I used Thayers Witch Hazel with Lavender and Aloe Vera. It doesn't contain alcohol and really soothes and moisturizes.
I first used straight WH. Then I added just enough Tabac cologne to give it a nicer scent (about 10 to 12 squirts for a 2 oz bottle). When that bottle was half gone, I filled it back up with rum (after pouring a drink first), making a 50/50 mix of WH/Rum, plus cologne. My next step will be to add a bit of glycerin and aloe juice. I do like the bit of burn the rum provides. After that, use other after shave products, which may or may not have WH in them.
Has anyone mixed a bit of their leftover lather with the witch hazel? I started doing this when I wasn't going to be wearing any A/S. I just take about a dime sized amount of lather in the palm of my cupped hand and then pour the witch hazel on top of it. I rub my hands together then go to my face with it, just as I would do when applying only WH. I don't use enough to make my face all soapy, but enough so that I can carry the scent a bit longer. It seems to work pretty well, for me. I like being able to smell the scent of my soap/cream long after I'm done shaving.
I have recently found that mixing extra lubricating/intensive care skin lotion whatever brand I personally go to the Dollar Tree or Dollar General (I'm a terrible cheapskate I'll be the first to admit), and then buy the generic version of original Listerine and start off by mixing them about 50/50, (mix a little water with the Listerine at first if you wish) and put the mixture into some sort of bottle and shake vigorously. Apply after shaving. The skin lotion part will soothe and moisturize your face while the Listerine part of the mix will have a very nice cooling/invigorating effect on your face with no stinging. If you go to the Dollar tree you can get a bottle of high powered lotion, some generic Listerine, and a nice little pump bottle/container all for just 3 Dollars plus tax. Not saying its the best, but it works for me just fine and its cheap.
I didn't get any response here, so a while ago I posted a thread on the topic. I found that it's merely for diluting the splash so scent and alcohol is not so strong. I've since tried that approach and with my Williams/AV I kinda like it, whether it's wet hands or wet face doesn't matter, but the result is good. So it's not something you MUST do, like when boiling potatoes, add water to a cooking pan first. Balm wise I don't see the point. http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/wet-or-dry-why.33446/
I've never used Witch Hazel as I'm still unsure of it's purpose/benefit over Nivea/postshave balm and/or a nice smelling splash. I like to put on the Nivea first for the protection and soothing feeling it gives and then after letting it air dry for a bit, follow with a splash(AV,Pinuad,Mennen,FloridaWater or a BayRum etc) for some smell..I also like topping everything off with a "VERY" light application of baby powder to help remove any left over moisture and it makes my face feel so good.... As to why apply it over a wet face?? I think it's suppose to help hold/replace moisture in the skin, but I honestly do it because I was told to in the beginning and I'm used to dong it now and it doesn't seem to hurt anything and feels "traditional" and comforting to me now....
While I do enjoy a good BayRum I try and stay away from aftershaves. A few drops of Shave Secret is good for me.
If I may use a baseball analogy, bay rum will be my "setup" aftershave for Clubman. That is, bay rum for most of the fall, then Clubman throughout the winter.