Behind the Burn: A splash of aftershave history

[Basenotes Robot]

Behind the Burn: A splash of aftershave history • Basenotes

What do you use after a shave? Do you use anything at all? Much to the surprise of some traditional wet-shavers armed with brush and bowl, the answer to that ... Behind the Burn: A splash of aftershave history

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[hednic]

Very interesting and informative article. Very much enjoyed reading it.

 

[Oviatt]

Great article. I am a big aftershave fan, so this was very interesting.

 

[Varanis Ridari]

Very interesting and informative article. Very much enjoyed reading it.

Thanks!

 

[Varanis Ridari]

Great article. I am a big aftershave fan, so this was very interesting.

I still use it too. Always will unless my face falls off.

 

[aero58]

Nice article. I’ve been enjoying aftershaves as part of the routine for over 40+ years; I can’t imagine NOT using it.

 

[Varanis Ridari]

Nice article. I’ve been enjoying aftershaves as part of the routine for over 40+ years; I can’t imagine NOT using it.

I have roommates who don't even use shavecream with a wet razor. They just destroy the lube strip.

I think the act of shaving is an imposition for many these days, and if they could just -not have hair- they would. 🤣

 

[H_West]

What a nice read, thanks Varanis! I always use soap and brush for shaving but only sometimes a scented after shave splash. I have to admit lotion and edt is the most common recipe for me. But I greatly enjoy the old school splashes like Clubman, Brut, Old Spice and so on

 

[SLNY]

As a shaver, who during COVID transformed from a Gillette multi blade user to a wet shaver with an expensive DE and have now discovered fragrances, I’ve gone from using aftershaves always to rarely. But that’s because I can do a very clean shave and I then use professional face care moisturizer. So the scent purpose of aftershave has been lost as has the face feel purpose. I have some unscented splashes for occasional use and a few balls, and I still love the DR Harris Arlington scent (aftershave , not so much cologne), but it’s no longer needed. An. interesting read, thank you.

 

[Varanis Ridari]

What a nice read, thanks Varanis! I always use soap and brush for shaving but only sometimes a scented after shave splash. I have to admit lotion and edt is the most common recipe for me. But I greatly enjoy the old school splashes like Clubman, Brut, Old Spice and so on

I just used Skin Bracer yesterday

 

[Varanis Ridari]

As a shaver, who during COVID transformed from a Gillette multi blade user to a wet shaver with an expensive DE and have now discovered fragrances, I’ve gone from using aftershaves always to rarely. But that’s because I can do a very clean shave and I then use professional face care moisturizer. So the scent purpose of aftershave has been lost as has the face feel purpose. I have some unscented splashes for occasional use and a few balls, and I still love the DR Harris Arlington scent (aftershave , not so much cologne), but it’s no longer needed. An. interesting read, thank you.

The irony here is I also switched to a DE during pandmic (handle is more but blades are waaaay cheaper, so overall I'd call it less expensive than a cartridge shaver).

I actually took to using aftershaves more when switching, not because I need them, but because I like that finishing touch they provide.

Professional products are good (I have some too), but the very nature of them being for professional barbers makes them less fun to use in my opinion.

 

[rexsport]

Thank you Varanis for this great article. I have learned so much from reading your essays and reviews! I suspect that most men of my generation shared similar experiences as mine, first discovering men’s fragrances by slapping on a little of Dad’s aftershave (ala Kevin McCallister). I remember using some of the aftershaves you’ve mentioned before I could even shave.🤣

I became a wet shaver in middle age and do enjoy the ritual of it all. I love several of the creams from Taylor of Old Bond Street (partial to the Sandalwood) but nowadays instead of the nostalgic aftershaves of my youth I spray perfumes that cost $100s of dollars a bottle! (Something is wrong with that picture 😳). I pay little heed to trying to sync my perfume of the day to my shaving cream. I will say that you have given me pause for thought. Maybe on weekends I could splash on some of those aftershaves I remember so fondly. 👍

 

[Varanis Ridari]

Thank you Varanis for this great article. I have learned so much from reading your essays and reviews! I suspect that most men of my generation shared similar experiences as mine, first discovering men’s fragrances by slapping on a little of Dad’s aftershave (ala Kevin McCallister). I remember using some of the aftershaves you’ve mentioned before I could even shave.🤣

I became a wet shaver in middle age and do enjoy the ritual of it all. I love several of the creams from Taylor of Old Bond Street (partial to the Sandalwood) but nowadays instead of the nostalgic aftershaves of my youth I spray perfumes that cost $100s of dollars a bottle! (Something is wrong with that picture 😳). I pay little heed to trying to sync my perfume of the day to my shaving cream. I will say that you have given me pause for thought. Maybe on weekends I could splash on some of those aftershaves I remember so fondly. 👍

I have those expensive fragrances too (somehow), and still find time for aftershave! I also shave/shower at night after work so I don't have to live all day in the stuff.

 

[The Cologne Cabinet]

A big fan of the splash myself. I generally use my less expensive ones daily, but I have several vintage that I treat myself with as well.

Great read thank you!


Daily - Tabac Craftsman, Old Spice, Brut

Vintage - Halston Z14, RL Safari, Polo, Charles Jourdan Un Homme, Azzaro pour Homme, Michael for Men, Obsession for Men

 

[Varanis Ridari]

A big fan of the splash myself. I generally use my less expensive ones daily, but I have several vintage that I treat myself with as well.

Great read thank you!


Daily - Tabac Craftsman, Old Spice, Brut

Vintage - Halston Z14, RL Safari, Polo, Charles Jourdan Un Homme, Azzaro pour Homme, Michael for Men, Obsession for Men

I also apply sprays like splashes, by spraying into my hand.

Always have since I started!

 

[JBHoren]

Excellent article! A fine addition to your ever-growing stable.

As a life-long wet shaver, I feel it's important to differentiate between "aftershave" and "afterscent" — the former is used to soothe/seal the skin where one has shaved (cheeks, chin, and neck); the latter is used to smell good (upper-chest, etc.) — they are not the same. An aftershave "worth its salt" contains alcohol, and imparts that beloved "sting" when applied (hurts so good).

 

[Varanis Ridari]

Excellent article! A fine addition to your ever-growing stable.

As a life-long wet shaver, I feel it's important to differentiate between "aftershave" and "afterscent" — the former is used to soothe/seal the skin where one has shaved (cheeks, chin, and neck); the latter is used to smell good (upper-chest, etc.) — they are not the same. An aftershave "worth its salt" contains alcohol, and imparts that beloved "sting" when applied (hurts so good).

I prefer alcohol splashes over creme lotions too.

 

[Redneck Perfumisto]

I prefer alcohol splashes over creme lotions too.

I have both the lotion (alcohol) and balm (cream) aftershaves of Bleu de Chanel, and while the cream is unremarkable, the lotion is fantastic - a quality flanker of BdC.

As for Dior Sauvage, I highly recommend the aftershave lotion. It's far less screaming than the EdT, and far more like a persistent cologne! One gift set I'm very glad I bought.

 

[Varanis Ridari]

I have both the lotion (alcohol) and balm (cream) aftershaves of Bleu de Chanel, and while the cream is unremarkable, the lotion is fantastic - a quality flanker of BdC.

As for Dior Sauvage, I highly recommend the aftershave lotion. It's far less screaming than the EdT, and far more like a persistent cologne! One gift set I'm very glad I bought.

Super cool info. I might look into them!

 

[Galicia & Jicky]

I love the classic after shaves. I started with St. Johns Bay Rum and then moved on to Proraso, and now I'm using Cella, another Italian after shave and it's my favorite.

 

[H_West]

I just used Skin Bracer yesterday

Clubman Classic Vanilla for me

 

[Varanis Ridari]

I love the classic after shaves. I started with St. Johns Bay Rum and then moved on to Proraso, and now I'm using Cella, another Italian after shave and it's my favorite.

I'll look up Cella

 

[Varanis Ridari]

Clubman Classic Vanilla for me

The Clubman shaving cold cream and soap are scented like that one too.

 

[tspencer]

Well, I'm one of the wet shavers on the forum. Aftershave is my preferred post-shave. I don't do balm much unless I got a perfect 1-pass with zero irritation. Most of the time I want dry skin because if I got any irritation the balm only makes my skin red, whilst dry skin is less prone to redness or a shaving bump. So, I choose my post-shave tools carefully to try to get the best result. Aftershaves are just more fun in my opinion. There is also something to be said about Alum for cuts and talc powder for razor burn.

 

[Varanis Ridari]

Well, I'm one of the wet shavers on the forum. Aftershave is my preferred post-shave. I don't do balm much unless I got a perfect 1-pass with zero irritation. Most of the time I want dry skin because if I got any irritation the balm only makes my skin red, whilst dry skin is less prone to redness or a shaving bump. So, I choose my post-shave tools carefully to try to get the best result. Aftershaves are just more fun in my opinion. There is also something to be said about Alum for cuts and talc powder for razor burn.

I've never needed alum but powder might be a nice addition.

 

[Strange Routine]

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[Galicia & Jicky]

I'll look up Cella

Here you go:

https://www.parfumo.com/Perfumes/Cella/Lozione_Dopobarba