alcohol 'sting' with the astringent (but, then again, I like alcohol based aftershaves, too...so take that into account).

-whatever

-Lou

Originally Posted by scarface

I do it a little differently...after the shave, I

1. rinse with warm water to remove any remaining lather
2. rinse with cold water to close the skin pores.
3. apply alum as an astringent.
4. let it dry while I clean and strop my blade and put it away.
5. rinse off the alum with the witch hazel toner (2 splashes - the first to get rid of the alum, and the second just because I really like this stuff)
6. air dry (or pat dry if I'm in a hurry)
7. balm or aftershave or skin food

If the alum tells me I got a little too frisky with the razor, I'll mix a dollop of Aloe gel with the second Witch Hazel splash

...life is grand

-whatever

-Lou

I do the same

Originally Posted by scarface

That would be 'witch hazel toner', and I use Thayers - you can order it from their website, or here in the States, you can usually pick it up at supermarkets, drug stores or health food stores. They make a number of different Witch Hazel products, with a number of different scents - I'm partial to the Lavender, the Lemon and the Rose but those are the only ones I've tried. Some are mixed with a little alcohol, and some are alcohol free.

Actually, in looking at the site - the ones with alcohol seem to be labeled 'Astringent', while the alcohol free are labeled as 'Toner' - don't ask me what the difference is, they all just feel refreshing and smell good. I don't notice any alcohol 'sting' with the astringent (but, then again, I like alcohol based aftershaves, too...so take that into account).

-whatever

-Lou

They also contain aloe for healing great stuff

Originally Posted by LX_Emergency

That thing hurts me like the dickens. I use it to stop the bleeding on a few points but just thinking about using it as an aftershave hurts.

Yeah, me too if I rub it on the face straight after rinsing. But I find if I hit the witch hazel first, let that dry (and soothe), and then do the alum it doesn't sting. And then the skin just tightens and tones up.