Thread: step by step post shave process and combination

Hello all,


I am totally new to straight shaving (had my first yesterday). I spent a lot of time searching information about this art online (and in particular on this website). However, I'm still completely lost on what makes a good post shave treatment...?

I know, like almost everything related to shaving, it is first of all a question of personal taste. But as a complete beginner, I'd appreciate an explanation on the most common combinations (that can, for example, be seen on the forum (The Gallery, Shave Of The Day), such as astringent, aftershave, moisturizer, cooler, or Eau de Cologne/Toilette...) and how/why to combine them this way.

I'd be interested in knowing:
1) what are the general rules or customs for combining post shave products?
2) what is your particular post shave treatment combination and process (and why)?


Thank you
Christophe.

Pick up Lynn's DVD and read a few threads, especially the stickies at the top...you will learn all you could ever imagine.

Again it's all personal preference but for me, I usually wash my face with cold water first , then apply thayers witch hazel, then skinfood or an asb, then finally an as or cologne. I have done it with just witch hazel and been fine, but I like those added nutrients and skin care

Hi Christophe

It's like the others have said. Its all about what works for you. Me:

1. I start with a warm water rinse to get rid of any soap still on my skin.
2. Cold water rinse to close my pores
3 TendSkin to treat any damage I may have done (ie: razor burn or ingrown hairs)
4 Aftershave or balm
5 Cologne

I do a cold water rinse and then some Thayers witch hazel. While the witch hazel is drying I clean up all my equipment. Then I put on the after shave and then sometimes cologne.

As you understand there's no set "rules" , but personally I do a cold water rinse, the wet my alum block and run it across my face,rinse it off after a couple minutes, then a mentholated aftershave for the cool menthol kick, then I usually finish with something that smells good
Sometimes a aftershave balm if I'm sore. The alum block is important to me, it really seems to take care of any hints of burn.

For me I lather up again and apply a hot towel then a cold water rinse and then the alum block and then the witch hazel and then some AS.

Normally I'll just do a cold water rinse then a splash of aftershave, nice and simple

Hi Christophe,

The only rules are to find what works best for you at your current level of ability to weild a razor, water quality, season,skin type/sensitivity, and so on.

I like to rinse w/ hot water to get all the lather off. Then rinse with cold to tighten everything up. Leave my face a little wet and apply an Osma block to the shaved area. Clean up the counter, brush, mug/bowl, while letting the alum do its job for a couple of minutes. Then rinse off the alum w/ cold water. Dry well and apply a/s, then cologne. I stopped using balms as they leave a film that bothers me later in the day.

The alum block has done wonders for me, along with cold water shaving. I use Barbasol Brisk from DG For $1.75 and it helps me heal and has a great menthol blast. Cheap, but very effective and smells good to boot. I hope you find what works best for you, Don.

I used to use Proraso pre/post shave all the time but to save my coin as it were, I have been useing along with the cold water rinse, the generic kind of Noxema, I bought at Wally-World[Wal-mart] it's inexpensive and leaves my skin as soft as ANY skin food would with less money involved. Just my opinion.

Have a great shave and chill if you can find the time.

tinkersd