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The Shaving Cadre
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Let's talk Serums and Elixirs, etc...
- Thread starter Spider
- Start date
GearNoir
“The Disney Princess’s Apprentice”
David The Nurse...you naughty man
Bogeyman
Shave Member
Well, it appears he tightened your nuts.
beginish
The Dr. Who of the TSC
I have used many, many balms over the years, and only incorporated splashes in the last few.
Nivea balm: Available, reliable. Does the job, but you won’t fall in love.
Trumper Skin Food: I’ve used the Coral and love the scent. Performance is good, but it feels a bit like a sealant. Skin is very smooth after use, almost like you have a coating (not absorbing, if you know what I mean).
Castle Forbes Balm: I’ve used the lavender. Scent is amazing, and performance is great, absorbing as well as Nivea.
Penhaligon’s Balm: more like a cream. Scent is excellent (I’ve used Endymion and Blenheim Bouquet), and performance is good. Scent sticks around a good long time, so don’t try to pair it with anything.
L’Occitane Balms: I’ve used Cade, L’Occitan and Baux scents. It’s a cream in a tube and very effective. Scents are mild and very pleasant.
DR Harris Pink: Very, very light rose scent in an effective alcohol-free splash. I enjoyed it, but it’s a little boring.
Nivea balm: Available, reliable. Does the job, but you won’t fall in love.
Trumper Skin Food: I’ve used the Coral and love the scent. Performance is good, but it feels a bit like a sealant. Skin is very smooth after use, almost like you have a coating (not absorbing, if you know what I mean).
Castle Forbes Balm: I’ve used the lavender. Scent is amazing, and performance is great, absorbing as well as Nivea.
Penhaligon’s Balm: more like a cream. Scent is excellent (I’ve used Endymion and Blenheim Bouquet), and performance is good. Scent sticks around a good long time, so don’t try to pair it with anything.
L’Occitane Balms: I’ve used Cade, L’Occitan and Baux scents. It’s a cream in a tube and very effective. Scents are mild and very pleasant.
DR Harris Pink: Very, very light rose scent in an effective alcohol-free splash. I enjoyed it, but it’s a little boring.
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
I have a few samples of GFT Skim Food and they are different from most products. They absorb quickly in the skin and is a off white jelly liquid. The ingredients are very similar to "Corn Huskers Lotion" which can be found locally for a much cheaper price but is unscented (for what it's worth). The Skin Food does make skin super soft afterwards but would recommend either a sample or CHL first to save you some $ in case it's not for you as the texture is unique.
pbrmhl
0
I like the question posed by KJ. I’ve got a ton of both alcohol-based splashes (thanks in part to KJ’s influence) and balms. When facing dryness (see what I did there?), I used to use a balm, usually Chatillon Lux salves, which are fine products.
Then I met the alcohol-based aftershave splashes from Maol Grooming. They’re chock full of skin food, but are true splashes (which I prefer to balms). The Maol splashes are as balmy as my balmiest balm. I splashed some on after my shave this morning and my face still feels like I just rubbed a thick balm into my face.
Another option, though not as good on my face, is the post-shave elixir from Grooming Dept. It’s an oil solution, without alcohol, but works fairly well on my face. It’s a lot cheaper than Sebum, yet seems to work just as well for me.
Then I met the alcohol-based aftershave splashes from Maol Grooming. They’re chock full of skin food, but are true splashes (which I prefer to balms). The Maol splashes are as balmy as my balmiest balm. I splashed some on after my shave this morning and my face still feels like I just rubbed a thick balm into my face.
Another option, though not as good on my face, is the post-shave elixir from Grooming Dept. It’s an oil solution, without alcohol, but works fairly well on my face. It’s a lot cheaper than Sebum, yet seems to work just as well for me.
Okay...definitely late to the party.
I have to say...I absolutely HATE balms. Even the good ones (or what people tell me are good ones) feel like they just stay on top of my skin and smother me. I end up sweating and get annoyed and wiping it off before it does any good. I don't typically reach for a balm because my skin is never all that dry. But sometimes I need that little extra something. In the past couple of years, I have used two products that I have been impressed with. Ariana & Evans Post Shave Serum No. 3 and the Dragonsbeard Skin Food Splash (@Dragonsbeard ).
The A&E Post Shave Serum No. 3 is my go-to right now when I need a little more moisturizing. It is much lighter than any balm I have ever used, which makes this an appealing choice for me. Two pumps into my hands and this is enough to cover my entire face and neck area. It not only helps with moisturizing, but it is really soothing for those days when the razor got just a bit too close to the skin. I won't say that it absorbs immediately. But it doesn't take that long at all. I would say compared to a typical balm...it absorbs into the skin probably about 75% faster than the balms. This is one of the only products that makes my face feel like I have shaved with the an incredible soap and giving me the best post shave feel.
The other product I have used is the Dragonsbeard Skin Food Splash. Definitely not a balm. And I would say the consistency is more like a splash than anything else. Actually, consistency speaking, it is similar to the Proraso Aftershave (though that is where the similarities end). This skin food is the best post shave product I have used. And when it becomes available...it will make its way into my den. Upon application...this splash begins its work and immediately starts to absorb into the skin. Comparing it to a regular alcohol splash...I think this "dries" faster. The end result is that it leaves my face feeling much like the A&E Post Shave Serum...but better. Not sure how else to describe it.
When I am finished with the A&E...I am going to give the Lisa's Natural Herbal Creation (@LNHC ) Post Shave Elixir a go, as @Dave in KY really puts in a good word for it.
Anyway..I know this is late, but I hope it helps.
I have to say...I absolutely HATE balms. Even the good ones (or what people tell me are good ones) feel like they just stay on top of my skin and smother me. I end up sweating and get annoyed and wiping it off before it does any good. I don't typically reach for a balm because my skin is never all that dry. But sometimes I need that little extra something. In the past couple of years, I have used two products that I have been impressed with. Ariana & Evans Post Shave Serum No. 3 and the Dragonsbeard Skin Food Splash (@Dragonsbeard ).
The A&E Post Shave Serum No. 3 is my go-to right now when I need a little more moisturizing. It is much lighter than any balm I have ever used, which makes this an appealing choice for me. Two pumps into my hands and this is enough to cover my entire face and neck area. It not only helps with moisturizing, but it is really soothing for those days when the razor got just a bit too close to the skin. I won't say that it absorbs immediately. But it doesn't take that long at all. I would say compared to a typical balm...it absorbs into the skin probably about 75% faster than the balms. This is one of the only products that makes my face feel like I have shaved with the an incredible soap and giving me the best post shave feel.
The other product I have used is the Dragonsbeard Skin Food Splash. Definitely not a balm. And I would say the consistency is more like a splash than anything else. Actually, consistency speaking, it is similar to the Proraso Aftershave (though that is where the similarities end). This skin food is the best post shave product I have used. And when it becomes available...it will make its way into my den. Upon application...this splash begins its work and immediately starts to absorb into the skin. Comparing it to a regular alcohol splash...I think this "dries" faster. The end result is that it leaves my face feeling much like the A&E Post Shave Serum...but better. Not sure how else to describe it.
When I am finished with the A&E...I am going to give the Lisa's Natural Herbal Creation (@LNHC ) Post Shave Elixir a go, as @Dave in KY really puts in a good word for it.
Anyway..I know this is late, but I hope it helps.
Never too late to add to the discussion @dangerousdon !
Omega Aquae Amazing !!Serum
I ma on my 4th bottle and have one on the way LOL
With the dryness of the season, I'm wondering who is relying more on the balms & elixirs. I sure am. Not every day, but a few times a week for sure, whenever my skin feels extra dry after my aftershave.
Any new favorites? One of my new favorites is CBL's aftershave tonic. That is some good stuff! It's akin to an aftershave milk, and is just the right balance of splash and balm. It works well as a daily aftershave and also hydrates the skin enough to satisfy my desire for a balm. It's just the perfect aftershave.
Any new favorites? One of my new favorites is CBL's aftershave tonic. That is some good stuff! It's akin to an aftershave milk, and is just the right balance of splash and balm. It works well as a daily aftershave and also hydrates the skin enough to satisfy my desire for a balm. It's just the perfect aftershave.
I have since purchased all 3 "flavors" of Via Barberia. I really do like them. I think it's the hyaluronic acid in them that really helps the skin feel great. I'm seeing that ingredient in a lot of products now. If I'm not mistaken it's also in CBL's Tonic.
I'm loving CBL's as well, and your description is spot on.
